Elena Gaona

Trump is Hurting Our Communities by Recklessly Dismantling the Office of Environmental Justice

For Immediate Release February 6, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717   LCV and Chispa Statements on Trump Administration Dismantling the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice  Washington, D.C. — In response to the new Trump administration’s anticipated action to dismantle the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa released the following statements: “President Trump and Elon Musk are continuing to flout the law and recklessly dismantle the long-standing institutions meant to protect the health and safety of all communities,” said LCV Healthy Communities Program Director Madeleine Foote. “At its core, environmental justice is about the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people — no matter their race, income, zip code, or national origin. Today’s actions dismantling the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice is being done to benefit Big Polluters and corporate interests, and will cost lives. Environmental justice communities include everyone living next to polluting factories, congested roadways, toxic waste dumps, and other Big Polluters — low-income communities, communities of color, rural communities, elderly communities, people who have disabilities and increased health risks, and so many more.” *** “The EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice was designed to address pollution disproportionately affecting low-income and communities of color, and the job is not done,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Doing away with the office, whose work has operated for decades, sets us back and further increases the need to address environmental injustices. It will put our communities, already dealing with a history of the worse effects of climate change, dirty air, contaminated water, and other toxins, at a greater health risk from polluters. This is a moment where Chispa’s community organizing efforts on the ground matter more than ever because clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities for all are worth fighting for. We are not going anywhere. Our communities are not going anywhere. We know how to work and fight for change under difficult circumstances.” ###

Trump is Hurting Our Communities by Recklessly Dismantling the Office of Environmental Justice Read More »

Chispa Statement on Defunding of Solar for All program

(Seguido en español) Washington, DC –– In response to the Trump administration’s decision to cut off funding to the Solar For All program, a $7 billion federal investment that was already under contract to increase the accessibility of affordable solar energy and lower energy costs for low-income households, Chispa, a program of LCV, released the following statement: “The Trump Administration’s decision to abruptly defund the Solar for All program is unconstitutional and unjust. This is a further attack on our communities, especially low-wealth communities, and to our nation. Solar for All funding was intended to support hundreds of thousands of low-income communities and families across the nation who were on their way to maximizing solar power and reducing climate pollution, making their communities healthier while lowering their monthly electricity bills” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “President Trump and his administration seem intent on further harming families and communities and making all our lives more difficult in every way and every state, just to enrich their billionaire oil and gas friends. His stated goal of improving our U.S. energy sources is in direct contrast to cutting Solar for All funding and will hurt us for years to come. Our leaders must demand this funding is released immediately to the communities it was already obligated to.” ### Declaración de Chispa sobre desfinanciamiento del programa Solar for All Washington, DC — En respuesta a la decisión de la administración Trump de cortar el financiamiento al programa Solar For All, una inversión federal de $7 mil millones que ya estaba bajo contrato para aumentar la accesibilidad a la energía solar economica y reducir los costos de energía para los hogares de bajos ingresos, Chispa, un programa de LCV, emitió el siguiente comunicado: “La decisión de la Administración Trump de retirar abruptamente los fondos al programa Solar for All es inconstitucional e injusta. Este es un ataque más a nuestras comunidades, especialmente a las comunidades de bajos recursos, y a nuestra nación. La financiación de Solar for All estaba destinada a apoyar a cientos de miles de comunidades y familias de bajos ingresos en todo el país que estaban en camino de maximizar la energía solar y reducir la contaminación climática, haciendo que sus comunidades fueran más saludables y reduciendo sus facturas mensuales de electricidad”, dijo la Directoro Senior de Chispa, Estefany Carrasco González. “El presidente Trump y su administración parecen decididos a dañar aún más a familias y comunidades y hacer nuestras vidas más difíciles en todos los sentidos y en todos los estados, solo para enriquecer a sus amigos multimillonarios del petróleo y el gas. Su declaración de querer mejorar nuestras fuentes de energía en Estados Unidos contrasta directamente con recortar la financiación de Solar for All y nos perjudicará en los años venideros. Nuestros líderes deben exigir que estos fondos se entreguen inmediatamente a las comunidades a las que ya estaban obligados”.

Chispa Statement on Defunding of Solar for All program Read More »

Trump’s Inhumane Executive Orders Targeting Immigrants Threaten All Communities and Civil Rights

For Immediate Release January 20, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 LCV and Chispa Statements on Trump Administration Actions Targeting Immigrant Communitiesc Washington, D.C. — In response to the new Trump administration’s flurry of executive orders and actions targeting immigrants, their families, and communities, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa released the following statements: “Trump’s inhumane executive orders targeting immigrants for political gain will harm the privacy and fundamental civil liberties of communities across the country, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “These abhorrent executive orders — going as far as the unconstitutional revocation of birthright citizenship – are not about national security or protecting communities; they demonstrate the disturbing cruelty Trump and his allies have promised to enact against immigrant communities and communities of color — which will have far-reaching and unintended consequences for all citizens and their civil rights. Immigrants have been vital to the economy of this country since its inception, and globally they are too often disproportionately on the frontlines of the fossil-fueled climate crisis and pollution that have made their communities unlivable. LCV will continue to work with our partners at the state, local, and federal levels to help protect communities, no matter their immigration status, from these chaotic and inhumane policies intended to dismantle families and communities.”  *** “Today’s immigration actions from the new administration are inhumane, ineffective, dishonest, and excessively costly as our nation works to become financially stronger and address critical issues like the affordability of living expenses and safe and healthy environments. We will not tolerate the further dehumanization and erasure of our communities through proposed false solutions and militarization to attack us,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Immigrant communities of all backgrounds make our country better and stronger, from helping our cities flourish to contributing to our rural communities to helping Los Angeles recover from the current climate change-driven wildfires. We are inspired by immigrant communities’ innovation, community building, dedicated engagement, and being a pillar of the economy in countless ways, and we know our fight for climate justice is directly connected to immigrant justice. Today’s actions and abuse of power will cause long-term damage to entire neighborhoods, families, and local economies for the political profit of a few. Chispa will continue organizing our base to build protections and power across the country and work with federal, state, and local jurisdictions and partners to defend all our communities in the face of this hateful targeting.” ###

Trump’s Inhumane Executive Orders Targeting Immigrants Threaten All Communities and Civil Rights Read More »

LCV and Chispa Statements on DOE Study Results on LNG 

For Immediate Release 12/17/2024 Contact:  Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.: In response to the Department of Energy’s newly released analysis on the environmental and economic impacts of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Texas released the following statements: “With higher costs and more harmful pollution, these studies further underscore that continued LNG exports only benefits oil and gas executives seeking to pad their profits,” said LCV Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo. “These studies clearly show that continuing the massive buildout of LNG exports is a bad bet for the economy with harmful environmental impacts – raising energy prices for families, increasing costs for manufacturers and endangering the health of frontline communities already overburdened by pollution and the climate crisis. With such negative impacts from LNG exports, it’s clear the Biden-Harris administration was right to take the time to do this evaluation. It is also clearer than ever that continued buildout of LNG exports is not in the public interest. To keep energy affordable and pollution from getting out of control, we must heed the results of these studies and DOE should move to deny new LNG exports projects. ” For more information, see  LCV’s LNG fact sheet.  *** “We all lose with Liquefied Natural Gas “LNG” exports. It only makes the rich richer while raising prices and poisoning us,” said Chispa Texas Program Director Elida Castillo. “This new DOE study helps further demonstrate that our Gulf communities who are being harmed every day by the toxic emissions of formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, etc. that come from LNG facilities shouldn’t continue to be sacrificed in the name of the false promise of cheaper fuel. These exported fracked gas shipments are driving up foreign and domestic energy costs around the world, contributing to inflation and increasing what we all pay for everyday items. The price also comes with poisoned water and more methane emissions. In short, the only winners here are a small group of LNG facility owners and their shareholders who have been making billions at the cost of our health, communities, environment, and pocketbooks. Chispa Texas will keep working with our frontline communities to submit comments to the Department of Energy to strengthen their analysis and offer a fuller picture of all the ways LNG harms our communities.” ###

LCV and Chispa Statements on DOE Study Results on LNG  Read More »

Chispa Statement on Election Results

Statement from Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González on Election Results: “We are disappointed by the outcome of the presidential election, yet we will persist and continue to fight for our comunidades. Under the new Trump Administration, Chispa will continue to work nationally and with our frontline communities in Chispa states to safeguard environmental protections and fight for a better climate for our communities and our children.  We all deserve clean air, water, and communities. We will not stop organizing for a better and cleaner future and will work to protect all our families, neighborhoods, and the climate progress already made in the most impacted communities.”

Chispa Statement on Election Results Read More »

ICYMI: Gulf residents, community members, and church leaders urge the Department of Energy to protect their communities at People’s Hearing on LNG

Chispa Texas, a program of the League of Conservation Voters, convened a People’s Hearing on the Environmental Justice Impacts of LNG to offer community members a chance to give public testimony as the Department of Energy (DOE) reviews and updates the data and analysis used in its Public Interest Determination to review LNG export license applications. 

ICYMI: Gulf residents, community members, and church leaders urge the Department of Energy to protect their communities at People’s Hearing on LNG Read More »

That’s a Wrap! An Eco Latine Heritage Month for the Culture and the Planet

We’ve had a super busy month! We honored our cultura and organized around Latine Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). Take a look at some of the events, highlights, partners, and community members we featured and joined in person to celebrate the role of our culture in the work toward environmental justice! CHCI, Latino Conservation Week We kicked off the month during Latino Conservation Week by attending the CHCI Leadership Conference and Gala in Washington, DC. This year’s theme was “Latino Excellence in Action: Innovation, Influence, Representation” and was attended by members of Congress, community activists, educators, media personalities, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, CHCI participants, and alumni to address critical issues facing the Latine community and the nation. At Chispa we couldn’t miss the session on the green economy. Reps. Teresa Fernandez and Mike Levin discussed their efforts to promote a clean energy economy, highlighting our community’s long-standing environmental leadership, including the use of solar energy and eco-friendly materials in housing and the need to ensure Latine communities benefit from the transition to clean energy. “In the future, it is going to be our community that is powering the green economy,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03). Votando X Mi Gente Chispa celebrated National Voter Registration Day during Latine Heritage Month by launching our Votando Por Mi Gente voter registration and GOTV efforts across our Chispa states. The goal was to encourage Spanish and English-speaking voters from historically disenfranchised Latinx communities to ensure they – and their friends and family – are ready to vote and go vote on time this election day, Nov 5th! Through Chispa LCV voter resources, community members can see if they are registered to vote, register if needed, and find their polling location. #VotoVotasVotamos Chispa Arizona Celebrated Latinx Conservation Week During Latinx Conservation Week, Chispa Arizona partnered with Respect Great Bend, Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, and REI Adventures to host several community events. On September 13th, they hosted a stargazing event at the Gila’s Painted Rock Petroglyph Campsite, where participants discussed the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument while enjoying views of the desert night sky through telescopes. We Celebrated Moms Clean Air Force During #LatinxConservationWeek We were thrilled to celebrate our amazing partners at Moms Clean Air Force during #LatinxConservationWeek! Together, we’ve stood alongside these incredible leaders in the fight for a cleaner and more just world for our niños and familias. The more than 1.5 million members of Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres are united in taking action to protect clean air and children’s health. At Chispa we are honored to partner with EcoMadres, whose mission is to empower and mobilize Latino communities to fight for clean air, equitable climate change solutions, and protections from toxic chemicals. Chispa Maryland Celebrated 10th Anniversary and Latino Conservation Week at the 2024 Festival del Rio Anacostia While celebrating its 10th anniversary, Chispa Maryland was proud to co-chair the 2024 Festival del Rio Anacostia, an exciting event that drew over 1,000 attendees to enjoy a day filled with activities celebrating the natural beauty of the Anacostia River. Festival-goers participated in kayaking, boat tours, and wildlife experiences while learning about the importance of environmental conservation. This annual festival is a key part of Chispa Maryland’s celebration of Latino Conservation Week, highlighting the vital role that Latino communities play in protecting our natural resources. Chispa Maryland also received a citation from the Office of Governor Wes Moore, recognizing their 10th anniversary and work promoting environmental justice and serving Latino and frontline communities across Maryland. From GreenLatinos: Respecting Our Elders in Defense of Land, Water and Culture Throughout the month Chispa featured key messages from our partners, including a blog from Olivia Juarez, the Public Land Program Director at GreenLatinos. In Respecting Our Elders in Defense of Land, Water, and Culture, she encouraged community members to support healthy forest ecosystems for mature and young trees. “Hispanic heritage is diverse and identity is complex. But our cultural values stand the test of time. We respect our elders and we value intergenerational connection. This cultural adage is applicable as the U.S. Forest Service closes its public comment period for Old Growth Forest Conditions across our national forests.”  Meet the Leaders Fighting for Clean Air in Texas! Chispa featured Texas community leaders Angelica Cuevas and Genoveva Labeaga from Gregory, TX, who stand up for their community’s right to clean air and water. They are taking on harmful practices by Cheniere Energy, a major LNG exporter. Cheniere’s LNG facility poses serious risks to public health and the environment, especially for low-income communities of color. “The fight for environmental justice continues, and we need YOU to take action!” Chispa Arizona at Climate Week Vianey Olivarria, Executive Director of Chispa Arizona, was a featured speaker at “The Future Is Now: Climate, Environmental Justice, and Democracy at the Crossroads” during Climate Week in New York. This powerful event united diverse voices nationwide to inspire action for a just and equitable future. It was an honor to hear Vianey speak alongside leaders like Judith Le Blanc from Native Organizers Alliance, Beulah Osueke from New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Jacqui Patterson from The Chisholm Legacy project, and Asti Davis from Power Coalition Equity&Justice, all hosted by Raya Salter. How Chispa Arizona is Engaging Community in Climate Decisions We featured how Chispa Arizona has connected with nearly 600 community members to ensure their voices are heard in shaping climate decisions. At their recent IRA Summit with city and state officials, community members shared their visions for a better, greener future under the Affordable Clean Energy Plan. The voices of the community are powerful, and Chispa Arizona is making sure climate investments genuinely reflect Arizona’s community’s needs.  Chispa NV and Clark County Welcomed Electric School Buses                                                                                     On Saturday, September 28th, Chispa Nevada celebrated the arrival of electric school buses in Clark County with a community celebration during Latine Heritage Month. They toured one of the district’s new electric buses and discussed the benefits of transitioning

That’s a Wrap! An Eco Latine Heritage Month for the Culture and the Planet Read More »

Chispa and LCV Statements On Fourth Round of EPA Clean School Bus Program Investments

For Immediate Release September 26, 2024 Contact: Jessie Cohen, jcohen@lcv.org Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717   Washington, D.C. — In response to today’s announcement from the Biden-Harris administration of a fourth investment of nearly $1 billion in clean school buses from the EPA Clean School Bus Program 2024 Rebates, Chispa and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statements: “We celebrate this new round of nearly $1 billion in funding for the EPA Clean School Bus program, which has been very successful in delivering cleaner buses for kids and cleaner air for the communities most harmed by toxic transportation fumes and other pollutants in their neighborhoods for far too long,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Already, the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has more than tripled the number of zero-emission electric school buses in the country, and with today’s announcement, will continue to offer an equitable opportunity for all families, parents, students, and communities to get support in improving the quality of the air they breathe and the health of our children. We look forward to working to ensure this funding reaches our communities.”  *** “The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is already bringing safer, healthier air to children across the country, and this new funding will allow even more school districts to replace their dirty diesel school buses with clean, electric models,” said LCV Government Affairs Advocate on Climate Change & Clean Energy Darien Davis. “The Biden-Harris administration continues to roll out critical investments from the affordable clean energy plan that help put cleaner air in reach for more students, tackle climate change, and help school districts buy books and pay teachers instead of allowing Big Oil to poison their communities, especially communities of color and communities with low wealth, with toxic diesel pollution.  We encourage schools to apply for support for electric school buses to get cleaner rides for their kids and we look forward to continuing to work with the Biden-Harris administration and the EPA to encourage investments in communities facing the worst air pollution and with the fewest resources to clean up their air.” ###

Chispa and LCV Statements On Fourth Round of EPA Clean School Bus Program Investments Read More »

Chispa Nevada Launches New Website to Amplify Growing Climate Justice Efforts in Nevada’s Latine Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carolina Chacon, carolina@chaconconsulting.com, 702-810-7155 Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717   September 10, 2024 Chispa Nevada Launches New Website to Amplify Growing Climate Justice Efforts in Nevada’s Latine Communities Las Vegas, NV—Chispa Nevada, founded in 2016 to grow the power of Latine communities across Nevada so all families can enjoy clean air, clean energy, and a healthy and sustainable climate, today announced the launch of its new website, www.chispanv.org. The bilingual site is an accessible hub for community members and partners to learn about Chispa Nevada’s campaigns, find resources on climate programs reducing household costs and creating jobs, and take action to become environmental leaders. Chispa Nevada is a program of the League of Conservation Voters. “Latine communities in Nevada are often neglected in decision-making related to our environment, despite our families facing the worst impacts of climate change, from dangerous heat to polluted neighborhoods,” said Chispa Nevada Program Director Audrey Peral. “Chispa Nevada is changing that by developing environmental leaders and growing our collective power. We are proud to launch our new website to share our members’ stories, help them find resources, and recruit more Nevadans as we fight to improve our air quality, lower utility bills, and advance climate justice in our state.” The new website features: Campaign overviews. Learn more about ongoing campaigns and how Chispa Nevada is creating a healthier, more sustainable Nevada, including work on:  Clean Buses for Healthy Niños: Since 2016, Chispa members have pushed to electrify our school bus fleets and protect our children’s health. Learn more about our successes and how you can support a clean ride for kids! Nevada Solar For All: Learn about new programs providing low-income families and renters access to low-cost solar energy and lower electricity bills. Upcoming Events: Find out about upcoming events, including trainings, committee meetings, workshops, cultural events, lobby days, and more. Petitions & Actions: Sign the latest petitions and find ways to take action on environmental campaigns.  Visitors can read and be inspired by stories about Chispa Nevada members and the organization’s impact in the community, and can also quickly join Chispa Nevada to stay up to date on the latest and learn how to stay involved. ### Chispa Nevada is a program of the League of Conservation Voters that builds the power of Latine communities to fight for climate justice.

Chispa Nevada Launches New Website to Amplify Growing Climate Justice Efforts in Nevada’s Latine Communities Read More »

ICYMI: Chispa Arizona Voter Registration Program Launched in Historically Excluded Communities in Arizona Has Goal of 40,000 Registered Voters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nuvia Enriquez, nenriquez@lcv.org, 602.384.5535 July 23, 2024 Site-based effort registering eligible voters in communities of color and rural communities in Arizona Phoenix, AZ — Chispa Arizona, a program of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), announced its site-based voter registration program in Arizona has registered 33,000 eligible voters to date in 2024 in communities historically excluded from voter registration efforts, including in communities of color and rural communities, and is well on its way to meeting its goal of 40,000. The Chispa Arizona program is part of one of the nation’s largest programs to register eligible voters. This national effort to register historically underrepresented voters includes programs in California, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, and focuses on communities of color registering and engaging historically disenfranchised communities ahead of the 2024 elections. The overall goal is 350,000 voter registrations in 2024, including 40,000 in Arizona. **** “Without a strong healthy democracy where all our citizens participate, we cannot advocate for mama Earth,” said Chispa AZ Democracy Director Nicole Morales. “Organizing at the local level and meeting constituents in their own neighborhoods helps break down barriers to voting and ensures communities who are too often left out of the electoral process have their voices heard at the ballot box. All eligible voters should have the opportunity to be part of the democratic process.” “The communities who have historically faced barriers to voting are the same communities who are facing the worst impacts of the climate crisis, pollution, and environmental injustice,” said Hilda Nucete, LCV Senior Director of Civic Engagement. “We’re working in these communities to help ensure every voter in every community, no matter their language, ability, income, or zip code is able to access their fundamental right to vote.” Chispa Arizona and LCV’s nonpartisan civic engagement efforts aim to strengthen community engagement in the electoral process and help ensure more eligible voters can participate in and be equitably represented in our democracy. ### About Chispa Arizona: Chispa Arizona envisions an inclusive and reflective democracy that prioritizes communities’ rights to clean air and water, healthy neighborhoods, and a safe climate for generations to come. While Latinos are among the worst impacted by climate change, we are also some of the most committed to supporting strong government action to curb pollution and protect our environment. Chispa Arizona is organizing in our communities, increasing voter participation, pushing back on polluters, and holding elected officials accountable. We are cultivating the political power that is key to advocating for ambitious and just environmental solutions across our state. For more information, please visit https://chispaaz.org/

ICYMI: Chispa Arizona Voter Registration Program Launched in Historically Excluded Communities in Arizona Has Goal of 40,000 Registered Voters Read More »

Find Us In Your State Newsletter Sign up

Become a Volunteer !
Sign Up for Chispa Volunteer
By donating or taking this action, you are affirming your membership in Chispa/League of Conservation Voters and your desire to receive regular Chispa/LCV communications and are entitled to vote for a member of the LCV Board of Directors. By giving your mobile phone number, you agree that Chispa/LCV may call or text you occasionally with important action alerts.
Find Your State
National
Nevada
Texas
States
Arizona
Colorado
Florida
Maryland
Take Action

Volunteer

Petitions

Donate

Join the Movement!
Sign Up for Chispa News and Updates