What We Do
PACAN 2021:
PACAN 2021: The Year in Review
2021 marks Our third year of work in the EJ/SJ and community development arena. And while there remains much work to be done, PACAN’s work has been impactful, measurable and decisive.
But more work remains to be done.
PACAN’s success is the combined effort of intersectionality with a diverse group, unified by a common cause; to avoid climate catastrophe, save the future of humanity, and save Our World”.
2022 holds the promise of continued growth for PACAN as we aggressively and proactively expand our mission in Port Arthur; addressing pollution, raising our visibility and brand as a leader in advocacy, working for environmental, social and restorative justice in SE Texas.
PACAN Milestones under CEO John Beard, Jr.’s leadership
Beard and LSLA speaking before TCEQ on Savanah Deli oil spill; Commission remands case back to TCEQ’s ED to resolve discrepancies
PACAN Joined Permian Gulf Coast Coalition; Beard is appointed to the PGCC Steering Committee
6/26-PACAN distributes 300-plus monitors and gift cards to Montrose, El Vista, and Vista Village residents
Grants-SETRF, CEER, Rivers Network, EDF, BFFP, PGCC
PACAN CEO Beard in DC for Earth Week 21; MC’d the Washington Monument rally
Beard featured in NPR article
6/28-Beard pens op-Ed on disappointment with 87th Lege, Deshotel and Phelan.
BEARD, PACAN comment to EPA ON Ethylene Oxide emissions...
PACAN gives testimony before EPA listening Grp. On methane emissions rule
3/14/21 Beard in Austin before TX Legislature to support anti-pollution bill;
https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/.../Port-Arthur...
Beard selected to the Big Thicket Associationv
10/4/21-Beard selected to serve on the Planning/Steering Committee for the Permian Gulf Coast Coalition
7/29/2021 Beard does video interview with Time Inc. on industrial pollution, labor issues in SETX
8/17/21 Beard participates in EPA Public Virtual meeting on Ethylene oxide emissions from Indorama in Port Neches, TX.
8/18/21 PACAN, EIP and LSLA file complaint with EPA over it's failure to protect COPA residents from hazardous pollution from OxBow Calcining.
PACAN’s Beard discusses OxBow with Public Health Watch;
https://publichealthwatch.org/.../small-plant-big-polluter/
https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/.../PA-residents-call...
https://www.12newsnow.com/.../502-97eb2afa-4cbd-4fcd-9a1b...
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/.../port-arthur.../...
https://kfdm.com/.../pa-environmental-group-wants...
Beard gives statement on EJ/SJ issues to NEJAC on Enviro, social and “restorative” justice
PACAN co-signs “Alliance for a Clean Texas” support letter on PUC, Sunset Commission hearings
PACAN, Beard give statements to NEJAC on behalf of Sierra Club:
https://www.sierraclub.org/.../advocates-speak-out...
On August 25, PACAN’s request for a “ contested case hearing” was heard by the TCEQ commissioners.
Date for SOAH hearing set, Nov. 16, 2021.
https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/.../PA-group-nets...
SOAH Administrative Law Judges rules in favor of Beard and PACAN as “affected parties” in seeking contested case standing;
Beard quoted in response to Biden inaction on oil exports;
https://www.commondreams.org/.../activists-say-biden...
9/27/21-Beard presents regarding the issue of
"Hurricanes and LNG" Press Briefing
10/4/21-Beard appointed to Board of Directors of the Big Thicket Association.
10/11-15-Beard goes to Washington DC as participant in the weeklong protest, “People vs. Fossil Fuels”, serving as MC for White House speakers events, involved in NPR interviews.
10/23-Beard selected to the Commission Shift’s Advisory Committee
2/21/21 EPA takes up PACAN’s OxBow complaint against TCEQ;
https://www.desmog.com/.../fossil-fuel-oxbow-william.../
10/30-11/11/21
Beard/PACAN in Glasgow UK as a delegate to the UN COP 21 Conference; participated on international panel on methane emissions;
Beard speaks with US Energy Secretary Granholm @ COP on the Gulf Coast petrochemical build-out;
https://mobile.twitter.com/.../status/1457741983196274689...
Beard receives the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship
http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/.../fractracker...
PACAN CEO Beard is the recipient of the Center for Biological Diversity’s 2021 Rose Bratz Award
PACAN petitions US EPA, who tells tells TCEQ to fix Valero air issues
https://digital.olivesoftware.com/.../ShowArticle.aspx...
12/6/21 PACAN CEO John Beard facilitated and MC’d a climate activist protest at the World Energy Congress held in Houston.
- https://abc13.com/.../petroleum-industrys.../11306042/
https://www.facebook.com/peter.bella.125/videos/605070954136774/
12/22/21 PACAN CEO Beard’s interview with Tom Pelton of EIP:
https://soundcloud.com/user-504691926
https://environmental http://integrity.org/.../12/DraftJohnBeardPodcast122221.mp3
ProPublica interviews CEO Beard regarding pollution in Port Arthur;
https://www.propublica.org/.../the-dirty-secret-of...
PACAN’s Blue Marlin video-
PACAN releases two short videos of Port Arthur, industrial sites, pollution sources:
On behalf PACAN’s Founder, Board of Directors and Advisors, we appreciate your support and encouragement.
We ask that you continue the same, because change only comes with involvement, and effort.
Remember, ”Nothing about Us, without Us”!
2020 REVIEW!
Our Mission
PACAN's Achievements: 2020 Highlights
· Motiva EJ Agreement Reached
· PACAN gave testimony before TCEQ on Penalty policy
· Met with TCEQ Chair regarding fines, penalties and SEP’s; led to state agency proposing significant policy changes
· IRS granted 501(c)(3) status
· Filed court case to challenge German Pellets $12,000 administrative penalty with TCEQ
· Submitted comments on administrative penalty for Motiva plant stormwater released during Harvey
· Continuing to monitor the state's Attorney General's office response to the pre-empted Valero Air Quality suit
· PACAN CEO John Beard participates in national press conference on LNG facilities with the Environmental Integrity Project
· PACAN host a "virtual hybrid" informational town hall meeting on the Valero West Side buy-out
· Participated in the COPA's forum on flooding issues
· Founder and CEO Beard selected to serve on statewide Regional Flood Planning Board for the Neches River basin
· Presented before TCEQ on local air pollution issues and their health effects with Environment Texas, Public Citizen, CEER and other leaders in the EJ movement
· TCEQ responded to PACAN request to monitor local industry emissions after Hurricanes Laura, Delta
· PACAN joins BFFP.org, "Breaking Free from Plastics"
· Initiated Focus Group process for Community Engagement on EJ/SJ workscope
· Intervened in Oxbow v. PASE case to obtain sealed documents crucial to future air pollution cases
· Submitted comments on Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG facility
· Submitted Public Comments on TCEQ Penalty Policy Revisions
· Submitted scoping comments on new deepwater port, Blue Marlin Offshore Port, LLC
· Filed petition challenge to Oxbow Title V Permit Renewal with US EPA
· Partnered with EIP in its Title V enforcement action lawsuit against the US EPA
For an organization that began February 22, 2018 and was officially recognized as a non-profit, NGO June 11, 2020, We 've achieved much in a short period of time.
But more work remains to address environmental and community disparities affecting Our quality of life in PATX.
For 2021, PACAN has set an ambitious agenda to address environmental pollution, quality of Life and health issues in Port Arthur.
But we can't do it alone.
With your help, PACAN will continue to keep the public informed and advocate for initiatives that will improve the life chances of all citizens, for a better community.
It takes all of us, , aware and engaged, to be the change we seek.
Remember; "Nothing about us, without us".