Click here to listen to the archived recording of this call.

Click here to download additional resources about fracking, courtesy of the Environmental Defense Fund.

The practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," for oil and natural gas, is highly contentious in other parts of the country--but it's been going on in Texas for years. North and South Texas are both hot spots for drilling, and local communities have approached the practice in different ways. The state has weighed in, too--during the 2011 legislative session, Texas Impact helped pass legislation requiring companies to disclose the types of chemicals and amount of water used in the drilling process.

For our September interfaith environmental conference call, we'll take a look at "fracking." We are excited to welcome Virginia Palacios of the Environmental Defense Fund, who will give us an overview of hydraulic fracturing in Texas--where it's happening, environmental effects, updates on regulation, and a look ahead to possible related legislation during the 2013 session. 

Fort Worth Interfaith Power & Light Leaders Testify at Nation’s Only Public Hearing to Consider the Delay and Weakening of Toxic Air Pollution Emission Standards for Cement Kiln Plants

August 16, 2012

Fort Worth, TX – Members of Fort Worth Interfaith Power and Light (FWIPL) testify today in Arlington, TX at the Environmental Protection Agency public hearing on the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for cement manufacturing.

The new proposed EPA rules would weaken regulations on particulate matter, or soot, from cement kilns and would delay implementation of new emissions standards by two years. Particulate matter emissions cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes and may cause lung cancer. A two year delay of this standard endangers the lives of as many as 5,000 people.

Click here to download the slide presentation.

Join us on Wednesday, August 29th from noon-1pm central time for a special webinar to learn how houses of worship can use the free, online Portfolio Manager tool to measure and track energy use. Register for this free webinar here.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tools and resources that can help your congregation take serious steps toward reducing its carbon footprint. According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR for Congregations program, most congregations can cut energy costs by up to 30% by investing strategically in efficient equipment, facility upgrades and maintenance.

On August 29th, we will learn more about the ENERGY STAR for Congregations program and how Texas congregations can access its tools and resources.

The Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is back in the news. The U.S. State Department is indicating that it will not include climate change among the top impacts of this dangerous project that would destroy Canada’s boreal forests while unlocking some of the most polluting oil on Earth.

Click here to listen to the archived recording of this call

Our June interfaith environmental conference call will be Wednesday, June 20th from 12 to 1 p.m. For this call, we are excited to welcome guest presenter Tyler Edgar, the Assistant Director of the Climate and Energy Campaign from the National Council of Churches’ Eco Justice Program. Tyler heads the Council’s work to address global warming, is a seasoned organizer, and was a UPS Scholar at Dartmouth’s Tuck Business School Non-Profit Bridge Program. She holds a B.A. in environmental policy from Colby College and is an active Episcopalian.

Tyler will be giving us information about the higher carbon emission standards recently proposed by the EPA why their adoption is so vital for America’s future. We will also learn about the many health implications linked to high carbon emissions, along with ways people can engage such issues on local and national levels.