environmental protection agency

Obama administration sets new national ozone standard

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

The Obama administration has set a new national ozone standard, tightening limits on the smog-forming pollution linked to asthma and respiratory illness.

EPA rules will strengthen pesticide safety on farms

By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

The Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening 20-year-old rules designed to protect farmworkers from toxic pesticides.

EPA knew of blowout risk ahead of Colorado mine accident

By Michael Biesecker, Matthew Brown, Associated Press

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers were aware of the potential for a catastrophic "blowout" at an inactive Colorado mine that could release large volumes of wastewater laced with toxic heavy metals, according to documents released by the agency.

U.S. proposes to cut methane from oil, gas production by nearly half

By Matthew Daly, Josh Lederman, Associated Press

The Obama administration is proposing to cut methane emissions from U.S. oil and gas production by nearly half over the next decade in an unprecedented step to curb climate change.

Critics of Obama carbon rules use Animas river disaster to blast EPA

By Associated Press

Authorities say rivers tainted by last week's massive wastewater spill are starting to recover, but for the Environmental Protection Agency the political fallout from the disaster could linger…

EPA ‘taking full responsibility’ for mine waste spill, administrator says

By Associated Press

The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday her department takes full responsibility for spilling 3 million gallons of mining waste that turned a southwest Colorado river an unnatural shade of orange, adding it "pains me to no…

Will new clean power regulations stand up to challenges?

By PBS News Hour

President Obama laid out new regulations that reset emissions standards for power plants and call for 28 percent of U.S. power to be generated from renewable energy. States, industry groups and politicians pushed back, setting the stage for legal challenges.

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Winners and losers in Obama’s new plan to limit greenhouse gas

By Josh Lederman, Associated Press

President Barack Obama is mandating even steeper greenhouse gas cuts from U.S. power plants than previously expected, while granting states more time and broader options to comply.

Supreme Court rules against EPA power plant mercury limits

By Sam Hananel, Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court has ruled against federal regulators' attempt to limit power plant emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants.

EPA issues final rules protecting drinking water, streams

By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration issued new rules Wednesday to protect the nation's drinking water and clarify which smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands are covered by anti-pollution and development provisions of the Clean Water Act.