Waterspirit has been paying close attention to the investments and policies that are continuing to perpetuate fossil fuel. Even in the wake of broad announcements like yesterday’s breaking news update about the Biden-Harris Administration introducing standards toward the reduction of fossil fuel pollution, there is no full throated effort to prevent pollution from dirty gas.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Department of Energy is still investing dollars into Carbon Capture and Storage or Sequestration, a false solution and waste of investment dollars and time. Our Public Policy & Justice Organizer has been warning against “carbon utilization” since she learned about it 15 years ago.
She was quoted in Common Dreams last year advising, "If we are to provide a livable future for current and future generations of young people and all creation, we must invest solely in renewable energy, not furthering fossil fuel fallacies," she emphasized. "Subsidies going to the most heinous polluters are only continuing through this legislation; congressional representatives must know better by now."“
Representatives and leaders may know better but they are not choosing to do their best in 2024. The new rules will do nothing to regulate existing power plants and the false solutions we constantly educate about are still included, supported, funded by the federal government.
Waterspirit spent all this Earth week partaking in the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council’s (NEJAC) convening which centered on cumulative impacts of environmental racism across the land. In New Jersey, we have a responsibility to push for the squeakiest clean energy and wholehearted community led oversight given the other states are looking to the landmark cumulative impacts law we have on the books.
While there is still no clarion call to cut ALL fossil fuel gas infrastructure at the source, it is incumbent upon advocates to speak truth to power and mobilize residents to use their voices. The experiences shared through storytelling are making a difference in places of power. As we closed up yesterday, it was clear to the NEJAC that carbon capture, PFAS, lead, and hydrogen hubs are what are most concerning to water advocates, to say nothing of water scarcity. This is still progress.
We continue to make a difference when we show up. Let’s use our opportunities to organize, speak and share written comments to move people into the climate action we know must take place for a livable future for future generations.
Visit Waterspirit’s Calls to Action Page today and get involved in our work!