skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A PA judge allows Elon Musk's $1 million voter giveaway; All eyes on AZ this Election Day, but experts warn of harmful misinformation; To call or not to call? The election night question; Election Day raises new fears over Comstock Act, reproductive rights.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Philadelphia's District Attorney says the city is prepared for any election violence, doctors advise about how to handle Election Stress Disorder, and Oregon has a high number of women in government.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

EPA Rule Suspension Called "Arbitrary and Capricious"

play audio
Play

Thursday, July 6, 2017   

HARRISBURG, Pa. – A federal appeals court in Washington has dealt a blow to the Trump administration’s plans to roll back environmental regulations.

Last month EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt imposed a 90-day moratorium on rules regulating emissions from new oil and gas wells, then proposed extending that for two years.

But on Monday, in a 2-to-1 decision, the federal court ruled that Pruitt's action was arbitrary, capricious, and exceeded his authority.

Peter Zalzal, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund, calls the ruling good news for the environment, and for those downwind of gas facilities.

The Environmental Defense Fund sued the EPA to stop the rollback.

"Nationwide pollution limits for oil and gas wells and other pieces of equipment will take effect, and those limits will provide critical public health protections for tens of thousands of Americans," Zalzal explains.

The Trump administration is trying to undo many environmental regulations that it says hinder economic development. No decision on a possible appeal of the ruling has been announced.

Oil and gas facilities leak methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and smog-forming chemicals that can trigger respiratory ailments.

While the Environmental Protection Agency itself may not make enforcement of the rules a high priority, Zalzal points out the rules are now the law of the land.

"That's something that both the federal government and citizens can take action to ensure are enforced," he stresses.

While the EPA can change rules, the court said it must engage in the rule-making process, including accepting public comment, to do so.

Zalzal says environmental advocates are not the only voices that were raised against the EPA administrator's action.

"There's really critical leadership from a coalition of 15 state attorneys general to ensure our nation's clean-air laws are enforced," he points out.

The EPA will holding a public hearing on Monday on the proposed two-year suspension of the rules on emissions from new oil and gas facilities.






get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some organizations point to low pay, racial bias in school systems and retention challenges as the biggest obstacles to recruiting more Black men into teaching. (RDNE/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

In a country where Black men make up less than 2% of the teaching workforce, a program in Jacksonville is working to shift the balance by recruiting 1…


Social Issues

play sound

By Jabari Gibbs for The Current.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Public News Serv…

Social Issues

play sound

It is Election Day and Maine voters are weighing the future of the state's extensive trail system. If passed, the Maine Trails Bond would inject …


More than one of every 10 voters in today's general election is expected to be Latino, a 20.5% increase from 2016, according to the NALEO Educational Fund. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Election Day is finally here, and this year more than 17 million Latinos are expected to cast a ballot. The National Association of Latino Elected …

Social Issues

play sound

A package of New York City bills can help preserve affordable housing. The Community Land Act creates more pathways for communities to purchase and …

More than 36,000,000 Latinos nationwide will be eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election - an increase of four million voters since 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Lourdes Medrano for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

Social Issues

play sound

A nonprofit report aims to build trust in Michigan's voting system by explaining the safeguards that ensure fair and free elections. The report …

Social Issues

play sound

Wyoming's secretary of state is asking county clerks to report non-citizens who try to vote, although cases of that - or any other - kind of election …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021