TAKE ACTION: DAPL needs a robust environmental review

DAPL continues flowing. 

Despite several victories, the fight to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) continues. After many years in court, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Earthjustice were able to get a court to order the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This is what we’ve wanted — for the Corps to adequately consider the environmental impacts of DAPL — but there’s no guarantee the Corps will partner with the Tribe in a manner necessary to adequately consider DAPL’s impact.

This is where you come in. The Corps is starting what’s known as a “scoping phase” — a period where they will take the public’s comment about what impacts should be included in the EIS. We need you to urge the Corps to work with the Tribe to ensure the EIS is comprehensive and respects the Tribe’s sovereignty. Demand a full assessment of the pipeline's impacts by sending an official written comment before October 26, 2020. 

This scoping phase could make or break the EIS. First, it will tell us whether or not the Corps is willing to engage the Tribe as equal partners and respect their long established treaty rights — something that should have been done from the outset. Second, a successful scoping phase could lead the Corps to study the climate impacts of oil flowing through DAPL, the safety hazards posed by the pipeline, or alternative routes for the pipeline that don’t threaten the Tribe. However, none of this can happen if we don’t show overwhelming support for a robust EIS in the public comment period.

Why is the EIS important? Because as of now DAPL has no permit to operate, and the decision about whether to grant them one will be based on the EIS. An EIS that fully considers the risks of this project and honors the rights of the Tribe will help build our case for the permit to be denied
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This is why we must push and fight. DAPL was built on stolen land considered sacred by the Tribe — it never should have been built in the first place. Please join us in telling the Corps to chart a new course by conducting a comprehensive EIS that respects the Tribe’s sovereignty

Take action by submitting a written comment before October 26th: 

http://ejus.tc/NODAPL

More information about the rule making process:

https://www.regulations.gov/?tab=learn

Another way to take action: 

The Army Corps of Engineers is hosting two virtual public meetings (October 15th and October 16th from 6-9PM CT) about the EIS. We need you to show up and tell them to conduct a full EIS in close consultation with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Speak out at the Dakota Access Pipeline Virtual Public Meeting 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020 AT 4 PM MST – 7 PM MST

Part of this comment period will be two virtual hearings on Facebook live where we all have a chance to tell the Corps how we feel about this project. Let's all show up for at least part of these virtual hearings to loudly tell the Army Corps #nodapl!

Here's more information on the event hosted by the Army Corps: https://www.facebook.com/events/807308510009638/

Earthjustice will provide the link to their Facebook live where you can leave your comment when it's live.

Chase announces plan to align with Paris Agreement, but....

Amidst all the chaos and anxiety of 2020, a remarkable thing happened this week: JP Morgan Chase committed to align its business model with the Paris Climate Agreement — including all the loans it makes.

JPMorgan Chase has announced it is adopting a financing commitment that is aligned to the goals of the Paris Agreement. As part of its strategy, the firm intends to help clients navigate the challenges and capitalize on the long-term economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon world.

It’s a testament to the years of activist pressure that Chase has finally moved. You can read all about the announcement here.

It’s a significant step, especially for the world's largest funder of fossil fuels. But as our country burns and the Amazon dies, we need leaps, not steps. 

This new commitment doesn’t stop Chase from providing loans to coal companies. It doesn’t stop Chase from doing business with tar sands companies that are violating Indigenous peoples’ rights. It doesn’t stop Chase from loaning to fossil fuel companies that are still aggressively expanding their operations.

Chase’s announcement is a big deal — but it is nowhere near enough.

Can you take 3 actions today to demand that JPMorgan chase follow up this announcement with immediate action?

1. Call Chase CEO Jamie Dimon at 212-270-1111. There’s a short call script you can use here.
2. Email Chase executives and board members to demand that they follow up this announcement with immediate action. There is a template email and the email addresses of Chase senior decision makers here. All you need to do is copy and paste the message, and email it to these top two decision makers at the world’s largest funder of fossil fuels.
3. Click here to Tweet at Chase and spread the word about the announcement — and its shortcomings.

There is no doubt that the only reason Chase is starting to act on climate is the pressure it’s feeling from the climate movement. Now we just need to keep it up until it’s actions match it’s lofty words.

-Stop the Money Pipeline

More information: 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201006006106/en/JPMorgan-Chase-Adopts-Paris-Aligned-Financing-Commitment

https://stopthemoneypipeline.com/chase-climate-announcement/