WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act was signed into law as part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247), a package of bills addressing healthcare and suicide prevention for veterans.
In the final text version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released today, Congress has denied the Defense Department’s request to seize more than 1.7 million acres of land in Desert National Wildlife Refuge and other public lands for military bombing ranges. The decision comes after Tribal Nations, conservationists and communities joined to push back on the proposal.
New York — New York created the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) as per the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act that passed in the 2020 NYS budget. ORES will keep local communities at the center of developing local zoning policy, preserves local participation, and provides towns with the funding needed to meaningfully engage in the siting process. The state recently released the draft rules that will establish how ORES evaluates wind and solar projects.
Charleston, WV -- Today, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC), Appalachian Voices, and the Sierra Club filed a settlement with Bluestone Coal Company that will hold the company responsible for releasing illegal levels of toxic selenium pollution into the Tug River from its Red Fox coal mine located in McDowell County, West Virginia. The settlement compels Bluestone to take actions to come into compliance with selenium limits in its Clean Water Act permit and pay $270,000 to the West Virginia Land Trust.
Today, the Department of the Interior announced that it will hold a lease sale to sell off the delicate coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling on January 6.
Washington, D.C. – The leaders of four of America’s largest and most influential environmental and science organizations – Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists – are jointly calling on eight automakers to withdraw from a Trump administration lawsuit challenging state clean car authority, and instead lead America toward the clean cars of the future.
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.
HARRISBURG, PA -- Responding to robust public input, the National Park Service announced plans to make the park experience more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors through its final visitor use management plan for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. The plan will allow for free entry, enhance trails, expand picnicking areas, and improve accessibility for those with disabilities.
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.
Bank of America has reportedly joined its peers and ruled out funding for new drilling in the Arctic, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi have all announced similar policies this year. Bank of America has faced mounting pressure in recent months from Indigenous communities, environmental advocates, and shareholders to follow suit.