Foundation News

Heading into the UN Climate conference in Paris, the U.S. is in a strong leadership position, thanks in no small part to the work of Sierra Club and many allies promoting and defending the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. On August 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the final rule for the landmark Clean Power Plan, which for the first time puts limits on the amount of carbon pollution power plants emit into the atmosphere. The Clean Power Plan is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The next step is for states to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) detailing how they will comply with the federal standards on carbon pollution from the power sector.

With significant funding from a new major funder, Sierra Club Foundation is able to support the Clean Power Plan for Healthy Communities Campaign—a new joint effort by Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships Program, Labor and Economic Justice Program, and the Beyond Coal Campaign—to build broad and diverse grassroots community participation in developing SIPs that will be key to realizing the clean energy goals of the Clean Power Plan. This joint effort will ensure that SIPs are inclusive of frontline communities most affected by the fossil fuel energy economy and that they provide opportunities for quality clean-energy careers for low-income people, communities of color, and working families that have depended on coal and fossil fuel industry jobs.

We are happy to announce that a $3 million grant from a new major funding partner will enable us to provide support to allied organizations and community groups reaching out to their respective members and constituents to participate in the public SIP development process. This is especially important because as the slogan of the September 2014 People’s Climate March states, “to change everything, we need everyone.” Too often, the promise of fairness and inclusion is well-intentioned, but lacks follow-through. It is imperative that we do what we can to provide resources to key partner organizations working to include the perspectives and ideas for solutions from the communities most affected by power plant pollution.

The Sierra Club Foundation  recently awarded $300,000 over three years to the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation to engage labor groups in the SIP process, strengthen collaboration between labor and environmental advocates around shared clean energy goals, and ensure just transitions for displaced workers. As a founding member of BlueGreen Alliance, the Sierra Club understands the interconnectedness of the environment and workers’ rights and categorically rejects the false dichotomy between environmental protection/public health and economic prosperity. Recognizing that working people will need assistance in transitioning from jobs in the fossil fuels industry, we are deeply committed to this partnership with the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation to advance clean energy jobs and protect environmental and public health while ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy economy are truly realized by all.