LCV & Chispa Statements on WV v. EPA Decision: Pass Reconciliation Bill, Expand the Court

Washington D.C – Today, in response to the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision to side with the interests of coal companies and dangerously narrow the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate climate pollution under the Clean Air Act, the League of Conservation Voters issued the following statements:

LCV Board Chair and former EPA administrator, Carol M. Browner said:

“Today’s decision is another loss for the health of our children and communities.

“It will exacerbate the plight of communities of color historically overburdened by pollution and will destabilize the future of clean energy and the economic promise it holds. It also sets a dangerous precedent by undermining the authority of all federal agencies to establish the strongest, most cost effective, pollution standards to protect people and the environment from dangerous pollution and other threats. The majority ignores that today’s electricity generation is significantly different from the days of Thomas Edison. We are using more renewables and polluting less. The majority ignores the science of climate change. It significantly limits EPA’s responsibility to ensure clean air.

“Reforms are needed now more than ever, from rebalancing and expanding the Supreme Court to end special interest control over the courts to Congress finally taking action to tackle the climate crisis and energy security by passing the $555 billion for investments in climate, jobs, and justice that will lower costs for families and protect our health and environment. We cannot afford to wait. It’s time to act on the climate crisis.”

Chispa National Director of Policy and Advocacy Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate said:

“This decision sacrifices the health and livelihood of low-income people of color who are bearing the brunt of climate change and are often exposed to higher levels of air pollution, toxic hazards, and other contaminants. Environmental justice is a civil rights issue. With every breath we take, children and families of color are dying in polluted neighborhoods. Our communities will continue to fight back on this and other egregious attacks on our civil and human rights, including our right to clean air.”

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THIS WEEK IN CLIMATE ACTION – JUNE 24, 2022

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“We are in a post-Roe world and there is now one question before us. Will we allow the far-right to have the last word on abortion? NO! We must fight back against this stolen Court, abolish the filibuster, codify Roe v. Wade, and expand the Supreme Court of the United States.”

– Senator Ed Markey stated about Friday’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“We know that our great moral and constitutional traditions declare that we must establish justice and ensure equal protection under the law for all people. We know that when the nation is moving away from the principles of life, liberty, justice and freedom for all people and there has been a long train of abuses, we must correct the nation. We are bound to do that by the basic vision of the Declaration of Independence and all the promises of our founding documents.”

– Rev. William J Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, said during Saturday’s Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C.

“When we start thinking that we are not nature, that’s when we get into trouble. [We need to] make people aware that we are nature too – the Earth is just an extension of us. Or we are an extension of the Earth, let’s say.”

– Artist Guilherme Lemes said to LCV about his climate justice inspired mural in Las Vegas.

“Instead of being removed from a landscape to make way for a public park, we are being invited back to our ancestral homelands to help repair them and plan for a resilient future. We are being asked to apply our traditional knowledge to both the natural and human-caused ecological challenges, drought, erosion, visitation.”

– Zuni Pueblo Lt. Gov. Carleton Bowekaty said of the historic cooperative agreement between five indigenous tribes and the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to co-manage Bears Ears National Monument.

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OVERTURN OF ROE V. WADE: While we knew this was likely, the Supreme Court decision allowing states to ban abortion means, today, our country officially diminished the rights and equality of all people who can become pregnant – a point Justices Sotomayor, Breyer and Kagan made clear in their dissent. In this moment, it’s unmistakable that this Court, which has been captured by extremist far-right interests, is no longer aligned with the people of this country. It’s time to expand the Court.

LCV TAKE: LCV President Gene Karpinski and Board Chair Carol M. Browner said, “Today is an infuriating day. For the first time in our history, the Supreme Court has taken a fundamental right away from the people. Eight in 10 people in this country support the legal right to abortion and this decision is an outrageous overreach by an extremist majority on a Supreme Court captured by far-right special interests. The decision to overturn nearly 50 years of precedent will deny access to essential healthcare for millions of people, especially those who already carry the greatest burdens from attacks on democracy and environmental, economic, and health injustices, including communities of color, communities with low-wealth, and rural communities.

Make no mistake, today’s decision is the result of a concerted decades-long right-wing effort to capture our courts and roll back the rights of women, girls, and all people who can become pregnant. We can’t wait to correct this captured Court – Congress must act immediately to rebalance the scales for a more just, honorable, and equitable judiciary, and expand the number of justices who serve on our nation’s highest Court.”

CHISPA TAKE: Chispa National Director of Policy and Advocacy Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate said, “Chispa stands with our allies who have been at the forefront of the fight for reproductive freedom and free, safe access to abortion. We remain committed to defending the right to make our own choices about our bodies and futures. The Supreme Court’s egregious attack on our rights will be met by our collective people power. We will resist and we will persevere. We know it’s people of color, especially Black, Indigenous, and undocumented people, and other communities who already face health access barriers, who will bear the brunt of this decision. Personally, this adds to the layers of oppression I face everyday as a person of color, immigrant, and member of a low-income, mixed status family. It feels like I am not allowed freedom in this country, not even the right to make decisions about my own body.”

Find statements from Chispa Florida, Chispa Arizona, Protégete in Colorado, Chispa Texas and Chispa Nevada here. Read the full statement en español here.

VA PRIMARY VICTORIES: LCV Action Fund endorsed candidates celebrated primary victories in Virginia this week, positioning them to continue pushing the needle forward on climate action in their key state. LCV congratulates U.S. Representatives Elaine Luria (VA-02), Donald McEachin (VA-04), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) for their respective primary wins.

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Congratulations to these climate and environmental justice leaders on their victories tonight. Each of these members of Congress have been true champions for Virginia’s communities and have been strong advocates for a just and equitable transition to a clean energy future, climate action, and protecting our democracy. It has never been more important to have leaders like these in Congress as we continue our fight to tackle the climate crisis through transformational investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and good-paying union jobs. We look forward to more victories in November and will do everything we can to help make that happen.”

YESLI VEGA IS WRONG FOR VIRGINIA: In additional primary news, LCV Action Fund released a memo explaining how Virginia-07 Republican primary winner Yesli Vega is bad for the environment and for families. As a Prince William County Supervisor, Vega has voted against a goal of 100% renewable energy, opposes critical reforms to get corporate polluter money out of politics and defended the violent insurrectionists who launched an attack on our democracy on January 6. In November, she will face off against LCV Action Fund-endorsed climate champion Abigail Spanberger for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. Read the full memo here.

OUR TAKE: Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “The contrast between Abigail Spanberger and Yesli Vega could not be more stark. Every voter in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District who cares about clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and ensuring we leave a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren should be alarmed by Yesli Vega’s record of voting to protect polluter profits over people. Fortunately Abigail Spanberger is fighting hard in Congress to create millions of clean energy jobs, lower costs for hardworking Virginians and ensure a safe climate for future generations.”

BACKING REP. CASTEN: On Tuesday, LCV Victory Fund and NRDC Action Votes announced a new digital ad buy backing Representative Sean Casten in the IL-06 primary. The initiative comes a week after Casten pulled campaign ads after suffering the tragic loss of his 17 year old daughter. As a strong supporter of clean energy solutions, Casten is a proven environmental leader on Capitol Hill.

OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Campaigns Director Joann Saridakis said, “Representative Casten is the definition of a Congressional climate champion. The last year has made it clearer than ever that we need proven pro-environment leadership in Congress in order to pass the cost saving climate and clean energy legislation our country needs – and it’s imperative that Rep. Casten wins his primary and heads back to Washington for another term to do just that.”

ENDORSING DELIA RAMIREZ: LCV Action Fund announced its endorsement of environmental champion and Illinois State Representative Delia Ramirez on Thursday. Running to represent Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, Ramirez would be the first Latina to represent Illinois, and any Midwestern state, in Congress. Since serving in the Illinois State Legislature, Ramirez has consistently earned a 100% on the Illinois Environmental Council’s scorecard for, among other things, her support transitioning Illinois to 100% clean energy and refusing to take contributions from the fossil fuel industry.

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Throughout her career in the state legislature, State Rep. Delia Ramirez has been a champion for climate action, environmental justice, and democracy and we know she will continue leading on these issues and a just and equitable transition to a clean energy future in Congress. It is more important than ever that we have representatives in Washington who will stand up for people over polluter profits and prioritize the health and well-being of our communities and our environment – we are thrilled to support Rep. Ramirez because we know she will do just that.”

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE BILL MARKUP: On Tuesday, the House Interior Subcommittee marked up the House Appropriations Interior and Environment bill, advancing significant investments for the environment, public lands, clean water and environmental justice. These investments are crucial to ensuring that the EPA, DOI and other agencies can protect our communities and wildlife and address environmental injustice. A significant piece of proposed funding is $150 million for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program.

OUR TAKE: LCV Government Affairs Advocate David Shadburn said, “At a time when communities are experiencing climate disasters in their backyards and record-breaking gas prices from price-gouging by oil and gas companies at the pump, it could not be more important for Congress to implement President Biden’s 2023 budget with the investments we need in climate, clean energy, justice, and jobs. Today’s markup is an exciting first step and we look forward to working with House and Senate leaders to get this bill passed and to President Biden’s desk.”

CAPITOL BANNER DROP: On Thursday, the Fight For Our Future coalition dropped a visually stunning banner at the U.S. Capitol building, the White House and the EPA headquarters. The coalition is made up of LCV, the Center for American Progress, Sierra Club, MoveOn and the Green New Deal Network, who joined together to demand that President Biden and Congress get the job done on a climate reconciliation bill that prioritizes climate, care, good jobs and justice before August recess. Passing a climate bill now is more important than ever as gas prices soar and the IPCC warns that “it’s now or never” to slow down climate change.

#CLIMATEBILLNOW: Across the country, people continue to call on the Senate to pass a climate bill that saves families money, creates good-paying jobs and builds a healthier, more just, clean energy future. This week, LCV released a new video supporting bold, dramatic action to save our planet and communities. Check it out here.

BOUNDARY WATERS: The Biden administration made important steps toward banning mining activity around Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, America’s most visited wilderness area, on Thursday. In a draft Environmental Assessment, the U.S. Forest Service found that a twenty-year mineral withdrawal would protect water quality and serious degradation in the Boundary Waters. The finding follows Biden’s decision to cancel the only two federal mineral leases in the watershed. A 30-day comment period on this Environmental Assessment will follow.

ARTISTS ARE BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER: LCV caught up with artist Guilherme Lemes, who, earlier this year, painted a mural in Las Vegas calling for climate justice now. The piece highlights the interconnectedness of humans and nature and the importance of protecting our Earth. Find out more about what climate justice means to Lemes and see photos of his mural here.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

MI VOTO, MI COMUNIDAD: On Wednesday, June 29, Chispa national and Chispa Arizona will premiere the film “Mi Voto, Mi Comunidad” (“My Vote, My Community”) featuring longtime community activist Masavi Perea. The film follows Perea’s journey to becoming a U.S. citizen and registering to vote for the first time – a story of resilience, commitment to community and triumph. The premiere will begin at 6:00 pm PST and viewers can sign up to attend the virtual screening here.

CHISPA FLORIDA X UNITE HERE: Yesterday, activists with Chispa FL, Florida Rising, Central Florida Jobs With Justice, Unite Here, as well as Florida State Representatives Anna V. Eskamani and Carlos Guillermo Smith gathered to rally in support of renter protections ahead of a special session of the Orange County Commission. Learn more about the event here.

COMING UP:

ALL OF JUNE: Pride Month + Immigrant Heritage Month

JUNE 28: Colorado, Illinois, New York State U.S. Senate, Oklahoma and Utah Primary Elections

THIS WEEK IN CLIMATE ACTION – JUNE 17, 2022

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“A clean energy future is no longer an ambitious goal, it’s a necessity. From wildfires and hurricanes, to severe flooding and record heat waves, each of our districts have really seen firsthand the devastating impacts of climate change.”

— House Sustainability Energy and Environment Coalition Co-Chair Doris Matsui said of the need to pass a climate reconciliation bill at a press conference on June 16.

“This extremist Supreme Court is about to decide a case that could eviscerate our ability to fight climate change that threatens the future of our planet. We’re facing a global climate catastrophe if we don’t act fast.”

— Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a video standing with LCV’s push to expand the Supreme Court.

“We need something much more substantive than the Juneteenth federal holiday. We need reparatory justice, and we need it now. Our communities are crying out for it. Our communities are demanding it.”

– Nkechi Taifa, director of the Reparation Education Project, said of Juneteenth in an interview with Vox.

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MULTICAUCUS LETTER TO BIDEN: On Thursday, LCV was joined by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Andy Levin (MI-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), the Sierra Club, Climate Power, Evergreen Action and the Climate Action Campaign for a press conference calling on President Biden to get the job done on addressing the climate crisis.The event came after 175 members of Congress released a letter to the president urging him to do everything in his power to reach a deal on climate, justice, jobs, and clean energy investments in Congress. The signers represent the wide ideological breadth of House Democrats standing in unity, including the five co-chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition.

OUR TAKE: Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo said, “The stakes for climate action could not be higher for our communities, our planet, and our economy. Thankfully, House Democrats are united around the necessary and popular climate investments we need to lower costs for families, create a cleaner, safer, and healthier future for our communities, and put the United States on the path to achieving the President’s long-term vision of a clean energy economy with millions of high-paying jobs.”

RECOVERING AMERICA’S WILDLIFE ACT SCORECARD: On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2773 Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, the most significant investment in the conservation and restoration of wildlife and plant species in a generation, as well the first federal conservation program guaranteeing sustained funding to Tribal Nations for wildlife preservation. Ahead of the vote, LCV sent a letter to the House, urging members to support the bill and noting that their vote would be taken into consideration for the 2022 Scorecard.

OUR TAKE: LCV President Gene Karpinski wrote in the letter, “This bill is long overdue. Federal as well as the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant programs have been underfunded for decades, forcing agencies to pick and choose which species are worth saving and focus on expensive reactive methods to rescue a species already on the brink of extinction. The current model of funding is also unpredictable, limiting the ability to undertake multi-year projects needed to reverse declines in wildlife. This cost-effective legislation would help give state, territorial and Tribal wildlife agencies the resources they need to proactively invest in long-term conservation work to maintain healthy populations of fish and wildlife before they are on the brink.”

CREATING A COMISSION ON REPARATIONS: Commemorating Juneteenth, LCV reiterated its support for creating a commission on reparations to study the pervasive legacy of slavery and systemic racism. Last year, LCV supported H.R. 40, a historic bill that would have created a commision to provide recommendations on how the justice owed to Black Americans may be apportioned. Now, LCV is continuing to stand in solidarity with countless other Black activists and organizations calling on President Biden to sign an executive order to form an H.R.40-style commission on reparations.

OUR TAKE: Chief Officer for Racial Justice and Equity Leslie Hinkson said, “Reparations are a necessary and long-overdue step toward the racial justice Black people are owed after generations of slavery, systemic racism, and the lasting harm we clearly continue to see through state-sanctioned violence, voter suppression, housing segregation and redlining, environmental injustices and exposure to toxic pollutants. Though we recognize that past harms cannot be fully undone, reparations would provide a measure of justice owed to Black Americans.”

JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE HEARINGS: In response to the first week of public hearings by the House January 6 Select Committee, LCV condemned the right-wing extremists both in and out of the Trump White House who launched a coordinated but failed attempt to overturn the will of the American people through a strategic, violent, unconstitutional and illegal attack on our democracy.

OUR TAKE: Advocacy Director for Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner said, “This assault on our democracy is not stopping and it is more important than ever to combat the relentless election sabotage and voter suppression efforts intended to silence the voices of communities of color and communities with low wealth, who also bear the greatest burden from the climate crisis and environmental injustice. We look forward to the continued findings of this committee in the coming weeks, and to seeing all those responsible for this attack held accountable.”

NV PRIMARIES: Candidates endorsed by the LCV Action Fund celebrated primary victories in Nevada this week, positioning them to next appear on the general election ballot in November. LCV congratulates Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV-Sen) and U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (NV-01), Susie Lee (NV-03) and Steven Horsford (NV-04) on their primary wins.

OUR NV TAKE: LCV Action Fund Vice President of Political Affairs Craig Auster said, “Each of these members of Congress has seen firsthand how the climate crisis has had devastating impacts for entire communities and have fought hard to grow Nevada’s clean energy economy to build a just and equitable clean energy future for all. As we continue our fight to tackle the climate crisis through transformational investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and good-paying union jobs, their leadership will continue to be pivotal in Congress. We’re looking forward to seeing more victories in November and will be doing everything we can to help these climate champions stay in Washington.”

LAXALT IS BAD FOR NV: In additional primary news this week, Adam Laxalt won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Nevada – and LCV Victory Fund highlighted the ways Laxalt is bought and sold by the greedy, profiteering oil and gas industry. From denying climate change, to owning Chevron Corporation stock, to taking Big Oil campaign donations, to supporting Trump’s Big Lie, Laxalt has aligned himself with dangerous allies. Read the full memo here.

OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice President of Campaigns Pete Maysmith said, “Adam Laxalt is bought and sold by the fossil fuel industry that is currently celebrating record profits while Nevadans pay historically high gas prices. Siding with oil companies that are jacking up gas prices should be disqualifying for any candidate in 2022. Laxalt is the definition of a MAGA Republican – his defense of the Big Lie and support for voter suppression efforts would systematically silence the voices of Nevadans, particularly people of color. Nevadans suffering from extreme heat and struggling to make ends meet deserve better than a climate denier who is in bed with corporate polluters and Donald Trump.”

DISCHARGING NANCY ABUDU AND DALE HO: Awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court in West Virginia v. EPA – a case that may have damaging effects on the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon pollution and protect public health – LCV teamed up with Climate Hawks Vote, Earthjustice, Sierra Club and the Union of Concerned Scientists to release a letter to the United States Senate urging the discharge and confirmation of Ms. Nancy Abudu to the Eleventh Circuit and Mr. Dale Ho to the Southern District of New York.

OUR TAKE: In a joint statement, the partners wrote, “On the cusp of the Supreme Court issuing their decision in West Virginia v. EPA, which could severely restrict the ability of the EPA to protect the public’s health, it is critical that the Senate confirms judges who recognize the government’s obligation to protect public health and the environment, respect our right to access the courts to hold the government and polluting industries accountable, and can tell the difference between facts and politics.”

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

STATE WINS ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Over the past year, LCV state leagues and the Chispa program have been integral for championing state environmental policies and programs that set a national model for pollution reduction, investing in clean energy jobs and centering racial and economic justice in the clean energy transition. On Tuesday, LCV released a comprehensive list of these state-level wins including comprehensive climate policies passed, actions on climate taken by governors, bad bills stopped in their tracks and two environmental ballot initiatives to watch. Some of the highlights include the country’s strongest carbon pollution reduction plan in Maryland, the nation’s strictest oil and gas rules passed in Colorado, Connecticut becoming 14th state to commit to 100% clean energy, New York becoming the first state with all electric school buses and Michigan’s major investments in clean water. Read the full report here.

WISCONSIN REGULATES “FOREVER CHEMICALS”: On Monday, legislators on Wisconsin’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules announced that they finished reviewing regulations on PFAS chemicals and found no objections. This means that the standards, adopted by the state Natural Resources Board in February, can go into effect. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that don’t break down and are known as “forever chemicals.” The decision came a couple of days before the Environmental Protection Agency adjusted its national PFAS guidelines to nearly zero citing the health risk of the chemicals.

WCV TAKE: Wisconsin Conservation Voters Executive Director Kerry Schumann said, “These PFAS administrative rules are a significant step toward making sure all Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water. Community testing standards will make sure that fewer people in Wisconsin have to worry that the water coming from their taps will make them or their children sick.”

COMMUNITY INPUT ON PHOENIX BUDGET: On Wednesday, the Phoenix City Council met for the final funding plan and 2022-2023 city budget ordinance adoption. Community members made sure to make their voices heard! Check out Chispa Arizona’s post here for more information!

CHISPA AZ TEAMS UP FOR HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Tune into the Chispa Arizona Instagram to as they go live with community leaders at Unsheltered PHX Street Watch (@unshelteredphx), an organization that advocates for the city’s unhoused population, to talk more about how their work intersects with environmental justice. Check out this post for more information!

CHISPA FLORIDA AT THE PUERTO RICAN SUMMIT: The Puerto Rican Summit took place last week in Central Florida. The annual event brings business, civic and community leaders together with members of the community to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Florida’s Puerto Rican and Latino community. For more information, check out Chispa FL’s Instagram post here!

CHISPA FLORIDA AT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN’S FAIR: On Saturday, June 11, the first Entrepreneurial Women’s Fair was held in Downtown Kissimmee, Fla. More than 30 female business owners showed off their products and services to the community and Chispa FL tabled to share information about the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign and collect signatures. Check out Chispa FL’s Instagram post about the event here!

CHISPA NEVADA LEADERS AT THE CLIMATE REALITY TRAINING: This past weekend, Chispa Digital Campaign Manager Alexa Aispuro spoke in a panel around grassroots organizing and allyship. The one and only Senior Organizer, Rodrigo Gonzalez, supported by connecting with communities in training around Chispa NV’s work. Check out Chispa’s post here

COMING UP:

ALL OF JUNE: Pride Month + Immigrant Heritage Month

JUNE 18: Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly Moral March on Washington and to the Polls

JUNE 19: Juneteenth

JUNE 21: Washington, DC and Virginia Primary Elections

JUNE 28: Colorado, Illinois, New York State U.S. Senate, Oklahoma and Utah Primary Elections

THIS WEEK IN CLIMATE ACTION – June 10, 2022

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“January 6th and the lies that led to insurrection have put two and a half centuries of constitutional democracy at risk. The world is watching what we do here.”

— Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, chair of the House January 6th Committee, during his opening statement on the first night of public hearings.

“At the state level, we are doing our part by innovating and accelerating climate solutions. We are getting more zero emission vehicles on our roads, rapidly transitioning to clean energy, improving energy efficiency, supporting overburdened communities and displaced workers, cutting harmful emissions, and strengthening resilience. But this is not enough to reach our country’s climate goals. The U.S. House of Representatives previously approved a transformative $550 billion climate package for this purpose, and it is critical that any climate package include a similar level of funding.”

– Twenty-two governors wrote to Congress, urging them to pass a comprehensive climate reconciliation bill.

“Single-use plastic pollution is a serious threat to our planet—and nowhere is that clearer than our oceans. Plastic is choking, suffocating, and killing marine animals and fish, and now it’s on pace to outnumber them too—scientists predict that our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050. Our oceans don’t have a choice about whether they are filled with plastic, but we do.”

– Representative Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona, chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, about President Biden’s announcement on World Oceans Day to phase-out single-use plastic on public lands.

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THE CLIMATE VOTES PROJECT: This week, LCV Victory Fund and five other green groups launched the Climate Votes Project, a historic $100 million initiative to elect federal and state level climate champions to office. The project builds on previous work propelling climate up the national agenda and will focus on pivotal state and local races, with actions ranging from both climate persuasion and mobilization paid media to funding in-person field organizing efforts.

OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice president for Campaigns Pete Maysmith said “We know from past experience and research that even amongst all the noise in politics today climate can play a pivotal role in motivating the voters who can make the difference in a close election. As the Republican Party only further caters to the fossil fuel industry and their most extreme MAGA supporters, we will be making sure that voters know where their candidates stand and that the stakes have never been higher.”

PROTECTING CASTNER RANGE: Ahead of the 116th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, LCV and 91 coalition partners signed a letter calling on President Biden to use the powers granted under the Act to designate Castner Range a national monument. Located in El Paso, Texas, the Range is an important environmental and cultural resource that the community has worked half a century to protect. Making it a national monument would be an excellent opportunity for the Biden-Harris administration to make strides on their America the Beautiful Initiative, which aims to equitably preserve 30% of America’s land and waters by 2030.

OUR TAKE: In the letter, the coalition partners wrote, “Ultimately this land belongs to our children and future generations. Designating Castner Range as a national monument would not only permanently protect the area from future development but will illustrate a significant step to expand conservation education to marginalized communities who disproportionately bear the brunt of climate impacts and historically have less access to nature.”

PRIMARY ELECTIONS: LCV Action Fund endorsed candidates celebrated victories in their primaries this week, bringing them steps closer to continuing the fight for an equitable and healthy planet through the halls of Congress. In New Jersey, Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Representatives Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) all won their primaries. In New Mexico, Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03) and Gabe Vasquez, candidate for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, also went home victorious. In California, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Grace Napolitano (D-CA-31), Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), Mike Levin (D-CA-49) and Scott Peters (D-CA-50) will all move forward to the general election.

OUR NJ TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “The Garden State is a leader for climate and environmental justice and the New Jersey Congressional delegation has made a tremendous contribution to the national effort to tackle the climate crisis through transformational investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and good-paying union jobs. We know that we must continue the fight to protect New Jersey’s coast, clean air and water and we look forward to helping these members win re-election in November.”

OUR NM TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “New Mexico Democrats chose three amazing clean energy champions to represent them in Congress and we congratulate Teresa Leger Fernandez, Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez on their victories tonight. All three of these candidates have dedicated their careers to fighting for clean air and water and access to our public lands for all people in our country. As we work to tackle the climate crisis through transformational investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and good-paying union jobs, we need their continued leadership more than ever. LCV Action Fund is proud to work to help them win this November.”

OUR CA TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Congratulations to these amazing advocates for California’s environment and communities on advancing to the general election. The Golden State has long been a leader in addressing climate and environmental injustice and the work of all these champions has been critical in bringing that same determination to Congress to protect California’s coast, address wildfires ravaging the state and tackle the climate crisis through transformational investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and good-paying union jobs. We look forward to more victories for all these candidates in November – LCV Action Fund will be there every step of the way.”

BIDEN ACCELERATES CLEAN ENERGY: On Monday, the Biden-Harris administration announced it would use the Defense Production Act to boost domestic manufacturing and production of clean energy technologies. Additionally, Biden paused tariffs on solar imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam for two years.

OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Director of Government Affairs Matthew Davis said “This is exactly the kind of bold executive action voters are demanding from their climate president – thank you President Biden. Today’s move will immediately turbocharge clean energy manufacturing and production in the United States, create good-paying jobs, and accelerate our transition to the healthier, more equitable, and more affordable clean energy future our children and families deserve. Already, announced expansions in solar manufacturing since the start of the Biden-Harris administration will triple U.S. capacity to crank out the solar panels we need to rapidly achieve true energy independence. We’ve been calling on the administration to swiftly alleviate uncertainty for the solar industry caused by a Department of Commerce trade inquiry and are pleased with today’s announcement.”

NEW MEXICO ADS: Alongside President Joe Biden’s trip to New Mexico on Friday, LCV launched a digital ad campaign in the greater Santa Fe area urging the President and Congress to pass legislation making historic investments in clean energy. The trip comes as a response to a record-breaking year of wildfires that have scorched New Mexico’s drought-stricken forests. As a partial consequence of climate change, the state is still battling the two largest wildfires recorded in state history – the Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak Fire and the Black Fire, which are burning 617,000 acres collectively.

ENDORSEMENTS FOR CONGRESS: This week, LCV Action Fund endorsed John Fetterman for election to the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Pennsylvania. LCV Action Fund endorsed Fetterman for his record and commitment to action on climate, justice and jobs. You can find all of LCV Action Fund’s endorsements HERE.

SHALANDA BAKER: On Tuesday in a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Shalanda Baker as the first ever director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the Department of Energy. Prior to her appointment, Baker served as the DOE’s deputy director for energy justice, spent over a decade researching energy justice in the renewable energy transition and received a Fulbright-Garcia-Robles research fellowship.

WORLD OCEANS DAY: Celebrating World Oceans Day, the White House unveiled its action plan for protecting and restoring the health of the world’s oceans on Wednesday. Most significantly, the Biden-Harris administration announced its proposal to designate Hudson Canyon a national marine sanctuary. Found off the coast of New York and New Jersey, the Canyon is habitat to endangered species of marine life such as sea turtles, sperm whales and cold-water coral. Other parts of the president’s initiative include the phase-out of single-use plastic products on public lands, nation-to-nation coordination in the Bering Sea and a first of its kind Ocean Climate Action Plan.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

CALIFORNIA ADS: On Tuesday, the California Environmental Voters launched a new ad in the Sacramento Bee newspaper as part of their #ClimateCourageBudget campaign calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature to pass a pioneering state budget that allocates at least 5% over the next five years to combating climate change.

EnviroVoters TAKE: On their website, California Environmental Voters said “Scientists say California will reach a point of no return at the end of this decade. We need a turning point. Investing our record state budget surplus now in clean energy and transportation, water, and other vital infrastructure will provide a lifeline.”

CHISPA MARYLAND IS READY TO VOTE: Over the weekend, Chispa Maryland tabled at a community day in the town of Brentwood to share information about the Chispa program and the upcoming primary election.

CHISPA ARIZONA AND COOLIDGE COMMUNITY: On Monday, the Arizona Corporation Commission reaffirmed a previous vote to reject a permit for a proposed gas-fired power plant expansion in the city of Coolidge. Chispa Arizona turned out with the local community and successfully advocated for the ACC to deny the polluting power plant a rehearing. Check out Chispa Arizona’s post here!

COMING UP:

ALL OF JUNE: Pride Month + Immigrant Heritage Month

JUNE 14: Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina Primary Elections

JUNE 18: Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly Moral March on Washington and to the Polls

JUNE 19: Juneteenth

JUNE 21: Washington, DC and Virginia Primary Elections

JUNE 28: Colorado, Illinois, New York State U.S. Senate, Oklahoma and Utah Primary Elections

THIS WEEK IN CLIMATE ACTION – JUNE 06, 2022

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“I think it’s critically important that we recognize that the LGBTQ+ rights movement is intrinsically linked and stands upon the shoulders of the civil rights movement. The struggle for full equality for LGBTQ+ people is linked to the struggle for full equality for people of color.”

— Andrew Reighart, a headquarters co-chair of Equality EPA, on the first ever Pride flag raising at the EPA on June 1.

“Amid our celebrations, we must recognize that our work is not finished. We still have much to do to ensure everyone can live free of fear, hate, and discrimination.”

— Representative Mark Takano, the first openly gay person of color elected to Congress, celebrating the start of Pride Month.

“Their sacrifices and entrepreneurial spirit have contributed to the rich tapestry that has defined the character of our country for generations. Since our founding, the very idea of America as a Nation of limitless possibilities has been nurtured and advanced by immigrants.”

– President Joe Biden, officially proclaiming June as Immigrant Heritage Month.

“Clean energy projects on public lands have an important role to play in reducing our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and lowering costs for families.”

– Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said about Biden’s plans to slash fees for renewable energy on public lands.

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GOP CLIMATE SCAM: Despite spending decades obstructing action to combat the climate crisis, congressional Republicans released a perfunctory energy and climate agenda that fails to take the crisis seriously. Not only does this agenda fail to meaningfully reduce emissions, transition to a homegrown clean energy economy or protect communities from climate impacts, it’s a thinly-veiled scheme to double down on dirty fossil fuels that pollute our communities. People deserve better than empty promises and false solutions – they deserve $550 billion in climate, jobs and justice investments.

OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “This would be laughable as a climate agenda in 2022 except there is absolutely nothing funny about the climate crisis or Congressional Republicans’ obstruction of desperately needed solutions in the name of lining the pockets of their corporate allies and big oil polluters who fund their campaigns. Unfortunately, they are simply turning a blind eye to the science, communities harmed by fossil fuel pollution, and the will of voters by doubling down on the failed energy policies of the past. There is no more time to waste. Congressional Republicans must prioritize people over polluter profits and support commonsense clean energy investments to address the climate crisis and environmental injustice, create good-paying union jobs, and save people money on their energy bills.”

STOP THE WILLOW PROJECT: This week, LCV launched new digital ads in Washington D.C. calling for an end to the Willow oil drilling project in the Western Arctic region of Alaska. Proposed by oil giant ConocoPhillips as they rake in sky-high profits, the project would emit pollution equivalent to nearly one-third of America’s coal plants annually. The Department of the Interior is expected to decide the project’s fate over the coming months, and LCV is mobilizing its members to voice their opposition to ConocoPhillips’ disastrous Willow Project.

OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel said, “The Willow Project would lock us into decades more of dirty, dangerous, and costly fossil fuels at a time when the transition to clean energy could not be more important for our communities and our economy.”

“This fragile area of Alaska is already warming three times faster than the rest of the world due to climate change – we cannot allow ConocoPhillips to destroy this pristine region and harm communities while they rake in massive profits at our expense. DOI must put an end to this harmful project and protect the Western Arctic and the path for the climate progress and public lands protections we desperately need.”

PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING AAPI HERITAGE: As we reflect on the last week of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, LCV published a blog highlighting some of the parks, public lands and waters, and historic sites that celebrate, preserve and share the stories of Asian American and Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people in this country. From marine national monuments to cultural and economic sites to preservation of internment camps so that we do not forget this dark chapter in our nation’s history, these protected places tell a more complete story of our country and its people. Read the full blog HERE.

SCOTUS EXPANSION: For the first time in its history, LCV announced its support for expanding the United States Supreme Court this week. With the addition of four new seats, the Court could be rebalanced with justices who work for the people, not far-right interests waging an unprecedented judicial assault on our environment, our democracy and our equality. Within weeks, the Supreme Court is expected to curtail the EPA’s authority to fight climate change and to overturn Roe v. Wade. To protect our rights to clean air and water, equal justice and equal votes, Congress should once again use the power granted to it under the Constitution to set the number of justices.

OUR TAKE: Doug Lindner, advocacy director for judiciary & democracy, said “This is the most partisan and corrupted Court in living memory — we cannot wait decades to correct it. Protections for our environment, our reproductive rights, our equality, and our democracy are only as strong as the judges who uphold them, and the majority on this captured Court have shown time and again they will promote their own extreme ideological agenda over the rights of people in this country… Now is the time for Congress to rebalance the scales for a just, honorable, and equitable Supreme Court. ”

OIL COMPANIES PULL OUT OF ARCTIC: On Wednesday, Regenerate Alaska canceled its lease in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, following in the footsteps of Chevron and Hilcorp who also pulled out recently. Sacred to the Gwich’in Alaska Native Nation, the Arctic Refuge is critical to their culture and subsistence needs. These exits by oil and gas companies are further proof that drilling in the Arctic is bad business.

MAY TOP FIVE: Check out LCV’s round-up of our top five moments in May, fighting for a safer, more equitable and more sustainable future for all. Spoiler alert, the top five items include: LCV’s Advocacy Day, clean energy progress in the states, the Biden-Harris administration’s canceling of offshore drilling lease sales, LCV Education Fund’s multi-state initiative to register historically excluded communities to vote and a spotlight on National Park Ranger Cam Juarez. Read the Top Five HERE.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN VT: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law on Tuesday creating the state’s first ever environmental justice policy. A major priority of the Vermont Conservation Voters this session, the bill states that no community should be disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and creates two advisory groups to coordinate and review environmental justice decisions.

VCV TAKE: Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters, said, “Today’s enactment of Vermont’s first environmental justice law should be celebrated by all Vermonters. Incorporating environmental justice into how the state government works is essential for ensuring we are working to build an equitable Vermont for now and generations to come.”

VNRC TAKE: Energy and Climate Program Director for Vermont Natural Resources Council Johanna Miller said, “All Vermonters have a right to clean air, clean water, healthy homes and safe communities, and a strong state environmental justice policy is needed to ensure it. We thank the Vermont Legislature for decisively advancing S.148 and are glad this long-overdue policy framework earned the Governor’s approval.”

CHISPA MD EVENT: Chispa Maryland joined the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and the American Federation of Teachers on Tuesday for a rally calling on state and local governments to secure union-built electric school buses. Working to secure good union jobs is a key part of advancing an environmentally and economically sustainable future.

CHISPA MD TAKE: Chispa Maryland Director Ramon Palencia-Calvo said, “Today is proof that we can build a powerful labor-climate-environmental justice movement – transforming our economy into one that is prosperous for all workers AND that is safe and sustainable for our children and our planet.”

NEVADA HAALAND ROUNDTABLE: On Tuesday, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland held a roundtable with Nevada state officials to discuss the Biden administration’s goals to develop 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2050. With more than 85% of its lands held publicly, and as a leader in solar renewable energy, Nevada is a key part of this plan.

NEVADA CONSERVATION LEAGUE TAKE: Nevada Conservation League Executive Director Paul Selberg said, “The Nevada Conservation League applauds Secretary Haaland and Senator Cortez Masto for working together on a plan to reach our clean and renewable energy goals while balancing the protections and the conservation of our state’s stunning public lands. Nevada’s public lands contain some of our nation’s best wind, geothermal, and solar opportunities and by carefully locating these developments, we can invest in local economies by creating new jobs and infrastructure while combating the climate crisis. More specifically, the Nevada Conservation League worked closely with previous administrations on the development of ‘Solar Energy Zones’ to identify the best places for clean and renewable energy developments. Because of these efforts, Nevada has led the way in this balanced approach, with seven of the 12 projects approved in 2021 being right here in our state. It’s truly a credit to the hard work of environmental leaders like Senator Cortez Masto and Secretary Haaland for charting a clean, renewable, and conservation-minded future.”

CHISPA NV CLEAN ENERGY WORKSHOP: Chispa Nevada was at the Nevada Clean Energy Equity Workshop in Las Vegas with Green for All, Vote Solar, Somos Votantes, Plan Nevada and GRID talking about equity, energy, public health and the environment.

CHISPA NV TAKE: Chispa Nevada Director Rudy Zamora said, “One in 12 kids in Clark County have asthma. We decided we had to fight this and we are working to get electric school buses for our kids”

CHISPA FLORIDA AT EL JOSCO AWARDS: On May 21,the El Josco Awards of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida were held, with the purpose of celebrating individuals whose hard work and contributions helps improve the quality of life of both the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities in Central Florida. The intent was to honor distinguished professionals, business owners and community leaders who make a positive impact in the region. Chispa Florida Director María Revelles was awarded the Community Service award, and we are proud to have her as a leader, mentor and teacher in our journey of community work for our people.

CHISPA ARIZONA TALKS ABOUT IMAGINING COMPLETE STREETS: Chispa Arizona was joined in conversation by Sam, a photographer and cultural worker from the Sagrada Galleria who has been doing community-centered in work in South Phoenix for years, Sustainability Director for the city of Tempe, Ariz. Braden Kay whose work is centered on co-creating programs with residents and businesses and by parent and Chispa Arizona Semillita alumna Fernanda who worked to make her streets safer in the West Valley.

COMING UP:

ALL OF JUNE: Pride Month + Immigrant Heritage Month

JUNE 7: California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota Primary Elections

JUNE 8: Anniversary of the Antiquities Act

JUNE 9: First hearing on the January 6th Insurrection

JUNE 14: Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina Primary Elections

JUNE 18: Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly Moral March on Washington and to the Polls

JUNE 19: Juneteenth

JUNE 21: Washington, DC and Virginia Primary Elections

JUNE 28: Colorado, Illinois, New York State U.S. Senate, Oklahoma and Utah Primary Elections

THIS WEEK IN CLIMATE ACTION – MAY 20, 2022

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“The ideology of white supremacy has no place in America. None. Failure to say that is going to be complicity.”

— President Joe Biden, speaking to grieving families in Buffalo, New York following the racist mass shooting that targeted and terrorized the Black community

“Asian and Pacific Islander American communities have made significant contributions to American life. But despite these undeniable contributions, our communities have largely been excluded or erased from American history.”

— Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono, speaking on the Senate floor ahead of passage of a bill, first written by Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) to begin the process to establish a national museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.

“There is nothing more important than cleaning up the yellow school buses that carry our most precious cargo to and from school every day.”

— EPA Administrator Michael Regan, testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee this week

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS RACIAL JUSTICE: We mourn the victims of the white supremacist terrorist attack in Buffalo, New York: Roberta Drury, Margus Morrison, Andre Mackneil, Aaron Salter Jr., Geraldine Talley, Celestine Chaney, Heyward Patterson, Katherine Massey, Pearl Young and Ruth Whitfield. No one should fear persecution or death because of the color of their skin.

As a historically white-led environmental organization that builds political power for people and the planet, we denounce the false eco-facism conspiracy theories that fueled the Buffalo terrorist. Eco-fascists perfidiously claim that people of color and immigrants are responsible for the climate crisis and environmental degradation. The truth is, Big Polluters and their allies are responsible for the climate crisis – and people of color and immigrants have borne the brunt of exposure to toxic pollution and suffer from the related health risks. In the world we envision – one in which tackling the climate crisis, confronting environmental injustice, and strengthening our democracy lead to a more just, equitable and sustainable planet for all – there is no room for the racist eco-fascism conspiracy and white supremacy that fueled this tragic act of terrorism.

HOUSE VOTE ON FUEL PRICE GOUGING: LCV and 14 other environmental organizations sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives urging members to support H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, which the House passed on Thursday. This legislation takes important action to protect families struggling with high gas and home heating fuel prices while Big Oil rakes in sky-high profits.

OUR PRE-PASSAGE TAKE: In the letter, LCV and the coalition said, “The oil and gas industry is profiteering off Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by jacking up prices at the pump that are straining families’ budgets…They must be held accountable for their contribution to the pain high energy prices are causing families across the country…While this bill takes important steps to address high gas prices today, it is also imperative that we achieve a long-term solution of securing energy independence by reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels.”

OUR POST-PASSAGE TAKE: Following House passage of the bill, LCV SVP of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “We commend Representatives Porter and Schrier for their leadership and every House Democrat who voted yes and stood up for their constituents who are paying the price for Big Oil’s abhorrent gouging at the gas pump during an international crisis. The Senate must follow suit and take swift action to hold polluters accountable, lower energy costs for families, and achieve long term clean energy independence by passing this bill and the House-passed $555 billion investments in climate, jobs and justice.”

FOURTEEN PRIMARY WINS: On Tuesday, 14 LCV Action Fund endorsed candidates were successful in their Democratic primary elections: Charles Booker (KY-Senate), Cheri Beasley (NC-Senate), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jeff Jackson (NC-14), Senator Ron Wyden (OR-Senate), Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Representative Dwight Evans (PA-03), Representative Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Representative Susan Wild (PA-07), Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) and Summer Lee (PA-12). Environmental donors contributed over $500,000 to these candidates via GiveGreen, a partnership between LCV Victory Fund and NRDC Action Votes that helps people directly contribute to pro-environment candidates. Separately, LCV Victory Fund invested in ads in support of Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Summer Lee (PA-12) as part of a $550,000 campaign to support pro-environment, non-incumbent women of color running for U.S. House seats in competitive primaries.

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Congratulations to these stellar candidates on their primary victories across the country. It has never been more important to have leaders in Congress who will fight to protect the health of all communities and tackle the climate crisis through transformational investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and good-paying union jobs. Voters understand this and they know that these are the people we need fighting for us in Washington. We look forward to continuing to support these candidates through more victories in November.”

GET OUT THE VOTE: On Thursday, LCV Education Fund announced their 2022 multi-state site-based voter registration program in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania — the largest non-partisan, site-based voter registration program in the country this year — to register eligible voters historically excluded from voter registration efforts, including communities of color in urban and rural communities.

OUR TAKE: LCVEF Director of Civic Engagement Hilda Nucete stated, “Barriers to voting disproportionately impact eligible voters in communities of color, immigrant communities, in urban and rural communities, especially for first-time voters, voters with disabilities, and voters who speak or read another language. We know that we can’t have a healthy environment without a healthy democracy — the same communities who are historically excluded from the voting process are the same communities who are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices.”

EPA CLEAN SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM LAUNCHES!: Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened its historic, billion-dollar a year Clean School Bus Program to help districts replace polluting buses with zero-emission, electric school buses. School districts can apply to receive a rebate – delivered to the manufacturer or dealer before the district pays – that will cover the full cost or price differential of a new electric school bus, with a limit of 25 new school buses per district. Additional funding will also be awarded for school districts to purchase electric school bus charging stations.

CHISPA NAT’L TAKE: Chispa Senior National Director Johana Vicente said, “Chispa’s members have been fighting for a clean ride for kids for years. EPA’s initial efforts are a historic investment in electric school buses and we are excited to welcome school districts to begin applying for funding now. As communities of color are disproportionately impacted by air pollution, we will continue to push for race and air pollution level indicators to be part of the criteria to ensure that low-income communities of color who most need cleaner air quality get the benefits first. We look forward to working with the EPA in real-time to center equity, prioritize electric school buses, and ensure that this initial round of transformational funding will reach the communities this program is intended to help.”

LCV TAKE: LCV Government Affairs Climate and Clean Energy Advocate Darien Davis said, “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to advance clean electric school buses. Parents want their kids to have healthy air to breathe, and unfortunately, for many parents in communities of color living near roadways or polluting industries, that fundamental goal is out of reach. Zero-tailpipe-emission electric school buses can make parents’ goal of clean air for their kids much more attainable. We commend the tireless leadership of our Chispa colleagues to advocate for clean rides for children, and will continue to work together to push Congress and the administration to free up more federal funding for electric school buses and direct funds to those school districts whose families have historically faced the worst air quality and need the most support to transition to zero-tailpipe-emission school buses.”

MORE TAKES: Find Chispa Arizona and Chispa Florida’s takes HERE.

FROM THE LAUNCH: The Biden-Harris administration hosted an event at Meridian High School in Falls Church to announce the program. Chispa Senior National Director Johana Vicente, LCV Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo, and LCV Senior Director of Government Affairs Matthew Davis attended the event. Check out scenes from the event HERE and HERE!

DOI 5 YEAR PLAN: On Thursday, during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing to examine President Biden’s FY2023 budget request for the Department of Interior (DOI), Secretary Deb Haaland disclosed that the department would soon release the next draft of their 5-year plan for offshore drilling. This news comes after the exciting announcement last week that DOI canceled three lease sales off the coast of Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico. Since leasing decisions won’t produce oil for years or decades, they have no impact on today’s gas prices, which are a result, in part, of oil companies’ decisions to use their sky-high profits for stock buybacks and executive bonuses instead of lowering prices for consumers. But new leases will keep us dependent on oil years or decades from now when our transition to clean energy must be far along.

OUR TAKE: LCV’s Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel said, “We applaud Secretary Haaland and the Interior Department for recently canceling offshore drilling lease sales and for taking a deliberative and thoughtful approach to the forthcoming five year offshore drilling plan… Offshore drilling is a dirty and dangerous business that threatens coastal communities, economies and marine life, which is why implementing solutions now to allow for a future powered by clean energy must be the way forward. We look forward to the release of the next draft of DOI’s 5-year plan for offshore drilling and are counting on this administration to finalize a plan that schedules no new lease sales.” Read the full statement HERE.

MONEY IN POLITICS: This week, the Supreme Court struck down limits on repayments of candidate loans by federal political campaigns in its decision in Federal Election Commission v. Ted Cruz for Senate. This decision means more special interest money will ultimately end up in candidates’ and elected officials’ personal bank accounts – another instance where polluters and special interests gain power in our democracy rather than the people.

OUR TAKE: LCV Advocacy Director for Judiciary and Democracy Doug Lindner said, “Today, the Republican-appointed majority on our captured Supreme Court issued a party-line decision in favor of a Republican politician and his re-election campaign. The Court’s decision in Federal Election Commission v. Ted Cruz for Senate means more special interest money will find its way into the personal accounts of elected officials and candidates. We are disappointed but not surprised that conservative justices who routinely expand the corrupting influence of money in politics while dismantling the most basic protections for voting rights have struck down yet another campaign finance law. LCV will continue to support robust campaign finance and voting rights legislation in pursuit of a democracy that works for all people, not just the polluters and other big-money special interests.”

ENDORSEMENTS FOR CONGRESS: This week, LCV Action Fund endorsed two candidates: Representative Jason Crow (CO-06) and Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives. LCV Action Fund endorsed these candidates for their record and commitment to action climate, justice, and jobs. You can find these and all of LCV Action Fund’s endorsements HERE.

EARTH X FILM FESTIVAL: This past weekend, our Communications Director for Chispa National Pita Juarez assisted in the screening of the Redford x Chispa LCV video series. Pita highlighted the importance of our communities organizing themselves to achieve environmental justice. For more check out our post HERE.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

CONNECTICUT CLIMATE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW: Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed two key climate bills into law this week, including a commitment to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 and legislation increasing access to commercial and residential solar power. The 2022 legislative session was historic for climate wins in Connecticut. The state took action that will improve air quality, strengthen vehicle emissions standards, increase electric vehicles and buses, and remove barriers to solar power. You can watch the bill signing and learn more about the legislation HERE.

CTLCV TAKE: Connecticut LCV Executive Director Lori Brown said, “Governor Lamont’s 100% renewable energy bill, Senate Bill 10, will help us tackle climate change, breathe cleaner, healthier air, and create thousands of jobs for Connecticut residents. Senate Bill 176 will help meet our new commitment to 100% renewable energy by expanding rooftop commercial solar power across our state. It is clear that Governor Lamont and the Connecticut legislature are strongly committed to clean, renewable energy. This is the kind of leadership on climate that citizens have been hoping for.”

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COALITION LAUNCHED IN NEW JERSEY: The New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition (NJPEEC) publicly launched yesterday. The coalition includes New Jersey LCV and over a dozen other groups and will advocate for policy and action that advances environmental justice.

NJPEEC TAKE: NJPEEC chair and NJ NAACP environmental and climate justice committee chair Marcus Sibley said, “NJPEEC is here to provide a voice for the community and to build power for the community so that when we get to those tables, we’re not only making people aware of the issues, but we will have the political connections as well as the relationships built so people see we are a priority and we’re worth the time, the effort, the resources, the energy in order to reverse some of these long-standing issues in our communities.”

HIGHLIGHTING NATIVE VOICES IN WISCONSIN: Wisconsin LCV released a new video as part of its Native Vote program featuring April Stone, the last basket weaver of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Ojibwe tribe. Stone brings the viewer into her workshop and shares her 23 years of experience making baskets from bapagemak – the black ash tree. Knowing that the existence of black ash has become threatened by an invasive beetle, Stone says, “I vote for the protection of our land and water. I vote for the protection of our culture bearers.” Watch the video HERE.

CHISPA FLORIDA COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER: On May, Saturday 14th, Chispa Florida was part of a community baby shower where mothers received training, information, and products for them and their future babies to come. At the event, they educated mothers and other community members on Chispa’s Clean Buses for Healthy Niños Campaign. Check out more HERE.

COMING UP:

ALL OF MAY: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

MAY 24: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Texas Runoff Primary Elections

MAY 24: House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing on Rep. McCollum’s (D-MN) bill protecting the Boundary Waters

THIS WEEK IN CLIMATE ACTION – April 22, 2022

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“We have long been saying, ‘I can’t breathe.’ Environmental racism kills. It’s bad for your health. We have to work hard so that we’re not leaving any communities or populations behind.”

— Dr. Bullard, known as the “Father of Environmental Justice”, speaking on his upcoming talk on April 29. The event, hosted by Sustainable U, is open to the public to register and attend.

“I remember, after hours of researching, I stumbled across this man whose name is Arturo Sandoval, and he was the only Chicano activist that was a part of the [first] Earth Day committee. There’re transcripts of him talking about how the Earth Day movement was not diverse at all and did not prioritize the needs of people of color. I was like ‘I knew it!’ It was very affirming for me because people have been talking about this for 30-plus years.”

— Leah Thomas, climate activist and co-founder of the organization Intersectional Environmentalist, speaking on her research for her newly released book, The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet.

“Climate justice means recognizing and addressing the fact that marginalized communities will feel – and have already felt – the worst impacts of climate change. We must make sure that those who face these effects are in positions of power, where they are able to make decisions for their own communities and to contribute to research and creative solutions. These goals require our sector to collaborate with and learn from Black, Brown, and Indigenous, leaders, which is inextricably linked to how we implement our grantmaking priorities.”

— John Palfrey, resident of the MacArthur Foundation and Theodore Roosevelt’s great-great grandson, in an op-ed on how President Roosevelt and many others in the white-led conservation movement did not do enough to protect the Earth with equity in mind.

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IT’S TIME TO CLOSE THE DEAL AND GET THIS DONE: Ahead of President Biden’s remarks on Earth Day, LCV joined some of the nation’s top environmental, environmental justice, and public health groups in a letter to President Biden urging him to take swift action on climate by finalizing a deal to pass into law the $555 billion in climate, justice, jobs, and clean energy investments that the House of Representatives approved last November. This letter also comes a day before thousands of activists and advocates are bringing this message straight to the White House with a rally in Lafayette Park on Saturday and more than 100 other events around the country.

CEOS TAKE: “You can fulfill the vision for climate action that defined your historic campaign; meet the pledge you made to your voters, including young people, during your campaign; and show the world what a true climate president looks like. We are depending on you to do everything you possibly can to meet this moment and work with the Senate to pass a reconciliation package that puts the U.S. on the path to real energy independence while cutting emissions in half by 2030 and building an equitable, inclusive, and just future for all.” Read the full letter HERE.

CELEBRATING EARTH DAY BY FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE: As we celebrate Earth Day, we know that we can’t wait to tackle the climate crisis and environmental injustices that communities face every day. Join us in DC and across the country for a rally to call for the historic investments in President Biden’s climate and economic plan, which would lay the critical foundation for our urgent transition to a clean energy economy – while also creating good-paying union jobs, lowering costs for families, reducing pollution, and addressing environmental injustices.

OUR TAKE: LCV President Gene Karpinski stated, “Today, President Biden made it crystal clear – his pen is ready and he is ready to get this done. As we saw this week, the Biden-Harris administration continues to prioritize growing our clean energy economy and workforce, lowering costs for families, protecting our forests, responsibly building climate-smart infrastructure, and reducing climate pollution. With rising inflation, high gas prices, and Putin’s unprovoked and inhumane war, there is no doubt we are in a challenging moment. But time is running out and federal climate legislation is essential to hit our necessary and ambitious climate goals.

“This is a legacy defining moment. We are depending on this administration to do everything they possibly can to work with the Senate to swiftly pass a reconciliation package that puts the U.S. on the path to real energy independence while cutting emissions in half by 2030 and building an equitable, inclusive, and just future for all. We are all in to get these transformational investments we need in climate, clean energy, justice, and jobs passed into law. Together we can and must get this done.”

THANKING SENATORS FOR CONFIRMING JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT: On Monday, LCV, Earthjustice, and the Sierra Club launched a six-figure digital ad campaign thanking U.S. Senators across the country for confirming Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ad campaign thanks Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

OUR TAKE: LCV Advocacy Director for Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner said, “Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic confirmation to the Supreme Court is a major milestone in the fight for a judiciary that looks like America and protects our vital interests, including the rights to clean air and clean water, to vote and to be equal before the law. Justice Jackson’s qualifications and distinguished career of public service demonstrate that she’ll be a Justice for the people, not just the polluters and other special interests. As we celebrate Justice Jackson’s confirmation and commend these Senators for voting to confirm her, we urge the Senate to continue swiftly confirming President Biden’s excellent slate of personally and professionally diverse nominees for the many vacancies on the lower federal courts.” Read each participating organization’s take HERE.

NEW NEPA RULE UNDOES SOME TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DAMAGE: On Tuesday, the Council on Environmental Quality’s final ‘Phase 1’ rule restored some environmental review requirements to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Director of Government Affairs Matthew Davis said, “The Biden-Harris administration’s final rule restores some key damage done by President Trump, but more action is needed to improve implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. We look forward to a fuller and more robust second rulemaking to ensure communities and the environment are safeguarded and the public is meaningfully engaged in major projects that affect their lives and surroundings. Strengthening NEPA plays a key role in the Biden administration delivering on its promise to advance environmental justice.”

ICYMI, LCV BROUGHT STATE AFFILIATES TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THEIR FIGHT FOR FAIR MAPS AHEAD OF THE 2022 PRIMARIES: On Tuesday, LCV kicked off Earth Week by holding a virtual press briefing with the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) and Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), who challenged unjust district maps and won their respective state Supreme Court cases earlier this year. The briefing featured key players in the redistricting fight who discussed why fair Congressional and state legislative districts nationwide are essential to advancing environmental and electoral justice.

OH ORGANIZING COLLABORATIVE TAKE: Executive Director of Ohio Organizing Collaborative Prentiss Haney stated, “When people look at people like my mother, a Black woman from Dayton Ohio, they don’t listen to her voice — politicians have decided to elect themselves and not let the people choose who will represent them. That is a fundamental flaw with our democracy. We must not let up, we must keep the pressure up, we must remind people that thousands, millions of Ohioans showed up at the polls in 2015 and 2018 demanding fair maps. The courts have also demanded fair maps, so now it’s time for map makers to deliver it.”

NCLCV TAKE: Director of Strategic Communications at North Carolina LCV Dustin Ingalls said, “As part of the Conservation Voter Movement, we believe that in order for voters to get the clean air, clean water, and energy policy that they deserve, they must be able to elect leaders of their choice and to hold them accountable once they are elected. Gerrymandering prevents that. When politicians don’t fear repercussions for their decisions they’re less motivated to make decisions that reflect their constituents’ values and priorities, including their desire to be protected from powerful polluters.”

OUR TAKE: LCV Director of Civic Engagement Hilda Nucete said, “From turning out community members, to public hearings, to leading educational map making sessions, to ensuring Indigenous communities are equitably counted in redistricting maps, LCV’s affiliates across the country are becoming major players in the redistricting fight – and the work must continue. Voters should be choosing their elected officials, not the other way around. Elections matter, and every voter deserves to be able to vote for leaders who will act on the climate crisis and protect our democracy. The stakes for environmental injustice and our precarious democracy are higher than ever, and as we have been with a slim Democratic majority in Congress, every single district is critical for passing legislation that will meet the moment on climate justice.”

BIDEN’S FORESTS EXECUTIVE ORDER: This Earth Day, President Biden signed an executive order aimed at strengthening America’s forests, boosting wildfire resilience, and combating global deforestation.

OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel said, “We welcome President Biden’s recognition of the critical role that old forests can play in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises and his commitment to protect these areas. Mature and old-growth forests store large amounts of carbon, provide clean drinking water for communities, and serve as essential habitat for many at-risk species. We are out of time to address the climate crisis, which is why we are counting on the Biden administration to move forward swiftly with a rule to safeguard these old forests from logging and other threats.”

ROADMAP TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION: A new report details how the United States can drastically cut emissions from the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector, 34% by 2030. The roadmap was released by America Is All In, a coalition of businesses, institutions, organizations and non-federal governments driving climate leadership and action at all levels.

ENDORSEMENTS FOR CONGRESS: This week, LCV Action Fund, endorsed Representative Nikema Williams for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “It has never been more important to have leaders in Congress like Representative Nikema Williams who are fighting hard every day to protect our democracy and for climate, clean energy, jobs, and justice. We are thrilled to support her campaign for reelection so she can continue to lead efforts for environmental justice to keep our communities healthy, grow our clean energy economy, and make our democracy more accessible to all.” Read the full press release HERE.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

HISTORIC CLEAN ENERGY PLAN IN WISCONSIN: This week, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ released a Clean Energy Plan to reach the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals and implement his 2019 executive order to achieve zero-carbon electricity by 2050. The plan has important justice provisions and centers communities most impacted by climate change. Read Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ statement on the plan HERE.

WCV TAKE: Wisconsin Conservation Voters Executive Director Kerry Schumann said, “This is a historic moment. Gov. Evers’ Clean Energy Plan meets the scale and scope needed to properly address the climate crisis. Wisconsin Conservation Voters applauds Gov. Evers for gathering input from Tribal Nations, frontline communities, and other groups to develop equitable solutions that address the needs of everyone in the state. The plan rightly prioritizes equity and justice. Wisconsin currently sends $14 billion out-of-state for fossil fuels. Investing in clean energy workforce development at home will lift us all – especially communities most impacted by climate change.”

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE OFFICE CREATED IN WI: Following the release of his clean energy plan earlier in the week, on Friday, Wisconsin governor Tony Evers signed an executive order to create a state Office of Environmental Justice. Evers originally proposed the office in his budget last year but Republican lawmakers removed it from the final version. Read Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ statement HERE.

WCV TAKE: Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ Engagement and Development Manager Angelito Tenorio said, “Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color have historically been left out of the decision-making process and excluded from the environmental movement. These communities are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and must be at the table when decisions are being made. The Office of Environmental Justice is a vital step toward addressing the generations of harm done and to dismantling systems that threaten the wellbeing of these communities.”

CLIMATE ROADMAP IN MICHIGAN: Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Healthy Climate Plan this week which lays out actions for the state to become carbon neutral economy-wide by 2050, a goal she committed to in a 2020 executive order. The plan details actions for a variety of issue areas organized into six pillars, Commit to Environmental Justice and Pursue a Just Transition, Clean the Electric Grid, Electrify Vehicles and Increase Public Transit, Repair and Decarbonize Homes and Businesses, Drive Clean Innovation in Industry, and Protect Michigan’s Land and Water. Interim goals include closing all coal-fired power plants and increasing electric vehicles in the state to 2 million by 2030. Read Michigan League of Conservation Voters’ statement on the plan HERE.

MLCV TAKE: Michigan League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Lisa Wozniak said, “This MI Healthy Climate Plan makes Michigan a major proof-point that our state is committed to addressing the climate crisis by rapidly investing in clean, renewable energy to reduce pollution and ensure a healthy future for our children and grandkids. The clock is ticking on climate, yet not every state has the type of leadership willing to address it. Gov. Whitmer is bringing together business leaders, bipartisan lawmakers and environmental advocates to put our state on a bold pathway to achieving climate action, creating good-paying jobs, and improving the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink.”

BUILDING A DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE CLIMATE MOVEMENT: On Wednesday, the Journal of Environmental Health published an article co-authored by Rebecca Rehr, Director of Climate Policy and Justice at Maryland League of Conservation Voters. The piece, “Building a More Inclusive Climate Movement: Climate Change and Disabilities,” highlights the outsized impact of climate change factors on people with disabilities and outlines five key steps that organizations can take to build disability inclusion into their work.

MD LCV ENDORSES CANDIDATES FOR THE LEGISLATURE: On Tuesday, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters announced its first round of endorsements in state legislative races, which included 25 Senate incumbents, one delegate running for senator, and 47 House incumbents seeking reelection.

MLCV TAKE: Chair of the Maryland LCV board of directors Lynn Heller said, “The recent legislative session demonstrated how crucial it is to elect strong legislative candidates who will fight for just and equitable environmental policy. The number of candidates working to set themselves apart as champions for both climate and justice has never been greater.”

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON MT SEN. DAINES POSITION ON PUBLIC LANDS: On Wednesday, Sally Ericsson and Chris Saeger – Vice-Chair and Director of Montana Conservation Voters’ Board of Directors respectively – published an op-ed criticizing a piece by the Montana Citizens’ Climate Lobby which stated that Montana Senator Steve Daines is “leading the charge to protect our natural resources.” Calling him a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Ericsson and Saeger outline Senator Daines’ dismal natural resources record in Montana.

MCV TAKE: “While Montana Citizens’ Climate Lobby is well-intentioned, we’d caution anyone against taking Senator Daines’ lip service on Montana’s natural resources, climate and our outdoor way of life to heart. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And his record speaks louder than his talking points.” Read the op-ed HERE.

VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAM LAUNCH IN NEVADA: On the eve of Earth Day, Chispa Nevada celebrated the launch of a new $600,000 site-based voter registration program in Nevada with a community celebration accompanied by the unveiling of an art piece by local Las Vegas artist Cerissa Lopez to highlight the power and strength of our community when voting. This program will register eligible voters that identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American or Pacific Islander as well as eligible voters in immigrant communities and neighborhoods historically excluded from voter registration efforts. See a photo of the art piece with artist Cerissa Lopez HERE and see a photo from the celebration HERE.

ARTIST TAKE: Local Las Vegas artist Cerissa Lopez stated, “Individual and unheard voices in the community become stronger when everyone unites — people have more motivation to make a change once they’re given the opportunity to participate. We’re bringing communities together through art and celebration to empower our neighbors and ensure the same Las Vegas communities who face environmental injustices are informed on how to be civically engaged.”

CHISPA NV TAKE: Chispa Nevada Director of Civic Engagement Guillermo Barahona stated, “We are excited to announce this initiative to help ensure our communities have an opportunity to have a voice at the ballot box. Our team has been engaged over the last few years to help protect the right to vote in communities historically left out of the electoral process. Especially during an election year, it’s crucial we provide voting information to our communities who often face barriers to participating in our democracy.”

NEVADANS WANT CLIMATE, JOBS, AND JUSTICE: On Earth Day, communications director for the Nevada Conservation League, Angelyn Tabalba, is joining Governor Steve Sisolak and other environmental advocates in a call for the U.S. Senate to invest in our planet and pass the Build Back Better Act to put $555 billion toward climate mitigation, clean energy, and environmental justice.

NCL TAKE: Communications director of the Nevada Conservation League Angelyn Tabalba said, “2021 was the first time our federal government announced there was a water shortage at Lake Mead. So we have all these things that are telling us that we do need to act on climate to protect our communities from this dangerous extreme weather…with federal investments in more energy efficiency and electric infrastructure, the average family could save about $500 per year in utility bills.”

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE: In New Hampshire, a newly formed advocacy group, Healthcare Workers for Climate Action, sent a letter to state legislators signed by thousands of healthcare workers calling for laws to address the health crisis brought about by a changing climate.

NHLCV TAKE: Director of the New Hampshire League of Conservation Voters Rob Werner said, “Solutions are at hand. It’s not a problem with finance. It’s not a problem in technology… It’s really a problem of decision.”

NH CALLS FOR CLIMATE INVESTMENTS: LCV launched digital ad campaigns in Portsmouth, NH and Portland, OR this week urging the President and Congress to pass new federal climate and clean energy legislation. The ads ran as President Biden visited the cities to speak about new federal infrastructure investments,

NJ CALLS FOR ACTION THIS EARTH DAY: This week, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Ed Potosnak, published an op-ed opposing the privatization of Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The Park is threatened by private developers despite acting as an important site for neighboring communities, who are historically underserved and lack abundant access to free public green spaces. As people gather at the Park to commemorate the upcoming “50+2 Earth Day Celebration” event on Saturday, Potosnak calls on those who gather to double down on efforts to keep the park available publicly to the local community. He also reflects on what he hopes to see when people celebrate Earth Day fifty years from now.

NJLCV TAKE: Executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Ed Potosnak said, “If we’re going to see the kind of future we all want, New Jersey’s commitment to conservation must continue, but the scope must be broadened beyond trees and wildlife to include healthy communities for all New Jerseyans, no matter their ZIP code. This Earth Day, let’s pledge to take the kind of action we need so that, 50 years from now, we’ll have long forgotten what it was like to live in a state and nation with such gross inequities and clean water, air, and accessible open spaces will be reality for everyone.”

LAGUARDIA UNVEILS SOLAR ROOFTOPS: This week, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled a new solar rooftop at LaGuardia Airport as part of a broader solar program across the region’s airports. The project is part of the agency’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in eight years.

NYLCV TAKE: Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said “The New York League of Conservation Voters is excited to see 3,500 solar panels installed at LaGuardia Airport to provide the port authority’s first-ever solar rooftop. This initiative will cut reliance on polluting fossil fuels; supply clean and renewable energy to the airport and its thousands of travelers every day; and support the agency, as well as New York’s, net-zero emissions goals.”

NYLCV CELEBRATES EARTH DAY: On Tuesday, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe joined Special Advisor on Climate & Sustainability at Columbia University Daniel Zarrilli for the Earth Week 2022 episode of the Max Politics Podcast. The show discussed New York climate and environmental policy. Listen to the episode HERE.

A MILESTONE FOR CLEAN ENERGY IN NY: On Monday, Clean Path NY (CPNY) announced a critical milestone for its “All Renewable, All New York” clean energy and transmission project, which aims to deliver reliable, clean energy to New York communities. With contract approval from the New York State Public Service Commission, CPNY will move forward on a robust public engagement process to advance an $11 billion investment that will reduce fossil fuel-fired generation by 22 percent per year statewide, eliminate an estimated 49 million tons of carbon emissions through 2040, and create thousands of in-state jobs.

NYLCV TAKE: President of the New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe said, “Today’s decision to approve the Tier 4 projects is a critical step forward in transforming New York’s energy future and meeting the urgent climate goals we need to ensure a healthy, sustainable state for this generation and the next. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for the environment, green jobs, and a more resilient future for New Yorkers.”

EASIER BIKING FOR NEW YORKERS: On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced an $11 million investment in cleaner streets, improved mobility, and reduced carbon footprint for New York City as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) executive budget. The plan includes funding for year-round protected bike lane cleaning, which will make biking an even more reliable mode of transportation for New Yorkers.

NYLCV TAKE:, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe said, “It’s critical that we support a plan that keeps our streets clean and safe, supporting micromobility and helping reduce the reliance on fossil fuel burning cars. The New York League of Conservation Voters is excited to see this new investment to keep bike lanes clean so more riders can take advantage of reliable transportation that helps keep our city healthier and safer, and we thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch for their leadership.”

NY APPLAUDS NEW DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION COMMISSIONER: This week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Jessica Tisch as commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

NYLCV TAKE: President of the New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe said, “The New York League of Conservation Voters thanks Commissioner Grayson for his 23 years of public service and congratulates Jessica Tisch as the new DSNY Commissioner. As a leader who delivered results for city residents during the pandemic by working at the forefront of IT infrastructure to manage response efforts, Commissioner Tisch will be a forward-looking leader as the city confronts major challenges from the waste crisis. There is much work to do to achieve the goal of zero waste, and we look forward to working with Tisch and the city to take a proactive approach to improving recycling, implementing composting, and putting in place initiatives like this much-needed containerized collection pilot.”

SETBACK FOR OHIO’S CLEAN WATER PROTECTIONS: On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation to roll back regulations surrounding the development of ephemeral streams, which flow only by way of rain and snowmelt and are critical to maintaining water systems.

OEC TAKE: Pete Bucher, program director for the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, said “House Bill 175 fails to protect the important ecological qualities of Ohio’s ephemeral streams, and it also fails to protect the drinking water of millions of Ohioans who rely on water resources fed by these streams,” he said. “This bill could seriously unravel the progress that’s been made to clean up our rivers, lakes, and streams.”

WIN FOR VICTIMS OF TOXIC POLLUTION IN VT: This week, Gov. Phil Scott signed long-sought legislation to allow access to medical monitoring for those exposed to toxic chemicals through industrial or other contamination. The bill, which Gov. Scott vetoed two similar versions of in the past, was driven mostly by the 2016 discovery of PFAS, also referred to as “toxic forever chemicals”, in hundreds of drinking water wells in a wide swath of towns around two former factories.

VLCV TAKE: The Bennington Banner published executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters Lauren Hierl’s statements before and after the bill’s signing: “At the end of the day, this bill is about fairness — it’s about holding companies responsible for the harm they cause. After twice vetoing similar bills, I hope Governor Scott finally signs this bill into law…big corporations typically have large legal teams that can tie up lawsuits in court for many years, and make it incredibly difficult for victims of toxic contamination to be compensated for the costs they’ve had to bear.”

CLEAN HEAT STANDARD WILL LEAD VERMONT TO CLEAN ENERGY: This week, chair of the Board of Vermont Conservation Voters Linda Gray published an op-ed highlighting the importance of passing the Clean Heat Standard bill, which would set up clear and increasing requirements for companies selling fossil fuels for heat in Vermont to reduce their climate pollution over time. The bill will make clean energy more accessible and affordable for Vermonters.

VLCV TAKE: Chair of the Board of Vermont Conservation Voters Linda Gray said, “We know that we have to make this transition, so let’s do it with a program that provides predictability, clarity, and stability to both customers and suppliers.”

COMING UP:

APRIL 23: Fight For Our Future rallies in Washington, Atlanta, and Phoenix
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES: Click HERE for more information and see dates below:
-April 22 – North Carolina VR Deadline
-April 24 – Arkansas VR Deadline
-April 25 – Georgia VR Deadline
-April 26 – Oregon VR Deadline
-April 27 – West Virginia Early Voting Begins
-April 28 – North Carolina Early Voting Begins

Chispa LCV Statement to the Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court

Washington, D.C. — In response to Senate’s confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, Chispa National and Chispa Florida released the following statement:

“We join the chorus of celebrations across the country rejoicing in the Senate’s confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Jackson’s exemplary record, perspective, and commitment to justice for all will add a much-needed voice to the Court. For far too long, racist institutions, practices, and systems have kept Black Americans from serving as judges and more. We need to see more Black women appropriately seated at the top of their fields and in positions of power, and we must also expand educational and financial opportunities and pathways for more Black children to achieve this kind of success and recognition. We also applaud President Biden’s keeping his promise to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court,” said Alejandra Ramírez-Zárate, Chispa National Director of Policy and Advocacy. “However, we must hold Republicans accountable for their shameful, racist, and unequal treatment of Justice Jackson during her confirmation hearings. We know they did not submit Justice Barrett and Justice Kavanaugh to the same reprehensible treatment. We call on Senate Republicans to apologize to Justice Jackson and commit to justice and equity for all, not just their conservative allies.

“Chispa Florida celebrates the confirmation of Justice Jackson, a Florida native committed to equity and fairness for all. Justice Jackson’s appointment represents a recognition of our nation’s racial diversity and offers hope that America’s highest court will be a step closer to promoting fairness, justice, and balance in a nation built by immigrants, Black communities, and people who sought to achieve the dream of a better society,” said María Revelles, Chispa Florida Director. “Her background as a public defender demonstrates that she understands the importance of a judiciary that works for all people, not just the wealthy and powerful. Justice Jackson’s appointment sets a new standard for professionalism, ethics, and diversity on the Court at a time when our democracy and justice require a vigilant eye.”

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Chispa LCV Statement on President Biden’s FY 2023 Budget

Washington, DC — In response to the release of President Joe Biden’s FY 2023 Budget, Chispa National issued the following statement from National Campaigns Manager Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate:

“We are pleased to see the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued support for climate and economic justice for American families reflected in the FY 2023 budget proposal released today. People throughout the country, especially low-income communities of color, need urgent relief to alleviate the strains exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and ongoing economic instability throughout the world. President Biden’s commitment to equity, environmental justice, economic recovery, jobs creation, and infrastructure improvements are clearly laid out in the proposed investments. We especially commend the following:

The $11.881 billion request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will bring the agency much closer to having the adequate funding needed to be able to carry out its critical work of addressing pollution in communities bearing the brunt of the climate burden.
The budget’s $1.45 billion at EPA for environmental justice funding and elevating the office with sole focus on environmental justice to be on equal footing with the air, water and other media offices will be critical to more rapidly advancing environmental justice.
The $20 million request for the Department of Transportation’s equity and inclusion efforts will ensure that communities of color most impacted by economic inequities have access to workforce development, assistance measures, and public participation opportunities.
The Budget also includes $470 million in Health and Human Services to address disproportionately high maternal mortality and morbidity rates among women of color, particularly Black and indigenous women, which are linked to the ongoing systemic racism and disproportionate pollution burdens that these mothers are exposed to.
The $6.3 billion to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) would support the work of the refugee resettlement infrastructure and support the resettling of up to 125,000 refugees in 2023. With so much instability throughout the world due to climate change, violence, and poverty, the United States must contribute to global resettlement efforts and accept refugees from Ukraine as well as from predominantly Black and Latinx countries including Haiti and Central America, among others.

We thank the Biden/Harris administration’s commitment to equity and justice investments in their proposed FY 2023 budget and urge Congress to work expeditiously to pass it.

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Chispa Arizona Invests in Arizona Voter Registration Program in Historically Excluded Communities

Site-based voter registration program will register eligible voters in communities of color and rural communities in Arizona

Phoenix, AZ — Today, Chispa Arizona, a program of the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (LCVEF), announced the launch of a new site-based voter registration program in Arizona to register eligible voters in communities historically excluded from voter registration efforts, including in communities of color and rural communities.

Starting on Saturday, March 19, organizers in Arizona will go door to door registering eligible voters, particularly focused on engaging communities of color and rural communities. The voter registration program efforts will aim to register a majority of eligible voters that identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American or Pacific Islander, in addition to eligible voters in immigrant communities.

“We are proud to be in this fight to help break down barriers to voting and ensure that voters of color, eligible immigrant voters, and rural voters have a fighting chance to have their voice heard at the ballot box,” said Nicole Morales, Chispa Arizona Director of Civic Engagement. “Organizing at the grassroots level and meeting constituents where they are is the most impactful way to reach communities who are too often left out of the electoral process. All eligible voters should have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, especially in communities of color and rural communities that are historically underrepresented at all levels of our government.”

“Barriers to voting disproportionately impact eligible voters in communities of color, immigrant communities, and rural communities, especially for first-time voters, voters with disabilities, and voters who speak or read another language,” said Hilda Nucete, LCVEF Director of Civic Engagement. “We know that we can’t have a healthy environment without a healthy democracy — the same communities who are historically excluded from the voting process are the same communities who are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices.”

Chispa Arizona, as part of LCVEF’s ongoing investment in voter registration programs in states across the country to close voter registration gaps, will engage constituents of color who disproportionately do not vote; in the 2020 election, an estimated 70.9 percent of white voters cast ballots compared to only 58.4 percent of nonwhite voters. In Arizona, Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities make up 42% of the state’s population, and often face obstacles that result in not voting, including language differences and delays in receiving accurate information. LCVEF’s voter registration efforts will help strengthen engagement in the electoral process in these communities so that more eligible voters can participate in and be represented in our democracy.

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