June 2023 – HHN Newsletter (Issue #13)

June 19, 2023/Ryan Clover

This week marked Juneteenth, a holiday that reminds us that big structural changes are possible through organizing and action.

Understanding our history can prepare us to navigate today and the future we’re creating. Here’s to moving forward in solidarity toward a safer and equitable future.

🚨 Network & Partner Alerts

The following alerts are posted in the Network Bulletin. Visit the network to add your updates.

Crowdfunding campaign to support the documentary “Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil & Gas Wars” – Brian Hedden, Film Director
Visualizing Pollution: Corpus Christi Data Dashboard – FracTracker Alliance
ORVI is releasing a report on the Shell Ethane Cracker in Beaver County, detailing the economic trajectory of Beaver County since the plant was proposed in 2012. – Ben Hunkler, ORVI
FracTracker has a new report analyzing the capacity for water recycling in Colorado for Oil & Gas extraction – Kyle Ferrar, FracTracker
🔥 Urgent Action Required to Protect Wallace, Louisiana! – Jo & Joy Banner, The Descendants Project.
Cancel MVP published an article in EJ Today magazine (Pg 47-48) on their efforts to press the Senate Finance Committee to investigate the financial viability of the Mountain Valley Pipeline – Freeda Cathcart, Cancel MVP
The Mountain Valley Pipeline Fight: Where’s it at and where it’s going – Kevin Richardson, Halt the Harm Network
Are Synthetic Playing Surfaces Doing More Harm Than Good? – Tamela Trussell, Move Past Plastic
SIGN ON: Group comment letter on BLM Public Lands Rule – James Sigaran, American Rivers and Natural Resources Defense Council
Petition urging the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to use FLIR Optimal Gas Imaging (OGI) – Tonyehn Verkitus,

📆 Upcoming Events

To get upcoming events, make sure your profile is up to date and turn on notifications in the 📆 Events Calendar.

June 24: Celebrate and Protect Our Beautiful Ohio River by Volunteering with CROW, Citizens for Rights of the Ohio River Watershed
June 28: Environmental Polling Consortium Community Poll Briefing
June 28: A New War on Cancer – Book Event, Protect PT
June 29: Virtual Screening – “Fracking the System: Colorado’s Oil & Gas Wars”, Halt the Harm Network
July 13: HHN Monthly Call
July 18: Hazards of Synthetic Playing Surfaces, Move Past Plastic

📹 Event Recordings

Here are links to the last 4 recordings available in the network

Leader Interview: Creating Engaging Community Programs with Hannah Spencer of Mountain Watershed
Leader Interview: Fighting forever chemicals on the local and federal level – Teena Halbig
Discussion of “A New War on Cancer” by Kristina Marusic, PSR PA
A Public, Renewable Power Future: Moving Beyond Monopoly, Fossil-Fueled Utilities, Center for Biological Diversity

→ See all events in the Network Recordings Space and leader interviews in the Interviews Space

👋 Leader Profile:

Meet Hannah Spencer, Mountain Watershed Association

Hannah is the Program Development Manager at Mountain Watershed Association, situated in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. We recently interviewed her for Halt the Harm Network’s Cafe Chat. Catch the replay of that here.

Hannah’s passion for environmental justice and nature conservation stems from her upbringing in West Virginia, where she developed a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors. Her journey into environmental activism began in high school when she researched mountain top removal mining, which sparked her interest in protecting the environment.

At Mountain Watershed Association (MWA), Hannah plays a vital role in the organization’s multifaceted work. MWA has a number of water quality initiatives, including manages 6 abandoned mine drainage treatment sites within the Indian Creek watershed that treat water from iron and aluminum contamination from legacy coal mining. The organization leads efforts in land conservation, recently acquiring nearly 200 acres in the Indian Creek Gorge to promote public access for fishing and conserve a wild-reproducing trout stream. MWA organizes to protect the community and watershed from pollution from coal mines, methane gas activities, and hazardous waste landfills.

We want to thank you to Hannah for sharing her story and for all of the incredible work her and her team at Mountain Watershed Association do! Learn more about their work here: https://mtwatershed.com/

🎉 Acknowledgements

An example of replacing peaker power plants with clean energy solutions

BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the dedicated team at BEAT/No Fracked Gas in Mass! Your exemplary efforts in advocating for environmental justice by expediting the transition from polluting power plants to clean, cost-effective energy solutions are truly commendable.

By retiring two plants in Berkshire County and negotiating with others, you’re not only lowering the climate impact but also enhancing the health of local communities, especially those disproportionately affected by emissions. → Read more here

Thank you for reading!

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