You Can Help Achieve A Victory for Clean Air, Attend the EPA Haze Protection Hearings!
Our national parks and wildlife refuges are American treasures that have long provided adventures and memories for many locals and visitors to Texas. But thick smog from haze pollution is clouding our state’s remarkable vistas and dramatically reducing visibility. Hikers who enjoy trekking to the top of mountains might think twice about taking scenic photos – that is, unless they want a heavy gray filter added. What can you do? Attend the EPA public hearings and tell them you don’t want haze to cloud the horizon!
ALERT: EPA to Hold Public Hearing in Texas on Proposed Smog Standards on Jan 29th
[From EPA] EPA will hold three public hearings on the proposed updates to the national air quality standards for ground-level ozone, also known as smog, including one in Arlington on January 29th. EPA has proposed to strengthen the standards to a level within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion to better protect American’s health and the environment, while taking comment on a level as low as 60 ppb. The agency estimates that the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will significantly outweigh the costs, preventing asthma attacks, heart attacks, missed school days and premature deaths, among other health effects.
Federal Court Gives Exxon Free Pass Despite Thousands of Air Pollution Violations
A federal district court refused to order any penalty or issue any other sanctions against ExxonMobil Corporation, despite the company’s admissions during a three-week trial in February that it committed many thousands of violations of the federal Clean Air Act at its Baytown, Texas, refinery and chemical plant complex. In an 86-page decision, U.S. District Judge David Hittner accepted Exxon’s claims that its 10 million pounds of illegal air pollution – consisting of carcinogens, other toxic pollutants, and respiratory irritants – could not be conclusively linked to any adverse effects in the communities around the complex.
City Agrees to Phase Out Austin’s Oldest Fossil Fuel Plants
Shortly before midnight on December 11, Austin City Council passed a historic generation plan that would affordably achieve 55% renewable energy for the city by 2025, and rid it of its oldest dirtiest fossil fuel plants. Sierra Club and many other organizations worked tirelessly through the day and night to improve this plan and see it pass. Click here to read our press release. Obviously, we'll have much more to share soon, so stay tuned!
Sierra Club Responds to ERCOT “Impact of Environmental Regulations in the ERCOT Region” Report
In December, ERCOT released the report “Impact of Environmental Regulations in the ERCOT Region,” which is their analysis of how safeguards and protections such as the Clean Power Plan, regional haze rule, and mercury pollution limits might affect reliability in Texas' unique energy market. While the report is useful and correctly notes that the pollution problem in Texas comes from a smaller number of old and dirty fossil fuel plants, it omits data and information that are critical to making good decisions on the Texas energy market. The Lone Star Chapter released this detailed response.
Official Recommendation to Texas: Update Building Energy Codes to 2015 Standards (San Antonio Already Set to Adopt)
December was a big month for energy efficient buildings in Texas. First, after nearly two years of deliberation, San Antonio is poised to be the first city in Texas to adopt the most up to date building energy codes. Second, the state’s analysis of the 2015 codes resulted in an official recommendation to the new Comptroller (Glenn Hegar) to adopt the 2015 codes for the whole state. Fun fact: the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) received approximately 1,750 supportive comments from Sierra Club members and supporters. That was 75% of all the comments SECO received. Your effort gave SECO crucial support! Well done and thanks!
Detelich: My Optimism on the Rise After Austin’s Peoples Power Forum
Editor’s Note: Madeline Detelich, a freelance writer who contributes to the Lone Star Chapter newsletter and website, wrote this. If you’re interested in writing for the Lone Star Chapter, let us know!
Despite heavy downpours, many passionate people found their way to Scholz Garten for the Austin People’s Power Forum on November 22. Brass Buckle entertained with Texas honky tonk classics while folks trickled in out of the storm. By the end of their first set the room was filled with members of different organizations and vibrant chatter.
Write for the Lone Star Chapter!
Is there a conservation, energy, sustainable development, or environmental justice issue you care deeply out in Texas? Tell us about it! The Lone Star Chapter welcomes original writing from members and supporters across the state. From fracking encroaching on Big Bend to stopping LNG terminals from ruining Brownsville to an expensive and risky water pipeline in Burleson County, there are so many issues that Sierra Club members and local groups care about but aren’t getting the attention they deserve. If you are interested in writing for us, we’d love to hear from you! Check out our writing guidelines here.
Looking Back on 2014 – One Last Hooray for the Wilderness Act!
In April, Sierra Club volunteers from across the state ventured to Big Bend National Park to assist with the park’s ongoing grassland restoration efforts. Grasslands in the low-lying flats of the park were devastated by over-grazing in the late 1800s and early 20th century when the park land was nothing more than ranch land on the border of Texas and Mexico. In recent years, park officials have been supporting a renewed effort to bring those grassland areas back, along with the flora and fauna that once inhabited it. To commemorate and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act passing (signed by Lyndon Baines Johnson!), Sierra Club made this short video. Enjoy!
Director's Message
Cyrus Reed, Conservation Director
Lone Star Chapter