Press Releases

Audubon, PA — PJM Interconnection, the regional electric grid operator for 13 states including Pennsylvania, announced the results of its grid reliability analysis for the FirstEnergy-owned Bruce Mansfield coal-fired power plant today. The report states the plant is not necessary for grid reliability in the area. Transmission upgrades are scheduled to be in place by the requested retirement date of June 1, 2021, which means the plant can retire on that date as requested with no impact to electric reliability.

Former coal lobbyist and acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler is holding the nation’s only hearing for public comment in Chicago on the Trump Administration’s plan to repeal the historic Clean Power Plan (CPP) and move forward with its Dirty Power Plan.

The New York Times reported late yesterday that former coal lobbyist and acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, has finalized his proposal to undermine the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which will increase the profits of his former coal clients and threaten the health of pregnant women and young children.

Long Beach, NY — The New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) hosted a public hearing on Wednesday to provide the latest updates on the state's plan for offshore wind development for Long Beach. The Sierra Club, labor unions, allied groups, and local residents attended the hearings and voiced their support for strong environmental protections, community benefits, and labor standards in New York’s increasing investment in offshore wind.

Wednesday night, dozens of local residents and pollution experts voiced concern at a public hearing held by Governor Rauner’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) regarding an operating permit for Dynegy-Vistra’s E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant near Bartonville. The IEPA issued an initial draft “Title V” Operating Permit for E.D. Edwards in 2005. However, the permit was then “stayed” and has not become effective due to the State’s administrative review process; in other words, since 1990 the Edwards coal plant has never received a finalized Title V operating permit as required under the Federal Clean Air Act.

Duke Energy has activated a high-level emergency at the retired L.V. Sutton coal-fired power plant, as flood waters from the nearby Cape Fear River have overtaken an earthen dike and Sutton Lake in Wilmington. Meanwhile, multiple releases of pollution from the H.F. Lee coal plant have surged into the Neuse River in Goldsboro.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018, Governor Rauner’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding an operating permit for Dynegy-Vistra’s E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant near Bartonville. The IEPA issued an initial draft “Title V” Operating Permit for E.D. Edwards in 2005. However, the permit was then “stayed” and has not become effective due to the State’s administrative review process; in other words, since 1990 the Edwards coal plant has never received a finalized Title V operating permit as required under the Federal Clean Air Act.

Today, the Omaha Public Power District announced a new strategic directive for the utility that will guide their environmental stewardship for the coming decade. The policy, which also addresses the mix of energy types the utility will use, will now be publicly presented to the full OPPD board.

On the one-year anniversary of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Governor Scott and his Siting Board owe it to this community to deny the Dania Beach fracked gas plant expansion and instead utilize abundant and affordable renewable energy sources like solar.

Former coal lobbyist and acting Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced today that he will only hold one public hearing for his plan to rollback the Clean Power Plan.