May 07, 2020

Gulf Terminal Putting New Haven at Risk

“This terminal sits directly in harm’s way and is already a terrible threat to the health of surrounding communities,” said Brad Campbell, President of CLF. “This facility was severely threatened by storm surge and floodwaters in Superstorm Sandy, and an ill-conceived expansion plan will invite catastrophe. Gulf must recognize the reality of the climate crisis and ensure that a facility in this location can withstand the impacts without dumping oil and other toxic materials into New Haven Harbor.”

New Haven harbor
Apr 17, 2020

CLF Appeals Ruling in Climate Case Against Exxon

“The communities surrounding this facility cannot wait for the EPA to dig through a mountain of backlogged permits to feel safe,” said Bradley Campbell, President of Conservation Law Foundation. “And waiting for a major storm to expose the vulnerability of the terminal is also not an option. This case needs to move forward now so Exxon is forced to prepare for the impacts the climate crisis will have on this facility. The health of thousands of its neighbors depends on it.”

An aerial view of Exxon's tank farm in Everett, MA showing white fuel storage tanks near the waters of Boston Harbor
Mar 05, 2020

East Boston Substation Fight Exposes Inequities in Public Siting Process

East Boston residents overwhelmingly oppose a proposal to build a massive electrical substation in their neighborhood. In a case highlighting issues of language justice, many residents have been unable to participate fully in public proceedings because of inadequate translation services.

The waterfront site near the dangerous electric substation proposed by Eversource in the Eagle Hill community in East Boston. The jet fuel tanks and other infrastructure in the background highlight the need for climate justice in this community.
Jan 01, 2020

We Have 10 Years to Beat Climate Change. Here’s Why I’m Hopeful.

CLF is no stranger to tough fights and seemingly impossible odds. In our 50-plus-year history, we’ve taken on – and taken down – Goliaths, from Big Coal to Big Gas. Here’s what we have learned from the biggest battles of the past decade – and what we must, and will, do before we reach 2030.

clean energy is key in the fight against climate change
Dec 27, 2019

U.S. Court of Appeals Rejects Fishermen’s Challenge to Monument

“Today’s decision is a clear victory for our oceans and for the Atlantic’s only marine national monument,” said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel at CLF. “This decision upholds protections for one of the most fragile and scientifically important areas in the North Atlantic from destructive activities like oil drilling and industrial fishing. Safeguarding the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts ensures that we are leaving a proud legacy for the people of New England.”

Aug 02, 2019

Big Oil Can’t Shirk Its Responsibility to Communities

Extreme weather caused by climate change may damage coastal infrastructure by degrading equipment containing hazardous chemicals or by flooding storage facilities. But fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil and Shell would rather take their chances and do nothing to ready their facilities. CLF knows, however, that these companies have a legal duty (not to mention an ethical one) to adapt their facilities to the foreseeable effects of climate change.

Jul 23, 2019

CLF Climate Lawsuit Against Shell Moves Forward

“The Shell terminal in Providence is poised for disaster,” said Chris Kilian, Vice President of Strategic Litigation at CLF. “It will take only one significant storm to inundate this facility and release toxic chemicals into surrounding waters and neighborhoods. Shell has failed to protect this terminal from the well-known impacts of climate change, and we will continue our fight to protect the community.”

Jun 20, 2019

Rhode Island Rejects Invenergy

Today, Invenergy was denied a permit to pave over a pristine forest in Burrillville to build a fracked gas and diesel oil power plant that would emit carbon pollution for decades. This is a victory for CLF, for the people of Burrillville, and for a world facing a climate emergency.

Rhode Island Siting Board denies Invenergy a permit to build
Apr 11, 2019

Guest Post: Court Victory against ExxonMobil Gives Weight to Community Concerns

Roseann Bongiovanni is a lifelong Chelsea resident who has led significant environmental justice campaigns over more than 20 years. She is the Executive Director of GreenRoots, Inc., an organization dedicated to achieving environmental and climate justice for Chelsea and East Boston. CLF’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil passed a major milestone in March, which is a victory for… Continue reading Guest Post: Court Victory against ExxonMobil Gives Weight to Community Concerns