L.A.'s wellness crowd says it's amazing. The EPA says its filter should be registered as a pesticide. But the true story of The Berkey gets even weirder.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is teaming up with United Airlines to measure greenhouse gases and pollutants in the sky during domestic flights.
The agency's top air quality official said EPA is taking extra time to make sure its decisions hold up in court.
Harris has prioritized protecting public lands and pursued accountability for polluters, but her track record on tribal affairs is mixed. The post What a Kamala Harris presidency could mean for the West appeared first on High Country News.
Scientists say government’s approach to emissions cutting is ‘high risk’ and reliant on ‘immature technologies’ New Zealand’s ambitious plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 is at risk of being derailed, as the government backslides on climate policies, new figures show. In 2019, the Labour government passed landmark climate legislation , committing the nation to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and meeting its commitments under the Paris climate accords. It requires future governments to detail how New Zealand will meet its greenhouse gas targets on the way to a carbon-neutral future. Continue reading...
An E&E News review found that although toxic air releases at many plants have dropped, others have spiked.
While Utah's public lands tend to be admired by most who cross them, there’s an argument that has Utahns divided: When and where should motorized vehicles be allowed?
The Sask. Party claimed a victory Monday in its showdown with Ottawa, winning an injunction to block the CRA from collecting the carbon tax ahead of a Federal Court hearing.
A cut to the Safer Choice program's budget put consideration of adding other product categories on ice.
While there are already multiple satellites monitoring greenhouse gases from space, Carbon-I's resolution would be unprecedented.
The talking points, allegedly authored by former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, tout carbon dioxide reductions during the Trump administration.
The ruling halts enforcement of stricter power plant pollution limits in 11 more states.
The country wants to cut 70 percent of its total emissions by 2030.
Climate models suggest that a possible scheme to cool the western US by making clouds brighter could work under current conditions, but may have severe unintended consequences in a future scenario
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Brian Schatz questioned utility CEOs on the Edison Electric Institute board about the decision to sue over the Biden rule.
About 29 million U.S. households could be contaminated by soil lead levels that exceed new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.
A watchdog group says the Environmental Protection Agency should conduct additional soil studies around the site of a toxic train derailment in Ohio after independent testing found high levels of chemicals in locally grown garlic
EPA refuses to name untreated sites but says all schools and hospitals have been cleaned as it continues criminal investigation into contamination Asbestos mulch locations: map and full list of sites where it has been found Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast Dozens of contaminated sites in Sydney are yet to be cleaned up six months after asbestos was first discovered in mulch at a public park, as the New South Wales treasurer urges the environment regulator to “throw the book” at polluters. The Environment Protection Authority is refusing to name the sites that are yet to be remediated as it continues its criminal investigation into the source of asbestos contamination in recycled garden mulch that was used widely across greater Sydney. ...
This hefty increase in carbon taxes has been a hot topic in Singapore’s refining sector, following the sale of Shell’s flagship Bukom and Jurong Island refinery and petrochemical facilities amid stiff competition.
The rule designating two PFAS as hazardous gives EPA the power to make polluters foot the bill for cleanups.
Regulators rescind controversial accounting rule that South Coast Air Quality Management District used to shield polluters from paying millions in fees.
See what projects are expected to get the funding. The post $350M in federal land sales likely to benefit Nevada public lands and wildlife appeared first on High Country News.
The agency proposed its first approval of an experiment off the coast of Massachusetts.
Combining multiple water systems can benefit communities, but the process can also raise concerns about equity, EPA said.
STATEMENT: Approximately 3,100 More Electric School Buses To Bring A Clean Ride For Kids Thanks To Clean School Bus Program Funding casey.skeens@wri.org Wed, 05/29/2024 - 09:30 WASHINGTON (MAY 29, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced funding to bring approximately 3,100 more electric school buses to students nationwide. The $900 million in total rebate funding announced through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $5 Billion Clean School Bus Program will help remove dirty diesel-burning school buses in approximately 530 school districts. The funding announcement comes in response to the continued outpouring of demand for clean rides to school: more than 900 applicants chose to apply for approximately $1.7 billion in funding...
This is the third time EPA has doled out money for green buses. In total, the agency has allocated about $3 billion for 8,500 buses.
US agency found PFOS and other types of PFAS in pesticides but failed to disclose those results, watchdog group alleges Documents obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate the agency may have presented false information to the public about testing for harmful contaminants in pesticides, according to allegations being made by a watchdog group and a former EPA research fellow. The claims come almost a year to the day after the EPA issued a May 2023 press release that stated the agency found no per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in testing of samples of certain insecticide products. The press release contradicted a published study by the former EPA researcher that had reported finding PFAS in the same pesticide products. This story is co-published with...
“The Public Lands Rule will bring much needed and long overdue balance to the agency’s management of these lands across the West and throughout Utah.”
The lawsuits say EPA shouldn't factor in personal protective equipment when determining the risks of high-priority chemicals.
The trade group asked a federal appeals court to allow it to back specific parts of the rule, even as it opposed the agency's reliance on carbon capture technology.
Officials say spending on brownfield revitalization has quadrupled in recent years under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $300m in new funding to clean up and redevelop 200 industrial sites across the country. Speaking on Monday from what was once an oil station in south-west Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood, the EPA’s administrator, Michael Regan, said his agency would allocate $2m to transform the site – which officials say is contaminated with lead and semi-volatile organic compounds – into a waterfront bike trail and office buildings. “With this funding, Philadelphia will be able to work with this site and reconnect Kingsessing to the riverfront,” Regan said. Continue reading...
In a preliminary assessment, EPA said the chemical poses an "unreasonable risk" to human health, despite its use for food safety and other purposes.
The lawsuit is the latest challenge to the Biden administration's effort to curb carbon pollution from the power sector.
A whistleblower is accusing the Environmental Protection Agency of straying from typical protocols for investigating contamination after the toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio last year.
Hovering over the review is disagreement over whether the status quo is adequate or a stronger limit is needed.
Patrick Morrisey promised another win against EPA after his successful Supreme Court takedown of the Obama Clean Power Plan.
Eric Schaeffer is retiring from the nonprofit he launched after he resigned from EPA.
New EPA Rules Will Cut Pollution from Power Sector 2024 Omari Spears Mon, 05/06/2024 - 16:21 Read press release
A new regulation will help determine which operators must report greenhouse gas emissions each year.
“By failing to develop and submit to Congress updated reports in 2019, 2021 and again in 2023, EPA deprived Congress and the public of a key Clean Water Act tool,” the groups say.
A toxin found in paint strippers that's responsible for 85 U.S. deaths over the past five decades will be phased out for many uses, under an Environmental Protection Agency rule finalized Tuesday.
An official at Pitt Ohio said the technology isn’t in place to electrify trucking fleets yet.
Agency announces rule on methylene chloride, colorless liquid used for stripping paint, cleaning metal and decaffeinating coffee The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday that it will ban most uses of methylene chloride, a colorless liquid used for stripping paint, cleaning metal, and even decaffeinating coffee. The chemical has been linked to dozens of deaths and advocates have long called for its ban. The new rule will require stronger worker safety protections from the harmful carcinogen for the remaining “critical” uses. All consumer use will be prohibited within a year, while most commercial and industrial use will be phased out within the next two years. Continue reading...
Advocates cheered a decision that keeps 200 wild horses at the 70,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The legal challenge aims to overturn new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas drilling on public lands.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a slate of new final new rules that will crack down on pollution released by power plants.
STATEMENT: U.S. EPA Issues Strong Pollution Standards for New and Existing Power Plants alison.cinnamo… Thu, 04/25/2024 - 08:03 WASHINGTON DC (April 25, 2024) — Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized strong new pollution standards for the electric power sector, which will result in unprecedented reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Biden administration’s whole-of-government approach to tackling the climate crisis. The new rule requires existing coal-fired units to begin capturing nearly all carbon dioxide emissions by 2032 or cease operations by 2039, compared to 2030 and 2040 in the draft rule. New natural gas plants that operate more than 40% of the time would need to capture nearly all of their carbon by 2032, several...
STATEMENT: EPA Makes Nearly $1 Billion in Funding Available for Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Including Electric School Buses and Trucks nate.shelter@wri.org Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:02 WASHINGTON (April 24, 2024) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched its new 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, designed to help transition heavy-duty vehicles – including school buses and trucks – to zero-emission models. EPA released program guidance and officially opened the funding program’s application portal on the agency’s website . The program, created by the Inflation Reduction Act, makes nearly $1 billion in funding available to help municipalities, states, territories, Tribes, school districts and nonprofit school transportation associations...
The agency’s latest annual greenhouse gas inventory has mixed messages on the carbon-saving performance of forests and agricultural land.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed two chemicals as 'hazardous' and added them to the Superfund law that holds industries accountable for the cost and clean-up of the toxins.
The Environmental Protection Agency designated two of the most widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances.
The agency admitted mistakes in the Clean Air Act standards update to curb soot emissions at mini-mills.
As a result, power plants, compressor stations and other industries that rely on turbines will have to keep meeting national emission standards for formaldehyde and other hazardous pollutants.
Only 138 of the agency's more than 20,000 employees are full-time historians, the National Parks Conservation Association found.
by Lisa Song ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Nearly 100 people crowded into the library in Calvert City, Kentucky, in February when the Environmental Protection Agency hosted a public meeting on air pollution. Many had discovered flyers in their mailboxes explaining how the agency had found “elevated levels” of chemicals that “can pose an increased risk of cancer.” The EPA aimed to deliver a simple message that evening: Local petrochemical plants were leaking...
Wednesday the Environmental Protection Agency announced new drinking water standards to limit people's exposure to some PFAS chemicals. For decades, PFAS have been used to waterproof and stain-proof a variety of consumer products. These "forever chemicals" in a host of products — everything from raincoats and the Teflon of nonstick pans to makeup to furniture and firefighting foam. Because PFAS take a very long time to break down, they can accumulate in humans and the environment. Now, a growing body of research is linking them to human health problems like serious illness, some cancers, lower fertility and liver damage. Science correspondent Pien Huang joins the show today to talk through this new EPA rule — what the threshold for safe levels of PFAS in tap water is, why the rule is happening...
The EPA has issued federal limits on dangerous "forever chemicals" in drinking water, which it says will save thousands of lives and prevent serious illnesses.
Arizona's Supreme Court says an abortion ban passed during the Civil War should be the law of the land today. The EPA is putting limits on PFAS in drinking water.
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced its first-ever limits for several common types of PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Technicalities and hesitations softened the effect of Trump's withdrawal last time. Here's what could make another departure more serious.
Doug Emhoff has used his platform to advocate for protecting public lands.
Research shows ‘forever chemicals’ increasingly found in products as agency claims the chemicals aren’t being used Toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” are widely added to pesticides, and are increasingly used in the products in recent years, new research finds, a practice that creates a health threat by spreading the dangerous compounds directly into the US’s food and water supply. The analysis of active and inert ingredients that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved for use in pesticides proves recent agency claims that the chemicals aren’t used in pesticides are false. Continue reading...
Two studies pinpoint their likely industrial sources and mitigation opportunities.
At least seven lawsuits on the EPA chemical regs are pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
EPA had plans to designate more "forever chemicals" as hazardous under the Superfund law.
Emergency rulings are “fundamentally changing the way EPA authority works,” said one environmental lawyer.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that several of the carmaker's vehicles from 2012 to 2018 did not comply with federal fuel economy requirements.
Over 150 groups urged EPA to toss the industrial air permitting policy rather than finalize a proposal to bolster oversight of emissions accounting.
The Biden administration has made progress protecting lands that belong to all Americans. But there’s more to be done. The post Voters from both parties want enduring public lands protection appeared first on High Country News.
EPA put the Denka Performance Elastomer plant under an accelerated compliance deadline to rein in air toxics pollution.
The rule offers further pathways for tribes to proactively protect certain public lands. The post What does the BLM Public Land Rule mean for tribal stewardship of public lands? appeared first on High Country News.
The proposal will affect a broad swath of industrial polluters including power plants, paper mills and chemical facilities.
[Liberian Observer] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has received a delegation from the Environment Protection Agency of Sierra Leone for a 3-day Peer-to-peer learning exchange which runs from June 19-21, 2024.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Volume 129, Issue 12, 28 June 2024.
Michael Regan defends civil rights record and denies abandoning communities who face brunt of toxic pollution Republican-led states attacking protections shielding disadvantaged communities from industrial pollution will be confronted by the Biden administration, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned. In a Guardian interview, Michael Regan, administrator of the EPA, also denied abandoning those who face the brunt of air and water contamination in the US. Continue reading...
GOP-controlled committee thwarting distribution of $125m budgeted by legislature until polluter immunity approved Wisconsin Republicans are withholding $125m designated for cleanup of widespread PFAS contamination in drinking water and have said they will only release the funds in exchange for immunity for polluters. The move is part of a broader effort by Republicans in the state to steal power from the Democratic governor, Tony Evers, the funding’s supporters say, alleging such “political games” are putting residents’ health at risk. Continue reading...
In a petition, the Government Accountability Project argues that EPA should have already followed up on the tests of gardens and crops in the city where the Norfolk Southern derailment took place.
The latest in science and policy
Results were released today for Washington’s second quarterly auction of 2024, administered last Wednesday by the Department of Ecology (Ecology). During the auction, participating entities submitted their bids for allowances. Under the Climate Commitment Act, Washington’s major emitters are required to hold one allowance for every ton of greenhouse gas that they emit, with the […]
Opposition leader reportedly told News Corp he would oppose the legislated 2030 emissions target – a 43% cut compared with 2005 levels – at the next election Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast Peter Dutton has been accused of planning to break Australia’s commitment to the landmark Paris climate agreement after he said he would reject the country’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target. The opposition leader reportedly told the Weekend Australian that he would oppose the legislated 2030 emissions target – a 43% cut compared with 2005 levels – at the next election but remain committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue...
The EPA is giving the state six to 12 months to come up with new or revised standards for more than 100 pollutants in state waters.
Some advocates say the company hasn’t made it easier for farmers to repair their emissions systems.
The Denka Performance Elastomer plant, which manufacturers neoprene, faces a 90-day deadline to meet.
Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana is hoping to overturn the EPA emissions standards.
EPA Falsified Scientific Records in Ohio Train Derailment Disaster Omari Spears Tue, 05/28/2024 - 15:25 Administration Biden Topic Environment Public Health
A watchdog group alleges EPA fraudulently ignored concentrations of "forever chemicals" in pesticides.
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency reached a $310 million settlement with Norfolk Southern over the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, officials said Thursday.
Letter: Mitt Romney supports a carbon tax. His successor should follow suit.
The South African Reserve Bank said the risks should galvanize efforts to transition to a greener economy.
Exclusive: EPA chief executive says ‘foundational’ rule changes put climate impacts ‘front and centre' of planning process Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast New coalmines, gas fields and other big sources of greenhouse gases in New South Wales will need to provide more rigorous plans to minimise pollution and reduce carbon emissions before they are approved, under new rules imposed on Monday. Revised assessment requirements and guidelines from the Environment Protection Authority mark a “foundational” tightening of rules for firms planning new projects or modifying existing ones that emit at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year, said Tony Chappel, the NSW EPA chief...
The former EPA contractor says the plane could have prevented the smoke plume caused by venting and burning vinyl chloride after last year's Ohio train crash.
EPA acted within its authority in setting, mostly retroactively, the minimum biofuel volumes through the RFS, the court said.
An electric utility and two more states have joined the legal fray over EPA requirements to curb carbon emissions from the power sector.
Letter: Utah’s public lands and the Northern Corridor Highway: We need a conversation, not one-sided politically-charged rhetoric
Anjna O’Connor has been working for the Army Corps of Engineers.
EPA Sets UCS-Backed Vehicle Emissions Standards 2024 Omari Spears Mon, 05/06/2024 - 16:16 Read blog
President Joe Biden doled out Presidential Medals of Freedom Friday to top Democrats - giving a special shout-out to former Vice President Al Gore for conceding his disputed 2020 election gracefully.
by Sharon Lerner ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled a proposal this week to ban a controversial pesticide that is widely used on celery, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. The EPA released its plan on Tuesday, nearly a week after a ProPublica investigation revealed the agency had laid out a justification for increasing the amount of acephate allowed on food by removing limits meant to protect children’s developing...
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a suite of rules on Thursday that require utilities to drastically slash power plants' greenhouse gas emissions or close them down.
The EPA on Tuesday issued a final rule on the use of the toxic chemical methylene chloride, which is used in paint products and for coating brush cleaners, aerosol degreasing products and more.
House lawmakers questioned the EPA administrator during a hearing on the fiscal 2025 budget.
The G7 countries, responsible for a significant portion of historical emissions and current greenhouse gas output, are falling short of their emission reduction targets for 2030. A recent analysis by Climate Analytics indicates that they are on track to achieve only half of the necessary reduction to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit.
EPA Unveils Suite of Protections Addressing Power Plant Pollution of Our Air, Land and Water
Nearly $1 Billion in New EPA Funding will Help Accelerate the Electrification of America’s Hardest Working Trucks and Buses Statement by Lindsay Shigetomi, Manager, Fleet Electrification
If they can get their act together, it could be the most significant pact since the 2015 Paris Agreements.
The Environmental Protection Agency has designated two PFAS substances, commonly known as "forever chemicals" as hazardous substances under the United States' Superfund law.
Superfund law requires industries responsible for PFOA and PFOS contamination in water or soil to pay for cleanup The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday designated two forever chemicals that have been used in cookware, carpets and firefighting foams as hazardous substances, an action intended to ensure quicker cleanup of the toxic compounds and require industries and others responsible for contamination to pay for their removal. Designation as a hazardous substance under the Superfund law does not ban the chemicals, known as PFOA and PFOS. But it requires that release of the chemicals into soil or water be reported to federal, state or tribal officials if it meets or exceeds certain levels. The EPA then may require cleanups to protect public health and recover costs that can reach...
Exclusive: India seeking to use approach of UK election as bargaining chip and any exemption would be controversial India is demanding an exemption from the UK’s planned carbon tax as part of negotiations aiming to finalise a free trade deal before the UK election. India’s negotiating team have spent this week in London in a surprise set of talks to try to overcome the remaining hurdles to an agreement. Continue reading...
A New Program Will Bring Clean Energy to Disadvantaged Neighborhoods in the US shannon.paton@… Tue, 04/16/2024 - 13:11 The U.S. just made one of its biggest investments in bringing clean energy to the communities that need it most. In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released $20 billion through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), one of the most significant clean energy funding programs created through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act . The funding essentially creates a national green bank network, distributing funds to an initial eight non-profits to finance clean energy projects that would otherwise lack access to capital. The GGRF is made up of three sub-programs: The National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), which delivers...
Appropriators had banked on the toxic waste site cleanup program as an EPA budget savior. That might not pan out.
The rule would empower EPA to make sure polluters pay for cleaning up tracts contaminated with two of the most notorious "forever chemicals."
Bicycles have passed cars as a means of transport in Paris according to a recent study, a city official said on Thursday.
Rules celebrated for reducing exposures, but experts say it’s not enough and will lead to ‘an endless game of Whac-a-Mole’ Strong new limits for some PFAS compounds in drinking water set by the US Environmental Protection Agency this week are being celebrated for how far they go in reducing exposures to the dangerous chemicals. But public health advocates say the rules merely represent a first step that is limited in its impact on the broader PFAS crisis because they do not directly prevent more pollution or force the chemical industry to pay for cleanup. Continue reading...
New limits on forever chemicals in water should reduce PFAS exposure for about 100 million Americans, according to the Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday finalized a rule setting strict limits on the amount of so-called "forever chemicals" allowed in drinking water.
The new regulations could cut emissions of certain carcinogens by nearly 80 percent.