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.
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.
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.
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.
New report shows decade of U.S. renewable energy progress
In 2019, the U.S. produced over 30 times more solar power and more than triple the amount of wind energy than it did in 2010, according to a new report from Environment America Research & Policy Center.
102 groups urge EPA to rein in meat and poultry processing plant pollution
Environment America Research & Policy Center is submitting comments on behalf of 102 organizations today, urging the Environmental Protection Agency to dramatically reduce the massive levels of pollution dumped by agribusiness facilities into America’s waterways. The comments are in response to the agency’s decision not to update permit standards for meat and poultry plants -- despite the Clean Water Act’s requirement to do so.
New “Voices for Clean Water” website highlights wide array of Americans speaking out against pollution threats
In response to a growing set of pollution threats and to mark today’s 47th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, Environment America Research and Policy Center and the Clean Water for All coalition have launched a new website -- “Voices for Clean Water” -- that features photos and testimonials from a wide array of individuals from across America. They included business owners, faith leaders, public health experts and people who love to swim, hike, kayak or just drink clean water.
EPA’s proposed lead rule fails to ensure safe drinking water
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its long-awaited proposal to update to the federal Lead and Copper Rule. As proposed, EPA’s long-awaited update to the Lead and Copper Rule falls far short of the decisive action needed to “get the lead out” of our drinking water. And in a few critical provisions, the proposed rule could even take us backwards.
Environment Connecticut urges officials to adopt energy-efficiency standards for common products
Environment Connecticut joined environmental and consumer allies to press state officials to adopt appliance efficiency standards on 17 products, including commercial dishwashers, commercial fryers, water coolers and faucets. The new standards would reduce climate-altering carbon dioxide pollution, smog-forming emission and save water resources.
While the United States is reeling from worsening wildfires and extreme weather, the success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is helping counter the climate change-denying policies emanating from inside the Beltway. Today, RGGI, Inc. Chairman Ben Grumbles, Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment, headlined a webinar promoting the release of a new report, From Pollution to Solutions: Maximizing Clean Energy Progress from State Carbon-Pricing Investments, from Environment Connecticut Policy and Research Center. The webinar panelists discussed case studies of how to successfully invest RGGI revenues.