Director's Message
Perhaps I missed it, but I do not recall hearing much about the environment this election cycle. Climate disruption and the Paris Climate agreement received short shrift, likewise, local issues like drinking water contamination and the failure of a core function of government in Flint, Michigan. The debates in races up and down the ballot focused more on personalities and hot button issues than addressing serious, long and short term problems that will plague generations to come.In all fairness, I did hear candidate Donald Trump address climate change -- in the negative, as in, it's a hoax. Now, President-Elect Trump may appoint a prominent climate denier to head the EPA. We have faced obstructionism in Washington for close to a decade, but with all branches of the Federal government likely to be under one party, it will more closely resemble Texas's one party rule - overly solicitous to the industries it must regulate to protect the public and the environment. (Historical note: I recall when Democrats controlled all of Texas's state government and industry consistently fed at the state trough at the public's expense.)
Here at home, I wasn't surprised that in statewide races we didn't hear much about the 51,000 Texans served by drinking water systems that exceed federal limits for arsenic, nor groundwater contamination or earthquakes associated with deep well injection of fracking wastes. Part of the reason why may be that so few seats are contested thanks to gerrymandering.
I know I sound pessimistic, but I am not. While I cannot claim optimism, I do hold out hope that there are enough clear thinking, good people who care about what our children will inherit and will not stand idly by while state and national governments allow a corporate feeding frenzy on the future of our natural heritage. There is much to do. Local governments in Texas have stepped up to the plate. Recall the city of Denton trying to protect its citizens by regulating fracking and deep-well injection in the absence of responsible state or federal oversight. It wasn't just state inaction. The Texas Legislature passed and Governor Abbott signed a law taking away the freedom of Denton and other local governments to defend their citizens from serious risks to human health and property.
We expect to see efforts at the national and state level to undermine cities and counties who dare to protect the public and environment. It may look gloomy, but you are not powerless. Here are a few things you can do:
- Support local governments to fulfill the most basic governmental duties to their constituents and local environment.
- Hold your state representative and state senator accountable for acting contrary to public and environmental interests - phone calls, petitions, emails. Here's how to find them.
- Write letters to the editor, comment on social media to show support for clean air and water and preservation and protection of public lands.
- Use your consumer power by purchasing sustainable products whenever possible.
- Witness and enjoy what we have to protect by visiting state and local parks and wilderness areas as often as you can.
- Show solidarity by participating in peaceful protests against injustice, intolerance.
- Volunteer with a regional Sierra Club group and/or get engaged in local efforts.
- Financially support the Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club and other organizations working to protect the environment
Take Action: Call For Volunteers/Interns
We know that many of you are still feeling dejected and possibly lost about next steps post election. We at the Texas Sierra Club are looking for people who are ready to get to work. We need volunteers in a variety of different capacities, and would love to hear from you if you're ready to take the next step and get involved.
We are going to fight tooth and nail anyone who wants to gut the environmental progress we have made and we hope you will join us.
Help us defend Texas's land, air, water and future by volunteering with us (remotely or on-site).
If you're reading this, you are a Sierra Club member and we greatly encourage you to vote in the Lone StarChapter Executive Committee election, which will begin in December. What is the Lone Star Chapter Executive Committee? It is a group of volunteer leaders who are elected by you, Sierra Club members. The "ExCom" organizes the many committees (Conservation, Political, Finance, etc.) that help guide the Lone Star Chapter and deal with important strategic and administrative decisions that allow us to achieve our objectives.
This year's voting will primarily be online as it has the previous two elections. You will receive a special email in the coming days with candidate profiles and a link to an online ballot. The email should also contain your member ID. Don't forget, you will need your member ID to vote. If you don't get the email, don't panic. Give us a call at 512-477-1729. If you cannot vote online, we can take your vote over the phone at the same number. Just have your member ID and selections ready!
The fight for the rights and lands of indigenous people is ongoing in Texas. In this incredible piece about her ancestral connection to the land, our RGV organizer, Bekah Hinojosa, speaks about the projects threatening her history and our beloved Rio Grande Valley.
RIGGED - A New Report On Oil And Gas Influence At The Railroad Commission
Texas' three sitting oil and gas commissioners raised more than $11 million in recent years, taking at least 60 percent of it from the industry that they're supposed to regulate, finds a new study by the Sierra Club, Public Citizen, and Texans for Public Justice. They also took 7 percent of their money from lawyers and lobbyists, including those with business before the Railroad Commission.
"This report helps explain why we have such a captive agency," said Reggie James, Director of the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter. "From turning a blind eye to grave enforcement violations, to keeping basic data hidden, to routinely favoring large natural gas utilities in rate cases, we see a Railroad Commission that is more interested in promoting oil and gas interests than protecting the public."
Sunset Commission Bows Down to Oil and Gas - Makes Only Modest Proposal For Railroad Commission Reform
Last August, in a public meeting that lasted all day, hundreds of Texans spoke out that the Railroad Commission was not properly regulating the oil and gas industry and not respecting private property rights. Texans from all around the state came with their personal and professional experiences about the failing regulatory agency and pushed the meeting into the late hours of night with their testimony.
So, what happened when it came down to enacting the reforms that would adequately protect Texans and hold oil and gas accountable? Drum roll please...
Lake: Every Drop Counts. Conserving Water For Texas
[Special Contribution from Texas Water Development Board member Peter Lake]
The state water plan tells us that the population in Texas is expected to increase 73% between 2020 and 2070. Along with this growth, water demand is projected to increase 17 percent during that time period. Yet our water supplies are decreasing, producing a potential total water shortage in a drought of 8.9 million acre-feet per year in 2070. So, what's the solution? Conservation, of course!
Talk is Cheap! San Antonio Needs to Act on Climate Change
In early November, San Antonio hosted its second annual Sustainability Summit. The summit featured presentations by CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System, and local organizations displaying the initiatives already creating a more sustainable city. Mayor Ivy Taylor also highlighted the significance of the recent San Antonio TomorrowSustainability Plan approved by city council this past summer.While the SA Tomorrow Plan really is something to celebrate it has one glaring deficiency.
Find out what it is
Energy Transfer Partners CEO Kelcy Warren Backs Away From Promise To Meet With Native Leaders
Kelcy Warren has backed out of his promise to meet with the Society of Native Nations. He made a promise to Pete Hefflin, Mescalero Apache and SNN Board Member, at the most recent meeting of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission earlier this month to discuss the destruction of burial grounds due to the Trans-Pecos and Dakota Access pipelines.
Nicol: Trump's Wall Is Coming To Texas
Donald Trump's election is a national tragedy, and based on his campaign rhetoric the next four years will be an environmental disaster. It will be up to Sierrans and our allies to halt as many of his destructive moves as we can.
There is no time to mourn. It is time to organize and to resist.
Regional Roundup
- While the national conversation is on the Dakota Access Pipeline, please don't forget that the CEO of the company building that pipeline is also putting a pipeline through the heart of Big Bend Country and was appointed to sit on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
- Americans overwhelmingly agree that they do not want lower life expectancy and higher risk because of pollution-related diseases, they do not want their water poisoned, and they do believe in climate change.
- Pipeline developers frequently argue that pipelines are a safer method of oil & gas transportation than trains. The truth, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), is that while trains spill more often, "pipelines spill three times as much oil over comparative distances as rail.
- Militarized police in Standing Rock have assaulted peaceful protesters with water cannons in freezing temperatures. This is horrific and unacceptable.