Alexa Aispuro

LCV and Chispa Statements Opposing DHS Decision to Waive Environmental Laws in Favor of Border Wall

For Immediate Release October 5, 2023 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Washington, DC — In response to today’s announcement by the Department of Homeland Security to waive environmental laws for border wall construction in Texas, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa released the following statements: “We have long opposed the construction of this inhumane wall, and its massive environmental costs are at odds with protecting our communities from the climate crisis, extreme weather, pollution, and environmental injustice,” said LCV Vice President for Federal Policy Matthew Davis. “DHS waiving critical environmental laws intended to protect people, water, land, and endangered species will only continue to harm communities on both sides of the border already experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis. Any and all Congressional mandates to continue this misguided border wall project must be repealed, and the protections of our environmental laws must be enforced.” *** “There’s no question that this decision to waive these critical environmental laws will harm our comunidades,” said Chispa National Director Estefany Carrasco-Gonzalez. “While DHS is claiming the need for a border wall is for ‘high illegal entry’, they have already spent enormous resources to use inhumane methods against migrants and refugees at the border, create miles of fencing, border patrol agents, concertina wire, in addition to the U.S. and Mexican troops stationed there. Congress must defund this harmful border wall and ensure respect for our comunidades as well as our environmental laws.” ###

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A Milestone for a #CleanRide4Kids: Celebrating the First Electric School Bus in Clark County

Children are more susceptible and likely to be exposed to harm from air pollution than adults, according to the American Lung Association’s 2022 “State of the Air” report. This chronic exposure to air pollution can seriously impact children’s health and exacerbate respiratory conditions, including asthma and bronchitis. The Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada is home to the nation’s largest owned and operated school bus fleet. The district’s 1,924 buses cover 1,500 routes, transporting 125,000 students daily. These school buses run mostly on diesel, a fossil fuel that has been shown to harm human health, worsening or leading to illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, and cancer. To secure greener and more sustainable transportation and cleaner air, the Clark County School District introduced its first electric school buses this year. This remarkable milestone marks a shift towards healthier air and sets a positive example and shows communities everywhere that a transition to cleaner transportation is possible. Poder En Acción Chispa Nevada sparked the community’s interest in the fight for a cleaner and safer environment, where our air isn’t harming us and our planet. Through grassroots organizing, education, storytelling, allyship, and support from community members and elected leaders, Chispa Nevada elevated the need for clean fleets to help our kids breathe clean air. The leadership of our promotores and community canvassing, phone banking, conducting one-on-ones, hosting house parties and lobbying our elected officials, led us to where we are today. Ivon Meneses volunteers with Chispa Nevada, a League of Conservation Voters (LCV) program that focuses on organizing the Nevada Latinx community to increase their political power and fight for environmental justice. She has been one of our key promotoras in leading the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños (CBHN) campaign. “When I joined the campaign (CBHN), for me it was a personal fight. I have a son who has suffered from asthma since he was a baby. I do not want any more kids to suffer [from] any respiratory illnesses,” said Ivon. Since 2017, Chispa Nevada has collected 4,00+ signatures urging their governors to invest their Volkswagen Settlement Funds in Electric School Buses. Ivon organized many community members and families to make them aware of the existing funds and demand that leaders use those funds for a clean and healthier future. (Ivon Meneses, Chispa Nevada Promotora at Clark County School District Transportation) Through the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign, Chispa Nevada has been working to ensure clean air and healthy communities since 2017. Thanks to the support and leadership of our community members, líderes, and partners in the Alliance for Electric School Buses we now celebrate and welcome eclectic school school buses to Clark County. Why Go Electric? By incorporating electric school buses into its transportation system, Clark County aims to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality, which aligns with the city’s commitment to combat climate change and create a healthier environment. Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, eliminating pollutants such as greenhouse gasses, and electric engines are much quieter than conventional buses powered by internal combustion engines. Our future generaciones deserve to ride in school buses where noise won’t be an issue and safety will be prioritized. In fact, the absence of engine noise increases driver awareness, potentially improving road safety and reducing accidents. Community Engagement and Awareness Introducing electric school buses in Las Vegas creates an opportunity for community engagement and awareness in school districts. It encourages conversations about the benefits of electric vehicles, sustainable practices, and the importance of investing in renewable energy. By promoting these discussions, Clark County can be a catalyst for change, inspiring other school districts to follow suit and adopt electric school buses. (Names in order:Rodrigo Gonzalez, Isabel Klein, Aria Flores, Jorge Acosta, Rasiel Hermosen, Guillermo Barahona, Juan Carlos Guardado, Carolina Chacon, Alexa Aispuro-Loaiza) The Fight for a #CleanRide4Kids Continues Many of the resources for clean buses came from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included significant investments in electric school buses for hundreds of school districts across all 50 states. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $400 million grant competition to help school districts buy electric school buses. This work builds on the longtime clean school bus advocacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Alex Padilla, Representatives Tony Cardenas and Jahana Hayes, and of course, the leadership of Chispas and partners across the country to push for this to be a reality. This installment is part of a total $5 billion in eligible funding for the replacement of thousands of polluting diesel-fueled buses with electric, propane, and compressed natural gas alternatives. We continue to work to ensure that the benefits of electric buses and other clean energy advancements reach the people who need them most, especially low-income students, students of color, and school transportation workers who continue to breathe the dirtiest air. New Opportunities for More School Districts to Go Electric For the second time now, school districts across the country have the opportunity to receive another round of funds for their schools. Visit the EPA website for Clean School Bus Program application information. The deadline for school districts to apply for the second round of funding is August 22nd—support on the application process ended July 14th. Urge your school district to apply for the second round of funding for school districts by sharing the application with them! For more information on funding and further resources and updates, visit The Alliance for Electric School Buses website.

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF LATINO CONSERVATION WEEK: CONNECTING WITH MADRE TIERRA & EXPANDING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS

This week, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa joined Latinx communities across the country to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Latino Conservation Week. Since launching, the Hispanic Access Foundation initiative has uplifted the integral connection of Latinx comunidades and Madre Tierra and ongoing work to ensure equitable access to healthy outdoor spaces for all. From July 15 to 23, community, nonprofit, religious, and governmental organizations host outdoor and educational events across the country. These activities support local conservation efforts and the long-term preservation of our land, water, and air. Chispa, the Latinx power-building program within LCV, and their state affiliates joined in on the action. Chispa AZ, Protégete CO, Chispa MD, Chispa NV, and Chispa TX planned and participated in events to promote environmental stewardship, uplift conservation efforts, and connect as a Latinx community in the natural beauty of the outdoors. The importance of Latino Conservation Week could not be more relevant as deadly heat waves, extensive flooding, wildfire smoke, and increasing costs and energy bills plague households and disproportionately burden Latinx communities and communities of color. Now more than ever, we need policies that protect outdoor spaces, promote healthy air and water, and ensure all communities have access to a healthy, livable outdoors. To highlight these issues, LCV and Chispa hosted a Twitter Q&A in collaboration with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) to celebrate and learn from CHC Chair Nanette Barragán and other members of the caucus, including Senators Alex Padilla and Robert Menendez, and Representatives Juan Vargas, Jimmy Gomez, Salud Carbajal, Andrea Salinas, Gabe Vasquez, Maxwell Frost, Sylvia Garcia, Raul Ruiz, and Raúl Grijalva. The Chispa team asked questions that reflect their shared concerns for our planet and communities, and the CHC members responded, discussing their efforts to confront the climate crisis, protect public lands, and improve equitable access to a healthy outdoors. Read the answers to their questions below: 1). This year, we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Latino Conservation Week to uplift Latinx communities’ long standing conservation leadership to expand equitable access to the outdoors. How do you celebrate and why is this week important to you and the communities you represent? 1/2 We celebrate today by actively participating in initiatives like Latino Conservation Week. We empower ourselves to take control of our health and our narratives, and to build a better future for ourselves and our families. https://t.co/0Xgl4DGLgV — Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (@RepRaulRuizMD) July 18, 2023 2). Chispa Texas: We are facing a climate crisis with more extreme weather events like record heat waves and flooding. What work are you doing to address this crisis and ensure our communities can enjoy access to a safe and healthy environment? Over 90 million Americans are under a heat advisory today. We’re seeing the impacts of the climate crisis already & Latino communities are on the front lines. That’s why I’m pushing for clean energy investments & fighting for legislation to protect and preserve our environment. https://t.co/Ipmz0nJmkq — Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) July 18, 2023 3). Chispa Arizona: As historic climate investments in the IRA are implemented, how can Congress work with @POTUS to advance a just, clean energy future & protect sacred lands like Oak Flat from extractive uses? We can pass the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act to guarantee we protect this sacred site for generations to come. And, we can pass the #EJforAll Act to ensure we provide a cleaner, more just and more equitable future for all people living in the US. https://t.co/AhHwYzAIyl — Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) July 18, 2023 4). Chispa Nevada: ¿Qué harán para proteger MÁS tierras para que se conviertan en monumentos nacionales o en áreas preservadas y que no sean ocupadas por industrias contaminantes? ¿Cómo trabajarán para resguardar la flor, la fauna, y nuestros espacios abiertos? (What will you do to protect MORE lands so that they become national monuments or other preserved areas and are not occupied by polluting industries? How will you work to protect flora, fauna, and our open spaces? ) Es responsabilidad de todos proteger la flora, la fauna y nuestros espacios abiertos para nosotros y las generaciones futuras. Es critical que todos nos unamos para exigir que@POTUS apoya nuestros esfuerzos de conservación, como la extensión del Monumento Nacional San Gabriel. https://t.co/w3EZRXdlid — Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) July 18, 2023 5). With Protegete Colorado: States like Colorado are overdependent on tax revenues from fossil fuel industries, while Latinx communities shoulder the burden of its impacts and pollution. How can our economic needs be met while ensuring we have healthy communities? The only way to a sustainable economy is a green economy that prioritizes climate justice. We need to invest in and prioritize modern tech that will make us resource efficient and decarbonize the economy, while keeping equity at its core. https://t.co/zX3Tk5Fcb6 — Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) July 18, 2023 6). With Chispa Maryland: What is the best way for promotoras and community members to advocate for conservation, improved air quality and clean transportation, environmental justice, and equitable access to the outdoors? We need promotoras & community members to continue their advocacy all across the country to fight for a more equitable & greener future. We have to continue to build on the investments made in the last two years and continue building a coalition to tackle the climate crisis. 1/2 https://t.co/fbYXEdA8ve — Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 18, 2023

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Chispa Texas Statement on Governor Abbott’s Inhumane Border Actions

Corpus Christi, TX — In response to Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to order border security officials to use inhumane measures, Chispa Texas released a statement from Program Director Elida Castillo: “Governor Abbott’s inhumane directive to mistreat those seeking asylum at the border contradicts his stance on life. We condemn actions that further jeopardize and cause harm to the lives of migrants and refugees. As extreme temperatures continue to rise, he sends the guard to act as judges, jury, and executioners rather than sending assistance. This is not the behavior of a person who values life. These are the actions of an extremist acting above the law for political gain at the expense of people fleeing political violence and climate disasters. We urge the federal government to step in to stop this inhumane treatment of human beings, including children. Our comunidades deserve to be treated with dignity, and Chispa is committed to fighting for a more just and equitable future for all.” ###

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Chispa Nevada Condemns Gov. Lombardo’s Decision to Leave U.S. Climate Alliance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2023 LAS VEGAS — On the news that Governor Lombardo has decided to withdraw Nevada from the U.S. Climate Alliance, Chispa National Director Estefany Carrasco-Gonzalez released the following statement: “Governor Lombardo’s decision to withdraw Nevada from the U.S. Climate Alliance is putting the health of Latine families at risk. We are already experiencing the worst impacts of climate change, including the heat wave right now that’s making it unbearable to work or spend time outdoors. Climate change is worsening air and water pollution, increasing lung and heart diseases, and raising the costs of basic necessities. Our community needs a governor who will prioritize the well-being of our environment and the futures of our children and our children’s children. We have been let down by Governor Lombardo’s lack of leadership.” ### Chispa Nevada is a program of the League of Conservation Voters that builds the power of Latine communities to fight for climate justice and our democracy. Visit us at https://chispalcv.org for more information. * * *

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CHISPA MARYLAND RALLIES ADVOCATES IN BALTIMORE COUNTY AND BALTIMORE CITY

Every day, more than 650,000 children in Maryland ride to school on a school bus powered by diesel fuel, which exposes children to toxic exhaust that increases their lifetime risk of respiratory illnesses and even cancer. Approximately one in 10 of these young bus riders suffer from asthma — a leading cause of school absenteeism — and this asthma rate is higher among minority groups. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, parents are increasingly rallying in support of both their children and cleaner air, thanks to Chispa Maryland. Chispa, which means “spark” in Spanish, is a program launched in 2014 by Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. Chispa Maryland ensures that Maryland Latino families and community leaders are a powerful voice for protecting our air, land, water, public health, and future. The Chispa Maryland team has been engaging and connecting with concerned mothers through canvassing, community house meetings, tabling at events, and PTA meetings. The immediate goal, says Morena Zelaya, the organizing manager for Chispa Maryland, is to encourage these new advocates to push their school boards to commit to transitioning their school bus fleets to zero-emission electric school buses that will protect the health of children and their communities. The response has been extremely encouraging, says Morena. She and her partner, Chispa Maryland Community Organizer Elíseo Magos González, are now training a new group of 20 Baltimore County volunteer promoters – or “promotores” – to be leaders on environmental issues that are important to the community, and several of these promotores have already reached out to their school boards about the advantages of electric school buses. Through their work in the Baltimore region, Morena and Eliseo have also established a strong partnership with another Latino-outreach group, Comité Latino de Baltimore. Health concerns are a driving theme for much of their Latino audience, says Morena. “Several of our new promotores are mothers whose children have asthma. They care about the electric school bus issue and about climate justice because they want better health outcomes for their children, and a better future.” “Many of the community members we support haven’t had the same education or opportunities that Morena and I have,” says Eliseo. “But they are eager to learn and advocate. I’m confident they will continue to pass the information along and soon we will have a better environment.” Although the bulk of Chispa Maryland’s work is with Maryland’s Latino communities, the group welcomes support from anyone in Maryland who is interested in advocating for environmental justice locally and statewide. In fact, says Morena, Chispa’s efforts just received a significant boost from a non-Latino PTA president, Rachel Lemus, who offered to advocate for electric school buses at an upcoming Board of Education meeting, and another community leader who is using her Facebook page to promote Chispa and electric school buses. “We plan to continue to expand the program to communities throughout Maryland, and everyone is welcome,” says Morena. “We need all the help we can get!” To learn more or to get involved with Chispa Maryland, please contact Eliseo via email at emagos@mdlcv.org or via phone at 240-705-6865. ###

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LCV and Chispa AZ Praise Tribal-Led Proposal to Protect the Grand Canyon Watershed

Contact: Kyra Madunich-Arevalo, kmadunich@lcv.org, 909-767-9743 Echo Calls for Biden Administration to Designate Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument Washington, D.C. — The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Arizona fully support the Tribal-led proposal to permanently protect more than one million acres around Grand Canyon National Park as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, releasing the following statements: “The Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, Kaibab Paiute, Las Vegas Band of Paiute, Moapa Band of Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute, Yavapai Apache, Zuni, Colorado River Indian Tribes, and Navajo Nation people have been the original stewards of the Grand Canyon region since time immemorial,” said America Fitzpatrick, LCV’s Conservation Program Director. We are honored to support their vision for permanent protection, which will help preserve these sacred lands while protecting drinking water in the state and boosting the outdoor recreation economy. We proudly join the local coalition of Tribes and advocates in calling on President Biden to designate Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.” “The Grand Canyon is tied to the place of origin of the Navajo, Hopi, Paiute and Zuni peoples and holds sacred significance for 11 tribes,” said DJ Portugal, Chispa Arizona’s Federal Organizer. “Like many public lands, the Grand Canyon is a beautiful place full of wonder, sacredness and inspiration but also a reminder of displacement, denial of heritage rights and political oppression for Indigenous peoples. Chispa Arizona holds this balance in mind as our Latinx community joins the local coalition of Tribes in calling on President Biden to designate a national monument and safeguard the landscape in protection of the Grand Canyon, water and Indigenous access to lands they’ve stewarded since time immemorial.” ###

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LCV and Chispa LCV Statement on EPA’s Clean School Bus Grant Program Announcement

Contact: Kyra Madunich-Arevalo, kmadunich@lcv.org, 909-767-9743 Washington D.C. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $400 million grant competition to help school districts buy electric school buses. This work builds on the longtime clean school bus advocacy of Vice President Harris, Senators Cortez Masto and Padilla, Representatives Cardenas and Hayes, and so many others. In response to today’s announcement the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Chispa LCV, and Chispa Arizona issued the following statements: “LCV is excited to see the Biden-Harris Administration launch greater investments to bring electric school buses to thousands more school districts across the country,” said Matthew Davis, Vice President of Federal Policy. “This historic program has already doubled the number of electric school buses hitting the road, reducing dangerous pollution in the air we breathe and making our communities healthier and cleaner for everyone, especially our kids. As we move towards the cleaner, healthier future that programs like the Clean School Bus Program make possible, we will continue to work with EPA to ensure their benefits reach the people that need them most, including low-income students, students of color, and school transportation workers that continue to breathe the dirtiest air.” “This latest funding opportunity from the EPA to deploy thousands of more electric school buses will help bring our communities healthier, cleaner air, reduce climate-changing pollution, and save school districts money in fuel and operating costs,” said Senior Vice President of Community and Civic Engagement Sandra Pérez González: “Thousands of electric school buses have already been deployed thanks to this historic program, which is the result of years of advocacy by parents, students, community members, elected leaders, and advocates. These added grant opportunities are crucial to ensuring that the communities that most suffer from health and climate-harming pollution, many of which are in school districts that were waitlisted in the inaugural 2022 Clean School Bus Program, are prioritized to receive the resources they need to stop preventable respiratory illnesses and other harms to public health as well as students’ academic performance and school attendance.” “Especially for our low-income, communities of color in Arizona who disproportionately suffer from preventable respiratory illnesses caused by dirty air, these latest investments from the EPA are crucial to a cleaner, healthier future for all,” said Chispa Arizona Executive Director Vianey Olivarria. “We are excited that this historic program is expanding to deploy more electric school buses and we look forward to working with the EPA to ensure that our country’s transition to electric school buses is equitable and just.” ###

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LCV and Chispa TX Statement on FERC approval of LNG projects

Contact: Kyra Madunich-Arevalo, kmadunich@lcv.org In response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) 3-1 vote to approve the permits for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects in Brownsville, Chispa Texas and the League of Conservation Voters issued the following statements: “Despite numerous visits, calls, petitions, and online campaigns spearheaded by residents of the Rio Grande Valley and members of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas demanding that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission deny these LNG facilities, we learned that these actions once again fell on deaf ears. The Biden administration made a commitment to environmental justice, and these approvals of fracked gas export facilities are directly counter to those commitments. We are suffering a climate crisis that is being accelerated by methane emissions. LNG is not the answer and neither are the greenwashed “solutions” that are being funded by our tax dollars. Our communities and planet deserve better,” said Elida Castillo, Chispa Texas Program Director. “We are incredibly disappointed that FERC continues to approve fossil fuel projects that are counter to the Biden Administration’s climate and environmental justice commitments. The approvals of these LNG projects in the Gulf will not only impact our ability to tackle climate change, but they will have devastating impact on frontline communities that continue to shoulder the burden of fossil fuel development,” said Leah Donahey, Senior Federal Advocacy Campaigns Director at the League of Conservation Voters. ###

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LCV and Chispa LCV Statement on EPA’s Heavy Duty Trucks Rule and Updated Clean Car Standards

Contact: Kyra Madunich-Arevalo, kmadunich@lcv.org Washington D.C. – In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releasing proposed rules to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and light- and medium-duty cars and SUVs, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa LCV issued the following statements: “This is a positive step and LCV appreciates that EPA is limiting emissions from cars, SUVs, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which harm public health and disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color,” said Matthew Davis, Vice President of Federal Policy. “We’re all in to ensure the final rules are even stronger – the EPA must do more to address harmful emissions from cars and trucks, the largest source of climate pollution. Federal clean energy investments are spurring the innovation we need, and stronger final rules will ensure that vehicle manufacturers go farther and faster to drive us to a zero-emissions transportation future. Now is the time to ensure that federal regulations are made as strong as the climate crisis and public health crises require.” “Chispa LCV welcomes this new proposal and more must be done to strengthen clean car standards and better regulate the deadly emissions that heavy-duty trucks emit,” said Senior Vice President of Community and Civic Engagement Sandra Pérez González. “Communities of color and low income communities living near the shipping, freight, and delivery industries’ hubs are especially burdened with the devastating effects diesel trucks have on respiratory health. In order to deliver on President Biden’s commitments, EPA must finalize stronger rules to help ensure that all communities, especially those on the frontlines of environmental injustice, have access to clean air.” # # #

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