Lone Star Sierran - March 2016

Be Inspired: RSVP Now to Our Annual Chapter Environmental Awards!

Please join us on April 30 to honor and celebrate the 2016 Lone Star Chapter Environmental Award winners at a special banquet in Austin. This year's event will be at Chez Zee, a restaurant combining old-world bakery with an American-style bistro. This is the moment we to look back at the previous year and recognize the great work of our volunteers, staff, and other individuals with special awards to show our appreciation. Join us for a terrific night of celebration at Chez Zee in Austin to honor 2015 award winners! Tickets can be purchased via EventBrite. Please contact Rita Beving, rita.beving@gmail.com, if you or your organization is interested in sponsoring a table!

March Gladness - Victory in Oregon Brightens South Texas Hopes of LNG Free Future

We are overjoyed that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied the proposal for the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Oregon, along with the proposed 232-mile long pipeline that would go with it. In its historic decision, FERC reviewed residents' concerns about the pipeline, including safety risks, the devaluation of private property, and the threats it posed to waterways. They also noted that Jordan Cove LNG had failed to obtain binding contracts to actually sell any LNG overseas. It is believed that this was the first time FERC has denied either a pipeline or an export terminal. Community leaders in the Rio Grande Valley were cautiously optimistic that this decision may signal a change in FERC's rubber stamp attitude toward oil and gas projects.

A Historic Native-Led Action Planned at the Border  

Regular readers of the Lone Star Sierran may be familiar with the controversy that is the Dos Republicas mine in Eagle Pass. What many may not know about is that even though the mine may be operating, resistance to it has not abated. A historic Native-led action has been scheduled for April 16, beginning at International Bridge in Eagle Pass and culminating in a march to the Dos Republicas coal mine. Event organizers note, " The Dos Republicas coal mine is destroying the ancestral homelands of many Native groups, thus damaging our sacred lands and over 100 archaeological sites. The mine also threatens the drinking water supply, plants, animals, and the environment of the entire region. The Native peoples of Texas are united in the protection of our Mother Earth. Please join the thousands of Eagle Pass residents who have signed-on in opposition to the Dos Republicas Coal Mine by walking with us on April 16. This is a Native-led action, but all respectful allies are welcome and encouraged to participate." If you can't make it to Eagle Pass, please sign this petition!

"Centennial Forest" Longleaf Pine Planting a Big Success!

On March 12, the Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club, Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas, and many other participants helped the National Park Service celebrate its 100th birthday by planting 9,000 Longleaf Pine seedlings in the Big Sandy Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve. More than 20 Sierrans showed up and along with other participants happily wielded dibbles (to make the holes) and toted ruck sacks filled with Longleaf Pine seedlings (to fill the holes) as we became "planting angels" and helped restore a Longleaf Pine forest in the Preserve. A total of 100,000 Longleaf Pine seedlings will eventually be planted in the 300 acre restoration area.

Solar-Ready? Austin May Soon Be

Back in 2007, Austin City Council gave Austin Energy a goal: by 2015, adopt codes to make all new homes are net zero-energy capable. In other words, make all new homes capable of producing as much energy as they consume by adding an onsite energy system. While this aggressive goal was not met last year, Austin Energy, which oversees development of the energy code that guides new construction, is still working to make it a reality. Last week, the city took a big step in the right direction.  

Welcome Bekah Hinojosa and Olka Forster to the Lone Star Chapter Team!

We are very excited to announce two new additions to the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter team. Bekah Hinojosa is our new Chapter Conservation Organizer based in the Rio Grande Valley, and Olka Forster is our new Chapter Communications Coordinator based in Austin. Bekah's goal is to influence the development of an environmental justice movement that is intersectional with social justice in the RGV. She is currently working closely with the LRGV Group to raise awareness of and prevent the construction of three proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. Olka will play a key role in ensuring our communications strategies are executed and in line with our broader efforts to connect with new stakeholders and key decision makers. She will be coordinating our earned media efforts, in addition to maintaining an engaging website, elevating our social media presence, producing our monthly newsletter, and contributing to message development.

Join Us to Protect Our Coasts, Climate, and Communities From Offshore Drilling!

The Obama administration will soon decide whether oil and gas drilling are allowed in the Arctic or Gulf of Mexico between 2017 and 2022. Whether it's to protect our climate from the 60 billion tons of harmful carbon dioxide or to stop the next BP oil disaster, keeping new offshore drilling out of this five-year leasing plan is critical. It's time to speak up and have your voice heard. Join us in Houston on April 12 to show the Obama administration that you support keeping dirty fuels in the ground, and oppose any new offshore oil and gas drilling. RSVP today!

Thank You, Amplify Austin!

Thank you to all who donated in this year's Amplify Austin Day! Despite having to cancel our kickoff event at the Hard Luck Lounge, we had a successful Amplify Austin with more funds raised and more donors than last year! Amplify's online portal makes making a difference  easy by allowing anyone with an internet connection to donate to their favorite nonprofit(s). We appreciate everyone's support, especially photographer Al Braden for allowing us to use some of his profound photography in our posts. You can find his images at this website:www.albradenphoto.com.

Time For Enforcement Policy Changes at Railroad Commission

The Railroad Commission of Texas, while conjuring up visions of a state agency that regulates steam engines traveling on rails, is actually Texas' main regulator of oil and gas, coal mining, and uranium exploration mining among other things. Why a state agency with a name referring to railways regulates energy production is a long and complicated history. Suffice it to say that the agency seems just as confused about its capacity as its name. Conservation Director Cyrus Reed recently testified before the Texas House Energy Resources Committee to lay out what changes need to be made, among many, as the Railroad Commission approaches yet another Sunset review.

Shop at H-E-B in April, Help the Environment!

Do you like food? Do you like the environment? If you answered yes to both questions, shop at H-E-B during the month of April and tear off coupons to support our work! It's fast, simple, and helps organizations like ours a lot. The details: In recognition of Earth Day, H-E-B has once again selected EarthShare of Texas to be the April beneficiary for its in-store coupon promotion. This means that customers can tear off and add check-out coupons worth $1, $3, or $5 to their total bill to support environmental work (like the Sierra Club Foundation) throughout Texas for the entire month of April. H-E-B supports many EarthShare of Texas organizations with corporate grants or in-kind contributions. The April tear-pad promotion is a bit different as it enables H-E-B customers to bolster the diverse environmental program work of more than three dozen EarthShare of Texas' organizations.The customers' dollars will go directly to these organizations, benefiting both the Texas environment and economy. Throughout the month of April and into the first week of May, look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-off coupons at the check-out stands in any Texas H-E-B and Central Market stores.

• Uh oh Texans. the US Geological Survey issued an updated earthquake hazard risk map to include natural AND induced earthquakes (read those connected to wastewater injection wells). Scientific American goes deep, featuring IrvingSierran Cathy Wallace. 
  
• Alamo Group Sierran Gay Wright has had enough. She filed an ethics complaintagainst San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor, who accepted a $1,000 campaign contribution from Sam Dawson, co-owner of a member company to the controversial $3.4 billion Vista Ridge Pipeline, four days after the mayor voted for Vista Ridge.
• The Houston Press puts it bluntly: the way we currently monitor air pollution near the Ship Channel sucks.
• A Dewitt County judge is thankful for the jobs that fracking has brought to the area, but the damage it has caused the roads has left a $432 million bill to repair roads.
• Great news! The Texas panhandle is one step closer to sending wind energy to Southeastern states!