Environment America

On November 5, 2007, Environment America separated from the state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG), bringing with it the organization's national environmental advocacy program. The federation combined several small, state-based advocacy groups that had already separated from the PIRGs.{{cite book |last=Newton |first=David |date=2015 |title=Fracking: A Reference Handbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v78oBgAAQBAJ&q=environment+america+separates+PIRG&pg=PA186| publisher=ABC-CLIO | page=186 |isbn=9781610696920 }} As a result of the separation of the organizations, the PIRGs' scope of work was defined as consumer,{{cite news |title=A good consumer agency is a weak consumer agency, says Trump's consumer watchdog |first=David |last=Lazarus |date=April 17, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-mulvaney-killing-the-cfpb-20180417-story.html}} health,{{cite news |title=KFC promises to ditch antibiotic-laden chicken |first=Jackie |last=Wattles |date=April 10, 2017 |work=CNN |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/04/08/news/companies/kfc-antibiotics/index.html}} and safety issues{{cite news |title=Trouble in Toyland: US PIRG lists dangerous toys for holiday season |first=Nancy |last=Krause |date=November 21, 2018 |work=WPRI |url=http://www.wpri.com/news/us-and-world/trouble-in-toyland-us-pirg-lists-dangerous-toys-for-holiday-season/1082407981}} while Environment America became responsible for the group's previous environmental work. Doug Phelps, who helped build the state PIRG network, became the group's new chair.{{cite book |last=Brobeck |first=Stephen |date=2015 |title=Watchdogs and Whistleblowers: A Reference Guide to Consumer Activism | publisher=ABC-CLIO | page=390 |isbn=978-1440829994 }}

Environment America works to publicize and gain support for solving environmental problems in the United States. Its areas of interest include the use of renewable energy sources,{{cite news |title=Legislators pass renewable energy bills |first=Zain |last=Shauk |date=September 14, 2009 |work=Glendale News-Press |url= http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2009-09-14/news/gnp-energy091509_1_renewable-clean-energy-energy-bills}} climate change, air pollution, fossil fuel dependency,{{cite news| title= Cheap Hot Water? Just Add Sunshine |first=Tony |last=Seba |date=2013-02-17 |work=The Wall Street Journal |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703906204575027012258855730/}} environmental conservation,{{cite news |last=Cotton |first=Josh |title=Enviro group, reps at odds on ANF |newspaper=Times Observer |date= September 20, 2012 |url=http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/559748/Enviro-group--reps-at-odds-on-ANF.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001445/http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/559748/Enviro-group--reps-at-odds-on-ANF.html |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=August 30, 2018}} and offshore drilling. The organization releases reports on topics such as wind energy policy,{{cite press release |author= |title=Environment America Report Enhances Case for Wind PTC Extension |url=http://www.bennet.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/environment-america-report-enhances-case-for-wind-ptc-extension |publisher=Office of Senator Michael Bennet |date=November 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306174106/http://www.bennet.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/environment-america-report-enhances-case-for-wind-ptc-extension |archive-date=March 6, 2013 |access-date=August 30, 2018}} solar energy,{{cite news |title=Honolulu leads nation in installed solar capacity per capita |first=HJ |last=Mai |date=April 4, 2018 |work=Honolulu Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2018/04/04/honolulu-leads-the-nation-in-installed-solar.html}} global warming,{{cite news |title=U.S. states have taken big steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, report says |first=Scott |last=Learn |date=December 4, 2009 |work=Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/12/us_states_have_taken_big_steps.html}} mercury pollution,{{cite news |title=Mercury Pollution Concerns Grow |first=Tami |last=Biddle |date=March 18, 2011 |work=PennLive |url=http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/03/mercury_pollution_concern_grow.html}} companies’ compliance with the Clean Water Act,{{cite news |title=Poultry Expansion on VA Shore Draws Scrutiny after Tyson Plant Pollution |first1=Whitney |last1=Pipkin |first2=David |last2=Harp |date=October 21, 2017 |work=Bay Journal |url=https://www.bayjournal.com/article/a_potential_ally_for_curbing_poultry_industry_pollution_shareholders }} energy efficient buildings,{{cite news |title= As gas prices soar, studies tout energy efficiency |first=Wendy |last=Koch |work=USA Today |date=March 8, 2012 |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2012/03/energy-efficiency-saves-us-trillions-cuts-pollution/1#.URuhhqUtW0s }} extreme weather in the U.S.,{{cite news |title= Blizzard provokes climate change debate among scientists |first=Kate |last=Klernan |work=The Brown Daily Herald |date=February 13, 2013

|url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/2013/02/13/blizzard-provokes-climate-change-debate-among-scientists/ }} fuel efficient cars,{{cite news |title=Powering Down Oil? |first=Denise |last=Lew |work=The Connection |date=June 27, 2012 |url= http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2012/jun/27/powering-down-oil/ }} and levels of carcinogens in waterways.{{cite news|title= Lake Erie ranks in nation's top 50 for carcinogens dumped into water |last=Goodenow |first=Evan |work=The Chronicle-Telegram |date=April 24, 2012 |url= http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/04/24/lake-erie-ranks-in-nation’s-top-50-for-carcinogens-dumped-into-water/}}

File:Climate activist at Capitol South Metro in 2019 dressed in Polar Bear Costume - Support Arctic Wildlife.jpg in 2019]]

Environment America has worked on various environmental policies, including supporting the American Clean Energy and Security Act{{cite news |title=Pro-Environment Groups Outmatched, Outspent in Battle Over Climate Change Legislation |first=Evan |last=Mackinder |date=August 23, 2010 |work=Open Secrets |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/08/pro-environment-groups-were-outmatc/}} and the Clean Power Plan{{cite news |title=Supreme Court to block Obama's sweeping climate change plan |first=Suzanne |last=Goldberg |date=February 9, 2016 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/09/climate-change-supreme-court-barack-obama-plan}} to reduce climate pollution; the Clean Water Rule to include streams and wetlands in Clean Water Act protections;{{cite news |title=Fed rollback of clean water rule could threaten half of NJ's streams |first=Tom |last=Johnson |date=July 27, 2017 |work=NJ Spotlight |url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/07/26/fed-rollback-of-clean-water-rule-could-threaten-half-of-nj-s-streams/}} and the EPA's proposal for a revised fuel economy label.{{cite web|url=http://www.sierraclub.org/transportation/downloads/2011-05-vehicle-sticker.pdf|title=Sierra Club Comments EPA Proposed Fuel Economy Label|author=Sierra Club|year=2010|publisher=Sierra Club|access-date=2013-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515141749/http://www.sierraclub.org/transportation/downloads/2011-05-vehicle-sticker.pdf|archive-date=2013-05-15|url-status=dead}}

The organization has sought to influence environmental policy through politics. Environment America publishes an annual scorecard of members of the U.S. Congress based on how they voted on environmental issues in that year's session. Members of the Democratic Party typically score higher than members of the Republican Party on the scorecard.{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A935765 |title=Congressional Scorecard: Making the Green Grade |last=Nichols |first=Lee |work=The Austin Chronicle |date=2010-01-08 |access-date=2010-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131140107/http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A935765 |archive-date=January 31, 2010 }} The organization has endorsed both Republican and Democratic candidates during national elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/04/19/environmental-groups-endorse-obama|title=Environmental Groups Endorse Obama|last=Greene|first=Brian|date=April 19, 2012|work=U.S. News & World Report}}{{cite news |title=LoBiondo urging fellow Republicans to accept climate change |first=John |last=DeRosier |date=March 15, 2017 |work=The Press of Atlantic City |url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/politics/lobiondo-urging-fellow-republicans-to-accept-climate-change/article_15fb07a2-f6f8-544a-b4ed-6e6549b04f75.html}} In 2008 and 2012, it joined the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters and Clean Water Action in endorsing Barack Obama’s reelection to office.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-endorsed-by-major-environmental-groups/2012/04/18/gIQAAX7lQT_blog.html|title=Obama endorsed by major environmental groups|author=Eilperin|first=Juliet|date=2012-04-18|newspaper=Washington Post}}

In 2012, Environment America contributed $550,000 to Fair Share Action, an independent expenditure committee also funded by Tim Gill. The group conducted get-out-the-vote efforts in support of President Barack Obama during his 2012 reelection campaign.Karen Crummy, [http://www.denverpost.com/2012/10/27/democratic-activist-tim-gill-heavily-funded-federal-super-pac/ Democratic activist Tim Gill heavily funded federal super PAC], Denver Post (October 27, 2012).

In its December 1, 2019, evaluation of Environment America, Charity Navigator gave the organization two of four stars, with two stars for "financial" and three stars for "accountability and transparency". With respect to the latter, several concerns were indicated by Charity Navigator: the FY 2018 Form 990 audited financials did not appear to be prepared by an independent accountant, and the organization's website lacked an easily accessible donor privacy policy and audited financials.{{Cite web|title=Charity Navigator - Rating for Environment America Research and Policy Center|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=14194|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Charity Navigator|language=en}}

Environment America has 29 state affiliates,{{cite web |url= http://publicinterestnetwork.org/page/pin/environment-america |title= Action in the States |author= The Public Interest Network |publisher= [The Public Interest Network] |date= n.d. |access-date= 2013-01-11 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120706013732/http://www.publicinterestnetwork.org/page/pin/environment-america |archive-date= 2012-07-06 |url-status= dead }} including Environment California and Environment Oregon.

{{Main|Environment California}}

Environment California has supported environmental campaigns within California including statewide bans on plastic bags,{{cite news |title=Bill to ban plastic bags advances in Sacramento|first=Mike |last=Lee |work=The San Diego Union Tribune |date=July 8, 2012 |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/08/bill-to-ban-plastic-bags-advances-in-sacramento/}} the reduction of energy inefficient appliances,{{Cite news|url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/state/20060725-9999-1n25energy.html/|title=Even in energy-efficient world, devices' drain powerful|last=Lee|first=Mike|date=2006-07-25|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=2018-06-19|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412024209/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/state/20060725-9999-1n25energy.html/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2013}} and the expansion of the state's solar metering program{{cite news |title=California Net Metering Petition Gains Traction |first=Glenn |last=Meyers |date=November 13, 2015 |work=CleanTechnica |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2015/11/13/california-net-metering-petition-gains-traction/}} and solar energy production.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/us/16sfbriefs.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1361221511-C403kZT7NcJxl6PLvzZ3Jw|title=Consumers Pay the Price|author=Shih|first=Gerry|date=2009-10-16|work=New York Times}} The advocacy group has also worked to reform California’s renewable energy policies.{{cite web |url= http://wandermelon.com/2009/09/01/windmill-tour-in-california/ |title= The Whirlwind Tour: Windmills in California |author= Wycoff, Ann |publisher= [ Wandermelon] |year= 2009 |access-date= 2013-02-17 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130426110628/http://wandermelon.com/2009/09/01/windmill-tour-in-california/ |archive-date= 2013-04-26 |url-status= dead }} Environment California supported a law that Governor Jerry Brown signed in 2011 which mandated that 33% of the state's energy must come from renewable sources by 2020, an increase from the previous requirement of 20%.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2011-apr-13-la-me-renewable-energy-20110413-story.html|title=Gov. Brown signs law requiring 33% of energy be renewable by 2020|author=McGreevy|first=Patrick|date=2011-04-13|work=Los Angeles Times}}

Environment California released reports on the energy consumption of public schools,{{cite web |url= http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/education/4301-schools-go-solar-to-save-cash-revive-programs |title= Schools go solar to save cash, revive programs |author= Keller, Ben |publisher= [The Business Journal] |year= 2012 |access-date= 2013-02-17 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130125041252/http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/education/4301-schools-go-solar-to-save-cash-revive-programs |archive-date= 2013-01-25 |url-status= dead }} solar projects on school campuses,{{cite news |author= |title=Survey: California Schools Going Solar |url=https://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2012/11/16/Survey-California-schools-going-solar/UPI-60481353109085/ |work=United Press International |agency=UPI |date=November 16, 2012}} Californian cities' solar power production,{{cite news |title=Cloudy Skies for LA's Solar Efforts |first=Dan |last=Turner |date=April 24, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-xpm-2012-apr-24-la-ol-los-angeles-solar-energy-20120424-story.html}}{{cite news |title=Five Reasons Why California Cities Will Build One Million Solar Roofs and 12 Distributed GW by 2020 |first=Tony |last=Seba |date=April 24, 2012 |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonyseba/2012/04/24/five-reasons-why-california-cities-will-build-one-million-solar-roofs-and-12-distributed-gw-by-2020/#368cfdd521f1}} "green job" training programs within the state,{{cite news |title=Green Jobs Training Traction in California, But More Jobs Needed in All Sectors |first=Kevin |last=Smith |date=August 6, 2011 |work=Whittier Daily News |url=https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2011/08/06/green-jobs-gaining-traction-in-california-but-more-jobs-needed-in-all-sectors/}} and the costs of fossil fuels.

In 2009, Environment Texas and the Sierra Club filed similar lawsuits against Chevron Phillips for alleged violations of pollution limits{{cite news |title=Green Groups Sue Chevron Phillips Over Pollution

|first=Erwin |last=Seba |date=August 19, 2009 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chemical-lawsuit-chevron-conoco/green-groups-sue-chevron-phillips-over-pollution-idUSTRE57I50220090819}} and Shell for alleged illegal air pollution emissions.{{cite news |author= |title=Exxon Mobile Sued Over Oil Refinery, Air Laws |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40662713 |work=NBC |agency=Associated Press |date=December 14, 2010}} Shell agreed to pay a $5.8 million settlement, reduce emissions from its Deer Park refinery by 80%, upgrade chemical units, and reduce gas flaring.{{cite news |title=Shell Settles Air Pollution Accusations |first=Jad

|last=Mouawad |date=April 23, 2009 |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/business/energy-environment/24shell.html?_r=0}} The following year, the environmental groups sued the largest oil refinery in the United States, ExxonMobil, accusing it of violating the Clean Air Act through the release of emissions from refineries and chemical plants in the Texas Gulf coast.{{cite news |title=Exxon Mobil sued over oil refinery, air laws |date=December 14, 2010 |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40662713}}

PennEnvironment has released several reports that analyze environmental concerns in Pennsylvania including counties' recycling fees,{{cite news |title=DEP blocks Pa. counties from collecting recycling fees |first=Jenna |last=Portnoy |date=October 8, 2011 |work=The Morning Call

|url=https://www.mcall.com/2011/10/09/dep-blocks-pa-counties-from-collecting-recycling-fees/}} the dumping of toxic chemicals by industrial facilities into the state’s waterways,{{cite news |title=Pennsylvania Water 7th Most Polluted in Nation |first=Jared |last=Adkins |date=January 1, 2012 |work=PennEnvironment |url=https://pennenvironment.org/media/pae/pennsylvania-water-7th-most-polluted-nation}} and the building of roads and logging in the Allegheny National Forest. Another report released by the state affiliate found that power plants fueled by coal in the state release large amounts of pollution that contribute to unhealthy smog and put susceptible populations at risk. In 2011, PennEnvironment condemned the government's decision to reject stricter air pollution regulations that would diminish ground-level ozone, the main component of harmful smog.{{cite news |title=Smog in Phila.'s air actually worse than people think, environmental group says |first=Don |last=Sapatkin |date=January 4, 2013 |work=Philly.com

|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-22/news/30189784_1_high-ozone-levels-ground-level-ozone-sunlight-and-summer-heat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220241/http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-22/news/30189784_1_high-ozone-levels-ground-level-ozone-sunlight-and-summer-heat|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2013}}

In 2012, PennEnvironment, along with the Sierra Club, sued PPG Industries for the contamination of lagoons and a solid waste landfill at the company's Ford City site near the Allegheny River which resulted from the disposal of glass polishing waste.{{cite news |title= PennEnvironment, Sierra Club sue PPG over Ford City site |first=Malla|last=Spencer |date=April 20, 2014 |work=Pittsburgh Business Times|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/01/04/pennenvironment-sierra-club-sue-ppg.html}} Chemical testing revealed high levels of arsenic, lead, antimony, iron and chromium at the site. The environmental groups claimed that the company violated the Clean Water Act and Resources Conservation and Recovery Act and failed to follow an administrative order issued by the DEP under the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law to clean up the site in 2009.

{{reflist}}

• {{Official|https://environmentamerica.org}}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cycle=2018&cmte=Environment+America Environment America profile] from OpenSecrets

{{People associated with Public Interest Research Group |state=expanded}}

Category:Environmental organizations based in Colorado

Category:Organizations based in Denver

Category:Supraorganizations