©2024 League of Conservation Voters
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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, Instagram, and TikTok.
“If you give me the chance to fight on your behalf, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way.”
— Vice President Kamala Harris addressing tens of thousands of people on the National Mall in her final campaign speech before the November 5th election.
“We have been fighting since day one of our existence, we are the definition of heart and resistance. We’re still here, here we are, and for those who forget who we are … don’t worry, we will proudly remind you.”
— Translated remarks from Benito Antonio Martinez (Bad Bunny) in a video love letter to his home of Puerto Rico posted in response to “comedian” Tony Hinchcliffe calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” during a Trump rally.
“Clean air programs like this will greatly improve the air we breathe in our communities.”
— Gloria Nelson, an environmental justice leader from Baltimore County’s largest historically Black community which is heavily impacted by pollution from the Port of Baltimore, on the announcement of the Biden-Harris administration’s Clean Ports Program.
BOEM HOLDS ENERGY LEASE SALE IN GULF OF MAINE: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held an energy lease sale on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Maine. The auction resulted in two provisional winners on four lease areas, generating $21.9 million in winning bids. If fully developed, the leased areas have the potential to power more than 2.3 million homes with clean energy.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Government Affairs Advocate on Climate Change and Clean Energy David Shadburn said, “Today’s lease sale is a clear sign of the vital role offshore wind will play in not only New England’s but the nation’s energy future. With now 10 major offshore wind projects approved and the first commercial scale offshore project now online, today’s sale comes at the tail end of the best year ever for offshore wind in the U.S. The Biden-Harris administration continues to deliver more clean energy jobs and reliable affordable energy for millions of Americans across the country.”
MCV TAKE: Maine Conservation Voters Climate and Clean Energy Director Lucy Hochschartner said, “I am thrilled to see the next step toward bringing homegrown offshore wind to Maine that will create good union jobs, get us off volatile and expensive fossil fuels, and help to protect families from further disasters.”
ELM AND NE4OSW TAKE: Environmental League of Massachusetts Offshore Wind Director and New England for Offshore Wind Regional Lead Kelt Wilska said, “We are delighted by this momentous first step in deploying responsibly developed offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. The successful lease of these four offshore wind areas represents an incredible opportunity for New England states to issue collaborative procurements that will maximize the Gulf of Maine’s robust wind resource, unlock economies of scale, accelerate development and improve project outcomes across our shared grid.”
LCV CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION’S CLEAN PORTS PROGRAM: The Biden-Harris administration announced the award recipients of a total of nearly $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Ports Program. The funding will support replacing thousands of dirty fossil-fueled trucks and cargo-moving devices with zero emissions equipment and meaningful community engagement in emissions reduction planning, ensuring that those most impacted by port pollution have a voice in creating healthier, more sustainable neighborhoods. This investment builds upon recent federal support for the Port of Baltimore, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to both environmental protection and economic growth.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Federal Policy and former EPA health scientist Matthew Davis said, “Today’s Clean Ports Program grant awards underscores the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to our economy, climate, and the health of our communities, particularly those communities of color and communities of low wealth spotlighted by the Justice40 Initiative. This program will create new clean energy jobs, help safeguard port workers’ health, reduce some of our worst air pollution, and lay the groundwork for zero emissions cargo transportation at ports. This means cleaner, safer air for nearby communities and a safer climate for our children. LCV looks forward to continuing to work alongside this administration, local port authorities, and core industries to ensure emissions reduction planning and meaningful community engagement are central to these grant agreements.”
MLCV TAKE: Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble said, “This is a much-needed investment that will not only help accelerate Maryland’s path towards zero emissions, but also takes a step toward addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by communities near the Port of Baltimore. Modernizing our port infrastructure means reducing diesel emissions and supporting the transition to zero-emission technologies. We are proud that the Biden administration is investing in the health and well-being of Baltimore’s residents.”
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FOSTERS POLLUTION PREVENTION, AWARDING $19 MILLION IN GRANTS TO 48 APPLICANTS: This week EPA allocated its Pollution Prevention grants, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to help protect public health and the environment by stopping toxic pollution at its source. The action is part of the administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which directs at least 40% of benefits from federal investments to low-wealth communities, communities of color, and others disproportionately impacted by pollution. These grants, almost 50% with no cost-sharing requirement, will enable states, Tribal Nations, universities, and territories to provide technical assistance to businesses to adopt practices that safeguard communities and natural resources while also saving money.
EPA TAKE: EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer said, “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, EPA has provided unprecedented support for innovative approaches that prevent pollution and protect the environment. Empowering businesses through these grant projects is a win-win that protects communities while also cutting costs for businesses.”
LCV ACTION FUND RELEASES PRE-ELECTION MEMO: LCV Action Fund released a pre-election memo with information about historic endorsements for this election cycle and how LCV Action Fund is elevating climate and mobilizing LCV members through its GreenRoots program to help elect those candidates! Read the full memo for more.
LCV VICTORY FUND RELEASES ELECTION CAMPAIGN SUMMARY: This election cycle, LCV Victory Fund and affiliated entities ran our biggest election campaign ever to increase voter turnout, educate voters about the stakes of this election, and help them make a plan to vote with an investment of nearly $164 million. Today, LCV Victory Fund released a memo detailing this investment and breaking down which races received the most funding across the country.
SCOTUS RULING PAVES THE WAY FOR VOTER DISENFRANCHISEMENT: The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of a lower court order that would have required the state to restore thousands of voters back to the voter roll following an executive order from Governor Youngkin in August that purged more than 6,000 Virginians flagged as “non-citizens.” This is in violation of the National Voter Registration Act, which bars jurisdictions from removing voters from the roll within 90 days of an election.
OUR TAKE: LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa said, “This is yet another blatant attempt by extreme MAGA aligned justices to strip power from the people. We know when voters lose power, big polluters and those with more money in our politics win. This is a dangerous precedent to set for the country and an obvious move to undermine democracy days before the election.”
VALCV TAKE: Virginia LCV Executive Director Michael Town said, “Virginia LCV is disappointed but not surprised that the U.S. Supreme Court in a split decision ruled in favor of Glenn Youngkin’s plan to keep approximately 1,500 Virginia citizens from being able to execute their most sacred right as an American: voting. Let’s call this what it is: abusing power and hurting people simply to score political points. A healthy environment depends on a healthy democracy, and it’s painfully clear that this Administration values neither. Turning the page from this Supreme Court, with a majority hell-bent on removing, not protecting, the rights of Americans will take longer than an election cycle or two. But Virginians should take note and use their collective power to ensure they have elected officials who will work to strengthen and not erode our democracy.”
LCV ACTION FUND ENDORSES REPRESENTATIVE BRAD SCHNEIDER: LCV Action Fund this week announced its endorsement of Representative Brad Schneider for Illinois’ 10th congressional district.
LCV ACTION FUND AND PATAGONIA CANVASS IN NEVADA: On Vote Early Day, Patagonia employees joined the LCV GreenRoots team to volunteer to get out the vote for climate in Las Vegas, Nevada. Volunteers collectively knocked on over 1,500 doors. As part of Patagonia’s Vote Her (i.e. for Mother Earth) campaign, the outdoor apparel company closed its stores on Vote Early Day to give employees a paid day off.
LCVAF TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Patagonia volunteers to help get out the vote and elect climate champions up and down the ballot in Nevada, including Representative Susie Lee, Senator Jacky Rosen, and Vice President Kamala Harris. Addressing the climate crisis has never been more important, and we’re all in to help elect a pro-climate, pro-democracy trifecta.”
PATAGONIA TAKE: Patagonia chief impact and communications officer Corley Kenna said, “To save our planet from the climate and nature crisis, we must elect leaders who share our sense of urgency, and we’re thankful to have partners in the environmental community such as the League of Conservation Voters dedicated to achieving that goal. We have been working with LCV for more than 20 years and we’re once again asking our community to vote for Mother Earth, just like we have since we took out our first local newspaper ad in Ventura in 1978 to advocate for candidates and ballot measures.”
REP. LEE TAKE: U.S. Representative Susie Lee said, “I am incredibly grateful to have the support of Patagonia and League of Conservation Voters volunteers as we work to keep public lands in public hands, and to promote sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation. Together, we will elect candidates up and down the ballot who are committed to combating climate change and keeping our air and water clean for generations to come.”
LCV VICTORY FUND EXPANDS ACTIVITIES IN KEY SENATE RACES: LCV Victory Fund announced a new $250,000 digital ad campaign in the Wisconsin Senate race opposing Dirty Dozen member Eric Hovde, as well as a $300,000 expansion of the OH-13 broadcast ad opposing Kevin Coughlin that launched last week. In addition to the digital ad campaign, LCV Victory Fund also expanded their field organizing programs in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Nevada by a total of $1 million and will support Kamala Harris, Tammy Baldwin (WI-Sen), Bob Casey (PA-Sen) and Jacky Rosen (NV-Sen).
LCVVF TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Vice President of Paid Communications and Elections Megan Jacobs said, “In these final days of the cycle, we are continuing to meet voters where they are and educate Wisconsin voters about the reality of the Senate race. Eric Hovde has demonstrated time and time again that he will side with the ultra wealthy and Trump over the hardworking families and communities of Wisconsin.”
CHISPA NATIONAL DIRECTOR AMONG 100 LATINOS MOST COMMITTED TO CLIMATE ACTION: A big congratulations to Estefany Carrasco-González, our Chispa National Director, for being recognized by Sachamama as one of The 100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action 2024! Estefany is a powerful advocate for a healthier world for Latine communities across the U.S. With a strong background in building social movements and community organizing, she has led outreach to mobilize communities of color, managed campaigns, and created impactful curricula on equitable education, environmental justice, immigrant rights, and racial and social justice.
COLORADO LAUNCHES HOME ENERGY REBATES PROGRAM: Colorado officially became the ninth state to launch its state home energy rebates program under the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. Eligible Colorado residents can now save up to $14,000 on home energy upgrades.
TUCSON SCHOOL DISTRICT PASSES CLIMATE ACTION PLAN LED BY STUDENT ACTIVISTS: The Tucson Unified School District agreed to a $900 million plan from the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition to halve climate emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2040. Key initiatives include electrifying the school bus fleet, adding daily plant-based meal options for students, transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2035, and integrating climate education across all grade levels.
ON THE BLOG: As we close in on Election Day, we’re highlighting our amazing GreenRoots field organizers Achol and Magali who have been working with volunteers to turn out voters for pro-climate, pro-democracy candidates!
And, we published the October top 6 (!!) stories of the month! Check out the blog to learn about LCV Victory Fund’s new presidential ad on climate change, how our canvassers are working to get out the vote, our work to mobilize young voters and Black voters, new ads (both in English and Spanish) in key races, LCV Victory Fund’s partnership with EMILYs List, and GiveGreen’s record-breaking support for climate champions.
ON OUR SOCIALS: Boo! One of the scariest things we saw this Halloween was the Supreme Court paving the way for voter suppression in Virginia, but if that’s not enough for you, may we suggest checking out one of these reworked horror classics? And, check out our favorite way to beat the election-season scaries.
TODAY: Start of National Native American Heritage Month.
NOVEMBER 5: Election Day.
NOVEMBER 11: Veterans Day.
NOVEMBER 28: Thanksgiving Day.
NOVEMBER 29: Native American Heritage Day.
©2024 League of Conservation Voters