THE SUE POPE FUND
REDUCING POLLUTION
IN NORTH TEXAS
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Press Release What: Unusual clean-air charity announces Where: The Crow Collection of Asian Arts When: TODAY, January 30th, 6:00 to 7:30 pm Citizens Celebrate Historic Clean Air Give Away Tonight’s coming out party for one-of-a-kind charity marks release of (Dallas)---The newest and perhaps most unusual chapter in DFW’s struggle to obtain cleaner air opens tonight with the public announcement of the first projects of the Sue Pope Fund at the Crow Asian Art Collection in downtown Dallas. A creation of traditional opponents Holcim Cement and the Downwinders At Risk citizens group, the Sue Pope Fund is the most spectacular feature of an unprecedented “good neighbor agreement” signed in 2005 by both sides. It’s named after the Midlothian rancher and Downwinder matriarch who pursued the original 1998 Holcim permit challenge that lead to the agreement, which commits Holcim to donate significant amounts of money to the cause of air quality. The theme for tonight’s event is “Persistence Pays” and the unprecedented size of the Fund is self-evident proof of this maxim. At $2.25 million, the Pope Fund is believed to be the largest clean air charity in the state of Texas. Its monies can only be used for projects that directly or indirectly lead to reductions in DFW smog pollution. Tonight’s announcements will commit about half of the Fund’s endowment. Supervised by local Downwinders At Risk board members and Holcim, the Fund reviewed over $11 million worth of proposed grants for its inaugural funding cycle. Holcim and Downwinders have agreed to spend the money on ventures that both reap immediate reductions in pollution as well as longer-term, but more widespread benefits. Among the projects anticipated for funding by the Fund are a fleet of 325 DFW low-emission green taxis, discounts for residents who exchange dirty combustion lawnmowers for cleaner electric ones, the founding of a local sustainable development institute within the Dallas County Community College system, and bringing green technology to low and moderate homes in Fair Park. ### |
THE SUE POPE FUND |