Latinx Poder

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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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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Utility Watch Nevada’ Demands Greater Accountability from Energy Utilities

Frustrated by high energy bills and air pollution, a new effort empowers Nevadans to stand up to monopoly-owned utilities NEVADA — Today, community and environmental advocates launched ‘Utility Watch Nevada’ to demand greater accountability and transparency from NV Energy and Southwest Gas. The campaign reflects and builds on the frustrations of customers who are tired of inaction after repeatedly calling out volatile methane (natural) gas price spikes, unfair rate increases, and frivolous utility spending like paying for employee bonuses or a new gas plant, the first in nearly 15 years. Utility Watch will empower customers to demand action from Nevada’s energy utilities to meet their clean energy commitments while advocating for utility reforms that reduce pollution and provide real rate relief for hard-working families. Utility Watch Nevada is led by the Nevada Conservation League in partnership with Chispa Nevada, CHR, Inc. (Caring, Helping, Restoring Lives), Faith In Action Nevada, Faith Organizing Alliance, For Our Future Nevada, Moms Clean Air Force, and Solar United Neighbors. Utility Watch Nevada aims to: Expose tactics by NV Energy and Southwest Gas that hinder efforts to reduce pollution, make clean energy progress, and lower customer bills. Educate customers and community members about the impacts of utility energy decisions on their families and how to help shape a cleaner, safer, and healthier energy future. Mobilize and empower customers to demand stronger clean energy policies and regulations that ensure transparency, accountability, clean energy and energy efficiency, and affordable bills. Promote clear and fair rules that protect customers from unjust utility tactics and safeguard our communities from pollution. The campaign includes a petition empowering NV Energy and Southwest Gas customers to demand affordable, reliable, and clean energy. “It is unfair for these monopoly companies to increase their profits and continue polluting in a way that costs us all,” the petition states. “We are counting on our utility regulators and policymakers to end this and protect struggling families and businesses…Nevada families, not corporations and their Wall Street shareholders, must come first.” Utility Watch Nevada partners agree: “Utilities must prioritize the needs of their customers over their profits. While NV Energy and Southwest Gas report record profits, families and small businesses are left grappling with exorbitant energy bills that are driven by soaring methane gas costs and unchecked spending,” said Kristee Watson, Executive Director of Nevada Conservation League. “It’s time to stop investing in outdated, expensive, and polluting energy sources and prioritize smarter investments in local clean energy and energy efficiency.” “Corporate greed is forcing Nevada working families to choose between paying for groceries or paying their utility bills, and we need urgent relief,” said Audrey Peral, Program Director for Chispa Nevada. “Latine families already pay disproportionately higher bills and live in areas with the worst pollution and hottest temperatures. So long as NV Energy and Southwest Gas are relying on dirty and volatile gas, our families will continue to suffer. Enough is enough. The community is demanding change. Utility Watch Nevada is one way to hold corporate utilities accountable to a clean, healthy, and affordable future for all Nevadans.” “As a faith leader and community advocate, I see firsthand the struggles our communities face due to rising energy costs and air pollution, especially low- and fixed-income households. It’s disheartening to see monopoly utilities prioritize profits over the well-being of Nevada families,” said Dr. Mary House of CHR, Inc. “NV Energy and Southwest Gas must be held accountable for their costly decisions that drive our bills up. We must demand the transparency and fairness our friends, neighbors, and loved ones deserve. We have a moral obligation to ensure that all Nevadans, regardless of income, have access to clean and affordable energy. We must stand up to unjust utility practices that disproportionately affect our most vulnerable residents.” “Nevadans deserve affordable, reliable energy. We must hold utility companies accountable for their failures to meet those needs,” said Shaunda Johnson, Executive Director of Faith In Action Nevada. “Our communities, especially those already facing racial and economic injustice, cannot afford to shoulder the rising costs and pollution resulting from NV Energy and Southwest Gas’s outdated and harmful practices. Utility Watch Nevada will help foster the process by which people have the power to ensure transparency, accountability, and clean energy solutions. Together, we will build a future where all Nevadans have access to affordable, clean, and reliable energy, aligning with our shared values of justice, equity, and love.” “I am deeply disappointed, frustrated, and saddened by the soaring energy bills and the pervasive air pollution impacting our communities,’’ said Pastor Marlon of Faith Organizing Alliance. “This new effort empowers Nevadans to stand up to monopoly-owned utilities, demanding greater accountability and transparency from NV Energy and Southwest Gas. We believe that residents deserve affordable, clean energy and a voice in how these utilities operate. Our alliance is committed to ensuring that these corporations prioritize the well-being of the people they serve. Together, we can create a more just and clean energy future for Nevada.” For the past few years, Nevadans have suffered under soaring utility bills and ever-hazier skies while Southwest Gas and NV Energy pad their record profit margins and further commit themselves to dirty, expensive fossil fuels,” said Jarrett Clark, Communications Director at For Our Future Nevada. “From installing rooftop solar to reducing their usage through energy efficiency, Nevada families have gone to great lengths to save money on their energy bills and reduce pollution. But those efforts have been no match for the utilities’ unchecked corporate greed. We’re proud to join Utility Watch Nevada and empower working families to demand the affordable rates and clean air they deserve.” “At Mom’s Clean Air Force, we are committed to holding utilities accountable for their impact on our environment and the health of our families. We believe that transparency and responsibility are crucial in ensuring clean air and a sustainable future for our children,” said Mary Wagner, Moms Clean Air Force Nevada Organizer. “This campaign is an essential step toward demanding accountability and driving meaningful change in the way utilities operate, ultimately safeguarding the well-being of our communities and the planet.” “In a state as sunny as Nevada, every family should be able to reap the benefits of local solar power,” said Bret Fanshaw, West Region Director of Solar United Neighbors. “Unfortunately, Nevada utilities continue to show they will protect their profits and monopoly status over the rights of their customers to go solar. We support Utility Watch Nevada in order to help protect consumers and hold utilities accountable.” Learn more at UtilityWatchNV.org.   ### About Utility Watch Nevada Utility Watch Nevada is a project of community and conservation organizations in Nevada. https://utilitywatchnv.org/

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LCV and Chispa Respond to MAGA Republican Efforts to Suppress Voters in Continuing Resolution

Washington, D.C. — Today, in response to extreme MAGA Republicans’ attempt to disenfranchise and suppress voters by attaching the SAVE Act to a government funding bill, the League of Conservation Voters and Chispa issued the following statements: “Extreme MAGA Republicans continue to attack our democracy and our freedom to vote by attempting to create even more barriers for eligible voters to exercise their rights at the ballot box instead of fulfilling their foundational responsibility of funding the government,” said LCV Senior Government Affairs Advocate David Shadburn. “Trump is now recklessly calling for a government shutdown if extreme MAGA Republicans don’t get their racist voter suppression bill that would undermine election integrity by making voting harder for millions of eligible voters. A MAGA shutdown would harm our communities and protections for our health and our planet, and only benefits those trying to enact the extreme Project 2025 agenda. Congress must get serious and pass a clean short-term continuing resolution into the lame duck.” *** “The SAVE Act is unnecessary and dangerous. It promotes false claims about election interference and erodes the integrity of our democratic process by suppressing eligible voters and casting doubt on a system that is already secure. This legislation and the rhetoric of its proponents are making our immigrant communities and communities of color further targets of hate. We are already facing numerous voter suppression and intimidation efforts, not only from extremist groups but even from our own government officials,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Such targeting, lies, and elevated hate speech about our Latinx communities are promoting a dangerous narrative that threatens to suppress our vote and threatens our safety across the country. The SAVE Act does nothing to help protect our communities and does nothing for election integrity. It only contributes to more eligible Americans having difficulty registering to vote and casting their ballots. Congress has a responsibility to safeguard our nation’s elections and make voting more accessible to all voters. They must continue to reject this legislation in all its forms and not perpetuate myths that put us in danger.” ###

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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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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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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

July Newsletter: Highlighting Community Resilience & Environmental Justice Work Read More »

ICYMI: Chispa, Chispa AZ, Chispa NV, and Chispa TX meet with Members of Congress in D.C. to discuss Clean Energy Benefits under IRA and IIJA in Latine Communities Extreme Heat, Clean Air, Electric School Buses, LNG Pause also Discussed

For Immediate Release June 14, 2024 Contact: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 Washington D.C. – Members and community organizers with Chispa National, Chispa Arizona, Chispa Nevada, and Chispa Texas visited Washington, D.C. this week (June 11-14) to meet with their Members of Congress and key Biden-Harris Administration officials to discuss environmental concerns and clean energy investments in Latine communities across the nation. The discussions took place as a total of 80 advocates from 29 League of Conservation Voters state partners from around the country convened in D.C. for an advocacy week to highlight Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investments transforming communities. Chispa members focused on continued investments and solutions for clean air, clean water, clean land, and extreme heat, such as electric school buses and a continued pause on new LNG facilities in places like the Texas Gulf Coast. They highlighted how investments from the Biden-Harris administration’s affordable clean energy plan are making clean energy and cleaner air a reality by helping fund home energy and vehicle upgrades, and creating good-paying clean energy jobs across the country. The clean energy plan is also saving consumers money as temperatures continue to rise, while combating the climate crisis and environmental injustice. “In my community it can reach 120 degrees. Having this funding and communicating about the opportunities is a matter of life and death,” said Vania Guevara, Advocacy and Political Director, Chispa Arizona, who participated in meetings and also attended a roundtable that included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Chair Debbie Stabenow. “No matter where you live, no matter how much money you make, everyone should have access to clean air, clean water, and public lands. We want a clean energy transition but that cannot come at the expense of our indigenous communities, our working class, or our environment.” WATCH: Roundtable on Inflation Reduction Act Benefits in Local Communities “Our Chispa Texas members had an important opportunity to speak directly to their Members of Congress and administration officials about the issues affecting their daily lives, like stopping out-of-control LNG and hydrogen facilities expansion in their backyards, and access to clean water and clean air,” said Chispa TX Director Elida Castillo. “We were glad to meet with the Department of Energy, EPA and Environmental Justice champions from Texas. Our elected officials got to hear directly from the people, and we hope to continue the conversations for more impactful change brought about by the people, that benefits all our communities immediately and into the future.” View Chispa TX Instagram post. “It was important for my whole family to travel to our nation’s capital because our communities are impacted by poor air quality and heat in Nevada, and we want to raise our voice on behalf of our neighbors and families,” said Guadalupe Lyn, a Chispa Nevada member who traveled to DC with her spouse Rojan Lyn, and teenage son, Nathaniel Lyn. “We met with our representatives and they listened. We discussed electric school buses, charging infrastructure, clean air, clean water, and climate investments that can lower our energy bills and bring good jobs to Nevada. We requested that our federal delegation create a big climate coalition, including Tribes, to learn more about survivorship under this extreme heat and climate change. And we also discussed justice for our community because we want to make sure all these programs are accessible to everyone.” View Chispa NV Instagram post. # # #

ICYMI: Chispa, Chispa AZ, Chispa NV, and Chispa TX meet with Members of Congress in D.C. to discuss Clean Energy Benefits under IRA and IIJA in Latine Communities Extreme Heat, Clean Air, Electric School Buses, LNG Pause also Discussed Read More »

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

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

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