Media Releases

Clean energy

New report: Arizona ranks 11th nationally for big box stores’ rooftop solar potential

Mesa – Big box roofs have big solar potential in the Grand Canyon state, according to a new report from Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. Solar on Superstores: Big Roofs, Big Potential for Renewable Energy finds that the combined roofs of Arizona’s big box stores could generate roughly 2,527 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity each year. That would be equivalent to generating enough energy to power 237,300 average American homes, ranking Arizona 11th in the country for big box stores’ rooftop solar potential.

Media Releases ●  January 20, 2022

Toxic threats

New report: Reinstated ‘polluter pays’ taxes should speed up lagging toxic waste cleanup

WASHINGTON -- For more than 20 years, the federal government’s “Superfund” program aimed at cleaning up toxic waste sites has languished for lack of funding. The program was originally funded by a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries, but those “polluter pays” taxes expired in 1995. When President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure package (BIF) into law last month, a polluter pays tax was finally reinstated on chemical industries.

Media Releases ●  December 9, 2021

Clean water

Groups issue new toolkit on lead in school’s drinking water

With the bipartisan infrastructure bill now signed into law, Environment America Research & Policy Center (Environment America's research partner) and U.S. PIRG Education Fund (PIRG's research partner) released a new toolkit for parents and community leaders on Tuesday on how to get the lead out of schools’ drinking water. The infrastructure bill includes $200 million for schools to conduct lead reduction efforts.

Media Releases ●  November 30, 2021

Clean energy

New report: Arizona ranks among national leaders in solar growth

 Arizona ranks fourth in the nation for growth in solar power generation since 2011, according to a new report released today by Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center. Renewables on the Rise 2021: The rapid growth of renewables, electric vehicles and other building blocks of a clean energy future documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the U.S. over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and heat pumps. 

Media Releases ●  November 9, 2021

Toxic threats

EPA’s PFAS plan would limit toxic chemicals, but falls short of phase out

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a new plan on Monday to deal with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances that are linked to serious health risks, including liver damage, birth defects and cancer. 

Media Releases ●  October 18, 2021

Clean water

Thousands urge EPA to protect waterways from pollution

Nearly 30,000 people are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to end the dumping of PFAS chemicals, and thousands more are telling the agency to dramatically reduce pollution from slaughterhouses. Environment America Research & Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund submitted comments from these individuals to the EPA Thursday as the agency considers updating pollution control standards, which is required by the Clean Water Act.  The groups are also calling on the EPA to strengthen standards for other industrial sources -- including power plants and refineries.

Media Releases ●  October 14, 2021

Clean air

New report: Trouble in the Air: Phoenix experienced 149 days of polluted air in 2020

The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area, home to over 5 million people, suffered through 149 days of elevated air pollution in 2020, according to a new report from Environment Arizona Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. Air pollution increases the risk of premature death, asthma attacks, cancer and other adverse health impacts.

Media Releases ●  October 5, 2021

Beyond plastic

Lawmakers and public push Whole Foods to put “Planet Over Plastic” at upcoming annual meeting

AUSTIN, Texas --  Environment America Research & Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Student PIRG sent 59,000 petitions and a letter signed by more than 40 state lawmakers Thursday to Whole Foods urging them to put planet over plastic.

Media Releases ●  May 6, 2021

Fossil fuel pollution

Report: Pricing carbon key to taking on climate change

BOSTON -- Last month, President Joe Biden released a massive infrastructure spending plan designed to build a cleaner and healthier America. This week, on Earth Day, the president is hosting world leaders for a global climate summit, and is discussing ways in which the U.S. will meet its goals under the Paris climate accords. According to a new report, putting a price on carbon can be key to the success of both. In Carbon Pricing 101: Strategies for putting a price on global warming pollution, U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group recommend that the federal government and U.S. states pursue carbon pricing programs, along with other policies, to cut pollution, as the best way to achieve the emissions reductions necessary to stave off the worst of global warming.

Media Releases ●  April 21, 2021

Groups urge Whole Foods: Put planet over plastic by eliminating plastic packaging

“Plastic packaging is not on customers’ shopping list when they go to the market, and yet it’s almost impossible to walk away from a Whole Foods without a basket full of plastic that will pollute our planet for centuries." 

Media Releases ●  November 10, 2020