June 27, 2019
GENEVA -- Today, the World Trade Organization (WTO) sided with India in response to the country’s 2016 WTO complaint against U.S. buy-local policies in eight state-level clean energy programs.
Press Releases
June 27, 2019
RICHMOND, Virginia – Today, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) accepted Dominion Energy’s refiled Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), after rejecting it in its entirety in late 2018. The SCC is also requiring several changes in future plans, including an update due in September, that will more accurately assess the costs and benefits of energy options, such as: Battery storage, using the most updated cost estimates available Compliance with climate pollution limits through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Gas transportation costs Solar power purchase agreements as 25% and 50% of the solar generation capacity Estimating capacity value for future solar PV tracking resources by using past performance or 25%, higher than the 23% used previously
June 27, 2019
Washington, DC-- Today, the Senate passed a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-- which includes several pieces to address the nation’s growing PFAS contamination crisis. Included is the Senate’s package and a ban on military purchasing and use of all PFAS for fire fighting by 2022 and 2023.
In response, Sonya Lunder, Senior Toxics Advisor for the Sierra Club released the following statement:
June 27, 2019
Lansing, MI-- Today, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team announced the first step in the Whitmer administration’s plan to put in place a legal limit on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS chemicals that widely contaminate Michigan drinking water. The single digit limits proposed today on PFOA and PFNA would represent strictest in the nation.
June 27, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, on the one-year anniversary of Justice Anthony Kennedy announcing his retirement, the Supreme Court ruled on cases involving the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census and partisan gerrymandering. The Court struck down the citizenship question, reasoning that the Trump Administration did not give adequate explanation for adding the question, but also ruled that partisan gerrymandering is beyond the reach of the federal courts.
June 27, 2019
MINNEAPOLIS, MN— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held its only public hearing on the Trump administration proposal to end federal protection for nearly all gray wolves in the lower 48 states in Brainerd, Minn.
Dozens of wolf activists gathered at nearby Gregory Park to oppose the delisting proposal. The rally featured speakers and chanting advocates with signs. Photos and video for media use are available upon request.
June 26, 2019
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:
June 26, 2019
Boston, M.A. - Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an order on long-term contracts for clean energy that paves the way for Governor Baker’s plan to source foreign hydroelectric power as a part of the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce carbon pollution by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050.
June 26, 2019
Top Trump Air Pollution official Bill Wehrum's resignation comes in no small part due to the scrutiny his corruption and extremism received due to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
June 26, 2019
An independent analysis describes how Colorado’s coal-burning power plants are economically unviable, burdening customers with extra costs when compared to renewable energy resources. Conducted by energy consulting firm, Strategen, the report finds that renewable resources have outpaced coal, with the potential to save customers millions of dollars. These savings increase when the social cost of carbon (SCC) for the 10 units in the study is accounted for and securitized bonds are used as a tool to transition away from coal.