"Clean air is a basic right. The responsibility to ensure that falls to Congress and the president." –Thomas Carper
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Attend Rally, News Conference, and Hearing On Thursday, August 22, Rep. Paul Gosar is holding a "Congressional Field Hearing on EPA and IRS Overreach." He will be primarily targeting implementation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act and the many health and environmental benefits it provides. The Clean Air Act has saved millions of lives and will continue to improve Arizona's air quality -- if it is enforced. There is strong public support for cleaning up the air, including around places like Grand Canyon and other national parks and monuments. Unfortunately, Rep. Gosar and some of the biggest
polluters are trying to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to back off on enforcement of the Clean Air Act, especially regarding air pollution from big coal plants.
Join us for a rally and news conference on
Thursday at 2:30pm outside the hearing (the hearing starts at 3:30pm).
For more information and to let us know if you are coming, please contact Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org. |
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APS seeks to eliminate net metering We need your help to protect solar rights in Arizona. Arizona Public Service (APS) has proposed rolling back benefits for rooftop solar customers by eliminating net metering. Currently, customers with a solar rooftop system can save about 70% on their electric bills by using less electricity from the grid and also by receiving credits for excess power generated by their systems that is sent back to the grid. Societal benefits from solar are also abundant – less pollution, less water use, reduced contribution to global climate change, and more. Now, APS wants to restrict these benefits. Its proposal calls for either significantly increasing the electricity rate for rooftop solar customers or significantly reducing the amount residential solar customers receive for the excess energy they produce, much less than the fair market rate. Both of these proposals would result in drastically less savings for the solar-rooftop customer and would undermine residential solar programs overall. Please speak up and ask the Arizona Corporation Commission to reject APS's proposed changes to net metering. |
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Clean up Navajo Generating Station Navajo Generating Station is currently up for compliance with the Clean Air Act’s Regional Haze Rule to protect the Grand Canyon and other national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas (Class 1 Areas). The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule and now Salt River Project (SRP), the plant operators, and other owners of Navajo Generating Station have released an alternative plan. Sierra Club has concerns about the enforceability of the proposed plan and whether it provides any pathway to clean energy transition. While it appears that SRP now recognizes that pollution from the massive coal-fired Navajo Generating Station must be addressed to protect human health and restore the splendor of Grand Canyon National Park and other parks, monuments, and wilderness areas, this proposal does not meet the Clean Air Act's requirements. The plant operators must comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule or opt for a combination of retirement and retrofits that would meet the same reductions. Utilities in California and Nevada have read the writing on the wall when it comes to old coal plants and are getting out of Navajo Generating Station. Their exit is an important opportunity to begin an orderly transition to a clean energy future while cleaning up our air. Now is the time for the remaining plant owners to act on that opportunity with a clear enforceable commitment. Protect Grand Canyon and our health from coal pollution! For more information, please contact Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org. |
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Join us in September for a special action workshop! Are you interested in learning and doing more about energy issues in Arizona? Join others with similar interests through our Energy Team! We will not be meeting in August, but we hope you'll join us in September for a special workshop on the Navajo Generating Station. Bring your laptop, if you have one, and be prepared to take action! We will also have laptops and pens and paper for comments.
For more information, please contact Jon Findley at (480) 756-2916 or energy@grandcanyon.sierraclub.org or Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org. |
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Energy Tip O' the Day Have you cleaned (or changed) the air filter in your home lately? In your car? Everywhere else? Cleaning these filters increases air flow, which reduces energy usage and makes for a cleaner, healthier home, vehicle, or appliance. (NOTE: By changing out your disposable air filter for a reusable one, you can cut costs and waste! Make sure you use the proper filter for your system.) |
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