WASHINGTON, DC -- Late last night, a narrowly divided Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ignored its precedent and undermined the Constitutional rights of millions of people by declining to block Texas’ abortion ban (S.B. 8). S.B. 8, which took effect Tuesday, bans abortion care after six weeks of pregnancy, making it all but impossible for millions of Texans to receive essential healthcare. S.B. 8 is the most restrictive abortion law in the nation and it also incentivizes private individuals to file lawsuits against anyone they believe is either providing abortion care or assisting someone in accessing an abortion.
HARRISBURG - Today, Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted 3-2 to approve a regulation that will put the first ever declining limits on carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution from Pennsylvania power plants and allow the Commonwealth to link to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This is the last major administrative action required to implement the regulation, which will take effect following publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The earliest date Pennsylvania could formally participate in RGGI is January 1, 2022.
CARSON CITY, NEVADA – Today, Nevada's State Environmental Commission unanimously approved new state “clean car standards” that would slash pollution from transportation, marking the latest step in the state’s process to establish regulations that have been adopted by over a dozen other states and the District of Columbia. The standards will require new cars sold in the state to emit less climate-disrupting pollution and also increase the availability and sales of zero-emission cars. Next, the standards will move to the Legislative Commission for approval.
Los Angeles celebrates the approval of plans to transition to 100% clean energy by 2035 and ensure good jobs for the new clean energy economy.
Boston — Sierra Club is calling on Congressman Neal to go bold on incentivizing a just transition to a clean energy economy. As Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Neal has the power to ensure that the historic $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill includes the strongest incentives possible for the longest period possible, 10 years. Such a bill should promote the development of a domestic manufacturing supply chain for clean energy while rapidly deploying renewable energy infrastructure that will decarbonize our electricity grid and protect communities from extreme climate disasters. Congressman Neal should also end the billions of dollars in special interest subsidies that disproportionately benefit the fossil fuel industry.
In response to multiple meetings with Ohio residents raising concerns about the use of radioactive oil and gas waste on roads, the Ohio Department of Transportation will reportedly no longer purchase AquaSalina, a deicer made from oil and gas waste.
WASHINGTON, DC -- This week, thousands of grassroots activists across the country are joining the Sierra Club’s Week of Action to demand Congress pass a big and bold budget reconciliation bill and crucial democracy reforms.
Today, an amendment to HB3666 was introduced in the General Assembly, which fails to act on the urgency of the climate crisis and gives a free pass to the Prairie State coal plant, the largest polluter in Illinois. Despite widespread approval for an energy bill that sets firm deadlines to equitably decarbonize our electric grid and grow Illinois’ clean energy economy, legislators continue to cater to fossil fuel interests. The amendment to HB3666 currently allows Prairie State to continue burning coal without any pollution reductions before 2045, leaves frontline communities vulnerable to short-term pollution increases, and allows fossil fuel companies to appeal to the Illinois Commerce Commission for pollution bailouts. Sierra Club joined other environmental advocates in opposing any bill that jeopardizes people and a livable climate.
After pressure from the public and an order from state regulators, Duke Energy has proposed long-term plans that retire polluting coal earlier and add more renewable energy, but at the same time would add even more fracked gas plants than previously planned.
Pepco released a long-term analysis of the Washington D.C. electric system and its role in helping the District meet its climate commitments.