Lindsay Mader, lindsay.mader@sierraclub.org
(Dallas, TX) – On Thursday, Sept. 19, Sierra Club staff in Texas will brief reporters on the regional haze rule, the ongoing failures of state and federal regulators, new community efforts, and news out of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Haze pollution – which largely comes from coal plants – makes people sick and clouds the scenic views that Texas is known for. Congress called for reducing haze pollution in our national parks through two Clean Air Act amendments, which became the basis of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 1999 regional haze rule. At this point, industry should have stopped deciding for itself how much haze pollution was acceptable.
A staggering 25 years later, Texas still has not implemented a program to reduce haze pollution in its skies. Coal plant owners can install readily available and cost-effective pollution controls to reduce haze-forming emissions, but the biggest haze polluters in Texas still lack important equipment used throughout the nation. This is a massive failure by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, as well as the EPA Region 6. Just last week, in Fifth Circuit litigation, the EPA filed a motion to vacate its own plan to help Texans realize cleaner air and better visibility.
Community members, advocates, and environmental organizations are tired of waiting and will soon communicate this message to Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. Join the briefing to learn more about this effort, what’s going on in the Fifth Circuit, and why regional haze action in 2024 is so crucial for Texas.
WHO – The following people will speak during the briefing:
Joshua Smith, senior attorney for the Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program
James Perkins, Dallas-based campaign organizer for Sierra Club
Lindsay Mader, Texas press secretary for Sierra Club
WHAT – A reporter briefing on the regional haze rule, its history and importance in Texas, and upcoming community efforts and legal news.
Impacted lands: Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, state parks, natural spaces in Texas
Impacted coal plants: The top 10 haze polluters in Texas, in order of emissions, are Parish, Martin Lake, Welsh, Harrington, Oak Grove, Coleto Creek, Limestone, Tolk, San Miguel, and Sam Seymour/Fayette.
After staff presentations, we will hold a 15-minute Q&A session where reporters can ask questions. Materials, including a list of expert and community sources, will be distributed afterward.
WHERE – Zoom webinar, register here.
WHEN – Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at 11 - 11:45 a.m. CT.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.