Press Releases & Announcements

Sierra Club Washington State Announces New Chapter Director

Monday, August 14th, 2023

August 8, 2023 (Seattle, WA) — The Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club has hired Sept Gernez, previous Interim Chapter Director and longtime Program Manager, to be the next permanent, full-time Chapter Director. After a thorough and inclusive hiring process over the last several months, Sept accepted the role and assumed responsibilities as of July 10th.

Climate, Environmental Groups Denounce State’s Approval of Permit for Pumped Storage Development That Would Permanently Destroy Sacred Tribal Cultural Properties

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

May 22, 2023 (Klickitat County, WA) — The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) approved the water quality certification for the Goldendale Energy Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project, proposed by Rye Development and backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (Rye). This is one of over a dozen permits the developer needs to build the controversial project.

Victory Over Massive Fracked Gas Refinery

Friday, June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021 (Kalama, Wash.)—In a stunning climate victory, Northwest Innovation Works (NWIW), backers of a controversial fossil fuel processing and export proposal in Kalama, Wash., officially abandoned its fracked gas refinery and pipeline proposal, terminating the company’s lease with the Port of Kalama. The decision comes after years of local and regional activism to stop the massive fracked gas refinery, resulting in a series of legal defeats. I

WA coalition calls for end to fossil fuel advertising on King County transit

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020

Today a coalition of Seattle-area climate organizations sent a letter to King County Executive Dow Constantine, the County Council and the head of King County Metro, asking that the county stop letting the fossil fuel industry use county transit for advertising. 

Federal Court Rejects Permits for Kalama Methanol Refinery

Monday, Nov. 23, 2020

Nov. 23, 2020 (Tacoma, Wash.)—Today, a federal district court vacated the federal permits required for the Kalama Methanol Refinery, sending the proposed project back to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for a full, transparent environmental review. 

Coalition calls for state to protect low-income utility users during COVID fallout

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Seattle, WA—Today, more than 60 environmental, labor and social justice groups are calling for Gov. Jay Inslee to extend the moratorium preventing public and private utilities from shutting off essential services like energy, water and telecommunications to their ratepayers. The current moratorium expires on Monday, May 4.

Avista to prepare for exit from coal power

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Seattle, WA—Avista Utilities would commit at least $3 million to assist in economic transition for the community of Colstrip and would no longer support investments that would extend the life of the plant past the end of 2025, under the terms of a proposed settlement in the company’s rate case before the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Sierra Club’s response to Mayor Durkan’s Executive Order

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Seattle, WA—Mayor Jenny Durkan issued an Executive Order today on the Seattle Green New Deal, including a commitment to move away from fossil fuels in municipal buildings. Starting with new city buildings and renovations is a necessary first step to banning fracked gas where we work, sleep, and learn.