Fourteen states have banded together to sue the United States government for its failure to comply with the Clean Air Act. According to the suit, led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the US missed its Oct. 1st deadline to identify regions with unhealthy air. Areas deemed at risk must work to ameliorate their air quality. But without … [Read more...]
White House Censors the CDC
In 2007, the US Supreme Court issued a decision asking the EPA to determine whether greenhouse gases could “reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.” The agency went to work, seeking an answer to the Justices’ question. There were those who earnestly sought an answer, and there were those who sought to interfere with this … [Read more...]
Mysterious GenX Chemical Could Be Major Public Health Concern
Earlier this year, DuPont and its spin-off company, Chemours, settled over 3,000 personal injury claims regarding exposure to the hazardous chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (or PFOA). Both companies refused to accept responsibility, putting the matter to rest with nearly $671 million. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the state has been pressuring 3M for … [Read more...]
Controlling the Fracking Narrative
In 2005, Congress passed a bill (HR 6) that led to devastating consequences in poor rural counties throughout the country, including areas in Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Texas. Notably, the energy bill included an exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), allowing hydraulic fracking to continue without federal oversight. That exemption, … [Read more...]
Minnesota Seeks Justice in Contaminant Lawsuit Against 3M
In 2001, a diligent scientist working for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA’s) new contamination program started to uncover some troubling facts about perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). These chemicals – largely used by 3M in firefighting foam, carpet coating and Scotch guard – had found their way into Minnesota groundwater – at least … [Read more...]
Senate Appropriations Bill Would Cut Important EPA Program
On November 20th, the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee released the Environmental Appropriations Bill for FY 2018. The bill, if implemented, would cut a program responsible for monitoring the negative health impact of certain chemicals. That program, known as the Integrated Risk Information System (or IRIS), would be combined with the … [Read more...]
The Disproportionate Effects of Climate Change
Very often, the struggle against climate change is framed as preventative. Under this framework, the truly damaging effects of global warming are flung out into the future. Thus, we are told to do something now in order to stop future disasters from occurring. There is, however, cause to question this framework. All we need to do is observe the … [Read more...]
The Public Health Effects of Climate Change
It is no longer a question whether climate change is real, at least in the eyes of most climate scientists. This phenomenon is universal, affecting every corner of the globe. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the United States is deeply affected by climate change and the associated weather patterns. Understanding the ramifications of the … [Read more...]
The EPA Plans to Repeal Emissions Rule for Heavy-Duty Trucks
The EPA recently proposed a rule repealing Obama-era standards meant to limit the environmental impact of heavy duty trucks – specifically targeting old engines and their greenhouse gas emissions. Gliders and trailers are at the center of the regulation in question. The former refers to the casing around the engine, including the cab. The latter is … [Read more...]
GAO Report Says Climate Change Comes With Great Costs
Ever since January, Donald Trump and his acolytes have been cutting regulations in great numbers. In the first five months alone, the administration chucked or delayed 860 rule proposals. A fair number of those rules were meant to protect the environment from unfettered fossil fuel companies. Republicans often justify major deregulation by … [Read more...]
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