Chalk one up for digital organizing, Florida activist Joy Towles Ezell and her allies have beaten back, at least for now, a proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in Taylor County, Florida. The company announced it was suspending work on the plant pending the outcome of Governor Crist’s energy policy deliberations.
I interviewed Joy about how she used a suite of listservs to rally her neighbors and hound the corporation just a few weeks ago.
I’ve got to wonder about the Florida governor, though. He could have issued statement praising the company and used words that work that appeal to all Florida voters, like this:
“The company has made a responsible choice. Suspending this plant allows us to plan ahead, and to invest in clean and safe energy.”
But instead, he said this:
We’re obviously moving in a different direction and I think we need to continue to explore solar, wind, nuclear.”
Nuclear? Really? Nuclear? I expect Joy and a few of her friends just might set up another listserv….
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Hi Eric,
Wow ! You’ve outdone yourself again! Thanks for the very kind words and all the encouragement you’ve given, plus all the good pointers!
We’ve got lots of work ahead – we know the coal plant has not “gone away” and we are readying for the next battle in this war, whether it be coal gasification or nuclear, or whatever it might be. We don’t trust those power dudes at all; they’ve learned how to use the words that fool way too many folks into believing their tall tales. We’ve got their number though – and we’ll be strong and firm.
Thank you Eric for all your wonderful help.
Joy and the Taylor County strong coal fighters