SPRINGDALE, PA-- Today, the Sierra Club sent a “notice of intent to sue” letter to NRG Power Midwest alleging serious violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at the company’s Cheswick coal-fired power plant in Springdale. The plant has been discharging heated wastewater into the Allegheny River at temperatures over nine-times what is currently allowed--potentially affecting the waterway’s local ecosystem and killing aquatic species.
AUGUSTA, ME -- Today, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed three climate and clean energy bills into law, representing the changing tide in the state’s leadership on climate action.
Governor Mills signed:
Charleston, WV -- Today, West Virginia governor and perennial legal defendant Jim Justice attacked thousands of grassroots activists and everyday West Virginians working to address the climate crisis and harmful pollution by moving America off of fossil fuels. Meanwhile, policy that would support coal communities in transition and ensure workers have a pension sits on a shelf. Justice decried Michael Bloomberg’s “Beyond Carbon” initiative, suggesting that West Virginia continue to rely on deadly, outdated fossil fuels such as coal, as the United States quickly moves to a clean energy economy.
Rockville, MD -- A Maryland Circuit Court ruled in favor of local community members and environmentalists on a power plant owner’s efforts to block safeguards protecting clean water in the state at the Chalk Point power plant in Prince George’s County.
Albany, N.Y.— Eleven various organization submitted comments today supporting the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) efforts to decrease dangerous smog pollution downstate. Last week, DEC hosted three public hearings in Albany, New York City and Long Island on new nitrous oxide (NOx) pollution limits for over 40“peaker” gas plants, located across Long Island and New York City. “Peakers” only run during times of peak energy demand a handful of days a year, but they emit enormous amounts of toxic pollutants into our air -- harming New Yorkers health and leaving downstate New York with some of the worst air quality in the country.
Albany, N.Y.— The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) signed a finalized regulation today that will fully eliminate coal in New York by 2020. This regulation, years in the making and overwhelmingly supported by the public, is the first of its kind in the nation. The removal of coal-fired power is a critical step for the state to reach its goal of a 100 percent greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the electric sector by 2040.
Annapolis, M.D.--The Maryland General Assembly just passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) and has subsequently sent the bill to the Governor’s desk for signature. The bill will accelerate the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 50% by 2030, including a huge leap in solar energy combined with quadrupling the state’s commitment to offshore wind. Additionally, the bill will provide millions of dollars to workforce development programs, and require the state to create a plan and complete a robust analysis in order to accomplish the goal of Maryland going 100% clean energy by 2040.
Annapolis, M.D.--The Maryland Senate just passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). CEJA will accelerate the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 50% by 2030, provide millions of dollars to workforce development programs, and remove a subsidy that currently goes to polluting trash incinerators.
BOSTON, MA -- On Saturday, over 50 municipal officials gathered at Framingham State University for the culminating event of a year-long series of Climate Leadership Summits organized by the Massachusetts Sierra Club.
RICHMOND, Virginia – Yesterday, Dominion Energy filed their corrected 2018 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP): a long-range forecast of electricity demand and how the monopoly utility intends to meet that demand.
Baltimore, MD-- Baltimore City Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett (District 8), in partnership with the Sierra Club, introduced a resolution today calling for the Maryland General Assembly to pass, and Governor Hogan to sign, legislation establishing a clear and enforceable commitment to move Maryland beyond coal-fired power and create a Coal Community Transition Fund to support impacted communities and workers. The fund would support investments in job retraining and assistance for those affected, as well as increased investments in clean energy sources that will provide good-paying, local jobs.
On January 29, Mayor Marty Walsh announced the City of Boston’s next steps for updating Boston’s Climate Action Plan, which include creating “implementation roadmaps” to reach the city’s climate goals. The Climate Action Plan will be informed by the newly released Carbon Free Boston report, produced by Boston University’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, which outlines pathways to achieving 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2050.