ACTION PLAYBOOK
Contact
Your State Legislators
Let’s take action!
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Urge your state legislator to help ensure your state expands solar access by applying for the EPA’s Solar for All program.
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Identify your state legislators
Send an email
Ask a friend to do it too
Today, we’re asking our state legislators to apply for the EPA’s new grant program for building low-income solar projects. You’ll find email templates below, but if you’d like more information before diving in, click here for our Solar for All Issue Briefing.
1. Identify your state legislators
In Washington, you’re represented by one state senator and two state representatives. Confirm your district number on the map below, then click here for a table of representatives and senators by legislative district. You’ll find all of their email addresses in the table.
Need a closer look? Plug your address into this “Find my state legislator” resource.
2. Send personalized emails to your state legislators
Edit the template below in a blank email to your state legislators about applying for a Solar for All grant. You can use the same email copy for all three if you think the exact same message would apply (this is not recommended if your legislators are from different political parties).
Make sure to customize all of the sections in brackets and carry over/format the links (they’re an important part of your message!).
Note the populated email will auto-bcc advocacy@climatechangemakers.org so we can make note of our impact. If you manually copy and paste the template, please add in the bcc!
Or manually copy/paste the template:
SUBJECT: Help expand solar access in our state
bcc: advocacy@climatechangemakers.org
Dear [STATE LEGISLATOR],
My name is [NAME], and I’m your constituent in [CITY/TOWN]. I am reaching out to bring to your attention to an opportunity that holds immense potential for Washington state, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The EPA has launched a $7 billion "Solar for All" grant competition eligible to state, local, and Tribal governments, and it plans to make up to 60 awards.
This initiative aims to foster access to affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy for millions of low-income households across the nation. The competition aligns with our state's commitments to reducing energy costs for families and meeting our emissions targets.
The grant application deadline is October 12, 2023. It is of utmost importance that our state is not only prepared to apply, but is also geared toward optimizing this extraordinary opportunity. This program is guaranteed to lower electricity bills by at least 20% for our most disadvantaged constituents, contribute to a healthier environment, and catalyze job opportunities in the ever-expanding clean energy sector.
To truly maximize the impact of this opportunity, it is crucial that our state leverages the most rigorous best practices in low-income solar program design. This ensures that we can provide the greatest possible benefit to disadvantaged communities, promote widespread adoption of solar, and ultimately contribute to a more equitable clean energy future.
In this regard, I wanted to share a helpful compilation of resources that includes vital information about the grant, policy design guidebooks, and enlightening case studies that can inform our application and implementation strategy.
I would appreciate it if your office could forward the resources above to the relevant state agencies and if you could use your platform to help ensure they apply. Thank you for prioritizing constituents, and I look forward to seeing our state make progress on community solar. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you’d like to discuss further.
Sincerely,
3. Ask a friend to do it too
Network effects are powerful. Persuading friends and family to take climate action is a crucial step toward changing cultural norms and making real progress. Now that you’ve taken this action, send a note to a friend along with this playbook link asking them to send an email or make a call to their own state legislators.
Simplify the process for them by forwarding your own email as a model and the contact information you found if they live in the same state. And if your friend ends up taking action, don’t forget to let us know at advocacy@climatechangemakers.org!
Note: The playbook linked above is applicable to all U.S. states, while the page you’re currently using is tailored for Seattle.
Thank you for taking action!
Cue confetti 🎉