Media Contact
Josh Block, Press Secretary
Conservation Law Foundation
Office: 617.850.1709
jblock@clf.org
@joshmblock
CLF has experts available throughout New England on a variety of local, regional and national issues, including climate change, clean water, environmental justice, ocean conservation and renewable energy. For more information, see our list of experts and contact Josh Block.
CLF Press Releases and News Clips
Carlos Rafael’s Fish Fraud Leads to Forfeiture of Vessels, Permits
“Mr. Rafael’s crimes put the health of our fisheries directly in harm’s way, and today’s order helps ensure that he pays a price for that corruption,” said CLF attorney Megan Herzog. “Though this amounts to just a small slice of Mr. Rafael’s assets, it sends a signal that anyone who crosses the line will be held criminally accountable. By reinvesting proceeds associated with this case into stronger monitoring and redistributing Mr. Rafael’s forfeited quota among the fishermen harmed by his egregious crimes, we can begin to turn the page on this dark chapter in New England’s fisheries.”
CLF Pledges to Fight Clean Power Plan Repeal
“This is another shot across the bow in the Trump Administration’s crusade to unravel President Obama’s environmental legacy, and once again, our economy and our communities are the ultimate casualties,” said Greg Cunningham, Director of CLF’s Clean Energy and Climate Change program. “For an administration where ‘clean’ is a dirty word, repealing this critical plan is as unsurprising as it is outrageous. Once again, this president is on the wrong side of history.”
CLF Fight to Stop Water Pollution at Pease International Moves Forward
“With today’s ruling, Pease Development Authority has an opportunity to turn from a polluter to a protector of Great Bay and its communities,” said Tom Irwin, Director of CLF New Hampshire. “Our health and the health of our economy depend on clean, safe water. Now, the leaders of PDA have an easy choice to make: they can be an exemplar of responsible water management, or they can see us in court.”
Carlos Rafael Sentence Shows Zero Tolerance for Fish Fraud
“The sentence imposed by Judge Young today sends a strong message that systemic abuse of our fishery resources will not be tolerated,” said CLF attorney Megan Herzog. “While others played by the rules, Mr. Rafael showed brazen disregard for fishermen, their families, and the health of our ocean environment. Going forward, it is critical that we implement stronger monitoring and enforcement at sea in order to ensure New England’s fishing industry operates on a level playing field.”
Reported Attempts to Undermine National Monuments are Out of Touch
“Our marine monument – the only one in the Atlantic – protects rare and fragile ocean life and serves as an important deep-sea laboratory that will propel forward our nation’s commitment to scientific understanding and innovation. We intend to continue to fight for full, comprehensive protection of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts monument on behalf of all New Englanders who rely on a healthy ocean.”
U.S. Court Allows Suit Alleging ExxonMobil’s Everett Tank Farm Is A Hazard To Proceed
… The plaintiff, nonprofit Conservation Law Foundation, or CLF, claims that ExxonMobil has ignored requirements to prevent its oil storage and transfer site in Everett from discharging pollutants into the Mystic in heavy weather. The ExxonMobil oil terminal and storage facility in Everett is regulated by federal (EPA) and state (MassDEP) authorities, but federal environmental…
CLF Brings Shell to Court for Neglect of Providence River, Community
“This weekend, we saw thousands of homes destroyed, streets flooded and families displaced by Hurricane Harvey,” said CLF president Bradley Campbell. “We can’t wait around for the next natural disaster to inundate our communities. Shell’s facility sits on the banks of the Providence River, poised to spew toxic chemicals into our waters and our neighborhoods with no adequate safeguards in place. If the loss of life and damage from storms like Hurricane Harvey aren’t enough of a wake-up call, then legal action is needed to protect the public.”
Secretary Zinke Withholds Monument Recommendations from Public
“The fate of these treasures shouldn’t be left hanging in the balance,” said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel for Conservation Law Foundation. “Some 3 million people — more than 98 percent of commenters — voiced their support for keeping our national monuments intact. Submitting recommendations that defy the will of the American people and then withholding these recommendations from the public is utterly unacceptable. The president has no legal authority to alter national monuments, and we will take him to court if he tries.”
Nine States Announce Long-Term Commitment to Lowering Carbon Pollution
“With the Trump Administration making every effort to turn back the clock on environmental progress, it falls to state and regional collaboration to lead the way in protecting public health and defending clean air and water,” said CLF attorney Phelps Turner. “For nearly a decade, RGGI has been a sterling example of the positive impact such collaboration can have on both the environment and the economy, and today’s new commitments represent a significant contribution to our work to leave a cleaner and safer home for future generations.”
CLF Ramps Up Fight to Support Maine Solar Power
“The new rule penalizes homeowners and businesses that generate solar energy, hampering our opportunities to increase energy independence, reduce electricity costs and support one of the fastest growing sectors in Maine’s economy,” said CLF Executive Vice President Sean Mahoney. “This LePage-appointed commission wants us to believe that charging Mainers for the energy we generate in our own homes is just and fair, but we’re not falling for it. If this rule remains on the books, it will undermine state policy and threaten an industry already providing hundreds of good jobs across our state.”