Is the Air About to Improve in North Texas?

If Downwinders at Risk has anything to do with it, it just might. The little environmental group that could has teamed up with Holcim, one of the largest cement producers in Midlothian (and one of the largest polluters in the area) to create a charity to fight for clean air. As the release says, “it’s probably the most unique piece of environmental philanthropy in Texas history.” Speaking of that release:

First Ever DFW “Clean Air” Charity Makes Its Debut This Month

(Dallas)— It’s probably the most unique piece of environmental philanthropy in Texas history. It’s already the largest. And among the most improbable.

One of the area’s most vocal environmental groups, Downwinders At Risk, has teamed up with one of its past corporate targets, Swiss-based Holcim Cement, to create a huge charity to fight smog in North Texas.

The result is The Sue Pope Fund, a new local grant making organization dedicated solely to reducing air pollution in the Dallas- Ft. Worth area. It’s a result of an historic settlement agreement between Holcim and Downwinders to address the company’s Midlothian cement plant exceeding its original permit for smog-forming Nitrogen Oxide pollution. It’s named after Downwinders’ founder, the Midlothian rancher who pursued the Holcim permit challenge.

Among the most unique aspects of the agreement was creating the largest private clean air endowment in Texas, with a total of $2.25 million to be spent on local DFW air quality projects. Supervised by local Downwinders At Risk board members and Holcim, the Fund has been reviewing over $11 million worth of proposed grants for its inaugural funding cycle. On January 30th, the recipients of the first grants will be formally announced at the Crow Asian Art Collection.

“It’s a strange and wonderful thing for a group that has historically depended on garage sales to suddenly become millionaires in the world of philanthropy”, said longtime Downwinder board member Becky Bornhorst. “Even more strange and wonderful to have Holcim to thank for that development.” “We at Holcim are delighted to see such great projects emerge from a very thorough process of selection,” said Michel Moser, Plant Manager at the Holcim Midlothian Cement Plant. “We appreciate our partnership with Downwinders at Risk, and are proud to show that working together produces great results.”

Among the finalists being considered for funding are a project that will see 325 DFW conventional gas-powered cabs replaced with hybrid taxis, a lawnmower exchange program, a local sustainable development and a green building initiative of new low and moderate income homes in the Fair Park area of Dallas.

What:
The Sue Pope Fund announces first grant winners of this one-of-a-kind charity
Where:
The Trammell and Margaret Crow collection of Asian Arts 2110 Flora (Between Harwood and Olive)
When:
Wednesday, January 30th, 6:00 to 7:30 pm