Feb 28 Scientists say EPA just needs to look around the world to see the growing dangers of climate change By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press As President Donald Trump's administration looks to reverse a cornerstone finding that climate change endangers human health and welfare, scientists say they just need to look around because it's obvious how bad global warming is and how it's getting worse. Continue reading
Jan 16 Watch 6:43 The questions Trump’s Cabinet picks faced in Thursday’s confirmation hearings By Lisa Desjardins, Kyle Midura, Shrai Popat More of President-elect Trump's picks for key Cabinet positions faced questions from senators on Capitol Hill in another mammoth day of confirmation hearings. Lisa Desjardins reports. Continue watching
Jan 11 Watch 5:39 Formaldehyde is everywhere, but poses dangers to our health. Here’s what to know By John Yang, Harry Zahn The chemical formaldehyde is found just about everywhere, including in composite lumber, plastics, paints and glues used in many homes and offices. This past week, an EPA evaluation said it poses “an unreasonable risk” to human health. A ProPublica investigation… Continue watching
Nov 12 Watch 6:22 What Trump’s pick of Zeldin to lead EPA signals for his environmental plans By William Brangham, Jackson Hudgins As President-elect Trump’s team is taking shape, we’re learning more about who will take the lead on energy, climate and the environment. The first announcement on that front is Lee Zeldin, a former GOP congressman who will head the Environmental… Continue watching
Oct 24 EPA announces tougher rules to protect children from lead paint exposure By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The Biden administration is imposing strict new limits on dust from lead-based paint in older homes and child-care facilities. Continue reading
Sep 07 Watch 5:03 What a court ruling means for the future of pollution in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley By John Yang, Kaisha Young, Andrew Chambers Many studies have shown that the burden of air pollution in the United States disproportionately falls on racial minorities, especially Black Americans. In August, a federal judge barred the EPA and DOJ from using part of the Civil Rights Act… Continue watching
Jun 27 Watch 6:55 Conservative Supreme Court majority takes aim at ‘administrative state’ in latest rulings By John Yang, Kyle Midura The U.S. Supreme Court handed down several high-profile decisions Thursday morning. One case blocked a controversial bankruptcy deal involving the opioid crisis, another reinstated access to abortions for those facing medical emergencies in Idaho and a third blocked an EPA… Continue watching
May 23 Norfolk Southern will pay modest $15 million fine as part of a federal settlement over Ohio train derailment By Josh Funk, Associated Press Residents were generally underwhelmed by the deal the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department announced Thursday, two days after a federal judge signed off on the railroad's $600 million class action settlement with residents. Continue reading
Apr 25 Watch 6:34 New EPA emissions rules could hasten retirement of coal-fired power plants By Stephanie Sy, Karina Cuevas The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a long-awaited set of regulations regarding proposed limits on fossil-fueled power plant emissions. But these new rules could mean the end of the coal industry as a source of electricity generated in the United… Continue watching
Apr 10 Watch 6:51 What new EPA limits on ‘forever chemicals’ mean for U.S. drinking water By William Brangham, Courtney Norris The Environmental Protection Agency says that so-called “forever chemicals,” which are harmful to human health, must be removed from U.S. drinking water. It's a moment public health advocates have long called for as PFAS have been linked to certain cancers… Continue watching