Governor Cuomo flooded with Kill the Constitution Pipeline Calls/Pour it on/Phone banking tips

Use this Quick Action Guide to kill the proposed Constitution Pipeline.

Greetings,

Thanks to everyone who is incessantly calling Governor Cuomo at 518 474 8390 to oppose Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Constitution Pipeline. I appreciate each and every report you send me. Pour it on. Every day without the Constitution Pipeline is a political eternity.

I called myself and was told calls are pouring in. I also was informed that the "Executive Chamber" cares very much about the substance of our requests.

A lot of Fractivists have written to ask all kinds of procedural questions. Here are some tips to maximize your advocacy effectiveness.

You can riff to your heart's content about how you personally oppose this, that or anything, but always, always, always state your request or "ask" plainly and simply. It is best to start your call by saying exactly what you want the Governor to do.

Feel free to read this request to the person taking your call:

"I request that Governor Cuomo immediately require his Department of Environmental Conservation to DENY the Section 401 Water Quality Certification application for the proposed Constitution pipeline and all other fossil fuel infrastructure projects in New York."

That level of specificity will shock the Second Floor.

The number one mistake activists typically make is assuming that the power of their words will convince the Governor of the error of his ways. There is little chance of that happening. If Governor Cuomo had any inclination to kill the Constitution Pipeline, he likely would have done so months ago.

Explain who you are and why your input matters. If you have deep roots in your community, say so. Own a business large or small? Say how much you want New York's economy to prosper. Represent a group? Pray tell which one? Tout your professional and academic credentials if they are impressive.

You get the idea. Do not be shy, but do not act too full of yourself. There is a fine line, eh? Always be sincere.

Finally, the number of calls is not the most important thing unless the volume is overwhelmingly huge. The critical factor is usually the political weight that calls carry. Engage the operator and make good substantive arguments. Demonstrate that you know what you are talking about.

In conclusion, major public policies are decided on merit as well as political considerations such as votes, financial contributions, press coverage and many other factors. Maximize focused pressure. Rebut every pro-pipeline, fossil fuel argument you have heard.

Finally, be a force-multiplier. Persuade many others to do what I have outlined above.

Killing proposed pipelines and infrastructure projects across New York will require huge heavy lifting, but we can do it if we all work together.

Stay on it. Keep calling. Do not stop until you drop. Have fun.

Cheers,

Walter

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