Environment / Public News Service

A well-designed riparian buffer can prevent 80% of excess nutrients from entering rivers and streams. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Most SD surface waters fall below state quality standards

There are nearly 150,000 miles of rivers and streams in South Dakota, but new data show many of those don't meet state standards for safe water …

Researchers studying ways to reduce the dairy industry's climate-altering emissions say a hotter climate can cause heat stress in dairy cows, reducing their feed intake, milk production, and fertility. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Cow feed research aims to cut ME dairies' methane emissions

New research could help Maine dairy farmers increase profits while reducing effects on the climate. Scientists said adding a plant-based essential …

Gray wolf pack sizes range from two to 11 wolves. Most packs contain four to six individuals, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

WA considers reclassifying gray wolves as 'sensitive' species

The State of Washington is proposing to downgrade gray wolves from "endangered" to "sensitive" status as a species. At last count, there were 260 …

North Carolina is the sixth-largest producer of cotton in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

'Planet and people first': NC businesses see benefits of 'ESG'

Businesses large and small are doubling down on their commitment to more sustainable practices, even as lawmakers in North Carolina and other states …

The Justice40 initiative aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate change, clean energy, clean transportation, affordable housing, water infrastructure, workforce development and pollution remediation to disadvantaged communities. (elnariz/adobe stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Federal initiative empowers communities with career creation

A collaboration between the federal government and local communities works to create new career opportunities. The Flint Environmental Career Worker …

In 2022, 10.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.2 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park lands in Arizona, according to the National Park Service. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

New BLM rules could help national parks in AZ

As opponents to the Bureau of Land Management's new rules push back, public lands advocates are praising the agency's decision to put conservation on …

Calls for building out vast electric-vehicle charging networks have become a thorny issue in oil-producing states such as North Dakota. But EV owners say elected leaders need to realize some automakers are still making a strong push, despite their opposition. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

EV owners in ND: Less politics, more charging stations

It might not be surprising that North Dakota ranks low for electric vehicle adoption, but existing owners say they are frustrated elected officials …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported ammonia is often found in surface waters surrounding concentrated animal feeding operations. The ammonia causes oxygen depletion from water, which itself can kill aquatic life. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Environmental lawyer: CAFOs not just a NIMBY issue

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a month to respond in court to a new lawsuit concerning a factory farm in the central part of the st…

University of New Hampshire scientists are researching how the addition of plant-based essential oils called Agolin in cow feed can improve overall milk quality and production while decreasing a cow's emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. (UNH)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

NH scientists: Plant-based oils in cow feed cut climate-altering methane emissions

New research from the University of New Hampshire could help dairy farmers increase profits while reducing their effect on the climate. Scientists …

The impact of the Public Lands Rule goes beyond BLM-managed lands, benefiting 80 neighboring national parks, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

NV's public lands to benefit from BLM's new rules

The Bureau of Land Management recently released two rules that alter how the agency manages its 245 million acres of public lands, 48 million of …

For the 2023 tax year, the top five Minnesota counties under the state's wind energy production tax received nearly $12-million in combined revenue. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

In some MN counties, wind turbines are taxpayers, too

Minnesota is coming off another windy month of April. Those strong wind gusts may have translated into some extra cash for counties with wind …

Stalactites cling to the roof of what's called the

Monday, May 6, 2024

NM's Chaco, Carlsbad parks gain protection from new BLM rule

New Mexico's diverse national parks located adjacent to extraction sites will enjoy greater protections under a new federal rule. Changes to how the …

Air quality can suffer greatly during the summer when the Northwest experiences wildfires. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Air Quality Awareness Week starts with focus on wildfire smoke

Agencies are raising awareness about air quality across the country this week. Led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality …

The Department of Energy estimates that the new standards, once finalized, will cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 billion metric tons or more. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

AZ consumer group praises new water heat efficiency standards

An Arizona consumer group is applauding the U.S. Department of Energy's new residential water heater standards that they say will save American …

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can be harmful to the lungs. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Air quality awareness week arrives as wildfire season nears

Agencies are raising awareness about air quality around the country this week. Led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality …

Smoke from across the region can affect air quality in cities like Seattle. (Tabor Chichakly/Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

NW wildfire season highlights importance of Air Quality Awareness Week

Agencies are raising awareness about air quality across the country this week. Led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality …

More than 80 national park units, including Rocky Mountain National Park, sit next to public lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

New BLM rule could help protect America's national parks

As critics work to roll back new Bureau of Land Management rules, public lands advocates are defending the agency's move to put conservation uses on …

There are more than 31,000 orphaned oil and gas wells within 30 miles of National Parks nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Wyoming leaders push back on new BLM rules

New rules on how the Bureau of Land Management oversees more than 18 million acres of public lands in Wyoming have drawn criticism from Gov. Mark …

New federal rules will govern 245 million acres of public lands in the United States, including in Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

New oil and gas mining rules benefit wilderness, rankle companies

The Bureau of Land Management has released a pair of rules that will change how the agency manages 245 million acres of public land. The rules …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, and every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies of a stroke. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Study: Climate change may affect stroke side effects

Climate watchers are predicting this summer's temperatures may set records, which could aggravate some medical conditions. A 30-year study of health …

Currently, 90% of public land managed by BLM is open to commodity-driven extraction, like mining and oil and gas development, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

National parks in UT benefit from BLM rules

Conservation experts are applauding the Bureau of Land Management for releasing two new rules that recognize conservation as an essential part of publ…

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument's new Molok Loyuk region provides habitat for tule elk, mountain lions, bears, bald eagles and golden eagles. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Public lands groups cheer expansion of two CA national monuments

Conservation groups, tribes and community organizers are praising President Joe Biden's decision Thursday to expand two national monuments in …

Among U.S. grain exports, 60% is shipped on the Mississippi River through the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana. (Daniel Thornberg/Adobe)

Group: Nature-based solutions help solve Mississippi River Delta problems

As part of an effort to restore the Mississippi River delta, an organization is collaborating with nature to address environmental challenges…

Vermont residents in need of new insulation, appliances or heating systems can calculate their emergency flood-rebate eligibility by using the Rewiring America online calculator at efficiencyvermont.com. (Adobe Stock)

Flood-impacted VT households rebuild for climate resilience

By Annie Ropeik for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…

It is estimated 30% to 40% of the world's population now has some form of allergy, everything from hay fever to eczema and asthma. (auremar/AdobeStock)

Ignoring effects from New Mexico's seasonal allergies could lead to asthma

Toughing it out during spring allergy season is not in your best interest if you want to avoid asthma later in life. New Mexico has plenty of grass …

$A fracking operation is shown on Colorado's front range east of Denver. The state had more than 12,000 hydraulic fracturing well operations in 2023. (Adobe Stock)$

Film documents environmental battle with Colorado oil, gas industry

A new film documents the 2018 battle between Colorado environmentalists and the oil and gas industry over proposed fracking regulations. The film …

Small rooftop solar systems in Ohio cost on average around $13,000 before tax credits, according to the website EnergySage. (Adobe Stock)

EPA’s Solar for All Program aims to help Ohioans lower energy bills, create jobs

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $156 million to Midwestern states, including Ohio, to help residents lower their energy bills through …

Despite many Connecticut counties ranking poorly for air quality, Hartford was the only city to improve enough to move off the list of the worst 25 cities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT counties rank poorly for air quality

Several Connecticut counties rank poorly in the latest State of the Air report by the American Lung Association. Four counties measured for ozone …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized clean air standards affecting heavy-duty trucks starting with the 2027 model year. (Adobe Stock)

Communities close to big box warehouses face health fallouts

A recent study by the Environmental Defense Fund showed communities near mega warehouses are exposed to more polluted air. More than 2 million …

According to the American Lung Association, nearly four in 10 people in America live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. (Pcess609/AdobeStock)

PA groups monitoring soot pollution pleased by new EPA standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized stronger air quality standards for soot pollution and one regional organization said it is a step in…

Earthjustice data show 94% of coal ash ponds in the United States are unlined. (Adobe Stock)

New EPA rules target Georgia legacy coal-ash ponds

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule to close a significant loophole in coal ash disposal regulations. The Coal Combustion …

Karst, or extremely loose and porous soil, is a well-known determinant in how much nitrate can leach into nearby ground and well water supplies, eventually making its way into drinking water. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa leaps state regulators, calls on EPA for emergency water help

The Iowa Environmental Council has petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to invoke emergency powers to protect sensitive soil and groundwater…

The eclipse balloon, test-launched here by Iowa State students, is part of the University's High Altitude Balloon Experiments in Technology program. (Iowa State University)

IA eclipse research balloon pops, sends 'cool' data back to Earth

Environmental scientists in Iowa are starting to analyze data they collected with a research balloon during the recent solar eclipse. The mission was …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, accounting for about 16 percent of global emissions. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina weighs in on Duke Energy's methane gas proposal

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is giving residents a chance to voice their opinion on a plan which could influence how their electricity is g…

Birds are attracted to the Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove, Ore., where wastewater is treated naturally. (Bryn Nelson)

Wastewater wetlands in OR, US provide natural filtration option

By Bryn Nelson for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

There are 8,337 solar jobs in the state of Arizona, according to Solar Energy Industries Association. (Adobe Stock)

AZ receives millions of dollars for solar investments

The State of Arizona has received $156 million to invest into solar systems for Arizona families. Adrian Keller, Arizona program director for the …

The Public Lands Rule helps ensure BLM management decisions will continue to be guided by science and data. (Adobe Stock)

Utah opposes BLM's new Public Lands Rule

The Bureau of Land Management recently released its final Public Lands Rule, which is set to put conservation on equal footing with other multiple …

Individuals present during atmospheric nuclear weapons testing could qualify for a single, substantial financial payment as compensation. (Hamara/AdobeStock)

RECA expansion bill impacts Tennessee, awaits House approval

A Knoxville-based environmental group is advocating for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expansion, currently awaiting House approval…

New Mexico is the second sunniest state in the nation after Arizona, creating maximum opportunities for solar development. (KristinaBlokhin/AdobeStock)

NM tribal communities benefit from EPA's "Solar For All" program

New federal funding aims to revolutionize solar energy access within New Mexico's Native American communities and benefit the state overall. The …

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed modern-day coal miners are at greater risk of respiratory disease than their predecessors, likely driven by inhalation of silica coal mine dust. (AI-generated Adobe Stock)

Advocates: New silica dust rule 'missed opportunities' to curb black lung

After the Biden administration released a new rule setting standards to limit exposure to silica dust, advocates in Kentucky and around Appalachia …

The manu o ku, or white fairy tern, is among the thousands of bird species that have benefited from the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a more than century-old federal law. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation groups celebrate biodiversity of Hawaiian bird species

Conservation groups say the Hawaiian Islands are on the leading edge of the fight to preserve endangered birds, since climate change and habitat loss …

Democrats and Republicans sent a letter to the House Agriculture chair urging him not to increase crop subsidies by diverting conservation funding. (Adobe Stock)

New Farm Bill could provide climate-smart investments to VA farmers

The long-delayed Farm Bill could benefit Virginia farmers by renewing funding for climate-smart investments, but it's been held up for months in …

It's estimated that invasive pests destroy up to 40% of food crops and cause $220 billion in trade losses worldwide. (Lee/Adobe Stock)

USDA: Spring in PA is time to be on lookout for invasive pests

April has been "Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month," but the pests don't know that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's the …

Jane Kleeb is director and founder of Bold Alliance, an umbrella organization of Bold Nebraska, which was instrumental in stopping the Keystone Pipeline. Kleeb is also one of two 2023 Climate Breakthrough Awardees. (Bold Alliance)

Landmark NE agreement takes proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks

CO2 pipelines are on the increase in the United States, and like all pipelines, they come with risks. Preparing for those risks is a major focus of …

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

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…

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

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 …

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)

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…

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)

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…

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Environment

Most SD surface waters fall below state quality standards

Cow feed research aims to cut ME dairies' methane emissions

WA considers reclassifying gray wolves as 'sensitive' species

'Planet and people first': NC businesses see benefits of 'ESG'

Federal initiative empowers communities with career creation

New BLM rules could help national parks in AZ

EV owners in ND: Less politics, more charging stations

Environmental lawyer: CAFOs not just a NIMBY issue

NH scientists: Plant-based oils in cow feed cut climate-altering methane emissions

NV's public lands to benefit from BLM's new rules

In some MN counties, wind turbines are taxpayers, too

NM's Chaco, Carlsbad parks gain protection from new BLM rule

Air Quality Awareness Week starts with focus on wildfire smoke

AZ consumer group praises new water heat efficiency standards

Air quality awareness week arrives as wildfire season nears

NW wildfire season highlights importance of Air Quality Awareness Week

New BLM rule could help protect America's national parks

Wyoming leaders push back on new BLM rules

New oil and gas mining rules benefit wilderness, rankle companies

Study: Climate change may affect stroke side effects

National parks in UT benefit from BLM rules

Public lands groups cheer expansion of two CA national monuments

Group: Nature-based solutions help solve Mississippi River Delta problems

Flood-impacted VT households rebuild for climate resilience

Ignoring effects from New Mexico's seasonal allergies could lead to asthma

Film documents environmental battle with Colorado oil, gas industry

EPA’s Solar for All Program aims to help Ohioans lower energy bills, create jobs

Report: CT counties rank poorly for air quality

Communities close to big box warehouses face health fallouts

PA groups monitoring soot pollution pleased by new EPA standards

New EPA rules target Georgia legacy coal-ash ponds

Iowa leaps state regulators, calls on EPA for emergency water help

IA eclipse research balloon pops, sends 'cool' data back to Earth

North Carolina weighs in on Duke Energy's methane gas proposal

Wastewater wetlands in OR, US provide natural filtration option

AZ receives millions of dollars for solar investments

Utah opposes BLM's new Public Lands Rule

RECA expansion bill impacts Tennessee, awaits House approval

NM tribal communities benefit from EPA's "Solar For All" program

Advocates: New silica dust rule 'missed opportunities' to curb black lung

Conservation groups celebrate biodiversity of Hawaiian bird species

New Farm Bill could provide climate-smart investments to VA farmers

USDA: Spring in PA is time to be on lookout for invasive pests

Landmark NE agreement takes proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks

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

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

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

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