©2024 League of Conservation Voters
Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
“In my lifetime, there has never, ever been a vice president and a president who have done more for the environment, more for climate, more for environmental justice than this Vice President and our President of the United States.”
– Senator Cory Booker in conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris at LCV’s annual Capital Dinner.
“For years, this super pollutant has been overlooked while the oil and gas industry carelessly – and at times, knowingly – allowed enormous quantities of greenhouse gas to leak into our environment.”
— California Attorney General Rob Bonta on his support of EPA’s rule to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry.
“While there’s undoubtedly more work ahead to improve our environment, today marks a positive step forward in protecting communities like mine.”
— Environmental justice organizer for South Ward and member of the Environmental Youth Advisory Council Asada Rashidi on President Biden’s new tailpipe emission rule.
EPA RELEASES FINAL CLEANER CARS RULE: EPA has finalized its emissions standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The new rule closely follows Clean Air Act authority and is the strictest federal climate regulation ever issued for light-duty vehicles and will serve to accelerate low- and no-emission vehicle manufacturing across the country and dramatically cut pollution from transportation. In an attempt to protect their lavish profits and spread disinformation about the standards, fossil fuel allies like the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers are spending seven-figures on an advertising campaign, including phone calls and text messages. The truth is that these new standards will save thousands of lives, reduce families energy costs, and provide greater vehicular choices for consumers.
OUR TAKE: LCV Government Affairs Advocate for Climate & Clean Energy Darien Davis said, “We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for finalizing cleaner cars rules that advance climate, jobs, and justice. The final rule will slash billions of tons of climate pollution and protect the health of families across the country — particularly those in communities living near busy roads and highways. This rule, in combination with the DOE’s Petroleum Equivalency Factor and the hundreds of billions of dollars the Biden-Harris administration has delivered in their affordable clean energy plan, will help to supercharge low and zero-emission vehicle innovation and manufacturing across the country — boosting good family-sustaining jobs and decreasing tailpipe pollution.”
CHISPA TAKE: Chispa National Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González said, “Today’s cleaner cars rule will help us get closer to a healthier environment for our comunidades, because we all deserve a bright and healthy future. We know Latine communities and communities of color we work with suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses disproportionately. Regardless of income level or geographic region, people of color have consistently higher exposure to air pollution, diesel, and particulate matter. Tailpipe pollution contains toxic and harmful compounds that contaminate air quality and harm public health. We’re glad EPA has finalized stronger standards for passenger vehicles, and this is one more big step forward in cleaning up the transportation sector to prioritize and protect our health and climate. We look forward to seeing stronger truck and bus standards, too, as we move toward a zero-emission future.”
DOI ANNOUNCES SECOND OFFSHORE WIND LEASE SALE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO: The Department of the Interior announced a proposal for a second offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. The auction, likely to take place late this summer, would open 410,060 acres off the coast of Texas and Louisiana for development and has the potential to generate enough electricity to power 1.2 million homes.
LCV CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY: Today, LCV celebrates World Water Day by highlighting the contrast between the Biden-Harris administration’s work to prioritize climate and clean water and MAGA Republicans who are actively working to make it easier for oil and gas companies to pollute our water.
OUR TAKE: LCV Deputy Legislative Director Madeleine Foote said, “World Water Day reminds us that water is a human right, no matter where you live. We are incredibly grateful that the Biden-Harris administration continues to deliver on their historic commitments to tackle the climate crisis and prioritize clean water for all communities. This is in sharp contrast to extreme MAGA Republicans who are consistently doing the bidding of Big Polluters. Just this week, House Republicans passed yet another bill to allow the oil and gas industry to pollute our waters demonstrating yet again their focus on putting polluters over people, selling out our public health and giving corporations free reign to destroy our drinking water. We commend the Biden-Harris administration for using every tool in the box to safeguard clean water for our families after this radical Supreme Court blew a hole in the Clean Water Act and is delivering on the most ambitious clean water agenda in history.”
BOOSTING CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS IN MORE “ENERGY COMMUNITIES”: The Treasury Department has proposed an expansion of the Inflation Reduction Act’s “energy communities” bonus tax credit to include offshore wind facilities with onshore operation and maintenance ports located in communities where significant tax revenue or direct employment comes from the fossil fuel industry. The proposed guidance should allow most projects currently in the works in the Northeast to receive an additional 10% tax credit and will provide a boost to the offshore wind industry.
LCV HOSTS ANNUAL CAPITAL DINNER: On Wednesday night, LCV hosted its annual Capital Dinner featuring Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senators Cory Booker and Debbie Stabenow, and Representatives Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Ruben Gallego (AZ-03). This year, LCV also honored the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for their leadership and relentless work to combat the climate crisis in Michigan and for playing a key role in passing Michigan’s historic legislation to commit to 100% clean energy last year.
OUR TAKE: LCV Board Chair and former EPA Administrator Carol Browner said, “Over the last few years, the Conservation Voters Movement has made huge strides, especially with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy investments. The benefits of those investments are slashing climate pollution from the transportation sector — and soon — the power sector, improving lives across the country.”
MLCV TAKE: Michigan LCV Executive Director Lisa Wozniak said, “What Michigan achieved last year was truly transformational, moving our pivotal Rust Belt state to 100% clean energy by 2040 – the fastest build out of wind and solar in the Midwest. We know that what we achieved in Michigan will have a ripple effect for clean energy and climate action across the country as we continue to push for clean air and water, good-paying jobs and a livable future for all.”
HARRIS TAKE: Vice President Kamala Harris said, “President Biden and I are proud to have enacted the largest climate investment in history while advancing environmental justice and taking on the climate crisis. What we have accomplished could not have happened without the work that the leaders here and the advocates in communities across the country have been doing for years.”
JEFFRIES TAKE: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) said, “MAGA Republicans are actively attempting to gut the progress we have made in protecting our planet. We will defend climate progress always and forever. We’re not going backward, we’re going to keep moving forward for our climate, for our children, for our country, for our planet.”
For more from the LCV Capital Dinner, check out our ICYMI.
LCVVF ANNOUNCES LARGEST-EVER INVESTMENT IN 2024 ELECTIONS: LCV Victory Fund has announced it will invest $120 million in the 2024 election cycle, its largest-ever investment in an election cycle. Read more in the New York Times and our press release.
OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice President of Campaigns Pete Maysmith said, “Our investment must be equal to the stakes, and the stakes have never been higher. Trump and MAGA Republicans have been clear that if they are in control, they will stop at nothing to dismantle climate progress and our democratic institutions in favor of fulfilling Big Oil’s agenda. Meanwhile, President Biden has done more to fight the climate crisis than any other president in our country’s history. We know that when voters hear the contrast between the candidates, and what is at risk, they vote for pro-climate and pro-democracy candidates. We simply cannot afford to turn back the clock on climate progress, we need to finish the job.”
LCVAF ENDORSED CANDIDATES ADVANCE TO GENERAL ELECTION: In Ohio, LCV Action Fund endorsed candidates Senator Sherrod Brown and U.S. House members Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) won their respective primary elections on Tuesday and will be advancing to the general election.
OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Vice President for Political Affairs Craig Auster said, “LCV Action Fund congratulates climate champions Sherrod Brown, Greg Landsman, and Emilia Sykes on their victories tonight in Ohio. These leaders have shown that they will fight for healthy communities, clean air and water, and a clean energy future for Ohians and across the country. We’re thrilled they won their primaries and will continue to put people over Big Polluters and special interests.”
And, in Illinois, LCVAF endorsed U.S. House members Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Chuy García (IL-04), Sean Casten (IL-06), Bill Foster (IL-11), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) will advance to their respective general elections.
TAKE 2: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Congratulations to our climate champions for their victories tonight across Illinois! These endorsed members have a proven track record of fighting against pollution and climate change in communities facing some of the worst threats from the climate crisis. Illinois is already experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and needs leaders who will prioritize the transition to a clean energy future and fight for clean air and water for all communities.”
See the complete list of LCV Action Fund endorsed candidates here.
LCV CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF CASTNER RANGE, AVI KWA AME NATIONAL MONUMENTS: Yesterday marked one year of the Castner Range and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument designations by the Biden-Harris administration. To celebrate, LCV hosted an art installation at the Department of Interior thanking the administration and encouraging them to “Make 2024 Monumental!”
OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick said, “LCV is thrilled to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Avi Kwa Ame and Castner Range national monuments, and we’re proud to congratulate the Biden-Harris administration for working to protect more than 24 million acres of public land in their first term. National monuments are important to communities nationwide and we hope the Biden-Harris administration moves swiftly to designate more national monuments in this critical year, cementing the President’s conservation legacy.”
LCV OPPOSES EXTREMIST REPUBLICANS’ DIRTY ENERGY WEEK: As they faced down yet another funding deadline, Republicans in the House spent the past week voting on a slew of dirty energy bills that would roll back protections for our communities and environment.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo said, “Extreme MAGA House Republicans are once again showing whose side they are on by doing the bidding of Big Oil with their ‘Dirty Energy Week.’ By attempting to roll back protections for our communities and our environment, they are exacerbating the climate crisis and prioritizing Big Polluters over people, public health, our climate, and our future. These dangerous proposals read like an oil executive’s wish list that attempts to undo the tremendous progress the Biden-Harris administration is making tackling the climate crisis and environmental injustice in addition to safeguarding our air, water, and lands. Extreme MAGA Republicans are continuing to prioritize a reckless agenda to increase new fossil fuel production, threaten clean air and water, worsen environmental injustice, and increase toxic pollution that threatens our health.”
Earlier this week, LCV sent a letter to the House urging members to oppose those anti-environmental measures on the floor for Republicans’ Dirty Energy Week and informing them these votes could very well be scored in the 2024 National Environmental Scorecard.
TAKE 2: LCV President Gene Karpinski said, “Rather than focusing on the critical task of keeping our government funded, House majority leaders are prioritizing a reckless agenda that could lead to new fossil fuel production, exacerbate the climate crisis, worsen environmental injustice, and increase toxic pollution that threatens our health.”
EPA BANS ASBESTOS: This week, the EPA announced a ban on chrysotile asbestos, a highly toxic material still found in brake blocks and linings, gaskets, and other products.
OUR TAKE: LCV Deputy Legislative Director Madeleine Foote said, “LCV commends the Environmental Protection Agency for prioritizing the health and safety of workers and communities by announcing a ban on chrysotile asbestos, which is linked to various types of cancers and causes an estimated 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Too many families over too many generations have been harmed by this deadly mineral, making the Biden-Harris administration’s ban of chrysotile asbestos a critical step forward in protecting our public health. We urge the administration to continue to do all they can to eliminate this toxic material from our homes, schools, and businesses, and use all their authority under our chemical safety laws to ensure a clean, healthy environment for everyone.”
SENATE CONFIRMS JUDGE NICOLE BERNER: The Senate voted this week to confirm Judge Nicole Berner to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner said, “Judge Nicole Berner stands out even among the many highly qualified, personally and professionally diverse judges nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Democratic Senate. In her over 20 year career, Berner has served as General Counsel of the Service Employees International Union and Staff Attorney for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and has proven that she is dedicated to justice for all, with a record of protecting voting rights, civil rights, reproductive rights, workers’ rights, immigrants’ rights, and more. She is also the first openly LGBTQ+ judge to serve on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. LCV applauds the Biden-Harris administration for this momentous appointment and urges President Biden and the Senate to continue filling every vacancy on the federal bench with outstanding judges like her.”
MASSIVE SOLAR PROJECT APPROVED IN OHIO: The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approved the Oak Run Solar Project in Madison County, Ohio. The impressive solar facility will have the capacity to generate up to 800 megawatts of electricity and will include 300 MW of battery energy storage. Oak Run will be an agrivoltaic facility – hosting both solar generation and agriculture – and, by 2032, will feed 1,000 sheep and grow 2,000 acres of crops. Ohio Environmental Council was instrumental in getting this important project across the finish line.
OEC TAKE: Ohio Environmental Council Managing Director of Energy Policy Nolan Rutschilling said, “The Ohio Power Siting Board’s decision to approve Oak Run Solar is a huge win for clean renewable energy in our state. Oak Run Solar is a testament to Ohio’s legacy of working at the forefront of innovation, this time on tackling climate change. The OPSB’s approval of Oak Run Solar will bring innovative energy and agriculture solutions to Ohio. Utility scale solar and battery energy storage are critical components of achieving Ohio’s clean energy future. As climate change continues to disrupt Ohio’s agriculture practices and yields, the practice of agriculture in tandem with solar panels represents a unique and bold opportunity to act on climate. We look forward to these innovations the Oak Run project will bring to Ohio.”
NEW JERSEY LCV FIGHTS GAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN COURT: Late last week, New Jersey LCV gave oral arguments in a lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) over the agency’s approval of the proposed Regional Energy Access gas pipeline and infrastructure expansion. Plaintiffs argue that the expansion is unnecessary, and will prevent New Jersey from reaching its statutory climate pollution reduction targets. If completed, the project could account for nearly half of the state’s allowable greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The New Jersey ratepayer advocate, a state government agency that represents the interests of energy customers, joined the lawsuit with New Jersey LCV and partners.
WISCONSIN OPENS THE DOOR TO FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed bipartisan legislation to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state. The legislation unlocks nearly $80 million in federal funding, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over the next five years to help small businesses, gas stations, and convenience stores finance the installation of high-speed electric vehicle charging stations, and allow for more electric vehicle adoption in the state.
CHISPA AZ STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH SPIRIT RUNNERS FIGHTING AGAINST LITHIUM MINING’: Last Wednesday, Chispa Arizona welcomed the Spirit Runners as they completed a remarkable 200-mile cross-state journey from Peach Springs to Phoenix, raising their voices in protest against lithium mining in Ha’Kamwe’. With solemn prayers, the runners sought to safeguard Ha’kamwe’, a cherished hot spring, sacred to the Hualapai Tribe, that is imperiled by the looming threat of a lithium mine. In solidarity, Chispa Arizona stands alongside these courageous defenders of our land and water. Watch their inspiring journey unfold in this video.
ON THE BLOG: Catch up with LCV governance training program alum Esme Cole as she reflects on her first year in office as a state legislator in Vermont. Learn about her journey, her signature achievement, and her hopes for the future, this week on The Power Source Blog.
ON OUR SOCIALS: This week on our socials, we celebrated climate progress at the annual LCV Capital Dinner with some very special guests, shined a light on the one-year anniversary of the Avi Kwa Ame and Castner Range national monuments, and received a breaking announcement from Buckingham Palace!
APRIL 22: Earth Day
©2024 League of Conservation Voters