The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt designated 51 areas in the United States as out of compliance with the new, stronger smog pollution standard of 70 parts per billion, but omitted important areas that are likely out of compliance based on earlier scientific findings.
RICHMOND, Virginia -- In written comments today to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, Governor Northam stated that he would not support the EPA’s revisions to lessen protections for clean water from coal ash pollution. In addition, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality made a commitment to maintain the strong safeguards against coal ash pollution in the state, despite potential weakening of federal regulations.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, -- Today, unions and community, education, political, environmental and religious organizations joined together as the United People Against the Sale and Privatization of Services (Pueblo Unido Contra la Venta y Privatización de los Servicios) in a powerful walkout and march through San Juan, to push back against the forces attempting to privatize public services in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Thousands of people took to the streets of San Juan to send a powerful message to the privatizers: Puerto Rico is not for sale.
DES MOINES, IA -- Last night, the Iowa State Legislature passed a bill that will eliminate energy efficiency programs and reduce regulatory oversight for the state’s electric utilities, which will increase costs for electricity customers and shift risks from the utilities themselves to everyday ratepayers. The bill, Senate File 2311, was contentiously debated and prompted widespread opposition from Iowa families and businesses. Despite broad and vocal opposition from constituents, the bill passed the House with a 52-42 vote on Friday then in the Senate last night. The bill proposes changes that are in direct conflict with the Governor’s State Energy Plan. Opponents are strongly urging Governor Kim Reynolds to veto the bill.
Scott Pruitt lied to Congress about retaliating against EPA staff who tried to ensure his use of taxpayer dollars is transparent, accountable, and justified, according to an ABC News interview with a Trump loyalist forced out at EPA. This news comes as Pruitt’s top political appointees and aides - including the scandal-ridden security chief and the Superfund task force head who was banned from the banking industry - are fleeing the EPA.
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A Florida judge has ruled that Sierra Club, on behalf of its nearly 38,000 Florida members, can intervene in FPL’s request to build a fracked gas power plant in the Dania Beach community.
Contura Energy Inc. and Alpha Natural Resources Inc. announced today that the two coal mining companies have reached a “definitive merger agreement” that will re-merge the companies in order to try and compete in America’s declining coal industry.
Contura Energy Inc. and Alpha Natural Resources Inc. announced today that the two coal mining companies have reached a “definitive merger agreement” that will re-merge the companies in order to try and compete in America’s declining coal industry.
Sierra Club and clean water coalition partners submitted 56,703 comments today demanding EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt keep in place federal protections against toxic coal ash - the dangerous waste product of coal-fired power plants.