WASHINGTON, D.C.-- This Thursday, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth US, Center for Financial Accountability, the Union of the Displaced People in Sasan, and more will host a webinar to discuss the US Export-Import Bank’s role in the massive coal ash flood from the Sasan coal-fired power plant and mine last spring that killed six people, including three children. Last April’s coal ash flash flood destroyed six miles of crops and homes, polluted downstream rivers and fields, and impacted hundreds of people in three nearby villages, namely Haraahawa, Siddi Khurd and Siddi Kala in Madhya Pradesh. The breach was reportedly due to the negligence of the plant and just $70 USD compensation has been promised to the villagers. You can watch a video of the flood and statements about the situation over the past year here.
Press Releases
Boston, MA -- Today, Mayor Kim Janey announced Reverend Mariama White-Hammond will be Boston’s new Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. An environmental justice advocate for years, Rev. White-Hammond will be responsible for leading the Cabinet in achieving its mission of enhancing environmental justice and quality of life for Boston residents by protecting air, water, climate, and land resources. The position which includes preserving and improving the integrity of Boston's architectural and historic resources was previously held by Chris Cook who has been named the next Executive Director of The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.
Cheyenne, WY— Farmers and ranchers, conservation, recreation, and tribal groups filed motions to intervene today to defend the Biden administration’s pause on federal oil and gas leasing pending the Department of Interior’s comprehensive review of the program.
San Diego, CA - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) just approved a $44 million electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure program from San Diego Gas & Electric.
Washington, DC -- Today, the Department of the Treasury announced the appointment of John Morton as the Department’s first Climate Counselor to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Morton is tasked with leading the newly established Climate Hub that will work across the Department to mitigate climate-related financial risks and advance President Biden’s goals of 100% clean energy and a net zero emissions economy.
Jackson, MS -- Late last week, Southern Company subsidiary Mississippi Power released its Integrated Resource Plan, which details the utility’s long term plans for providing power to its Mississippi customers.
La secretaria del Interior, Deb Haaland, emitió hoy dos órdenes ejecutivas en las que prioriza la acción climática y revoca políticas de la administración Trump que promocionaban el desarrollo de explotaciones de combustibles fósiles en lugar de la seguridad de las comunidades y la naturaleza.
El jueves por la noche, ocho personas fueron asesinadas en un nuevo tiroteo masivo cerca de Indianapolis, IN. Hasta la fecha, ha habido 147 tiroteos en 2021, 45 de ellos solo en abril.
Springfield, IL - The Illinois Pollution Control Board’s finalization of coal ash regulations makes significant strides to rectify coal's toxic footprint in Illinois. The rules create a comprehensive framework for the detection and clean up of coal ash contamination of groundwater -- the first in the state’s history to specifically address this pollution. Not only do the new rules create a new precedent for cleaning up coal ash and restoring the environment, they make necessary improvements to public participation and environmental justice. In finalizing these rules, the Board rejected utility demands to exclude certain ash ponds from the rules and expanded transparency, demonstrating its commitment to a more fair and open process.
Oakland, CA -- On Thursday evening, eight people were murdered in a mass shooting near Indianapolis, IN. As of today, there have been 147 mass shootings in 2021, with at least 45 mass shootings in April alone.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement: