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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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Respecting Our Elders in Defense of Land, Water and Culture

Close your eyes and picture what Cinco de Mayo looks like to you. For me a memory comes to mind: my white vecinos wearing sombreros and drinking margaritas in a neighbor’s front yard. Did you imagine something similar? Since the 1970s, Cinco de Mayo has been popularized in the United States by the marketing schemes of food and beverage companies to sell their products under the guise of cultural celebration. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Latino Conservation Week, I invite you to imagine what authentic cultural celebration would look like on Cinco de Mayo if it reflected the spirit of this historical event. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory at La Batalla de Puebla on May 5, 1862. On this day, an outnumbered and under-resourced force of trained and guerilla forces in defense of México defeated the French Empire at Puebla, México. This event had far-reaching international consequences–some historians posit that México’s victory at Puebla prevented the French from aiding the Confederates in the U.S. Civil War because they bought the Union time to cut off Confederate access to weapons from the west. Ultimately France did gain control of Puebla and more of México for a few years before they were ultimately defeated in 1867. In the motherland México, a lasting French Empire would have resulted in a complete diminishment of Mexican cultures and traditions as we know them today. But when the Battle of Puebla was won, Mexican forces did more than protect their city. They protected their cultures, food, land, water, and air. Against all odds, people took action to resist oppression and retain control of their self-determination by retaining control of their natural resources. This is the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, and this is the message that the GreenLatinos comunidad is spreading as we endeavor to enhance Cinco de Mayo as a Day of Action where we reaffirm our commitment to protecting our public land and water from those who seek to drill, mine, pollute and otherwise destroy our cultural heritage and communities.  Nature is declining at rates that keep me up at night. A natural area the size of an entire football field in the U.S. is converted for some extractive purpose every 30 seconds. Everywhere you go the loss of nature is apparent in real time: the encroachment of suburbs on bird nesting habitat; the construction of prisons on wetlands; the channelizing of creeks and rivers; the expansions of warehouses and ports on coastal areas. Frontline communities are being hurt the worst by the impacts–rates of local pollution, nature deprivation, urban heat, flooding and other climate change driven public health crises are higher among communities of color across the nation.  Climate despair is real. It can feel overwhelming to resist these extractive forces. It is tolling to fight back against climate criminals that are polluting the very land, water and air that you depend on. But as a diverse and wide-reaching Latino/a/e community, we must draw from our own cultural values and historic moments like La Batalla de Puebla as inspiration en seguir luchando–even and especially if we are the underdog.  La Batalla de Puebla and other fights for self-determination across the Americas such as the Pueblo Revolt, the Haitian Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, the Jayuya Uprising, and the Sandinista Revolution are reminders that standing up against our oppressors in defense of our land, water and culture is always worth the fight no matter the odds. We should also be emboldened by the power and wisdom of our cultures as we take on these fights.  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 this Friday September 20th. The Forest Service can respect our elders by giving high quality protection to our old and mature trees. To hold true to this cultural wisdom, the Forest Service should be compelled to not only protect and respect our oldest forest ecosystems, but also allow for younger forest stands to grow old and become our elders.  In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and defense of our land, water and cultures, please submit your comment to the Forest Service by Friday 9/20. Then close your eyes and imagine: what can the next Cinco de Mayo look like in your community as a Day of Action for our land, water and culture? ### Olivia Juarez is the Public Land Program Director at GreenLatinos. 

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Left Without Power But Not Powerless

This summer, shortly after I started my internship with LCV and Chispa, all of my family in Houston was on high alert. This was because a hurricane was coming into the area. The last time we had a storm, there was a major flood, and we had a power outage for about four days, so we were nervous.  Luckily we’ve learned from past experiences, and my immediate family (my Mom and sister) and I are now always prepared for any storm heading our way. While I was still bracing for a possible power outage, the more I read, the more it seemed like the storm had calmed down and that we wouldn’t be affected. This was not the case, especially when I fell asleep. During the eight hours I was asleep, the tropical storm turned into a hurricane, and the path shifted. It was hitting the Houston area dead on, and at 5 a.m., I woke up covered in sweat because our power was completely out. Luckily, I had emailed my supervisors saying this might happen, but this was just the beginning of a very long and arduous journey of surviving the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.   The heat in the house started to ramp up. It got so hot that spending the day outside in the heat was better than inside our “oven house,” as my sister called it. If you have ever been to Houston in the summer, you know that spending longer than a couple of hours in the heat, even with shade, can be brutal.  As we started our first day without power, we saw the news on our phones and realized that trees had fallen all over the city, damaging a lot of infrastructure. We learned some of this wind damage had happened right outside our house, including many of our neighbors’ roofs that fell off their house. We helped them put parts of their roof we found on the ground in our backyard so that the strong winds wouldn’t blow it away even further. News reports painted a picture of the whole city being in disarray, trees falling on people’s homes everywhere, and power outages facing 2.7 million people in Houston.  We realized we probably wouldn’t have our power for at least today. As the day went on, the thought of getting power started to fade even more, and we realized that we had no idea when power would be returning. This was a sentiment that a lot of people in the area shared. We heard that a good number of people were getting some of their power back, with some businesses getting their power back, too.  The heat was unbearable so I decided I wanted to get some A/C and some power to charge my laptop and my phone. So we went to some local businesses closer to downtown, and I began to notice a pattern. Higher-income areas were often the ones to get their power back first. Businesses and homes near the community I lived in, a diverse middle-class community, did not have power back yet. As I began to research more, I discovered it was because most people in wealthier neighborhoods had generators, while everyone else often didn’t.  While charging my electronics in the coffee shop, I realized one company has a monopoly over all the energy in Houston: Centerpoint Energy. The electricity was out due to the Houston energy grid’s lack of regulation and diversification. All this caused me to understand events that have hit Houston and Texas in the past with a new viewpoint. It was a lack of government oversight that caused problems to become even worse.  We were extremely desperate to get relief on the third day without power. We were lucky to find a restaurant not too far from us serving lunch, and it was like paradise. The A/C was blasting, and I finally felt at peace as I began to read while my sister and mom talked about where my sister wanted to go to college. After a long day of reading and eating at the nice air-conditioned restaurant, we decided to go home. Once we got home, it was still miserable. I went for a swim in our local pool to cool off. When I came home around dinner time, the power had finally come back on! The thermostat said the house’s temperature had risen to a boiling 95 degrees. It was like a miracle the power was on, and we were all celebrating as if power and electricity were something we had never had before.  As the days and even weeks passed, more and more Houstonians started regaining their electricity. This was a good thing, but because of the massive power outages, Houston had 36 deaths that could have been prevented.  Many of those deaths were due to power outages caused by Centerpoint’s lack of hurricane preparedness. While the governor is planning on investigating Centerpoint, I don’t know if the government will actually do anything about it.  As climate change worsens, we can’t count on the government alone to fix things. Chispa and LCV have been working on the ground in states like Texas to help organize communities so the power of the people fights against these regional problems. For instance, Chispa Texas is working with community organizers to build grassroots power against air pollution in all communities, particularly communities of color. This pollution from refineries and Big Oil makes climate change worse and leads to stronger and more costly hurricanes like Beryl which wreck our communities.  By interning at Chispa, I have been able to work on other community-driven solutions, such as creating Congressional memos for electric school buses and presenting my own environmental recommendations to the LCV organization. I have truly seen how to make a difference in the environment and our communities.  This summer, I have been able to see why the work we’ve done these past few months can actually save lives. I want to thank Chispa for allowing

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July Newsletter: Highlighting Community Resilience & Environmental Justice Work

As July and the heat rolls in, we want to highlight our community’s resilience in the face of extreme weather challenges, and our commitment to clean air for our kids by securing funding for electric school buses. Our ongoing efforts to safeguard impacted Latine and communities of color from the harmful impacts of LNG also continue, reflecting our dedication to environmental justice. Join us this month as we continue the fight for cleaner air and healthier neighborhoods for all. Read more below and unite with us in making a positive impact! July Events:  Join Chispa TX for a Town Hall on Ammonia Production and Tax Breaks! Join Chispa Texas and Texas Campaign for the Environment for a crucial community discussion on the risks associated with ammonia production and the proposed tax breaks from Robstown. RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Limited door prizes will be available! Mark your calendar for July 18th, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd, Robstown, TX 8380. We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP HERE! Applications Are Now Open for Electric School Bus Funding:                                                      Nearly $1 billion in funding is now available, including $652 million earmarked for school districts to upgrade to clean, electric buses, replacing aging diesel models. The Biden-Harris administration, supported by the EPA and National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Clean Bus Planning Awards, is committed to assisting districts in securing these funds for cleaner transportation solutions. Grant proposals for the EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program are due July 25, 2024. EPA will conduct informational webinars and welcomes inquiries at cleanhdvehicles@epa.gov throughout the application period. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to bring electric school buses to your community! Urge your school district to apply now! For help contacting your school district and urging them to apply for funding, check out the Alliance for Electric School Buses! News ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!)  Extreme Heat Protections for Workers and Communities This week President Biden and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration proposed new extreme heat protections for workers and communities, including worker protections that are vital for anyone who works outdoors. Without a standard in place, all workers’ including Latine workers’ lives are at risk during these increasingly frequent heat waves – from farm workers to firefighters and solar installers, to construction crews. It’s time to take action and ensure their safety! Read our full Chispa statement with LCV here. Washington, DC Fly-In Leaders from Chispa Arizona, Chispa Nevada, Chispa Texas and Chispa national gathered in Washington DC June 11-14  to attend this year’s Conservation Voter Movement Fly-in. Our Chispa programs, along with community leaders, lobbied key Administration officials and elected officials on critical issues including support for a continued LNG pause, clean energy, offshore wind, land protection, electric school buses, and clean energy rebates from the Affordable Clean Energy Plan. Chispa leaders discussed clean air and water, electric vehicle infrastructure, heat islands, and maximizing clean energy tax credits. Check out Chispa TX’s, Chispa NV’s, and Chispa AZ’s posts of their time advocating for our gente in D.C.! And read our press release here. Meet Enviro-Net! Chispa Nevada’s First Digital Committee Our Digital Organizer, Crystal, and Chispa Nevada members officially launched the digital committee at the Chispa NV office! They spent their time together discussing what digital organizing means to them, brainstorming new content ideas, discussing digital practices and tools, and mapping out Chispa Nevada’s digital future. These digital leaders can’t wait to elevate our three campaigns: polluter accountability, clean air and transportation, and federal, and they can’t wait to help Chispa Nevada grow! Interested in learning more about social media, digital tools, and digital organizing? Send Chispa Nevada a DM today! Chispa NV Joins Community Advocates Opposing NV Energy’s Plan to Triple Northern Nevada Basic Service Charge “For many in our community, every dollar counts,” said Astrid Martinez, Community Organizer for Chispa Nevada. “NV Energy tripling fixed charges would hit Latine families and other vulnerable groups the hardest, making it difficult for our families to manage our budgets effectively. This would be the highest fixed charge in the country. We cannot allow this to happen without a fight. We call on the PUCN to protect consumers and reject corporate greed.” Read the full coalition press release here. Chispa Arizona Launches New Website Chispa AZ is thrilled to announce the launch of their new website! Experience seamless browsing with a focus on language justice for both English and Spanish speakers, as well as Disability Justice with settings catering to various needs. To celebrate their launch, they’re hosting a feedback raffle! Participants of the feedback survey have a chance to win a camping starter kit valued at nearly $500! Take the survey today to enter and visit their brand new website here at chispaaz.org. **This drawing is only open to residents of Arizona** Chispa AZ Launches Voter Registration Drive Across Three Counties! In June, Chispa AZ launched its new voter registration program in Pima, Maricopa, and Yuma counties! Despite the scorching heat, they’ve already begun building crucial relationships, sharing pan dulce, and hitting the pavement to achieve our ambitious goal of registering 40,000 voters. Nicole Morales, Democracy Director at Chispa AZ, emphasizes, “Without a robust democracy, our advocacy for Mother Earth cannot flourish.” Join Chispa Arizona here! Chispa AZ’s Annual Grand Canyon Adventure! Chispa AZ’s annual member-exclusive Grand Canyon trip was a transformative experience, blending adventure, stargazing under pristine skies, captivating theater performances, deep community connections, and profound insights into our connection with Madre Tierra! See more pics and videos from the trip here! Chispa Maryland holds Environmental Justice Workshops The Chispa Maryland team was happy to hold community workshops in June in Langley Park (pictured) and in Baltimore on what #environmentaljustice means for our communities and how we can make the air we breathe, the parks we play in, the water we drink, and the neighborhoods we live in cleaner, healthier and better for all! See Facebook

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June Newsletter: Voices of Change, Celebrating Environmental Justice & Pride Month

As June arrives, we’re thrilled to spotlight the voices of our communities taking action for environmental justice, coinciding with the celebration of Pride Month. This month, we focus on the power of collective action and the need for clean air in our neighborhoods to ensure healthy communities. Read on and join us in these efforts! Chispa June Events:  Washington, DC FLY-IN: Our Chispa states are gathering in Washington DC this month to attend this year’s Conservation Voter Movement Fly-in. Our Chispa programs, along with community leaders, will lobby key Administration officials and elected officialson several critical issues includingsupport for a continued LNG pause, clean energy, offshore wind,land protection, and clean energy rebates from the Affordable Clean Energy Plan. We will also discuss clean air and water, promoting electric vehicle infrastructure, heat islands, and maximizing clean energy tax credits. Keep an eye on our socials for updates! More news ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!) Chispa NV and Community Leaders Urge Berkshire Hathaway to Invest in Clean Energy: Chispa NV joined community leaders from Iowa and Nebraska in calling on Berkshire Hathaway, the parent company of Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power (NV Energy), to stop polluting our air with methane gas. Our leader, Maria Prentice, had the opportunity to ask a question during the meeting. She stated, “I’m a retiree from Las Vegas, Nevada. I’m here today as a member of Chispa Nevada, a group that’s developing Latine leaders for environmental justice. I’m also here representing many Latine families in Nevada who are struggling to pay their utility bills and want access to affordable, clean electricity. I want to ask today why NV Energy, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is building new gas plants instead of investing in solar energy when Nevada is one of the sunniest states in the country?” Join Nevada in its polluter accountability efforts, and follow them on Instagram for updates and opportunities to get involved! Chispa AZ’s Nicole Morales Joins Poderistas Panel to Amplify Latina Voices During Election Year: Chispa AZ’s Democracy Director, Nicole Morales, joined a panel for Poderistas to discuss issues important to Latinas, especially during an election year. They listened directly to the women of Arizona about the most urgent issues for them, their families, and their communities in this election cycle and beyond. This event was recorded at the Telemundo studios with Eva Longoria! Check out their post here! Environment and faith panel: “Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Latino Priorities: Hearing the Cry of Earth and the Poor”  Chispa’s communications director, Elena Gaona, participated in the Latino Leader gathering on “Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Latino Priorities: Hearing the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor” hosted by the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University. Speakers included Mark Hugo Lopez (Pew Research Center), Silvia Foster-Frau (Washington Post), Christian Soenen (Georgetown Initiative), Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington), and Bishop Joseph Tyson (Catholic Climate Covenant). An engaged live audience attended, and hundreds watched the live stream and recorded video. Elena shared stories from Chispa’s work and outlined how Latino communities experience environmental crises—their urgency, their physical effects, and their closeness to environmental justice and to the spirit for people of faith. Religion News Service ran an article about the event.   Protégete Colorado Unites With Latino Leaders at the GreenLatinos Summit: Chispa leaders and staff from several states, including Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González attended the GreenLatinos summit this year in El Yunque, Puerto Rico. In addition, Beatriz Soto, Director of Protégete, and Rebeca Medrano, Manager of Strategic Alliances, participated in a panel at the National GreenLatinos Summit. This dynamic event united the vibrant Latino environmental community, passionate climate justice champions, influential community leaders, and dedicated policy advocates, all striving towards a future of environmental justice. Check out photos from the panel and summit! Debunking LNG Myths: Why Biden’s Pause on Gas Exports Benefits People and the Planet: It’s been nearly five months since President Biden paused approvals for all new liquefied methane gas export projects, but misinformation about the decision still looms large. LCV breaks down the impacts of LNG and why the pause is a win for people, communities, and the planet this week on The Power Source Blog.    Carmen Hernandez, a Comadre from Gregory, Texas, emphasized the importance of taking action: “We want to keep on living for as long as we can. The future of our children is at stake.” New Analysis on President Biden’s Climate Action: A new analysis from Climate Power and 20 other climate groups including Chispa highlights President Biden’s significant climate actions. According to the report, Biden has taken more than 320 environmental actions to address climate change. Lori Lodes, Climate Power’s executive director, stated, “The analysis identified more than 300 meaningful climate actions that are creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs, lowering energy costs, protecting our lands, and holding Big Oil accountable. President Biden made climate action a priority from Day 1, and he’s just getting started.” Read more here! Y en español aquí, por Telemundo.   Celebrating World Environment Day with Corazón Latino short films: We celebrated World Environment Day yesterday by watching the award-winning Corazón Latino (in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, JPixx, and Heart Theatre) short films, “Addressing Our Future Now: The Environmental Justice Lens in the Forest Service Mission through DEIA – A JEDI Project.” The films highlight the crucial role of diversity and inclusivity in environmental justice and public lands. The films (available here) are a strategic effort to fulfill the USDA Forest Service’s obligations under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Justice40 Initiative. The effort includes three films (more to come), focusing on African-American, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian American perspectives in public lands management and how forests and public lands are experienced by different communities.. Revolutionizing School Transportation: EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Winners Announced!: The EPA unveiled the winners of the highly anticipated Clean School Bus

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Chispa and LCV Statement on Executive Order Limiting Asylum at the Border

For Immediate Release June 4, 2024 Contact: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.— In response to today’s executive order from President Biden on the border, Chispa and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement: “Chispa along with Chispa Arizona, Chispa Texas, Chispa Maryland, Chispa Nevada, Protégete Colorado, and the League of Conservation Voters work with communities impacted by climate change and environmental injustice, partnering with the power of the people on issues of clean water, clean air, clean lands and fair representation. Many of our Latine communities have a deep and direct connection to immigrant communities in the U.S., and many of the community members we work with have been driven to migrate by climate change,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Today’s executive action on the border does not live up to our American values of offering asylum to those fleeing persecution and violence, and hurts all of our communities. It cannot be the end or the fix to our immigration crisis, a layered and complicated issue that affects the most vulnerable around the world. We need thoughtful, humane and integrated approaches to immigration, just as we do with the climate crisis. We look forward to this administration and future administrations working with all of our communities to make this a reality.” ###

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Why we must include our comunidad in the growing green economy: clean energy jobs, lower energy costs, and a healthier climate future

I recently had the honor of visiting the White House during Earth Month and participating in the Roundtable on Latino Economic Empowerment Through Climate Action. The roundtable discussed the historic (in scope and size) number of clean energy investments being made into the U.S. economy right now, and how our Latine communities can be part of this fast-growing green economy. In representing Chispa, I joined two dozen other climate leaders and influencers, plus key Biden-Harris administration and staff, for the discussion. It was not lost on many of us in the room that “we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams,” as my seat partner, Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker, Associate Vice President at Moms Clean Air Force and Director of EcoMadres, said. “I thought so much of my mother and her dreams as an advocate for Latino economic empowerment (having come from Cuba with nothing, struggling to start a business, ultimately becoming a voice for the community) and how much she was with me in that room.” My own story is that my mother, an immigrant from Mexico, cleaned houses for decades in Dallas. She eventually became a successful small business owner with my father, and they also served as leaders in the community. But how do we include more families and communities into the middle class and beyond, out of “barely making it”? We have a monumental opportunity, right now, to bring everyone along into a new green economy that offers dignified good green jobs, lower household costs and reliable energy, and clear benefits to our health and the planet on top of that. With the Affordable Clean Energy Plan front and center, the Biden-Harris administration has done more to protect our climate and move environmental solutions forward than any other administration in American history. At the White House Roundtable we discussed this opportunity, and the moment we have to change the course for generations to come.  Good News: There are Clean Energy Jobs, Jobs, Jobs When we discussed how the green economy can be inclusive of the Latine community, the first thing we discussed was jobs. With announcements such as $7B in grants for the Solar for All program, communities have the opportunity to develop solar projects that will offer clean and reliable energy in their homes. This will offer families more stable prices for their energy, but “the beauty of it,” as a senior administration official put it, is that it also creates well-paying jobs. The large influx of investments is also an opportunity for this green economy sector to be developed sustainably with fair wages, labor standards, and equity. The Affordable Clean Energy Plan (the climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act)  amounts to $369 billion! These resources are being invested in solar and wind all across the U.S., clean transportation, clean energy manufacturing of batteries and other products, and more. The plan is comprehensive and includes many elements important to Latine communities: Community Change Grants fund environmental and climate justice activities to benefit impacted communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges.  Direct pay is a program where tax-exempt and governmental entities – such as school districts, local governments, Tribes, territories, and nonprofits – can receive up-front payments to help fund qualifying clean energy projects. These include community solar projects to bring clean energy to neighborhood families; geothermal heating; electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure; and clean vehicles for city fleets. The Justice40 Initiative establishes the goal that 40 percent of the benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments in the Affordable Clean Energy Plan, must go to communities dealing most with underinvestment and pollution. All of the clean energy projects being created through these historic investments mean jobs for electricians, mechanics, construction workers, technicians, support staff, and thousands of others. Since the Affordable Clean Energy Plan became law in 2022, companies have announced a total of 271,713 new jobs related to 523 new clean energy projects, and over $352 billion in investments across the U.S., according to Climate Power. Latine workers are well represented in the clean energy and clean transportation sectors, and our numbers are growing. Latine workers represent nearly 17 percent of the clean energy workforce. And within the solar installation space alone, roughly one-third of the workers are Latine (31.7%). Finally, the American Climate Corps, a service and workforce training initiative designed to employ youth in addressing climate impacts and building local resilience, will hire 20,000 people, according to the White House. The program represents an excellent opportunity to engage our Latine youth in skill-building in the climate space.  Our families have many opportunities to get into and stay in the middle class with all these jobs and internships for new careers – all while promoting clean air, clean water and a better environment. Cost Savings: The other economic benefit under the Affordable Clean Energy Plan During conversations with climate leaders at the White House, I shared that my teacher friend in Texas received a $900 electric bill in January! Many of the families and communities Chispa works with across the country are finding their skyrocketing utility bills unaffordable. Chispa NV members have even told us they have to choose between utility bills or food or medicine. This is not right. Current tax incentives under the Affordable Clean Energy Plan mean cost savings (in the form of tax rebates or tax credits, plus lower energy bills) for your family when you make clean energy changes such as conducting a home energy audit, upgrading your appliances or installing a heat pump to lower energy cost. The Affordable Energy Plan does two things: it makes it more affordable to install clean energy in your home, with small investments like the more energy efficient appliances, or funding for bigger solutions we know work such as solar panels, and it then means your family has cheaper and more reliable energy for many years to come = real cost savings to

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Congressional Letter Latest to Support Review of LNG Exports & Urge DOE to Incorporate Key Issues into Public Interest Determination

Groups Show Support For Members Of Congress Speaking Out Against Fossil Fuel Interests – Lead by Sierra Club May 7, 2024 Contact Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org Washington, DC — Today, more than 70 members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary Granholm thanking them for pausing the approval of applications for new liquefied methane gas (LNG) exports while the Department of Energy considers the criteria used to determine whether new exports are in the public interest. The members of Congress write in the letter:  “Once again, thank you for taking this important step to put public health and economic well-being first by pausing the approval of new LNG export authorizations to non-Free Trade Agreement countries. This is an overdue opportunity to examine whether the LNG export boom creates value for the American people or, as we suspect, results in harm while primarily benefitting oil and gas companies that want to ship American LNG overseas for higher profits.” Key priorities that these members of Congress want to see incorporated into the public interest determination include a test for the economic effects LNG export approvals will have on U.S. consumers, an evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions along the entire LNG export supply chain, on international and domestic climate targets, and for new considerations of LNG exports to follow the spirit of President Biden’s Executive Order on Revitalizing our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All. This letter builds on the support from a broad coalition of frontline residents, environmental groups, and stakeholders for the Biden Administration’s pause on new LNG export approvals. In the past year, dozens of members of Congress, national security experts and former senior military leaders, environmental organizations, Gulf Coast residents, scientists, and healthcare professionals all sent letters to the Administration showing support for the pause and calling for an end to new LNG export facilities as they are not in the public interest. Gulf Coast advocates and environmental groups issued the following statements in support of the letter from members of Congress: “We applaud these Congressional leaders for sending the Biden Administration a letter celebrating the pause on new LNG export approvals while the Department of Energy considers the full impacts this dangerous fossil fuel has on the public’s health, our economy, and our climate and environmental justice goals,” said Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Founder and Executive Director of the Vessel Project of Louisiana. “For too long, communities forced to live near the petro-chemical industry have faced the disproportionate effects of pollution and climate change, seeing little to no supposed benefits of having these companies operate in their neighborhoods. This pause presents an opportunity for the Biden Administration to prioritize environmental justice and climate action going forward when making decisions about new LNG export approvals. We thank these Congressional leaders for urging the Biden Administration to use this moment to truly chart a new course towards a more sustainable and just future.” “We are glad to see such strong Congressional leadership in support of the Biden Administration’s commonsense decision to pause new LNG export approvals so the Department of Energy can re-examine the impacts these exports have on our climate and environmental justice goals, as well as our economy,” said Mahyar Sorour, Sierra Club Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy. “The oil and gas industry has been polluting our communities and raising our energy prices, all while making record-breaking profits at the expense of public health and safety. It is time to change the status quo and put people over these polluting companies.” “Study after study has shown just how harmful LNG exports are to our climate, health, financial well-being, and national security. The Biden administration has begun to pave a new path forward by reviewing the criteria used to determine if new gas exports are in the public interest,” said Joanie Steinhaus, Ocean Program Director for Turtle Island Restoration Network. “Now we need that path to lead to real change by ensuring DOE is using updated studies and incorporating factors like environmental justice into their decisions. We are grateful to members of Congress who understand what is at stake for our communities and stand with us.” “We applaud members of Congress for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Biden’s historic decision to pause approvals for new LNG export terminals. Communities in the Gulf have long led the fight against LNG expansion and unjustly borne the brunt of pollution that the federal government has failed to wholly consider in previous LNG infrastructure approvals,” said Mattea Mrkusic, Evergreen Action’s Senior Policy Lead for Energy Transition. “Studies have repeatedly found that LNG is far worse for the climate than previously thought, and pausing approvals of new terminals is a no-brainer to allow decision-makers to fully take stock of their climate impacts. President Biden and the Department of Energy’s LNG review is a deeply necessary step toward accurately measuring the damaging cost of LNG expansion to environmental justice, climate, public health, and American pocketbooks.” “Progress Texas celebrates action from the Biden Administration and Secretary Granholm acknowledging Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports’ harm to American citizens and the environment. We have an interest in ensuring prices stay affordable here at home, that our families are safe from the high and long term costs of LNG on our health and local economies, and of course, not adding more fuel to the fire of our already scorching climate. Sec. Granholm said it best: ‘I understand that some in the industry who may have pending authorization requests are not happy… But our review is in the public interest, and not in the interest just of the oil and gas industry,’” said Kathleen Thompson, Progress Texas Executive Director. “LNG’s glossy job promises starkly contrast with the grim reality—minimal sustainable jobs and significant ecological and community harm. Our local fishermen are sidelined as LNG facilities ravage marine habitats and deplete fishing grounds. The true cost? Devastating long-term impacts on both our environment and community fabric. We invite the Department of Energy and all congressional offices to visit Louisiana and the Gulf Coast to witness firsthand the false narrative that economic prosperity follows LNG construction, especially in communities already

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Aire limpio = Feliz Madre Tierra + Comunidad

As May blooms, we’re excited to highlight a cause close to our hearts: Asthma Awareness Month. While we continue our dedication to environmental stewardship and social justice, we’re spotlighting the impact of clean air on respiratory health, especially in our Black and Brown communities. Keep reading to uncover what’s in store and catch up on all the action you might have missed from April! State of the Air 2024 Report The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2024 report is officially out! For 25 years, the association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to provide crucial insights. Dive into the report to discover how to protect your health and contribute to cleaner, healthier air. Access the report and empower yourself with knowledge today! Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for Chispa-specific information on key findings! Earth Day Celebration Chispa Arizona came together with our community to honor both our planet and our collective heritage at their Earth Day festival held during Earth Month. Partnering with the Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander for Equity, they hosted their annual Earth Day Festival in Phoenix, welcoming over 400 attendees. More news ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) #CleanRide4Kids Could Be Coming your Way: Last week, the Biden-Harris administration announced new clean vehicle initiatives, including the first-ever goal to transition to a zero-emission freight sector and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a $1 billion grant competition to help replace dirty diesel trucks and buses with clean, zero-emission ones. Read our statement in partnership with LCV here and learn more about the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant Program. EPA’s Final Rule Strengthens Protections for Clean Air: on April 10th, the EPA announced its final rule on Hazardous Organics National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HON). With many residents suffering from respiratory and heart issues due to poor air quality, the call for more fenceline monitoring grows urgent. This rule marks a positive stride towards closing that gap and ensuring cleaner, safer air for all. Read our statement in partnership with LCV here! Nevadans Win Solar For All Funding: President Biden announced $7 billion in Solar for All grants on Earth Day! This historic investment aims to reduce energy expenses for families nationwide, tackle the climate crisis head-on, and pave the way for a cleaner energy future. These funds are particularly vital for low-income and communities of color. Read our statement in partnership with LCV here! EPA announces Environmental Justice Clearinghouse: The clearinghouse will help the public access tools and resources as part of President Biden’s ambitious environmental justice agenda. Check it out here! Chispa Launches Community Clean Energy Hub: We have launched our Community Clean Energy Hub to support our gente through new clean and green opportunities. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a groundbreaking law tackling the climate crisis and promoting sustainable renewable energy nationwide as part of President Biden’s clean energy package. Our hub provides information on accessing funds and incentives for clean energy, ensuring everyone can benefit. Explore the hub now for details and stay tuned for more updates! LNG Pause Explainer: President Biden’s recent decision to pause new exports of liquefied methane gas (LNG) is a monumental step in curbing fossil fuel expansion. But what exactly is LNG, and why is this pause so significant? Head over to lcv.org/LNG-emissions for a deep dive into the details and the impact of this pivotal decision. Plus, if you prefer videos, swing by their Instagram page to watch a quick explainer video on what this is all about! Let’s stay informed and continue pushing for a greener future together! Chispa Nevada Lideres En Accion: Chispa NV member Guadalupe participated in a roundtable with DOE (Department Of Energy) Deputy Secretary on federal climate/energy efficiency/sustainability programs! She did amazing talking about the need to ensure these programs reach our communities and that our communities are educated on these opportunities. What a great example of federal implementation campaign work happening on the ground! Chispa TX Fights Desalination: The community in Corpus Christi showed up in big numbers to speak up against a new desalination plant in their community of Hillcrest at a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hearing this past month. Youth Climate Careers Are Out NOW: The American Climate Corps, a new initiative from the White House, offers paid opportunities for over 20,000 young people to learn vital skills for advancing environmental justice. Join the movement shaping tomorrow and be part of the next generation tackling the climate crisis head-on. Explore our Digi + Creative Manager Alexa Aispuro-Loaiza’s post for more on this clean and green opportunity! As Earth Month comes to a close, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made in environmental justice. From community clean-ups to advocacy campaigns, we’ve seen inspiring efforts across our Chispa states. But the journey doesn’t end here! Get ready to dive into May with renewed energy. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting updates in our newsletters as we continue to raise awareness, share resources, and advocate for those affected by environmental issues. Together, let’s keep the momentum going and make positive change happen! En comunidad, Estefany Carrasco-Gonzalez (She/Her/Ella) Chispa Senior Director

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Chispa LCV Celebrates Earth Week 2024 with joy and continued efforts

For Immediate Release April 16, 2024 Contact: Elena Gaona | egaona@lcv.org | 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. – Chispa LCV is celebrating Earth Week with joyful family events honoring Latine work for the environment this week, as well as highlighting continued and critical fights for clean water, air and land. “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re inspired by the many communities we’ve worked with in our Chispa states, where Latine families and communities of color have organized and raised their voices for healthier environments so they can breathe, live, and be proud,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “We celebrate this week for Madre Tierra, and the work our grassroots leaders and communities have led for better environmental policies, cleaner air, better energy, less polluted transportation, safer water, and more respect for land and people. But the disproportionate environmental attacks on our people and places continue, and we cannot rest. Our lives and futures, and those of our children’s, are at stake.” Chispa Earth Day and Earth Week events include: Chispa TX April 18 desalination hearing: Join Chispa TX and partners at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s public hearing on the City of Corpus Christi’s proposed water discharge permit for the Inner Harbor, also known as the Hillcrest Desalination Plant project, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 7 PM. Speak up against desalination’s impact on local communities, including reduced water, higher rates, and environmental health concerns. Let’s say NO to desalination and protect our bay life! Join us and support Hillcrest residents. If you want to comment, you can also visit https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/ and use permit number WQ0005289000.  Chispa AZ April 20th Earth Day Festival: The countdown begins! Join @chispaarizona and @azaanhpiforequity to celebrate Madre Tierra with the AZ community at #EarthDayFestival24 in Cielito Park on April 20 from 4-7 pm! Don’t miss out; celebrate the intersections between our Latinx and AANHPI communities for environmental justice. RSVP at bit.ly/tierra2024 Chispa NV April 21st Dia Del Niño: Join Chispa NV and the community at the Walnut Community Center, 3075 N. Walnut Road, Las Vegas, NV from 2-6 pm! Celebrate with Chispa Nevada as you enjoy the food, piñatas, face painting, and more! The first 500 children will receive a free toy; no need to RSVP! April 22, 12-4 pm: Chispa Nevada is partnering with Climate Action’s for the Affordable Clean Energy Celebration on April 22nd at the Durango Hills YMCA! Representative Susie Lee will be discussing climate progress, money-saving solutions, clean energy, and tax benefits with the community! Join us this Earth Day!  April 24, 5-7 pm: Join Chispa Nevada on April 24th to celebrate our madre tierra and Dia Del Niño with a carne asada and park cleanup at Sunset Park! They will be talking about Chispa Nevada, the ways we’re protecting our madre tierra, and providing updates for the comunidad! Chispa Maryland April 20, 9 am – 12 pm: Celebrate Earth Day with the Friends of Patterson Park! Join Chispa Maryland and the Friends of Patterson Park for this year’s Spring Volunteer Extravaganza! Get outside and meet your neighbors, get some exercise, and help care for our park! We will care for young trees, plant new trees, pick up trash, pull trash out of the lake, edge walkways, and so much more. We’ll bring the tools, we just need you! Location: Meet on the Eastside of the Park near the corner of Bank and Ellwood Ave in Baltimore City. Register Today! April 20, 10 am -1 pm: CareFirst Earth Day Celebration. Join us at the CareFirst Engagement Center to celebrate Earth Day. Let’s come together to clean up our community and celebrate our planet. After the cleanup, stick around for lunch and hear guests speak, including Chispa Maryland, on the importance of a clean environment. Location: CareFirst Engagement Center located at 1501 S Clinton Street, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224 Register Today! April 22, 9 am – 12 pm: Growing Green With Pride. Help beautify the Langley Park Community in Prince George’s County by joining your neighbors for a day of cleaning and protecting the environment. Together with Chispa Maryland, we are joined by Langley Park Civic Association, PG Parks, and Nature Forward. All supplies will be provided. Location: Langley Park Community Center (at parking lot) 1500 Merrimac Drive, Hyattsville 20783. For more information, call 202-706-2176 or email LPCA20783@gmail.com April 27, 11 am – 4 pm: Montgomery County Greenfest. The Montgomery County GreenFest is the largest annual environmental festival in Montgomery County, MD. GreenFest is organized by a coalition of public and non-profit partners, including Chispa Maryland. People of all ages come together to celebrate, learn, and start or continue their journey to improving our community and the environment! Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr, Germantown, MD 20874 Click here for more information.  Protégete CO April 20th, 1-4 pm Protégete will participate with Walking Mountains in Avon, CO along with several other organizations doing work with the environment and sustainability at the Sustainability Festival, at Walking Mountains Science Center, Avon Tang Campus. This will be an event for the Latino community to learn more about sustainability and the organizations that use it daily. We will be sharing information about our leadership programs, join us! ### Para publicación inmediata 16 de abril de 2024 Contacto: Elena Gaona | egaona@lcv.org | 202-907-9717 Chispa LCV Celebra la Semana de la Tierra 2024 con alegría y continuo esfuerzo Washington, D.C. – Chispa LCV está celebrando la Semana de la Tierra con alegres eventos familiares que honran el trabajo latine por el medio ambiente esta semana, además de resaltar las luchas continuas y críticas por el agua, el aire y la tierra limpios. “Al celebrar nuestro décimo aniversario, nos inspiran las muchas comunidades con las que hemos trabajado en nuestros estados de Chispa, donde las familias latinas y las comunidades de color se han organizado y alzado sus voces por un medio ambiente más saludable para que puedan respirar, vivir y sentirse orgullosos”, dijo la directora senior de Chispa, Estefany

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