All articles tagged with #environmental protection agency
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin, who previously served in Congress and ran for New York governor, expressed his commitment to restoring US energy dominance and maintaining environmental standards. Trump's decision highlights a focus on deregulatory measures to boost American businesses while ensuring environmental protection.
A study published in Nature Geoscience has revealed dangerous levels of PFAS "forever chemicals" in surface and groundwater worldwide, with hotspots identified in Australia, the United States, and Europe. The substances, found in everyday products, have been linked to serious health conditions. The research found that 45% of U.S. tap water samples contained PFAS, and high concentrations were also found in Canada, China, and parts of Europe. While efforts to restrict PFAS use are underway, the extent of contamination in water supplies globally remains unknown.
The Biden administration has announced a new regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency targeting over 200 chemical plants to reduce toxic pollutants, specifically ethylene oxide and chloroprene, in an effort to decrease the risk of cancer for communities living near industrial sites, particularly in areas like Cancer Alley in Louisiana. This marks the first tightening of limits on pollution from chemical plants in nearly two decades, with a focus on areas with disproportionately Black or Latino communities experiencing elevated rates of cancer and respiratory problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency plans to award $20 billion in grants to eight nonprofits, ranging from $500 million to $6.9 billion, to spur clean energy projects in overlooked communities. The funds will be used to offer loans to businesses, homeowners, and others to promote clean energy across the country, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, with the goal of financing community-based climate projects.
American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers has criticized the Biden administration's new gas-powered emissions standards, calling on Americans to reject the push for wider adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Sommers argues that the regulations are bad for consumers and American jobs, benefiting China instead. He warns that the rules will limit consumer choice, lead to job losses, and compromise energy security by relying on China for EV parts. The administration claims the regulations will significantly reduce carbon emissions and oil consumption, but Sommers contends that Americans will need more oil and gas in the future for energy security.
The Biden administration has announced new regulations aimed at phasing out gas-powered cars by requiring automakers to produce more electric vehicles and hybrids, with the goal of making the majority of new vehicles sold in the United States all-electric or hybrids by 2032. The regulations, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, would gradually tighten limits on tailpipe pollution, with the aim of cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality, while also creating economic benefits and jobs.
A study has found that US oil and natural gas facilities are emitting three times more methane than official figures suggest, causing $9.3bn in yearly climate damage. The majority of these emissions come from a small number of sites, making the issue both worse than previously thought and potentially fixable. Globally, methane emissions events have increased, with large leaks detected around the world. The study suggests that targeted efforts at the highest-emitting sites could rapidly reduce emissions, with the potential to cut emissions in half. The Biden administration has issued a new rule to cut methane emissions, and 50 oil companies have pledged to reach near-zero methane emissions by 2030.
A 58-year-old San Diego man, Michael Hart, has been charged with smuggling greenhouse gases, specifically hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), from Mexico into the United States and selling them for profit, in violation of regulations aimed at slowing climate change. This marks the first prosecution of its kind in the U.S. under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. Hart faces 13 charges and could potentially face decades in prison if convicted. The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to reduce production and consumption of HFCs, which are identified as potent greenhouse gases contributing to rising temperatures.
President Biden's ambitious plan for electric vehicles is facing challenges as sales are weaker than expected and there is uncertainty over the green agenda's impact in Michigan. The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a compromise regulation on car and truck pollution that could slow the initial pace of required cuts, potentially easing economic concerns for the industry and auto workers but allowing more carbon dioxide pollution. Biden faces pressure from green activists and organized labor, especially in Michigan, where his political difficulties have grown. The administration's anticipated move has drawn mixed reactions from environmental groups, with some seeing it as consistent with Biden's climate goals and efforts to boost clean manufacturing jobs, while others urge the EPA to remain steadfast in finalizing a strong rule to improve public health and protect the future.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority appears poised to block the Biden administration's "good neighbor" plan, which aims to curtail air pollution that drifts across state lines. The plan requires states to take measures to reduce emissions causing smog and linked to health issues. If halted, the ruling would limit the administration's environmental protection efforts, aligning with recent court decisions that have curtailed the EPA's authority in addressing climate change and water pollution.
Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution plan to pour 6,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide into the ocean near Martha's Vineyard to study its potential to counteract ocean acidification and climate change. The $10 million project, funded by NOAA and private donors, aims to make ocean waters more efficient at storing carbon dioxide. The EPA must approve the release of the chemicals, and the concept reflects a wider trend of climate scientists exploring geoengineering projects to address environmental challenges.
One in four Americans is exposed to unhealthy air quality due to the impact of climate change, with the number expected to grow to 125 million within decades, according to First Street Foundation. The worsening air quality, linked to global warming, threatens public health and the economy, reversing the benefits of past pollution regulations. The rise in poor air quality is attributed to higher temperatures, drought, and more smoke-spewing wildfires. Western states are particularly affected, but Eastern states are also experiencing impacts. Individuals are advised to take steps to protect their health, such as keeping smoke out of their homes and being aware of their risks for flooding, fire, wind, and heat.
A new study reveals that US households are only recycling a fraction of the items they could, with a shocking 76% of recyclables being thrown into the trash. This highlights a significant discrepancy from the overall recycling rate estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency, indicating a need for improved household recycling practices and waste management.
The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for February to determine whether to freeze the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to reduce ozone levels across the United States while litigation over the plan continues. The challengers, including three states and affected companies, argue that the plan is a "failed experiment" that could strain the nation's electrical grid. The EPA maintains that the plan provides important public benefits. The court's decision to hold oral arguments suggests that they are considering how to handle the challengers' request to put the plan on hold immediately.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in February on whether to temporarily halt the Biden administration's air pollution plan, which requires factories and power plants in Western and Midwestern states to reduce emissions that drift into Eastern states. The administration's "good neighbor" rule, aimed at protecting downwind states from harmful pollution, is facing legal challenges from three states and energy companies. The rule requires power plants and industrial manufacturers to cut nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to smog and health issues. The court's decision on whether to suspend the program or add the case to its merits docket is pending.