“Embattled Borderlands” Provides Virtual Visit to US-Mexico Border
Story map combines photos, scientific data to highlight perilous reality of the region
** Experience the story map here**
With the Trump administration gearing up to expand border wall construction on the U.S.-Mexico border, it is more important than ever to gain a clearer picture of the land and people of this region, and the enduring environmental and human costs of a border policy focused on walls.
Philadelphia, P.A.--The state of Connecticut filed a notice of intent to sue due to the Environmental Protection Agency’s failure to address a Good Neighbor Petition filed by the state in July of 2016. Both Connecticut and Delaware filed Good Neighbor petitions stating that the Brunner Island power plant, located in Pennsylvania, is interfering with the state’s ability to comply with the ozone safeguards in the Clean Air Act. Smog-causing NOx pollution from this plant has not only been contaminating Pennsylvania’s air, but also Connecticut’s and Delaware’s.
WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chief Environmental Justice Official Mustafa Ali announced his resignation after 24 years of service, as new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Donald Trump prepare major cuts to programs that serve poor and minority communities.
In response, Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice Director Leslie Fields released the following statement:
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt told CNBC he does not believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming, denying the basic established facts of climate science.
WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Zinke today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs about the Indian Affairs priorities for the Trump Administration. During the hearing, Crow Nation Chairman Alvin Not Afraid, Jr. delivered a treaty in support of grizzly bear protections to Congressional leaders.
WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, new findings revealed the Environmental Protection Agency programs that will be most affected by the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts, including a 93% budget cut for the Chesapeake Bay Restoration, which works with federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions in six states to restore the watershed area.
WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, new findings revealed the Environmental Protection Agency programs that will be most affected by the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts, including a 97% budget cut for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).
Washington, DC -- Today, in a vote along party lines, Senate Republicans used the Congressional Review Act to scrap the Obama administration’s Bureau of Land Management’s Planning 2.0.
In response, Sierra Club Lands Protection program Director Athan Manuel released the following statement:
Baltimore, M.D. —In conjunction with an act from the House of Delegates last week, the Maryland State Senate voted today to support energy efficiency and codify the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) updates to the EmPOWER Maryland program. The 2008 EmPOWER Maryland legislation established landmark energy efficiency targets and programs through 2015 with huge successes in energy efficiency services like appliance and lighting rebates, home energy checkups and behavior-based energy saving programs.
Harrisburg, PA -- Today, a report prepared by Key-Log Economics for the Sierra Club and Appalachian Mountain Advocates was released, detailing what it calls the true costs of the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline. The proposed fracked gas pipeline was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on its former chair’s final day -- just before the commission lost its quorum.