Cascade Chapter -

The Sierra Club Endorses Jay Inslee for Governor of Washington State

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:38:14 +0000

January 30, 2012 -- The Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club enthusiastically announces its endorsement of Jay Inslee to be Washington State’s 23rd governor. “Jay Inslee brings both a vision and expertise for making Washington a leader on clean energy and forging the good jobs and economic future for the 21st century,” said Andrew Lewis, Chair of the Sierra Club's Washington State Chapter. “We need the leadership that he brings to address the most pressing issues of our time - creating real jobs here in our state and addressing global climate change.”

Lewis said Inslee has consistently been a real leader in protecting and enhancing Washington’s air, land and water - working tirelessly to protect pristine wilderness areas, clean up Puget Sound, and curb dependence of foreign fossil fuels while growing clean energy at home. Jay even wrote a book about how to get our economy going again through clean energy development.

Judge Orders State and Regional Air Agencies to Regulate Climate Change Pollution From Big Oil

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:58:59 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : December 2, 2011

Challenge to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions from WA oil refineries advances

Seattle, WA —A federal judge today ruled that the Washington Department of Ecology, Northwest Clean Air Agency, and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency have unlawfully failed to regulate climate change pollution from the five oil refineries operating in Washington State. Washington Environmental Council and Sierra Club initiated the lawsuit in March of this year. The lawsuit claimed that state agencies have the duty to regulate climate change pollution from oil refineries because this pollution fits within the definition of “air contaminants” in Washington’s State Implementation Plan, which was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and is enforceable under the federal Clean Air Act.

Environmental Groups Take Action to Reduce Oil Companies’ Climate Pollution

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:48:11 +0000

August 24, 2010

Washington refineries are responsible for almost 8% of state’s global warming pollution output

SEATTLE, Wash – Today, Washington Environmental Council and the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club sent a 60-day notice of their intent to file a lawsuit in federal court seeking regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from BP’s Cherry Point oil refinery and four other oil refineries in Washington State. Together Washington refineries account for an estimated 8% of the state’s global warming pollution output, making the sector one of the largest single contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington.

200 People Join Hands at Golden Gardens Beach

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:18:55 +0000

June 26, 2010

Contact: Ethan Bergerson, Sierra Club, 206 552 0675, ethan.bergerson@sierraclub.org

　Seattle Citizens Participate in Largest Gathering Against Offshore Drilling in History
Seattle, WA - On June 26, residents of Seattle joined the largest nationwide gathering against offshore drilling ever held. Citizens met at Golden Gardens Park and joined hands as part of a national Hands Across the Sand day of action.

Big Oil Bailout Blocked in Senate

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:10:53 +0000

June 10, 2010
Contact: Kathleen Ridihalgh, 206-378-0114 x305

Senators Murray and Cantwell Voted against Murkowski Resolution that Would’ve Impeded Global Warming Action and Washington’s Clean Car rule

SEATTLE - The Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club praised Senators Murray and Cantwell today for voting against a resolution that would have bailed out Big Oil and blocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enforcing the Clean Air Act to reduce global warming pollution. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s disapproval resolution failed on a vote of 53-47.

"It would have been remarkably irresponsible to allow polluters to be exempted from even more environmental laws as oil continues to gush into the gulf," said Kathleen Ridihalgh, Sr. Field Representative for the Sierra Club. "Now is the time to crack down on these industries, not let them off the hook. We commend Senators Murray and Cantwell for taking a stand. The Senate did the right thing by rejecting this measure."

Youth Nationwide Get Outside and Celebrate Nature

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:39:06 +0000

March 31, 2010
Contact: Oliver Bernstein, Sierra Club, 512.289.8618

Get Outside Day! 2010 encourages hundreds of young leaders to declare their connection to the outdoors.
Washington, D.C. – This week, hundreds of young people across the nation are abandoning the couch, unplugging laptops, silencing cell phones and heading outdoors to celebrate the second annual Get Outside Day! on April 3, 2010. Throughout this week they are declaring themselves "Natural Leaders," youth who enjoy getting out in nature and want to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

Sierra Club Applauds State Senate for Repeal of Coal Plant Subsidy and Is Troubled With Statement From Governor’s Office

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:40:12 +0000

March 24, 2010

Tax exemption helps multi-billion dollar TransAlta, not workers.

Washington legislators are in their final days of hashing out responses to the state’s multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Still in play is the $5 million-a-year sales tax exemption for TransAlta, the multi-billion-dollar Canadian corporation that owns the coal-fired power plant in Centralia. Today, the Governor’s office confirmed her opposition to the Senate proposal to remove this tax exemption.

The Sierra Club, Coal-Free Washington Campaign Director Doug Howell responded to the Governor’s comments. "TransAlta’s coal plant is Washington’s single largest stationary source of pollution, including carbon dioxide, toxic mercury and haze. A better use of that public money is investing in a clean energy future. The Sierra Club supports redirecting these funds to investments in clean energy workforce development.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Rivers Bill Passes U.S. House of Representatives

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:13:02 +0000

Bipartisan Legislation One Step Closer to Preserving Additions to Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Portions of the Pratt River and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River

SEATTLE — March 18, 2010 Supporters of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769 / S. 721) celebrated as the legislation moved closer to final passage.

The measure, which passed out of the House of Representatives today, would protect an additional 22,000 acres of wilderness adjoining the existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and would add 10 miles of the Pratt River and nearly 30 miles of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River to the National Wild and Scenic River System. Washington wilderness supporters thanked Representative Dave Reichert for his continuing leadership, advocacy and bipartisan approach to protecting the wilderness and free-flowing rivers in the North Cascades.

Port Susan Shellfish Safe for First Time in Decades

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:20:43 +0000

by GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News, Posted on March 8, 2010 at 5:58 PM

ARLINGTON, Wash. - Twenty-five years ago the Stillaguamish Tribe turned its back on the contaminated bay which was once its food basket.

Development around Port Susan had left it polluted with fecal coliform. Human and animal waste had been flowing into the shallow bay and mudflats for decades.
But 12 years ago, the tribe decided to do something.

Last Chance Missed for Transit Tax

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:48:57 +0000

Posted By Jordan Schrader on March 8, 2010 at 6:06 pm

Lawmakers have probably missed their last chance to do something to bail out struggling transit agencies.

Pierce Transit and its Snohomish County counterpart, Community Transit, say they need funding to stave off cuts to bus service. They want authority to levy a $20 fee on vehicles in the county without voter approval, or a bigger fee if voters permit.

EPA Gives Bellingham $350,000 Grant for Climate Change Project

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:48:05 +0000

THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
- KIE RELYEA

BELLINGHAM - The city has received a $350,000 federal grant for a project to reduce carbon emissions by reducing energy use.

The money comes from the Environmental Protection Agency through its new Climate Showcase Communities program. Bellingham is among the first cities in the nation to be awarded such a grant - becoming one out of 25 to receive the money from a pool of 450 applicants, according to a city news release.

New Guidance On Climate Change to Improve National Environmental Policy Act

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:38:56 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2010
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Washington, D.C.-- The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today issued three new draft guidance documents with regards to the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, which has now been protecting our environment for 40 years. In addition to the draft guidance on global warming emissions and climate change, CEQ also issued guidance on mitigation and monitoring and establishing and applying categorical exclusions.
Full details on all three are available at: http://bit.ly/clfwZB

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"The National Environmental Policy Act is one our nation's most important and most successful environmental laws. It's very encouraging to see that after 40 years of success in protecting our environment, the Obama administration is adapting the law to help it better address the greatest environmental challenge of today--climate change. Given the impacts of global warming pollution, considering these emissions under NEPA is clearly the right thing to do.

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to State's Municipal Water Law

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:19:05 +0000

Media Advisory for Monday, January 11, 2010
For additional information: Rachael Paschal Osborn (director, CELP)
509.954-5641 (mobile), rosborn@celp.org

Supreme Court to hear challenge to state's municipal water law
Overpumping threatens Washington rivers, drinking-water aquifers

OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, January 12, the Washington State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a landmark lawsuit challenging municipal water rights. The plaintiffs include individual water right holders who claim injury to their water rights as a result of the law, conservation groups, and Indian Tribes.

Goldmark Designates Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA)

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:33:18 +0000

December 3, 2009

10,270 acre site links Mount Si to federal forests

OLYMPIA – At the annual Mountains to Sound Greenway Dinner last night, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark designated the new Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA). The river valley was identified as ecologically distinguished, featuring patches of natural-origin forests, important fish and wildlife habitat, and scenic views.

This natural area, with 10,270 acres within its boundary, is nested along Interstate 90, and flanked by the Mount Si NRCA and federal forests. It will offer habitat corridors for many large and small animal species alike, and it will support the vision of the Mountains to Sound Greenway.　

Department of Natural Resources Begins Restoration and Trail Construction in Reiter Foothills Forest

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:38:10 +0000
Temporary closure goes into effect November 2

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be giving extra attention to state trust lands in the Reiter Foothills Forest in southeastern Snohomish County this fall, winter, and spring. DNR staff and volunteers will be restoring damaged habitat, beginning construction on new trail systems, and working to improve public safety. To accomplish these goals, DNR will temporarily close the Reiter Foothills area to everything but foot traffic beginning November 2. The closure will allow restoration work to proceed more effectively. At the same time, DNR will be working with volunteers to locate trails that are fun, challenging, and environmentally sustainable, with low maintenance.