skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, November 25, 2024

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

Judge tosses Trump 2020 election case; Maryland trains more health workers to offer abortion care; New England clinics see post-election spike in contraceptive requests; Report: CT teacher pension financing creates inequity.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The special counsel wants to drop the January 6 charges against President-elect Trump. U.S. officials hint at a ceasefire in Lebanon, and Trump's pick for 'border czar' warns states that are promising to fight strict immigration policies.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The health of rural Americans is getting renewed attention from the CDC, updated data could help protect folks from flash floods like those devastated in Appalachia, and Native American Tribes want to play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Will Rollback of Pollution Regulations Accelerate Iowa Climate Change?

play audio
Play

Monday, October 21, 2019   

DES MOINES, Iowa – In recent years, Iowa has experienced record level flooding, devastating droughts and rising temperatures attributed to climate change.

At the same time, the Trump administration is rolling back standards that protect clean air and water.

Last week Democrats in the U.S. Senate attempted to pass a resolution of disapproval, calling attention to climate change and the reluctance of Republicans, including Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, to address the issue.

Antonia Herzog, manager of the Climate and Energy Program for Physicians for Social Responsibility, says the Obama-era Clean Power Plan was making a significant difference.

"We have to deploy more clean energy resources,” she stresses. “We have to reduce energy we use. The Clean Power Plan had put us on the right path, and overturning it is sending us completely in the wrong direction."

Using the Congressional Review Act, Senate Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to delay implementation of the Trump administration's revised rule that weakens regulations on power plant emissions.

Ernst voted in favor of overturning the Obama-era rules.

Iowa had the wettest year on record in 2019 and, despite being a small state, has had 43 presidentially declared disasters in the past 30 years.

Dr. Maureen McCue, coordinator of the Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility, says the state has nearly 20,000 energy efficiency jobs, including wind energy and solar employees.

She says 90% of Iowans believe it's important to promote the state's clean energy sources, which makes it the wrong time to roll back safeguards that protect communities and incentivize investments in clean energy.

"Fisher people can't fish because there's so much algae and recreational uses are being closed down because the beaches have so much algae and we are not protecting our waterways," she points out.

Health impacts attributed to climate change include increased rates of asthma, which in Iowa affects 42,000 children and 220,000 adults.

Disclosure: The Partnership Project contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, Environment. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
According to the CDC, peaks of respiratory disease usually happen from about December to February.(Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

With flu and COVID-19 cases increasing during the holiday season, a Georgia doctor said now is the time to take steps to protect yourself and your …


Social Issues

play sound

Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping a new teacher certification process will draw more diverse candidates to the classroom. The state recently passed …

Social Issues

play sound

The 2024 presidential election has raised complex emotions for incarcerated Ohioans, many of whom are unable to vote but remain deeply engaged in …


play sound

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Maryland News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News S…

Pennsylvania will receive about more than $591 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to cap orphaned oil and gas wells and restore abandoned mine lands. (Funtay/Adobe)

Environment

play sound

A Pennsylvania group warned progress on environmental protections could be at risk under a second term for President-elect Donald Trump. The state's …

Environment

play sound

By Allison Frost for Oregon Public Broadcasting.Broadcast version by Isobel Charlé for Oregon News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism…

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado hospitals got failing grades for compliance with the Colorado Hospital Discounted Care law, according to a new report. The law passed in 20…

 

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