All articles tagged with #environmental justice
In Tennessee, Democratic candidate Justin Pearson is challenging incumbent Steve Cohen, focusing on opposition to AI data centers powered by fossil fuels due to environmental concerns, highlighting the growing political debate over the environmental impact of AI infrastructure in the 2026 midterms and beyond.
A decade after the Mariana dam collapse in Brazil, which caused environmental devastation and loss of life, the country faces ongoing challenges in environmental justice and governance, with critics questioning Brazil's climate leadership and the effectiveness of its policies, especially in relation to Indigenous communities and environmental protections, ahead of COP30.
Scientists are using AI, robotics, and new recording technologies to better understand whale communication, potentially enabling conversations with whales and strengthening legal protections for these animals, including rights-based approaches.
The UK’s largest group action trial alleges that major car manufacturers deliberately installed defeat devices in diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests, prioritizing sales over legal compliance and causing significant environmental and health harm, with potential damages exceeding £6 billion.
The article discusses how President Trump's tax bill significantly cuts funding for environmental and climate justice programs, impacting communities in Louisiana that are fighting pollution and climate change, and highlights ongoing legal battles and community efforts to resist industry pollution and advocate for environmental health.
A federal judge ruled that the EPA's termination of $600 million in environmental justice grants was unlawful, affirming that the agency exceeded its authority by ending funds designated for low-income and communities of color, and emphasizing that Congress intended these funds for environmental justice efforts.
The University of Michigan is investigating vandalism at its on-campus peony garden, where about a third of the plants were damaged and signs left with a message linking the act to political statements. The university condemns the act and is seeking suspects, emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue.
The EPA has announced a new rule to reduce toxic air pollution from over 200 chemical plants, targeting cancer-causing emissions and aiming to reduce cancer risk by 96% for nearby communities. The rule, the first of its kind in 30 years, focuses on pollutants disproportionately affecting minority communities in Texas and Louisiana. It requires industries to identify and repair sources of pollution, implement fence-line monitoring, and share data publicly. While praised by environmental groups and activists, it faces opposition from industry representatives and legal challenges.
The EPA has issued a new rule requiring over 200 chemical plants in the US to reduce toxic emissions likely to cause cancer, particularly targeting ethylene oxide and chloroprene. This move aligns with President Biden's environmental justice commitment and aims to protect communities burdened by industrial pollution. The rule will significantly cut emissions, benefitting areas like majority-Black neighborhoods near New Orleans. While praised by some lawmakers and environmental advocates, the American Chemistry Council criticized the rule, expressing concerns about its impact on chemical manufacturing. The EPA's action follows a civil rights investigation into a Louisiana plant and aims to promote environmental justice and reduce health risks in affected communities.
The US EPA has finalized a rule to significantly reduce toxic air pollution from chemical plants, including ethylene oxide and chloroprene, in line with President Biden's commitment to environmental justice and the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The rule will cut over 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution annually, reducing cancer risk for nearby communities by 96% and requiring fenceline monitoring for key toxic chemicals. This move aligns with the administration's efforts to protect communities from harmful emissions and advance environmental justice, with Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. and Earthjustice expressing support for the rule's potential impact on public health and the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to finance clean-energy projects, aiming to combat climate change and pollution in disadvantaged communities. The program allows access to low-interest loans for clean-energy projects, addressing obstacles faced by low-income and minority communities in attracting private capital. Critics have raised concerns about oversight and potential misuse of funds, while supporters emphasize the program's role in reducing energy consumption, creating clean-energy jobs, and advancing environmental justice goals.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $20 billion in awards to fund climate and clean energy projects across the U.S., with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. This investment, part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aims to combat climate change, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and create jobs. The program will ensure that communities have access to capital for a cleaner, more sustainable economy. The awards will be deployed through two programs, the National Clean Investment Fund and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, with a focus on supporting projects such as clean power generation, net-zero retrofits, and zero-emission transportation. Additionally, the administration has implemented various innovative tools and programs to empower communities to participate in building the clean energy economy.
The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from new trucks, delivery vans, and buses, benefiting communities disproportionately exposed to diesel exhaust. The rule will require manufacturers to slash emissions, but falls short of mandating zero-emission trucks by 2035. The truck industry has expressed concerns about the costs and disruptions, while some truck makers are supportive of the move towards zero-emission vehicles. The Biden administration has provided subsidies for electric trucks and charging infrastructure, aiming to build a national network of charging stations along freight corridors.
The EPA has announced stricter limits on ethylene oxide emissions from medical sterilization facilities, aiming to reduce exposure to the cancer-causing gas in disadvantaged communities. While some criticize the rule as too weak, the medical device industry warns of potential disruptions to the supply chain. The rule targets emissions from nearly 90 sterilization facilities, requiring a reduction of over 90 percent, but allows for extended compliance deadlines. Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize about half of all U.S. medical supplies, and the rule aims to address environmental justice concerns and public health impacts in affected communities.
The Biden administration plans to delay final limits on emissions from gas-fired power plants to strengthen them, likely finalizing the rule after November, with its fate possibly resting on the 2024 election. This decision comes in response to pleas from environmental justice groups and aims to cover more pollutants, including climate, toxic, and criteria air pollution. The move is part of a broader effort to combat pollution from the power sector and address concerns of disadvantaged communities living near industrial pollution sources.