Environmental Justice

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.” ###

Chispa Texas Statement on Governor Abbott’s Inhumane Border Actions Read More »

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.  ###

LCV and Chispa TX Statement on FERC approval of LNG projects Read More »

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.”

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

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.” # # #

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

Become a Volunteer !
Sign Up for Chispa Volunteer
By donating or taking this action, you are affirming your membership in Chispa/League of Conservation Voters and your desire to receive regular Chispa/LCV communications and are entitled to vote for a member of the LCV Board of Directors. By giving your mobile phone number, you agree that Chispa/LCV may call or text you occasionally with important action alerts.
Join the Movement!
Sign Up for Chispa News and Updates