skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, May 2, 2024

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

Police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash in tense scene at UCLA encampment; PA groups monitoring soot pollution pleased by new EPA standards; NYS budget bolsters rural housing preservation programs; EPA's Solar for All Program aims to help Ohioans lower their energy bills, create jobs.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Campus Gaza protests continue, and an Arab American mayor says voters are watching. The Arizona senate votes to repeal the state's 1864 abortion ban. And a Pennsylvania voting rights advocate says dispelling misinformation is a full-time job.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Bidding begins soon for Wyoming's elk antlers, Southeastern states gained population in the past year, small rural energy projects are losing out to bigger proposals, and a rural arts cooperative is filling the gap for schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

EPA Greenhouse Gas Health Ruling a Shot in the Arm for FL Plans

play audio
Play

Monday, April 20, 2009   

Florida Governor Charlie Crist may have new support for his initiatives on reducing greenhouse gas pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a finding that such carbon pollution is a danger to human health and to the climate, because of more smog, more intense hurricanes and killer heat waves. The EPA action is seen as the first step towards federal regulation on limiting carbon air pollution from cars and trucks, power plants, and factories.

Dr. Amanda Staudt, climate scientist with the National Wildlife Federation, says the ruling is just what's needed, especially for those most at risk.

"Many of the health effects will disproportionately affect the poor, elderly and frail, and urban dwellers, which makes them an important environmental justice consideration."

Critics are concerned that regulation will lead to higher costs, will hurt the economy, and lead to legal battles. Staudt says the finding could boost the economy instead, by supporting Governor Crist's mandates to develop renewable energy, clean car requirements, and green jobs.

Joe Mendelson is the Global Warming Policy Director for the National Wildlife Federation. He says the EPA ruling will play well at the next round of global climate talks.

"This will be the largest step that the federal government will have taken, to date, on fighting climate change. It will be the first step toward mandatory reduction in U.S. global warming pollution."

Congress will be looking at the implications this week during hearings on draft climate and energy legislation that sets the framework for a cap-and-trade program to control carbon air pollution.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Protest encampments such as this one at San Francisco State University against the war in Gaza have now spread to a half dozen campuses across California. (Sam Cheng/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Massive protests and tent encampments opposing the war in Gaza are growing at universities across California, with classes canceled at the University …


play sound

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

Social Issues

play sound

A new report shows Black girls are enduring disproportionate discipline, sexual harassment and public humiliation from school-based police and …


A Minnesota research group said between 2020 and 2022, buried utility infrastructure was damaged 7,440 times, with broadband installation serving as a major factor. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Government leaders are acting with urgency to get underserved communities connected with high speed internet but in Minnesota, underground digging …

play sound

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

A Marist Poll found 31% of rural New Yorkers want increased state funding for developing new homes. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New York's 2025 budget takes proactive steps to address rural housing. In the budget, $10 million was allocated for improvements to rural housing …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Recent research shows approximately half of people who die by suicide had contact with a health care professional within the month prior to their deat…

Social Issues

play sound

Advocates for the rights of people with disabilities have joined the Montana Quality Education Association in a suit to stop a school voucher bill in …

 

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