Director's Message

Witnessing the Super Moon lunar eclipse on Sunday prompted me to think even beyond the global. My mindset was further expanded by Monday's announcement that NASA found definitive evidence of liquid water on Mars (I hope it does not make it into any proposals to pipe water to Texas). Moving back down to Earth, I was both surprised and pleased to hear Shell would abandon plans for offshore drilling in Alaskan waters. Moving closer to home, in Texas, where there are more than 100,000 gas wells producing at levels not seen since the 1970s, it is easy to understand why Shell decided they couldn't recover exploration and production costs with the glut of gas flowing from Texas and other shale-rich states. "Innovative" recovery technologies are keeping production costs low enough to allow a profit if the volumes are large enough and gas can make it to higher-paying foreign markets, which is causing a mad rush to move gas from Texas to international markets and a rush to build pipelines and storage facilities in sensitive areas of the state.

While I'm happy for Alaska's ecosystem, the impact closer to home is significant. The increase in the number of wells and gas produced has resulted in venting and flaring methane at levels also not seen since the early 70s. These releases are negatively affecting respiratory health and contributing to cities being at risk of regulatory non-attainment. Sierra Club and others testified in last week's EPA methane rule hearings in Dallas to this effect and in support of stronger regulations to reduce methane releases.

From interplanetary to local brings me to perhaps the most gratifying news from September. Several companies are proposing large liquefied natural gas storage facilities to export natural gas through the Port of Brownsville. One of the companies, Annova LNG, applied for a tax abatement from Point Isabel Independent School District - surely to try to reduce expenses even further as gas prices continue to tumble. In what may be a first in Texas, Point Isabel ISD voted unanimously to withdraw Annova's tax break proposal.

This little bit of acting locally was as cool as water on Mars and the blood moon eclipse. Good on you, Point Isabel!

Huge Turnout in Dallas to Support Methane Standards

A huge thanks to all who attended the EPA methane hearing in Dallas on September 23. Supporters of methane pollution regulations outnumbered polluting industry representatives by an estimated 106-8! The hearing was more than just a numbers game though. It gave Texans from North Texas and South Texas who suffer from fracking pollution the chance to meet each other and build relationships. The Dallas City Council chambers were abuzz with energy and enthusiasm for most of the day, with a peak in attendance for the 12:30pm coalition press conference. Moms Clean Air Force had a mobile banner outside of the event to help set the stage. Speakers enjoyed an impressive audience of no less than 50-60 folks who broke out into applause and cheers after the submission of each pro-regulation speaker.

After many months of heavy lobbying and community pressure by Lower Rio Grande Valley Sierra Club members and other community members, the city governments of Laguna Vista, Port Isabel, and South Padre Island passed resolutions in September against three proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, along with the South Padre Island Business Owners Association and the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation. But the biggest victory came when the Point Isabel Independent School District refused to offer one of the LNG companies a tax break under Chapter 313 of the Texas Economic Development Act. This is an unprecedented decision, according to Dick Lavine of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, who follows this issue. While cities and counties take a hit when they offer tax breaks, the taxes a school district gives up under Chapter 313 are made up by the state, and companies may pay districts up to $100 a student in exchange for offering the breaks. Because of the hard work of Sierrans and others in the communities, the Point Isabel ISD board members were convinced that the LNG complex would do greater harm to their students than this money would do good. Keep up to date on this story and follow the LRGV Group's blog and their Facebook page.

Help Restore an Unused Road to Habitat in Big Bend

Let's explore, enjoy, and protect our Big Bend! The Lone Star Chapter is organizing a restoration service trip to Big Bend National Park, October 19-23. This will be the Chapter's second service trip at Big Bend National Park. Last year, folks from across Texas came to help restore prairie and plant trees at BBNP. Plus, on our day off, we visited the town of Boquillas across the Rio Grande for lunch and hiked in the park. This year, the plan is to restore what used to be a road to usable habitat. We might also do some additional prairie restoration work.

New 50-Year Water Plans on the Way

Sierra Club staff and volunteers have been involved in the development of Regional Water Plans in Texas since our state's "bottom up" water planning process was created in 1997. Texas has been divided into 16 water-planning regions, and each of the 16 regional water-planning groups develops a long-term water plan for its respective area. These regional water plans are submitted to the Texas Water Development Board, which combines the regional plans into a State Water Plan. The goal of these plans is to meet the water needs for Texas for the next 50 years.

The Borderlands Team Goes to D.C.

Our elected officials need to hear from the people they represent. The Borderlands Campaign sent a team of volunteers from around the U.S. to participate in Sierra Club's public lands volunteer lobby days in September. They were asking Congress to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Act, co-sponsor the Save Oak Flat Act, and to pass clean public lands bills that protect wilderness and reconnect Americans with the outdoors. The Borderlands Team goal: to convince lawmakers to oppose Senator John McCain's anti-borderlands bill, S.750, that would exempt Border Patrol from all laws. Among the volunteers was Krista Schlyer, author and photographer of the National Outdoor Book Award-winning Continental Divide: Wildlife, People and the Border Wall . Krista provided copies of her book to lawmakers so that they can see with their own eyes the destructive power of waiving laws along the border. The team thanks everyone who helped with this effort! They had 54 meetings during which they discussed public lands and borderlands concerns and provided each office with a packet of detailed information.

Solar Debate Heats Up in Austin

There are several actions expected soon in Austin that will shape the city's commitment to solar power for the next several years. If you've read anything about upcoming solar votes, chances are it came with a bit of confusion. With potentially many decisions expected by City Council, the Electric Utility Commission (EUC), and Resource Management Commission (RMC), just what is at stake? The Lone Star Chapter's Conservation Director, Cyrus Reed, lays it all out in a late September blog post.

Sierra Club Members Get A Huge Discount at SXSW Eco!

If you're a member of the Sierra Club, you can get in to SXSW Eco for 50% off of the walk-up rate of $495! SXSW Eco is in Austin and runs October 5-7. SXSW Eco celebrates the power of business, technology, and design to drive social and environmental change. The conference features collaborative events to facilitate direct connections and provocative programming that will introduce attendees to transformative products, technologies, designs, and ideas. If you go, be sure to check out Javier Sierra, Sierra Club's bilingual Media Strategist, at the session Mobilizing U.S. Latinos to #ActOnClimate . Javier has been regularly featured on the national and international newscasts of Univision, Telemundo, CNN en Español, Telesur, NTN24, HITN-TV, and Voice of America networks. He has also been regularly featured on several national and regional radio networks here at home and on networks from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and other countries. View the announced 2015 schedule of sessions and events. Use exclusive discount code for 50% off SXSW Eco walk-up rate: reg-eco-reuseable3_34096c2b15. Register here and enter code upon checkout! View instructions for more information.

Nominations for Lone Star Chapter Executive Committee Open Until November 14

You call and email your elected official. You show up to community meetings and volunteer, and want to be part of the movement to explore, enjoy, and protect Texas. Are you ready to step up your commitment? The Nominations Committee of Lone Star Chapter's governing body, the Executive Committee (ExCom), is seeking recommendations for potential ExCom At-Large nominees. The Committee will consider all nominees for inclusion on a candidate slate this Fall. At-Large ExCom members are elected by the entire Chapter membership and serve three-year terms. The Committee is tasked with reviewing the qualifications and commitment of potential nominees as part of the vetting process.

Brune: Why Civil Rights Are Central to Our Mission

[Editor's Note: If you haven't signed up to get President Michael Brune's blog Coming Clean in your inbox, we highly recommend it!] People sometimes ask me why the Sierra Club is taking stands on "nonenvironmental" issues such as racism and economic injustice. Shouldn't we stick to our traditional mission of protecting the planet? It's a fair question, and I understand where it's coming from. Here's how I answer it.

Regional Roundup