Mission, TX-- Today, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security passed an appropriations bill that includes $1.6 billion for border walls and increased funding for Border Patrol. If passed through Congress, the appropriations legislation fully funds 65 miles of additional border wall in Rio Grande Valley-- walling off the entire 150-mile valley from their river (except the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge where prohibition on construction is upheld).
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality granted a crucial air quality permit to the builders of the fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline, allowing them to build a compressor station in Northampton County.
A new study by scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published today in the American Journal of Public Health found that facilities emitting dangerous particulate air pollution -- like soot -- disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color - demonstrating that the reprehensible history of economic injustice and environmental racism regarding air pollution continues in the United States.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. government released major scientific reports today that further strengthen the connection between human activity and the climate crisis. As part of the Congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment, which is required by law to be issued every four years, the government released a series of documents today that includes a final version of the Climate Science Special report.
WASHINGTON, DC - Donald Trump went on an extended twitter tirade against the people of Puerto Rico this morning, tweeting among other things that the U.S. Island was alone responsible for its financial crisis, and threatening to abandon any long term commitment to recovery efforts. The vast majority of the Puerto Rico still lacks electricity and many have no clean water to speak of.
Washington, DC -- Today, Senate Republicans rushed through a confirmation vote on Donald Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Neil Gorsuch has been met with widespread criticism both across the country and from the Senate before, during, and after his confirmation process.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Donald Trump issued his second executive order targeting immigrants and refugees from Muslim majority countries.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sierra Club joined Earthjustice, the Consumer Federation of America, and NRDC today in notifying the Trump Administration of their intent to sue the Department of Energy (DOE) for delaying new energy efficiency standards that will protect public health and save customers and businesses money on their electricity bills.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Senate voted to confirm Rick Perry as Energy Secretary.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted strictly along party lines to vote the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court out of committee. Gorsuch’s nomination now heads to the Senate floor without the 60 votes required to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. Should Gorsuch’s nomination fail, either Donald Trump could propose a new nominee, or McConnell could do away with the more than 200-year old precedent and change Senate rules to force the nominee through.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Wednesday, March 1, 2017
CONTACT: Shawn Dhanak, 517-449-0402, shawn.dhanak@sierraclub.org
***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MARCH 3 AT 9 AM***
Southern California Air Regulators to Take Final Vote in Major Showdown Over Air Quality Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, ten states including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, reached a $157.45 million settlement with Volkswagen AG over the “Dieselgate” scandal. Under the settlement, Volkswagen must pay the states set amounts and must provide consumers three electric car models, including two electric SUVs, by 2020.