environmental-law

Conservation Groups Appeal Rushed Decision Regarding Keystone XL Waterway Crossings In Montana

DEQ Refused To Evaluate Full Scope Of Project And Admits Failure To Meaningfully Review Public Comments

State Commission Rejects Appalachian Power’s Proposed Rate Increase

Richmond, VA --  Last week, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) rejected Appalachian Power’s proposal to increase the basic service charge and pre-charge then stockpile consumers money to subsidize the retirement of its uneconomic coal plant’s even though Appalachian Power has not locked in retirement dates. The Sierra Club actively fought against the proposed coal amortization rider, providing key witnesses arguing that the increase would result in consumers pre-paying for undetermined early coal retirements.

Line 3 Faces New Legal Challenge to Water Permit

A new lawsuit filed yesterday evening challenges the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s approval of a key water quality permit for Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands pipeline.

Settlement Requires WV Chemical Plant to Limit Mercury Pollution & Pay for Ohio River Conservation Efforts

Natrium, WV -- Today, the Sierra Club and Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition entered into a proposed consent decree settlement agreement with Eagle Natrium, LLC that would resolve the groups’ claims that the company violated its permit limits for discharges of mercury into the Ohio River from its chlor-alkali facility located in Natrium, West Virginia.

Sierra Club Statement on Supreme Court Hearing Arguments in Border Wall Case

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court today stated it will hear arguments in a challenge to the Trump administration’s diversion of $2.5 billion from military pay and pension funds for border wall construction that Congress explicitly denied. The order came in Sierra Club v. Trump, a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition.

All Eyes on MPCA as Judge Ignores Line 3 Threat to Clean Water

Today, ignoring evidence about the serious threat Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands pipeline would pose to Minnesota’s clean water, an administrative law judge issued a determination downplaying the impact of the pipeline on waterways along its route. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner Laura Bishop is expected to make a decision on a water crossing permit for the pipeline by November 14.

BREAKING: Orlando Sets Date for Ending Use of Coal

OUC announced today that they would stop burning coal for power by 2027 and would get 92% of their energy from renewable sources by 2050

Appeals Court Rules Trump’s Border Wall Illegal, Blocks Further Construction

SAN FRANCISCO — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last night ruled that President Trump’s use of emergency powers to divert $3.6 billion in military construction funds for the border wall is unlawful. The ruling came in a lawsuit, Sierra Club v. Trump, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Sierra Club and Southern Border Communities Coalition challenging President Trump’s abuse of emergency powers to build a border wall using funds Congress explicitly denied.

Municipal Leaders, Residents, Environmental and Consumer Advocates Raise Concerns at Hearing on Proposed MGE Fees

Advocates and concerned residents testified today before the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) to raise serious objections to the proposed rate increases filed by Madison Gas and Electric (MGE). MGE’s request proposes to perpetuate and expand regressive utility rates the Walker administration approved that undermine conservation, charge lower use customers higher bills, and pose a specific harm to low income customers. The Walker-era rates are among the worst of the worst nationally in setting the amount of every bill that is “fixed”--meaning customers cannot control their bill or reduce their charges by using less energy.

Puget Sound Energy sale of coal plant undermines clean energy law

Puget Sound Energy’s proposed sale of its ownership share of a Montana coal plant would likely increase climate pollution, raise monthly costs for PSE customers and handicap the utility’s ability to invest in clean energy in the coming years.

Vistra Announces Coal Retirements in Illinois, Ohio with No Plans for Remaining Texas Coal Fleet

Austin, Tex. - Texas based Vistra Energy announced plans today to accelerate its transition to clean energy generation by retiring all the coal plants owned by its subsidiaries in Illinois and Ohio.

Ameren Energy Plan Needs Improvement

St. Louis, MO -- Ameren Missouri, the state’s largest monopoly electric utility, released its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) today that details how it will meet energy demand for the next twenty years and beyond. The IRP is mandated by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates monopoly utilities like Ameren. Part of the announcement includes a significant addition of 3,100MW of renewable energy by 2030 and another 2,300MW following 2030. Ameren also makes a commitment for reaching net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.