Jun 22 It could take centuries for EPA to test all the unregulated chemicals under a new landmark bill By Mark Scialla Synthetic chemicals surround us. They’re in our takeout containers, children’s toys, furniture and clothes. You might think the government has carefully reviewed every chemical for safety before it hits the market. But it hasn’t. Continue reading
Apr 28 Senate committee approves $220M Flint aid package By Matthew Daly, Associated Press WASHINGTON — A Senate committee on Thursday approved a $220 million aid package for Flint, Michigan, as the city struggles to deal with a water crisis and public health emergency from lead-contaminated pipes. Continue reading
Apr 12 Senate GOP to subpoena EPA chief in Colorado mine spill By Matthew Daly, Associated Press Senate Republicans vowed Tuesday to issue a subpoena to force the head of the Environmental Protection Agency to appear at a field hearing in Phoenix next week on a toxic mine spill that fouled rivers in three Western states and… Continue reading
Apr 10 Watch 3:29 Water systems across country repeatedly exceed federal lead standards By PBS News Hour An Associated Press investigation of Environmental Protection Agency records has found nearly 1,400 water systems providing tap water to nearly 4 million Americans exceeded the acceptable lead level at least once between 2013 and 2015. AP Reporter Meghan Hoyer, who… Continue watching
Mar 30 41 energy companies sign on to voluntarily reduce methane emissions By Michael Biesecker, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration on Wednesday announced a new partnership with 41 energy companies that have agreed to voluntarily reduce methane emissions from natural gas operations to help combat climate change. Continue reading
Mar 17 Watch 12:25 Congress grills Michigan governor, EPA head over Flint water crisis By PBS News Hour Flint, Michigan, earned a place in the spotlight again Thursday, as Congressional hearings on the city’s water crisis continued. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and EPA administrator Gina McCarthy both faced strict scrutiny for their apparent failure to respond to the… Continue watching
Mar 15 Ex-officials point fingers at hearing on Flint water crisis By Richard Lardner and Matthew Daly, Associated Press Former city and federal officials pointed fingers at one another for failing to protect the 100,000 citizens of Flint, Michigan, from lead-laced water at a congressional hearing Tuesday. Continue reading
Feb 26 Species of bees and other pollinators are shrinking, UN report warns By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Many species of wild bees, butterflies and other critters that pollinate plants are shrinking toward extinction, and the world needs to do something about it before our food supply suffers, a new United Nations scientific mega-report warns. Continue reading
Feb 23 Congress backs court challenge to Obama’s climate change plan By Michael Biesecker, Associated Press WASHINGTON — More than 200 members of Congress are backing a court challenge to President Barack Obama's plan to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading
Feb 10 Watch 6:16 Will a surprising Supreme Court move shake the Paris climate accord? By PBS News Hour The Supreme Court temporarily blocked major regulations, designed by the EPA, to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. The move, which has been called unprecedented, means that the Obama administration's rules can't go into effect until… Continue watching