Social Justice

For Immediate Release April 4, 2024 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. — Today, the Biden-Harris administration announced awards for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which will direct $20 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to community development entities to finance projects that will reduce pollution, tackle the climate crisis, lower energy costs for families, and create good-paying jobs across the country, particularly in communities of low wealth and communities of color. In response to the Biden-Harris administration’s announcement, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Chispa, and the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) released the following statements: “The Biden-Harris administration is continuing to deliver on their promise to accelerate our country’s progress towards a clean energy future and ensure that a healthier, more prosperous future benefits communities previously left out,” said LCV Vice President of Federal Policy, Matthew Davis. “While extremist MAGA Republicans continue to attack the President’s affordable clean energy plan, these investments from the historic Inflation Reduction Act will jumpstart local projects and help cut energy costs for families, create clean energy jobs, and decrease pollution in communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis and volatile fossil fuel prices. We look forward to these investments catalyzing building energy efficiency and clean energy projects on the ground and are thrilled that over half of these projects will go to historically excluded communities, including communities of color, communities with low wealth, and rural communities.”  *** “Chispa is excited to welcome the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund investments. These will address critically needed green energy funding for our communities of color that need it most, resulting in cleaner air, lower energy costs for all, and more local jobs,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco González. “With local improvements such as community-owned solar, small business loans for local employers to electrify their vehicles, and home loans for families to improve their home’s comfort and energy efficiency, we’re starting to see an inclusive green energy future for all as a reality.” *** “We thank Vice President Kamala Harris for coming to North Carolina and announcing the launch of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund; and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said NCLCV Executive Director Carrie Clark. “According to the latest US climate assessment, North Carolina is one of the top five states facing the most expensive climate disasters. But North Carolina has also ranked first in the nation for business two years in a row, and first in the nation in rural clean energy jobs. If we want this success to continue, we must address the climate crisis. This announcement addresses the heart of the climate crisis and will help ensure North Carolina continues to be a great place for families and businesses to thrive.” ###

For Immediate Release March 20, 2024 Contact:  Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. — In response to today’s finalization of EPA’s light-duty vehicle standards, and yesterday’s DOE announcement of the Petroleum Equivalency Factor (PEF), the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for finalizing cleaner cars rules that advance climate, jobs, and justice. The final rule will slash billions of tons of climate pollution and protect the health of families across the country — particularly those in communities living near busy roads and highways,” said LCV Government Affairs Advocate for Climate & Clean Energy Darien Davis. “This rule, in combination with the DOE’s Petroleum Equivalency Factor and the hundreds of billions of dollars the Biden-Harris administration has delivered in their affordable clean energy plan, will help to supercharge low and zero-emission vehicle innovation and manufacturing across the country — boosting good family-sustaining jobs and decreasing tailpipe pollution. ” *** “Today’s cleaner cars rule will help us get closer to a healthier environment for our comunidades, because we all deserve a bright and healthy future. We know Latine communities and communities of color we work with suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses disproportionately. Regardless of income level or geographic region, people of color have consistently higher exposure to air pollution, diesel, and particulate matter. Tailpipe pollution contains toxic and harmful compounds that contaminate air quality and harm public health,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “We’re glad EPA has finalized stronger standards for passenger vehicles, and this is one more big step forward in cleaning up the transportation sector to prioritize and protect our health and climate. We look forward to seeing stronger truck and bus standards, too, as we move toward a zero-emission future.” # # #

Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s House vote to pass H.R. 7176, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa TX released the following statements: “MAGA Republicans in the House have once again put the interests of their Big Polluter friends over protecting people and the planet,” said Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo. “This extreme bill takes away the government’s ability to even study what is in the ‘public’s interest.’ It represents a shameless handout to the fossil fuel industry and would lock frontline communities and communities across the country in for decades of continued extraction, climate disruption, unstable energy prices, and negative impacts on our health and safety.” *** “H.R. 7176 is terrible for many local communities already impacted by out-of-control LNG expansion all along our Texas Gulf coastline. Today’s House vote represents extremist Republicans acting quickly to protect a few big polluting industries while continuing to disregard the health, energy and environment needs of entire families and neighborhoods, often their own constituents” said Chispa Texas Program Director Elida Castillo. “The impact of LNG facilities on local communities should be taken seriously, and our federal government has a responsibility to examine the impacts of LNG expansion on our environment and communities. Instead, this bill makes it irresponsibly easy for LNG exporters to build, extract, pollute, and then export. The Biden Administration’s pause on new LNG facilities should continue.” ###