Elena Gaona

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.”

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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

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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.” ###

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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.

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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 »

Chispa and LCV Celebrate the Establishment of the Blackwell School National Historic Site

For Immediate Release July 18, 2024 Contact: Jessie Cohen, jcohen@lcv.org Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org LCV Celebrates the Establishment of the Blackwell School National Historic Site Washington D.C.- In response to the Department of the Interior announcing the establishment of the Blackwell School National Historic Site in West Texas as the nation’s newest national park, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa released the following statements: “LCV applauds President Biden and Secretary Haaland for establishing the Blackwell School Historic Site to honor the hardships that Latine students face, both historically and today, and highlight their resilience in the face of segregation and discrimination,” said LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick. “This designation builds on the President’s already impressive and historic conservation and climate legacy, which includes the protection of more than 41 million acres of public lands since taking office. We urge the Biden-Harris administration to continue to champion the protection of our nation’s public lands and cultural sites, including by designating the proposed 1908 Springfield Race Riots site, Chuckwalla in the California desert, and many others worthy of permanent protection as national monuments.” *** “The newest national park designated at the Blackwell School National Historic Site represents our nation telling and preserving a little known part of Mexican-American history that is truly American history,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “This historic three-room schoolhouse in West Texas is a reminder of the complex history of an education system in the Southwest that segregated Mexican-American students from their White peers from the late 1800s through the 1960s. Today Marfa is a popular place to visit, and visitors will be able to take in the landscape, and a piece of our history, preserved. We are heartened that our national park system is honoring the hardships Mexican-American students overcame and highlights their resilience in the face of discrimination, providing an opportunity for the nation to learn from their stories.” ###

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LCV and Chispa Statements On Latest MAGA Attempts to Subvert Voting Rights

For Immediate Release July 10, 2024 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 LCV and Chispa Statements On Latest MAGA Attempts to Subvert Voting Rights Washington, D.C.— In response to today’s House vote on the SAVE Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “This anti-voter legislation would make the right to vote harder to exercise for millions of eligible voters while providing no additional security to our election systems,” said LCV Senior Director of Civic Engagement Hilda Nucete. “Every voter in every community, no matter their race, identity, ability, age, or zip code deserves to vote without intimidation or unnecessary barriers. This bill creates yet another intimidating, confusing, and unnecessary hurdle for eligible voters to exercise their fundamental right. The Senate must reject this baseless, racially motivated, fear-mongering bill and pass crucial and proven voting rights legislation like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and statehood for the people of Washington, D.C. to protect voting rights instead of dismantling them.” *** “Our democracy works best when all citizens can participate. Instead, the SAVE Act scapegoats immigrant communities, including in large part Latine communities, and seeks to take away the power of eligible voters,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Requiring Americans to provide a certified birth certificate or a passport to register to vote places an unnecessary burden on eligible voters and disproportionately affects low-income citizens, women, the elderly, those with disabilities, and communities of color. Our elections are already secure and we will continue the work to protect all our rights for a healthy democracy, including our ability to have fair representation and to tackle the climate crisis that is affecting our communities directly.” ###

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LCV Statement on Western District Of Louisiana Ruling on LNG Pause

For Immediate Release July 2, 2024 Contact: Kelci Hobson, khobson@lcv.org Washington, D.C.: In response to the U.S. District Court for Louisiana issuing a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by 16 Republican Attorneys General challenging the Department of Energy’s pause on permits for new LNG export authorizations, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Texas released the following statement: “President Biden heeded the calls of young people and frontline communities in pausing the development of new liquefied methane gas export facilities. This historic step to take on the greedy Oil and Gas CEOs was the right thing to do for consumers, our communities, and our environment. Unfettered LNG exports raise energy bills, pump toxic pollution into the air that further threaten the health of communities neighboring these massive facilities, and fuel the climate crisis,” said Leah Donahey, Senior Federal Advocacy Campaigns Director at League of Conservation Voters. “Despite the ruling, the Department of Energy can and should continue its much-needed, common sense evaluation of whether or not these dangerous LNG exports are in the public interest. This lawsuit was filed by 16 Republican Attorneys General and is a blatant attempt to aid Big Oil and Gas CEOs who will stop at nothing to line their pockets while harming people, our pocketbooks, and the planet.” Previously, LCV launched a $2.5 million campaign in support of the Biden administration’s pause on permitting for LNG export facilities. This included a DC cable buy thanking President Biden for this latest decision in an unprecedented string of action to tackle the climate crisis and digital ads focused on the young people who have been pushing for this kind of bold action. For more information, see LCV’s LNG fact sheet. *** “Our communities along the Gulf Coast have suffered from toxic air pollution from fracked methane gas facilities in our backyards, endangering our health with illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer,” said Chispa Texas Program Director Elida Castillo. “The LNG pause is an opportunity for our Department of Energy to study these harmful effects and fulfill its public duty. But at every turn Big Polluters, and our state leaders who are supported by them, continue to seek irresponsible growth that prioritizes profits over the lives and livelihoods of people and the beautiful spaces we need and love. As our nation literally experiences record-breaking heat everywhere, it’s extremely disappointing that this much-needed action to combat the climate crisis and environmental injustice is facing these hurdles from those in the pockets of the oil and gas industry. Our communities most harmed by emissions of formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and other toxins from these facilities should not continue to suffer, so fracked methane gas exporters can post record profits quarter after quarter. Our path forward to bring down energy costs for everyone and confront the global climate crisis begins with this pause and not the false narrative being sold to bring more destructive methane gas projects online.” ###

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LCV and Chispa Statements on Extreme Heat Protections for Workers and Communities

For immediate release July 2, 2024 Contact: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.: In response to President Biden’s announcement of extreme heat measures and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) announcement of the proposed heat rule, the League of Conservation Voters and Chispa released the following statements: “President Biden’s extreme heat measures announced today are a critical step to help workers and communities and are an essential part of responding to the threats posed by the climate crisis. Over the past month people across the country have been experiencing record high temperatures that are a detriment to the health and safety of our families and communities. Heat is the leading cause of death among weather-related events in the United States and we must take action as temperatures continue to surge,” said Sara Chieffo, Vice President of Government Affairs at League of Conservation Voters. “The current extreme heat waves are not natural– they are a result of Big Polluters’ blatant disregard for the very real impacts excessive carbon and toxic pollution has on our climate and health. MAGA Republicans have time and time again sided with Big Polluters and actively attempted to reverse the climate progress made by the Biden Administration, despite knowing the real threats excessive pollution has on our communities, families and climate. We applaud the Biden Administration and the Department of Labor for taking this crucial step forward in protecting the health of our communities by calling for protections for workers in both outdoor and indoor workplaces, requiring employers to create a heat injury and illness prevention plan and calling for employers to take additional safety measures when the heat index reaches a trigger point.” *** “Many of our Latine and communities of color across the nation are experiencing deadly heat waves that get worse and last longer every year, and lead to deaths. For example, our communities in Arizona are dealing with 120-degree heat, and in Nevada families are experiencing heat domes and lack of green space, plus unaffordable utility costs to be able to stay safe. None of this weather, or these conditions, are natural,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Today’s extreme heat protections are critical to life itself for all workers, including Latine workers who help build our nation yet are often exposed to extreme outdoor conditions with little protections. While we will continue to work toward immediate and long term relief from extreme heat for all communities in their homes and in their neighborhoods – such as transitioning to clean energy and greening our streets – our workplaces should also be safe and not expose anyone to death, and today moves us a step closer toward that goal.” ###

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Chispa Statement on Election Results

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

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

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

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

Chispa and LCV Celebrate the Establishment of the Blackwell School National Historic Site

LCV and Chispa Statements On Latest MAGA Attempts to Subvert Voting Rights

LCV and Chispa Statements on Extreme Heat Protections for Workers and Communities

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