Press Release

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

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 Any and all Congressional mandates to continue this misguided border wall project must be repealed, and the protections of our environmental laws must be enforced.”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

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Chispa Texas Statement on Governor Abbott’s Inhumane Border Actions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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LCV and Chispa TX Statement on FERC approval of LNG projects

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

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

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

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Despite Community Concerns with Gas Prices and Pollution, NV Energy Opening a New Gas Peaker Plant

Media Contact: Carolina Chacon | carolina@chaconconsulting.com | 702-810-7155 While the community continues to support a transition to low-cost clean energy, NV Energy doubles down on costly fossil fuels LAS VEGAS – Yesterday, after an expedited process that included little to no community input, NV Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to build a new methane gas plant received the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). The 440 MW Silverhawk Peaking Plant will be the first gas plant added by NV Energy since 2014. “We are deeply disappointed in the PUCN’s quick approval of NV Energy’s disastrous proposal to open a new polluting gas plant,” said Estefany Carrasco Gonzalez, Chispa National Director. “This decision will hinder Nevada’s ability to transition to our stated goals of achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030, and it will put consumers on the hook paying for costly new fossil fuel infrastructure that will accelerate the climate crisis. Worse yet, out-of-control gas prices have already hurt our families’ ability to budget for basic living expenses.” “Just last month, Latinx consumers told the PUCN that they can’t afford to keep up with the rising costs of gas and want to see more investments in low-cost clean and renewable energy,” said Juan Carlos Guardado, Chispa Nevada organizer. “NV Energy doubling down on gas is wrong for our environment and bad for our pocketbooks.” Methane gas, branded as “natural” gas by the fossil fuel industry, releases potent greenhouse gasses that are more powerful and more polluting than carbon dioxide. Peaker plants like this one are disproportionately located near or in low-income communities and communities of color, exposing families to deadly toxins that poison our health and our environment. Methane gas is also imported from out of state, sidelining Nevada’s vast solar and clean energy potential. “The rushed approval for NV Energy’s IRP reveals a broken planning process that ignores consumer concerns with methane gas and with fossil fuels generally,” continued Carrasco Gonzalez. “We urge the PUCN, NV Energy and other stakeholders to be responsive to our communities and to consider alternative solutions that focus on energy efficiency, reliability and cost-savings, and to account for the environmental and public health consequences of fossil fuels when they plan for and approve new infrastructure.” ### Chispa Nevada is a program of the League of Conservation Voters that builds the power of Latinx communities to fight for climate justice and our democracy. Visit us at https://chispalcv.org for more information.

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LCV and CHISPA Applauds EPA Decision to Reaffirm Advanced Clean Truck States’ Authority

For Press Inquiries Nick Abraham nabraham@lcv.org 206-833-7021 States across the country can continue to protect public health from heavy-duty truck pollution Washington, D.C. – Today, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency reversed another anti-environmental Trump policy and restored waivers for California’s clean truck standards. These standards go beyond national clean truck protections and were first adopted in California but have now been passed in Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Vermont – covering 20 percent of the medium- and heavy-duty market. In response, League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “We are happy to see Administrator Regan make this crucial decision to allow states to further protect public health and tackle climate pollution from trucks,” said LCV Climate and Clean Energy Advocate Darien Davis. “We know diesel tailpipe emissions are a major source of upper respiratory disease, asthma, and cancer and transportation is the nation’s largest source of climate pollution. State leaders across the country are stepping up to protect their communities. This decision reaffirms their rights to use the tools they need to save lives and fight the climate crisis.” “This is a victory for communities across the country who want to breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives,” said Senior Vice President of Community & Civic Engagement Sandra Peréz González. “States like California have led the way to reduce dangerous diesel pollution. There is much more work to do to ensure every community breathes clean air but this ruling allows state and local elected officials the opportunity to step up and lead.”

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LCV and Chispa Slam Republican-led House Passage of Polluters Over People Act

Contact: Emily Samsel, esamsel@lcv.org, 828-713-9647 Washington, D.C. – In response to the Republican-controlled House’s passage of the Polluters Over People Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: LCV Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo: “House Republicans just passed their biggest legislative priority — a disgraceful package of bills that will raise costs, perpetuate the climate crisis, and worsen environmental injustice. Who wins in this bill? Big Oil CEOs that are already raking in sky high profits at our expense. The Polluters Over People Act would lock the country into harmful fossil fuel production for decades and allow destructive oil and gas pipelines to be built without critical community input. Despite Republicans’ misnomer for the legislation, the Polluters Over People Act will actually raise costs for consumers, including by ending popular, cost-saving clean energy rebates and investments, and it would raise the deficit to boot. Put simply, this package will enrich Big Oil CEOs at the expense of communities, especially communities of color, who are disproportionately exposed to health-harming toxic pollution.” Senior Vice President of Community and Civic Engagement Sandra Pérez González: “Chispa LCV condemns the passage of this destructive energy package that does not offer real solutions to high energy costs and would lock us into decades of dirty fossil fuels, perpetuate the climate crisis, and cut out our communities from the process. The last thing our communities need is more dirty and dangerous pollution in the air where we work, play, live, learn, and spend time with our families. The extreme MAGA Republican-controlled House is completely out of step with the vast majority of people in this country who support affordable, clean energy.” # # #

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