After a tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) today, Department of Energy Executive Rick Perry again stated his intention to force electricity customers and taxpayers to spend tens of billions of dollars to bailout uneconomic coal and nuclear plants that cannot compete with cleaner, cheaper competitors like solar and wind.
Baltimore, MD--The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) released finalized water pollution permits for the Chalk Point, Dickerson and Morgantown coal-fired power plants yesterday. The plants have been operating under expired permits since 2014 and the update now requires the plants to install necessary pollution-control measures to reduce dangerous metals that are discharged into the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac and Patuxent Rivers by November 1, 2020. The permits follow EPA guidance but do not completely eliminate the dumping of toxic coal by-product pollutants such as arsenic, selenium and mercury into our waterways.
The Oregon Public Utilities Commission-- the same commission that required PacifiCorp to do an economic analysis of it coal fleet—just decided to keep the results of that analysis secret. Sierra Club had challenged the company’s request to hide the study from the public.
Governor Rauner is scheduled to headline at a rally today alongside coal company executives that have been instrumental in creating Trump Administration policies aimed at reversing many American initiatives to promote clean energy, reduce air and water pollution from coal, and fight climate change. Rauner is to be introduced at the Marion event by billionaire coal baron Joseph W. Craft III, a close confidant of departed USEPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, and staunch proponent of Pruitt's and Trump's efforts to benefit his and other coal corporations.
BOSTON--The Massachusetts House and Senate Conference Committee released a compromise energy bill tonight that includes the following provisions: boosts the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) annual increase to 2 percent from the current 1 percent starting in 2020, but declines back to 1 percent in 2030; authorizes 1,000 megawatt hours of energy storage and 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind; and expands energy efficiency offerings within the MassSave program.
BOSTON--The Massachusetts House and Senate Conference Committee finalized an Environmental Bond Bill last night that did not include language banning single use plastic bags. Such language had been included in the Senate version of the bond bill.
Avon, NY. -- Concerned citizens and local organizations gathered on Tuesday to urge Governor Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to quickly finalize a proposed plan that would fully retire New York’s remaining coal plants by 2020. Advocates delivered thousands of petitions requesting the framework of the plan establish a glidepath for communities and workers affected by this transition and ensure the final rule barred these plants from converting to other dirty energy sources like fracked gas, waste, or biomass.
Richmond, VIRGINIA– The Sierra Club hosted the 100th national screening of its new documentary Reinventing Power: America’s Renewable Energy Boom yesterday at the historic Byrd Theatre, an event attended by about 300 people.
On Tuesday, July 17, Madison Gas and Electric filed an application at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to finalize the electric and natural gas rates Madison customers would pay for service years 2019 and 2020. This proposal was filed as a “settlement” pursuant to a new Wisconsin statute, section 196.026, that allows utilities to seek consensus in advance of their rate proposals in order to get expedited approval for their new rates. Sierra Club was the only intervening party that did not join in MGE’s proposed settlement.
Long Island City, N.Y. -- Local residents and various health leaders and religious and environmental organizations gathered on Wednesday to urge the administration to quickly finalize a proposed plan that would phase coal out of the state by 2020. Advocates contend that a statewide framework must include a glidepath for communities and workers affected by this transition and to ensure full retirement of the affected plants - barring the way for these plants to burn other dirty energy sources like fracked gas, waste or biomass.
Albany, NY. -- Elected officials and various local organizations gathered on Monday to urge the administration to quickly finalize a proposed plan that would phase coal out of the state by 2020. Advocates contend that a statewide framework must include a glidepath for communities and workers affected by this transition and to ensure full retirement of the affected plants - barring the way for these plants to burn other dirty energy sources like fracked gas, waste or biomass.
WASHINGTON DC-- District of Columbia Councilmember Mary Cheh, the Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Environment, introduced a comprehensive climate protection and clean energy package today.