Our Stories

The Latest by Emilie Karrick Surrusco

Writer

Emilie has spent the past two decades as a journalist, speechwriter and communications strategist in Washington, D.C. At Earthjustice, she shares the stories of the people and issues at the heart of our clean energy litigation and policy work.

Do you know where your Thanksgiving turkey came from?
November 16, 2018

A Just Way to Put Food on the Table

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Sustainable Food & Farming Program

From banning toxic nerve agent pesticides to protecting our farmworkers, Earthjustice remains committed to remaking our food system into one that nourishes and sustains life for all of us.

These NASA satellite images show water discolored by excess soils, sediments, decaying leaves, pollution and other debris after Hurricane Florence.
September 21, 2018

Hurricane Florence Brings Another Hog Waste Flood to North Carolina

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Sustainable Food & Farming Program

Mixed in with the hurricane's floodwaters are the contents of huge pits filled with pig poop.

Gov. Brown signs SB 100
September 10, 2018

It’s Official! California Is Moving Toward Zero-Carbon Energy

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  California Office

California Governor Jerry Brown just signed a bill to reach 100 percent clean electricity by 2045.

Sunny skies are the norm in southeastern New Mexico. But until recently, an unfair fee by the local utility limited local residents’ ability to embrace solar power.
September 5, 2018

New Mexico Solar Installer Joins Fight Against Unfair Fee — and Wins

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Clean Energy Program

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission canceled a local utility’s solar surcharge.

Construction on the Bayou Bridge pipeline in Louisiana
June 21, 2018

Company Rushes to Build Pipeline Through Bayou Despite Invalid Permit

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Fossil Fuels Program & Northwest Office

The company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline is digging on a new project in Louisiana, even after a court deemed its permit invalid.

New Orleans East residents opposed to the proposed Entergy gas power plant wait outside the New Orleans City Council meeting on March 8.
May 10, 2018

At Power Plant Approval Meeting, Paid Actors Spoke While Residents Were Locked Out

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Clean Energy Program

We've asked the Louisiana attorney general to investigate a New Orleans City Council meeting where actors were paid to speak in favor of placing a gas plant in a neighborhood that didn't want it there.

Pat Bryant, left, leads a march against environmental racism and Entergy’s proposed New Orleans East gas plant on March 3, 2018.
April 25, 2018

Community Uprisings Against Dirty Energy Spread to New Orleans

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Clean Energy Program

With help from Earthjustice, New Orleans East communities are fighting a controversial gas-fired power plant proposal.

Crawfisherman Jody Meche drives through Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin on his way to check his traps.
February 26, 2018

Crawfisherman’s Fight Brings Pipeline to a Halt

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Fossil Fuels Program & Northwest Office

Crawfisherman Jody Meche’s family has lived off Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin for generations. Now he’s fighting to protect it—and his way of life—from a destructive oil pipeline.

Students at Ya Ne Dah Ah School, the only school in Alaska owned and operated by an Alaska Native tribe, display drawings of salmon. Members of the Chickaloon Native Village worry about the school's fate if the Usibelli Mining Company moves forward with a
January 9, 2018

Chickaloon Native Village in Alaska Fights for Its Future

By Emilie Karrick Surrusco  /  Alaska Office

A coal mine threatens the tribe's traditional way of life.