Sierra Club Executive Director, Michael Brune, and Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris have teamed up in a Forbes op-ed piece about the benefits of the Home Star program.
Sierra Club, Environment Texas, and the National Environmental Law Center received a favorable settlement of $6 million from Shell Oil for violating the Clean Air Act. $2 million of the settlement will fund the East Harris County Solar Energy Pilot Program that will give two Houston high schools 800 solar panels. The settlement also requires Shell Oil to reduce emissions known as "upsets" from its Deer Park oil refinery and chemical plant by 80% over three years. The solar program includes three types of solar panels monitored for comparison through a web-based program in kiosks in the school foyers. The alternative energy system is projected to save the school district $15,000 per year.
The chemical, regulatory, and communications expertise contributed by our Lone Star Chapter helped achieve this victory. Dr. Neil Carmen, a chemist with the chapter, exposed the "upset emissions" violating the Clean Air Act and firmly participated in negotiations. Donna Hoffman, Communications Coordinator for the chapter, drew local, national, and international media attention.
Sierra Club is collaborating with venture capital firms across
the San Francisco Bay Area to co-host a series of salons intended to
identify the key policy ideas and innovations needed to disrupt and
transform America's energy economy.
Sierra Club and Wyoming Outdoor Council filed suit against coal-fired Jim Bridger Power Station in Wyoming for air pollution violations. In settlement, PacifiCorp, the owner of the station, agreed to pay $1 million to the federal government. Approval is pending from U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson. Reed Zars, Sierra Club and Biodiversity Conservation Alliance attorney, played a key role in the successful settlement.
