BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today rejected the request from low-income residents, shrimpers, environmental groups, local cities and landowners to reverse its approval of the Rio Grande LNG fracked gas facility proposed for a site along the Gulf Coast near Brownsville. The move by FERC demonstrates that the agency has dismissed the groups’ justifiable concerns about elevated pollution and potentially devastating damage to the local tourism and fishing industries.
This afternoon, Wisconsin Public Service Commission approved a proposal by Dairyland Power and Minnesota Power to build the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) gas plant in Superior, Wisconsin. If constructed, NTEC would cost customers an estimated $700 million. Arguments submitted in opposition pointed to expert studies showing that the gas plant is unnecessary and that utilities could more cheaply meet customer needs with common-sense energy efficiency and renewable, home-grown energy. In the fall a study published by Rocky Mountain Institute found 90 percent of 88 proposed gas plants, NTEC included, would end up costing more than if the utilities instead invested in wind, solar and energy efficiency.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection fined ETC, an affiliate of the gas and propane transportation company Energy Transfer Partners, $30.6 million after its Revolution Pipeline exploded
Today, Governor Jay Inslee directed the Washington State Department of Ecology to adopt new rules that would apply the most current climate science to environmental assessments and ensure that the full climate impact of proposed fossil fuel projects is taken into account.
Today, in response to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s decision this afternoon to grant a permit for the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Tacoma LNG facility, Washington communities and advocates reiterated their continued opposition to the fracked gas project, and expect to file an immediate appeal.
Today, the Sierra Club released the Building Electrification Action Plan for Climate Leaders, which advises policymakers on how to clear greenhouse gas emissions out of California’s homes and buildings. More than 20 cities have already adopted ordinances to begin phasing gas out of buildings, which release roughly 17 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and account for more pollution than all of the state’s power plants combined.
Odessa, Texas -- A settlement of a lawsuit challenging unpermitted flaring under the Clean Air Act from the James Lake Gas Plant in West Texas has secured penalties and significant pollution reductions for a plant that state and federal regulators have failed to address.
Washington, DC -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced federal approvals of three controversial fracked gas export terminals - Texas LNG, Rio Grande LNG, Rio Bravo Pipeline, and Annova LNG - proposed for Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Despite today’s approval from FERC, the proposed facilities still do not have all the necessary approvals to begin construction. All three projects still require approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, Texas LNG is still awaiting a Biological Opinion from the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Sierra Club’s Executive Director Michael Brune, Attorney General of Connecticut William Tong, Assistant Attorney General of Michigan Peter Manning, and local voices will speak against the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to erode section 401 of the Clean Water Act during a telepresser the morning of a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.
[WASHINGTON, DC] -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and fracked gas pipeline. This project has faced fierce opposition for more than a decade by a grassroots coalition of impacted landowners, anglers, small business owners, tribal members, health professionals, and communities across Oregon and Northern California.
Nov. 12, 2019 (Tacoma, Wash.)—Today, a coalition of public health and environmental groups challenged federal approvals for Northwest Innovation Works’ massive fracked gas-to-methanol refinery proposed for Kalama, Washington.