The Lone Star Sierran - August 2015

Director's Message

It is bad enough that we have to accept pollution associated with fossil fuels we use to drive our cars, heat our homes, and power a lot of our electric grid while we transition to sustainable clean sources of energy. It is quite another to have sources of pollution with no offsetting benefits. The release of millions of cubic feet of methane in oil and gas production is exactly this type pollution with no benefit. Methane -- the basic product that is more commonly called natural gas -- is either burned off or released into the air, or escapes from valves, pipelines, storage tanks, and engines in the oil and gas field. This cannot be justified. Not only are we "wasting" product -- and state royalties -- we are poisoning our communities, and some of that methane and associated volatile organic compounds eventually form ozone in our major cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. And worse yet, methane is a leading cause of climate disruption, more so at least in the short term than carbon dioxide.

Texas leaders have for years been aware of and failed to address the problem of methane emissions. Fortunately, the EPA has a plan -- regulate methane emissions. The plan is far from perfect, but they are inviting the public to participate and make comments on a proposed rule that they say would cut methane emissions from oil and gas producers by at least 40 percent over the next several years.

If protecting the environment and public health isn't reason enough, consider this, the estimated cost for industry to comply with the proposed rule is approximately $420 million between now and 2025, but industry stands to recover $550 million in gas that is being wasted. That's a cool clear net of $130 million for industry -- almost feels like we are doing them a favor.

The EPA wants us to comment and they are even holding a public hearing at Dallas City Hall on September 23, 9am-8pm. We will be there with t-shirts, comments, and refreshments! To sign up, just go to this link to register to speak at the three EPA methane hearings! To ensure the community has plenty of slots and secures the prime ones, please register to speak up now! Time for the oil and gas industry to clean up their act! Time for Texas leaders to stand up for people and not the industry! Time to keep the pressure on!

Take Action

Tell Washington No LNG Terminals Near South Padre Island!

Three energy corporations want to build massive liquefied natural gas processing and exporting facilities within eyesight of South Padre Island. Boca Chica, a sensitive ecological area and popular beach spot among local residents, is also threatened. These terminals would also affect a critical wildlife corridor in the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge that several threatened and endangered species depend on, such as the ocelot. Submit a message to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and tell them to reject these disruptive proposals!

Go Solar and Help the Lone Star Chapter!

Are you curious about solar, or an energy efficiency upgrade, for your home? The Lone Star Chapter has partnered with Native, one of the leading solar and green construction providers in Texas, to encourage Texans to go solar. Through the partnership, Native is offering Sierra Club members a $500 credit toward a new solar installation, and a $250 credit toward eligible energy efficiency upgrades. The best part: Native will match each credit with a donation to the Lone Star Chapter! You get solar or upgrade your home’s efficiency, and help the Sierra Club fight to improve our air, water, and natural wonders of Texas. No matter what company you work with, getting solar put on your home is a great way to maximize your personal contribution to clean air and a healthy environment. To learn more, visit buildnative.com. To speak with a specialist, fill out their contact form here and be sure to select "Sierra Club" in the "How did you hear about us?" question. Thanks!

Merz - Trouble Brewing Over Three (YES 3!) Proposed Brownsville LNG Export Facilities

Public opposition to the proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals near South Padre Island. But if you attended the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) public hearing in Port Isabel this month, you probably wouldn't have known. What was supposed to be a public hearing hosted by FERC ended up looking more like an industry PR event. Industry representatives had tables and were allowed to hand out information inside, but everybody else had to deliver their statements privately to a court recorder in a separate room. Opponents of the proposed terminals found a more receptive audience across the street at a rally where speakers discussed the projects' impact clean air and water, in addition to stressing the importance of a safe and healthy community, protection of the area's renowned wildlife diversity, and maintenance of a thriving tourism industry.

Help Protect the Beauty of the Big Bend - FERC Looking For Potential Environmental and Cultural Impacts if Trans-Pecos Pipeline Built

The deadline to submit public comments to FERC on the proposed Trans-Pecos Pipeline is September 4! Last month, FERC began conducting a full environmental assessment on the pipeline project, giving everyone more time to inform them of potential issues of the project. If FERC determines that there will be significant impacts to environmental and cultural resources of the area, an Environmental Impact Statement will be required. Your comments are critical to show FERC that the bigger study is necessary. For instructions and ideas, Defend Big Bend has a helpful overview. (Ignore the deadline in that blog post because it has since been extended to September 4.) Don’t forget, the Big Bend Sierra Club has created a legal fund to help fight the pipeline.

Mannchen - New 2016 Forest Plan Effort Begins With Assessment... And You!

We are currently in the four year planning period for the revision of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT) plan for the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston National Forests and the LBJ and Caddo National Grasslands. The planning process includes three phases: assessment, plan development, amendment, or revision, and monitoring. Learn more about the first phase assessment in this blog contributed by Brandt Mannchen, Chair of the Forestry Subcommittee of the Houston Regional Group and Chair of the Lone Star Chapter Forest Management Issue Committee.

Methane Rule Comes After A Summer of Bad News From the Barnett Shale

The EPA's August announcement on new methane rules for oil and gas comes on the heels of a summer of unsettling reports on the Barnett Shale area in North Texas. In June, researchers from UT Arlington published a report on water quality in the region. In July, the U.S. Geological Survey named the region among the top water users among the energy sector, and new research sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund found higher methane emissions than EPA estimates. This news should be seen as a reminder that the fracking industry needs to be carefully monitored and additional safeguards, inspections and enforcement need to be developed in order to keep our shale regions safe.

Jane Dale Owen - Ardent Advocate for Clean Air in Texas

It has been just over one year since Jane Dale Owen, an ardent supporter of clean air in Texas, passed away, but we hope to continue to honor her memory through our work. Jane used her family's considerable wealth from the oil industry to address the pollution her family's business created. The Sierra Club, both the national office and the Lone Star Chapter, were included in her will so that we can help educate Texans about the pollutions and effective solutions. We are so humbled by her generosity.

Wally James, Winner of the 2014 Environmental Reporting Award

We finally got to present Wally James, host of "Progressive Forum" on KPFT-Pacifica in Houston, the Environmental Reporting Award he won at our annual Environmental Awards Banquet back in July. Our Conservation Chair, Evelyn Merz, dropped by the KPFT studio to deliver it to him in person. Wally goes in depth, spending much more time discussing environmental topics than people typically hear or read in the media. Wally has even reported from Houston Sierra Club meetings and invited Sierra Club members onto his show numerous times. Houston and Texas should be glad to have such a great source of information exists!

Join the Chapter in Big Bend National Park for Our Annual Restoration Service Trip, October 19-23

As the Trans-Pecos Pipeline threatens the beauty of the Big Bend area, we urge all Texans to raise awareness of the pipeline's detrimental impact. Let's explore, enjoy, and protect our Big Bend. In that spirit, we are organizing a restoration service trip to Big Bend National Park. This will be the Chapter's second service trip at Big Bend National Park. Last year, Chapter members from across Texas helped restore prairie and plant trees (check out the video here). Plus, on our day off, we visited the town of Boquillas across the Rio Grande for lunch and hiked in the park. The registration fee is $50 a person, which includes a $20 donation to Big Bend National Park. If you are interested and would like additional information, please contact Evelyn Merz at elmerz@hal-pc.org with your e-mail address and telephone number.

Clean Power Plan Finalized to Help Curb Climate Change

At the beginning of August, the Obama administration announced the final version of the landmark Clean Power Plan, the nation's first protections from dangerous carbon pollution emitted by existing power plants. This plan will not only help slow the advance of climate disruption, but will also protect public health. Coal pollution in the United States results in more than $100 billion annually in health costs and more than 12,000 emergency room visits per year. Several leaders in Austin came together to voice their support days after the announcement. To read that story, click here.

The Best Time to Plan for Drought Is When We Aren't in One

Here in Texas, we have become used to living with drought. While this year's rains have given us a badly needed reprieve, it is important to remember that drought is always looming. We should enjoy this break but keep watering habits the same and encourage our cities to conserve. Learn more about how you can prepare for the next dry season with this blog from the Texas Living Waters Project.

Outings Across Texas

• Doyle Beneby announced his resignation as CEO of CPS Energy, San Antonio's municipally-owned utility. Beneby has served as CEO since 2010 and led the utility in several clean energy initiatives that have helped establish San Antonio as a clean energy leader in Texas and nationally. We hope that his sustainability policies will be continued by his successor. Check out our press statement here.
• The Texas Sea Grant College Program will be reviewed September 16-17. It is a collaboration with NOAA, the State of Texas, and numerous Texan universities that works closely with the community through education and outreach programs and funds marine and coastal-related research projects. Help them improve by providing public comments for their upcoming review! Comments are due September 9.
• Saturday, September 23, from 12-4 in Houston, TPWD is hosting a Texas Aquatic Science Teacher Workshop. Learn comprehensive aquatic science curriculum for middle school and high school students while earning Continuing Professional Education credit at this free workshop.
• Over 300,000 pounds of the known carcinogen butadiene was released at the Deer Park Shell Oil Facility on Sunday, August 9.
• Join Dallas Water Conservation on September 12 for two free water-wise landscaping seminars! Bonnie Reese, landscape designer and author, will be speaking at both sessions. Register online or by calling (214) 670-3155.
• Four listening sessions will take place in September along the coast in Texas. This is your chance to submit public comments about the implementation of the federal RESTORE Act.
• Register by September 5 to attend this year's Pollinator Powwow taking place September 19-20 in Kerrville. The Pollinator Powwow will feature speakers and live exhibits featuring bees, butterflies, bats and more! Learn about Texas plants, their pollinators, conservation efforts, and how you can help.