Environment / Public News Service

New Mexico has yet to adopt setback rules governing oil and gas wells near schools and other educational institutions. (Courtesy Becca Grady)

Thursday, April 25, 2024

NM officials press for setbacks amid pushback from oil and gas industry

New Mexico members of the group Elected Officials to Protect America are renewing their call for rules regulating how close fossil fuel companies can …

Protests in May 2023 called for cleaner air at the ports. State data show ships idling at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in 2021 during the pandemic emitted as much diesel particulate matter pollution as 100,000 big rig trucks per day. (Pacific Environment)

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Clean-air activists to hold 'die-in' Friday at LA City Hall

A coalition of climate groups seeking cleaner air at the rail yards and ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a "die-in" rally tomorrow at Los…

Currently, more than 2.7 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well. (MSPhotographic/Adobestock)

Thursday, April 25, 2024

CA climate leaders fight to keep setbacks around oil and gas wells

Leaders concerned about pollution and climate change are raising awareness about a ballot measure this fall on whether the state should mandate buffer…

North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska are among the states included in a proposed pipeline project pitched by Summit Carbon Solutions, where emissions from ethanol plants would be captured and stored underground. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 25, 2024

New hearings, same arguments on both sides for ND pipeline project

A round of public testimony wrapped up this week as part of renewed efforts by a company seeking permit approval in North Dakota for an underground pi…

Electric school buses are in the minority, with about 95% of school buses nationwide running on diesel. (Thomas/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

WA lawmakers move to electrify school bus fleet

School buses are getting cleaner in Washington state after this year's legislative session. Lawmakers in Olympia passed House Bill 1368, which will …

It is estimated the Wild Springs Solar Project in New Underwood, South Dakota, will offset 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Solar projects underway in South Dakota

The construction of more solar farms in the U.S. has been contentious but a new survey shows their size makes a difference in whether solar projects …

Despite a multiyear dredging effort, studies showed forever chemicals are still present in the Hudson River. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

NY takes action to remove PFAS from water, products

The state of New York is removing forever chemicals from various places, just as the Environmental Protection Agency issued limits on PFAS in …

Although heavy-duty trucks make up 10% of vehicles on the road, they create more than 25% of total pollution. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

VA officials support new EPA clean truck standards

Virginia officials support the Environmental Protection Agency's new emissions rule. The federal clean truck standards will reduce emissions by up to …

New research predicts warmer, wetter weather in the Quad Cities resulting from climate change. Researchers asked residents about their main concerns. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Quad Cities residents weigh in on climate change research

A new report from the National Wildlife Federation warned the effects of climate change in the Quad Cities will be severe but researchers got the publ…

New York has benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act's Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program which supports transportation projects, and planning to protect against climate impacts. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

NY, PA towns benefit from Inflation Reduction Act grants

New York towns are reaping many benefits since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed. Along with funds for larger clean energy projects, the state …

Drone footage showed the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, April 22, 2024

East Palestine concerns linger over vinyl chloride exposure

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, say they continue to live with health problems, including rashes, nosebleeds and respiratory issues following last …

Alan Bedtka is pictured in a stand of sorghum-sudangrass, which he was paid to plant to boost soil health and reduce his fertilizer use. (Photo courtesy of Alan Bedtka)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Can taller cover crops help clean the water in farm country?

By Brian DeVore for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News…

A GeoHealth study reveals census tracts with high Hispanic and Latino populations accounted for 40% of 73,000 childhood asthma cases. (Hihitetlin/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Study: PA ranks high for health impacts of oil and gas flaring emissions

A new study raised red flags about respiratory health in Pennsylvania, particularly for those living near oil and gas activity. The study by …

Advocates say a proposed bond measure could help improve fire resiliency in California's redwood forests. (Kchassiephoto/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

On Earth Day, climate activists press for CA bond measure

Today, in honor of Earth Day, climate advocates are asking California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to rally around a plan to put a $15 billion …

The proposed Ambler industrial mining road would have crossed nearly 3,000 waterways, including the Kobuk and Koyukuk rivers, which are important spawning grounds for the Yukon salmon. (National Wild and Scenic Rivers System)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness

Conservation groups are rejoicing over the decision Friday by the Biden administration to reject a proposed mining road in Alaska. The 211-mile …

According to Colorado College's 2023 Conservation in the West Poll, 82% of voters in the Rocky Mountain West support a national goal of conserving America's lands and waters in the next decade. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

BLM finalizes rule to prioritize protection of public lands in CO, West

The federal Bureau of Land Management has released its long-awaited final Public Lands Rule, which aims to reconcile a perceived imbalance between …

The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, according to the U.S. Forest Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, April 22, 2024

After Alaskan mining decision, other states may step up conservation efforts

The Biden administration has denied approval for a project to build more than 200 miles of road in the Alaskan wilderness. On this Earth Day…

Critical infrastructure, such as the I-74 bridge, will be at an increased risk of flooding, threatening connectivity across the region, according to new climate change modeling from the National Wildlife Federation and Prairie Rivers Network. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Public contributes to climate change research

A new report from the National Wildlife Federation warns that the effects of climate change in the Quad Cities, along the Iowa-Illinois border…

Much of Oregon's BLM lands are in the southeastern part of the state. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

New BLM rule creates opportunities for conservation in OR

Conservation and public access are on equal footing with other considerations for Bureau of Land Management lands under a recently announced rule…

The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the second-largest national park in the United States. (Patrick/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Denial of mining road in Alaska has ripples across U.S. national parks

The Biden administration has blocked a mining road in Alaska, and public-lands proponents see the move as a win for national parks around the country…

A proposed mining road would have been built near the Brooks Range in northwest Alaska. (Irenabyss/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Rejection of AK mining road seen as victory for national parks across U.S.

The Biden administration has blocked a mining road in Alaska and public lands proponents see the move as a win for national parks around the country…

Warren, Mich., currently uses only one incinerator in its wastewater treatment system, which processes about 100 tons of sludge per day. (City of Warren)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Michigan mayor seeks multimillion-dollar wastewater upgrade

A new, high-tech wastewater treatment incinerator, used in only a few states, is on the wish list for one Michigan city. Former state …

About 67% of Nevada's lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

NV stakeholders celebrate new BLM public lands rule

This week, the Bureau of Land Management announced an update to its Public Lands Rule to help recognize conservation as an essential component of …

The Bureau of Land Management's newly issued Public Lands Rule is designed to safeguard cultural resources such as New Mexico's Chaco Culture National Park. (Photo courtesy SallyPaez)

BLM's 'Public Lands Rule' could reform conservation, access in NM

Balancing the needs of the many with those who have traditionally reaped benefits from public lands is behind a new rule issued Thursday by the Bureau…

Outdoor recreation added $11.7 million to the Arizona economy in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Adobe Stock)

AZ conservation groups pleased with Biden's move to protect public lands

Arizona conservation groups and sportsmen alike say they're pleased the Bureau of Land Management will now recognize conservation as an integral part …

The beans from the velvet mesquite are known as

Food forests in southern Arizona help combat heat and hunger

By Max Graham for Grist.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Serv…

Tax credits for home solar projects have been around for a while and local leaders in Wisconsin noted new federal policies have been more aggressive in helping governments, businesses and homeowners offset costs of installing panels. (Adobe Stock)

A snapshot of federal investments being put to use in WI

City and county governments are feeling the pinch of rising operating costs but in Wisconsin, federal incentives are driving a range of local …

Environmental advocates are asking California's next state budget to prioritize climate mitigation and cut tax breaks for fossil fuel companies. (The Climate Center)

Climate groups seek to remove tax breaks for oil and gas companies

As state budget negotiations continue, groups fighting climate change are asking California lawmakers to cut subsidies for oil and gas companies …

The Land of Enchantment has plenty of sunshine and some of the best solar incentives in the U.S. (Kristina Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

Personal energy electrification plans offered at NM Earth Day event

Saving New Mexico residents money as they adapt to climate change is the goal behind an Earth Day event in Albuquerque Sunday. The Rio Grande …

State meteorologists in Minnesota say several climate change effects have greatly increased the amount of fuel available for wildfires, which can grow rapidly and be difficult to extinguish. (Adobe Stock)

More summer smoke? Experts monitor climate-fueled events and health effects

Wet weather this spring has improved drought conditions in Minnesota and southern Canada. However, experts remain on alert for increased wildfire …

The New York HEAT Act could cut utility bills nearly in half for 1 in 4 energy-burdened New Yorkers. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates want NY HEAT Act in the final budget

The New York HEAT Act might not make the final budget. The bill reduces the state's reliance on natural gas and cuts ratepayer costs by eliminating …

According to research from Virginia Commonwealth University, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative created 2,115 local jobs in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly considers RGGI budget amendments

Virginia's General Assembly will consider budget amendments to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI. Gov. Glenn Youngkin …

The 1922 Colorado River Compact gives priority to Lower Basin states: Arizona, California and Nevada, for rights to Colorado River Water. (Adobe Stock)

Study: 90% of CO River irrigation water goes to cattle

As Colorado and other states grapple with shrinking Colorado River water levels, new research pinpoints how much water is being diverted for cattle …

From 2017 to 2019, Ohio ranked 46th among 50 states for pollution exposure, including exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

Recent data ranks Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S., highlighting concerns about common pollutants, like smog and vehicle …

From Alabama to the Everglades, the Florida Wildlife Corridor is a superhighway of interconnected acres of wildlands, working lands and waters. (FAU/FWC aerial view)

FL Wildlife Corridor study reveals role in climate resilience, population growth

As the Sunshine State grapples with rising temperatures and escalating weather events such as hurricanes, a new study sheds light on the pivotal role …

There are more than 1,300 species listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, including the piping plover, a shorebird found on sandy beaches in southern Maine. (Adobe Stock)

New Endangered Species Act rules consider climate impact on ME wildlife

Conservationists in Maine said reinstated protections of the Endangered Species Act could help wildlife already struggling to adapt to climate change…

North Carolina has the third highest PFAS exposure in the country. (Adobe Stock)

EPA takes steps to reduce PFAS as advocates call for more actions

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps to reduce harmful pollution in drinking water in North Carolina and across the country. In a …

In partnership with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, volunteers are discovering new bee species and working to fortify bumble bee habitat, in Iowa and across the country. (Xerces/Katie Lamke)

Iowans asked to get busy counting beeezzz, please

The state Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University are looking for volunteers to help create a new Bumble Bee Atlas. Bees are an …

Montana has more than 3 million acres of inaccessible public lands, tops in the West, according to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. (Adobe Stock)

SB 442 veto override ballots due back this week

Ballots are due back in the Montana Secretary of State's office later this week, as lawmakers decide whether to override Gov. Greg Gianforte's veto …

Despite a looming 2030 deadline to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, PacifiCorp has ditched plans to invest big in wind and solar. (Adobe Stock)

Pacificorp throws a lifeline to Wyoming coal and natural gas industry

PacifiCorp's updated energy roadmap throws a lifeline to Wyoming's coal industry but critics said the new Integrated Resource Plan is a major setback …

According to the West Virginia Historical Society, the state had among the highest concentrations of chemical plants in the United States for nearly a century. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: EPA chemical plant emissions rule a win for WV communities

Chemical plants in West Virginia and other states will be required to curb emissions of toxic, cancer causing pollutants - such as ethylene oxide…

Gas flaring has persisted from the beginning of oil production more than 160 years ago. (supakitmod/Adobe Stock)

TX faith, environmental groups hopeful about new EPA methane rule

Oil and gas companies have until 2025 to reduce the emissions they release into the air through the practices known as venting and flaring. You may …

Enbridge owns and operates Line 5, a controversial oil pipeline that crosses tribal lands and runs under a portion of the Great Lakes. (Adobe Stock)

Midwest Tribes to take Line 5 concerns to United Nations forum

Next week, Native American leaders from the Midwest will go before a United Nations panel with their concerns over a controversial oil pipeline they …

PFAS are chemicals used since the 1940s. They are found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware. Public officials are sounding the alarm about health risks associated with the chemicals, including their presence in drinking water. (Adobe Stock)<br />

EPA finalizes national standard for PFAS in drinking water

Minnesota is the site of a high-profile drinking-water contamination case linked with so-called forever chemicals and advocates are hopeful residents …

The Thriving Neighbors Series is free but registration is required. (Adobe stock)

IN ‘feeling the impacts of climate change’

By Enrique Saenz for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News …

Governor Ned Lamont's budget proposal advocates using $5.75 million in ARPA funds to support statewide resiliency and climate preparedness. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: CT General Assembly must act on climate bills

Connecticut's General Assembly is weighing several climate change bills. It comes after what advocates describe as detrimental inaction on the …

WI, other states prepare for new PFAS drinking water rule

Efforts to limit human exposure to so-called forever chemicals continue to unfold in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, advocates are hopeful residents will be …

The Nature Conservancy Arizona will use the funding to purchase conservation easements from willing landowners on up to 20,000 acres. (Juliana Swenson/Adobe Stock)

Millions of dollars going to Verde River conservation in north central AZ

More than $11 million in federal grant money will go to improve land and water conservation in the upper Verde River Watershed and Big Chino Grassland…

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Environment

NM officials press for setbacks amid pushback from oil and gas industry

Clean-air activists to hold 'die-in' Friday at LA City Hall

CA climate leaders fight to keep setbacks around oil and gas wells

New hearings, same arguments on both sides for ND pipeline project

WA lawmakers move to electrify school bus fleet

Solar projects underway in South Dakota

NY takes action to remove PFAS from water, products

VA officials support new EPA clean truck standards

Quad Cities residents weigh in on climate change research

NY, PA towns benefit from Inflation Reduction Act grants

East Palestine concerns linger over vinyl chloride exposure

Can taller cover crops help clean the water in farm country?

Study: PA ranks high for health impacts of oil and gas flaring emissions

On Earth Day, climate activists press for CA bond measure

Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness

BLM finalizes rule to prioritize protection of public lands in CO, West

After Alaskan mining decision, other states may step up conservation efforts

Public contributes to climate change research

New BLM rule creates opportunities for conservation in OR

Denial of mining road in Alaska has ripples across U.S. national parks

Rejection of AK mining road seen as victory for national parks across U.S.

Michigan mayor seeks multimillion-dollar wastewater upgrade

NV stakeholders celebrate new BLM public lands rule

BLM's 'Public Lands Rule' could reform conservation, access in NM

AZ conservation groups pleased with Biden's move to protect public lands

Food forests in southern Arizona help combat heat and hunger

A snapshot of federal investments being put to use in WI

Climate groups seek to remove tax breaks for oil and gas companies

Personal energy electrification plans offered at NM Earth Day event

More summer smoke? Experts monitor climate-fueled events and health effects

Advocates want NY HEAT Act in the final budget

VA General Assembly considers RGGI budget amendments

Study: 90% of CO River irrigation water goes to cattle

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

FL Wildlife Corridor study reveals role in climate resilience, population growth

New Endangered Species Act rules consider climate impact on ME wildlife

EPA takes steps to reduce PFAS as advocates call for more actions

Iowans asked to get busy counting beeezzz, please

SB 442 veto override ballots due back this week

Pacificorp throws a lifeline to Wyoming coal and natural gas industry

Experts: EPA chemical plant emissions rule a win for WV communities

TX faith, environmental groups hopeful about new EPA methane rule

Midwest Tribes to take Line 5 concerns to United Nations forum

EPA finalizes national standard for PFAS in drinking water

IN ‘feeling the impacts of climate change’

Advocates: CT General Assembly must act on climate bills

WI, other states prepare for new PFAS drinking water rule

Millions of dollars going to Verde River conservation in north central AZ