Sierra Club Shows Up in Force to Historic Climate March, Texas Solidarity Events
Wow. Just wow. Unless you had turned off all electronic devices and spent September 21 in the beautiful wilderness, you probably heard something about the People’s Climate March. More than 25,000 Sierra Club members, volunteers, and leaders participated in the event in New York, joining tens of thousands of other marchers representing religious, labor, youth, environmental, and civil rights organizations. It has been called the largest march in climate change history! But the action was not confined to the streets of New York. Hundreds of supporters marched in solidarity events all across Texas.
San Antonio Water Systems Board Approves Pipeline Project
Despite community opposition, the San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) Board unanimously approved a proposed project that would bring water from Burleson County (Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer) to San Antonio at a cost of $3.4 billion. Community and environmental groups, including the Sierra Club Alamo Regional Group, criticized the project and called for a delay in deciding on the project until after a new city council is elected. Despite their concerns about cost, need, and risk, the SAWS Board endorsed the project, which now goes to a much more publicly accessible discussion at city hall. For a description of relevant concerns about this project, read the commentary of Meredith Mcguire, Alamo Group member and professor emerita at Trinity University, published in the San Antonio Express-News.
Mind Your P’s and N’s – San Antonio’s New Solar Manufacturer Part of Growing Global Trend Toward More Efficient Panels
While most media surrounding the official opening of San Antonio’s new solar panel manufacturing facility deservedly focused on its great economic impact and the city’s dedication to becoming a clean energy hub, solar industry publications picked up on another positive aspect. This facility is part of a growing global trend toward a more efficient type of solar panel. Mission Solar Energy’s new facility will produce “n-type” PV panels, which are more efficient than the more common “p-type” PV panels in widespread use today.
Is Solar the New Wind in Texas?
No one can dispute the rapid rise of wind power in Texas, which is expected to become the third largest source of electricity in Texas this year. From rather humble beginnings in the late 1990s, the wind industry in Texas has grown at an outstanding rate over the last five years, and generated 9.9% of the electricity in the ERCOT market, which covers most of Texas. In 2014, to date, wind has produced more electricity than nuclear power, according to ERCOT’s Electricity and Demand Report, in which wind produced 22.5 million MWh compared to 22.3 million MWh for nuclear power. Is solar next?
Why Women's Rights Matter for the Environment
Many might not make the connection between a healthy environment and women’s rights. Chapter Director Scheleen Walker co-wrote a great editorial in the Texas Tribune with Population Media Center’s Keith Annis that explains the relationship. “Texas women have suffered major setbacks to their reproductive health and rights this year. At the federal level, the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision has made it more difficult for women to access their contraceptive method of choice. At the state level, the Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry have enacted new restrictions on clinics providing basic women’s health care and family planning services. Of course, these decisions hurt Texas women and their families — but they also increase the risk of social, economic and environmental harm in our great state.”
Sierra Club Accepting Internship Applications for January Start
As the beginning of the next Texas Legislature gets closer, the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter is looking for committed students and recent graduates with a strong passion for the environment and social justice to fill engaging and rewarding internship positions in its Austin office to begin January 2015. If you or someone you know cares about the impacts of climate disruption, clean air, water, a strong economy, and preservation of wilderness, an internship at the Sierra Club’s Austin office could be a great fit!
Regional Round-up
Conservation license plates are a great way to support Texas native wildlife. In 2015, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will release a new plate for vehicles, trailers, RVs, or motorcycles, with proceeds benefiting wildlife. Existing plates currently include: bluebonnets, camping, horned lizard, bass, and deer. Click here to cast your vote for the new plate. Options include: hummingbird, rattlesnake, butterfly, cactus, dragonfly, mountain lion.
SXSW Eco kicks off in Austin Oct 6-8. Use this code to receive more than half-off: reg-eco-gen7r_23nhju8ikj. SXSW Eco will feature three days of informative panels and workshops, inspirational speakers, intensive mentor and coaching programs, pitch competitions, workshops, networking events, receptions and much more.
The City of Houston announced a major new climate plan, which would lower emissions 80 percent by 2050 from 2005 levels. Frustrated with the lack of congressional action on climate disruption, Mayor Annise Parker announced the city’s new plan along with similar plans from fellow mayors Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, and Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter. “Mayors are uniquely compelled and equipped to lead on the fight to stem climate change, as well as to adapt to it and prepare for the impacts of global warming," said Parker.
Is that an invasive or not? There’s an app for that! The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center launched a free app for people to help identify harmful non-native plant, insect, and other invasive species statewide. According to a UT press release, “The TX Invasives app… provides a digital field guide for people to quickly and easily identify aggressive, invasive species and learn about their impacts. App users can also join more than 2,000 Texans who report invasive organisms statewide by undergoing online training or free workshops offered by the Wildflower Center.” You can download the app for free for iPhones here, and for Androids here.
In case you missed it, Chapter Director Scheleen Walker published a great opinion piece in the Austin American-Statesman on Sept. 23 in support of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Here is the full piece.
Interested in sounding off about #PassengerRail in Texas? TXDoT wants to hear from you! Fill out the survey at this link: http://survey.mysurvey.com/TRAVELOKTX for the Texas Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study and let them know what you think to help them plan.
Message From Director Scheleen Walker
I’m still looking at photos from the People’s Climate March. September was packed with action. While the people raised their voices, chess pieces continued to move in the Legislature. Day two of a House Environmental Regulation Committee hearing on the EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan is being held today. We are there sending a strong message that this plan is a win-win-win for the Texas economy, environment, and the health of its citizens. But as I mentioned last month, those who control the purse strings control the fate of many. The Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP), a clean air program administered by TCEQ, is about to undergo a top-to-bottom review at the request of Speaker Straus. Though significant funds are collected for TERP, the program does not get all of its money appropriated. Approximately $1 billion has been collected for TERP but it did not get dispersed to the program, going instead to balance the budget. We welcome the attention this program will get (hearing on Oct. 6) because we believe the program can play a significant role in improving the air and the health of citizens across Texas. We must remain vigilant though, as some in the Legislature may seek to cut the program, just like what happened with the System Benefit Fund last session. Be sure to stay tuned for updates!
Scheleen Walker, Director
Lone Star Chapter