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Trump can keep National Guard in Los Angeles for now, appeals court rules; Experts warn of normalization of political violence; FL shellfish industry, communities push governor to ban Apalachicola drilling; Utah weighs cost of repealing clean-energy tax credits.

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White House says decision on Iran strikes will come in two weeks. Conservatives in Congress demand answers on former President Biden's mental acuity, and a new lawsuit could change Maryland's primary election process.

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Giant data centers powering artificial intelligence want cheap rural land but some communities are pushing back, Hurricane Helene mobilized a North Carolina town in unexpected ways, and Cherokee potters make ceramics that honor multiple generations.

Experts: Plans to loosen environmental rules will hurt West Virginians’ health

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Wednesday, May 14, 2025   

West Virginia is the only state in the country where the Trump administration has overturned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's previous rejection of the state's plan to lift limits on the amount of sulfur dioxide in the air.

A new data dashboard from the Sierra Club showed how loosening environmental rules on regional haze, greenhouse gas, mercury and more will increase exposure to air and water pollution.

Honey May, director of the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, pointed out sulfur dioxide is a harmful air pollutant which can cause serious lung and heart problems, particularly in people with asthma and older adults.

"We're talking about asthma, we're talking about emergency room visits, especially among the youngest and oldest," May outlined. "As the administration rolls these protections back, that's what it's going to amount to, is sick West Virginians."

The proposed rollbacks come at a time of unprecedented cuts to programs helping improve the health of Mountain State residents, including the closure of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offices responsible for mine safety and free black lung disease screenings.

May argued there is no evidence environmental deregulation will spur job growth in the region or revive a long declining coal industry.

"We don't need rollbacks and deregulation," May contended. "We need investment. Investment in transition, investment in protection for clean air and clean water and in our communities."

Nationwide, the dashboard showed more than 532 million metric tons more carbon dioxide would be emitted, along with more than 2,500 more tons of fine particulate matter and 868 more pounds of mercury. Research shows air pollution across the U.S. is responsible for an estimated 100,000 deaths each year.

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


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