Diane Wilson of San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper is the 2023 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner for North America!
Diane is being recognized for her phenomenal December 2019 win of a landmark case against Formosa Plastics, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, for the illegal dumping of toxic plastic waste on Texas’ Gulf Coast. The $50 million settlement is the largest award in a citizen suit against an industrial polluter in the history of the US Clean Water Act. As a part of the settlement, Formosa Plastics agreed to reach “zero-discharge” of plastic waste from its Point Comfort factory, pay penalties until discharges cease, and fund remediation of affected local wetlands, beaches, and waterways.
Diane and her fellow award winners are phenomenal grassroots environmental leaders who prove that anyone can have an extraordinary impact on the planet.
Waterkeeper groups from the Pacific region (Western U.S.) enthusiastically gathered in Boise, Idaho for the 2023 Region Summit. In total, 22 attendees representing 15 of the region’s 42 Waterkeeper groups (plus a handful of guest attendees and Waterkeeper Alliance staff) took time away to learn from one another, as well as an impressive roster of guest speakers.
DIVE INTO DEMOCRACY: Tell EPA to Expand Drinking Water Protections Against PFAS Contamination
We are rallying support for EPA to expand protections from PFAS contamination in our drinking water. This regulation will help protect drinking water for people and communities across the country. In addition to establishing legally enforceable individual Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for two PFAS in drinking water, it would also establish an MCL using a hazard risk index for any combination of the other four PFAS.
You can protect your own community from these 'forever chemicals' by leaving a comment today.
Waterkeeper Alliance Sues EPA Over Unregulated Water Pollution From Oil Refineries, Plastics Plants, and Other Industries
Waterkeeper Alliance, and other groups, filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to set limits on harmful chemicals like cyanide, benzene, mercury, and chlorides in the billions of gallons of wastewater pouring out of U.S. oil refineries, chemical plants, and factories that manufacture fertilizer, plastics, pesticides, and nonferrous metals.
We recently rebranded our Clean and Safe Energy campaign to Climate and Safe Energy. This campaign will advocate for evidence-based climate policy, financial reform, and attainable solutions that protect our water resources while building resilience and adaptation, advancing environmental justice for vulnerable communities, and transitioning from dirty fossil fuels to a no-carbon future.
Rashema Ingraham is the Bimini Coastal Waterkeeper.
Her home islands of The Bahamas attract visitors and tourists from all over the world. Increasingly strong hurricanes are also frequent visitors, as are fossil fuel companies looking to drill offshore. Rashema is working hard to protect her home from these threats and others.
