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The Environmental Protection Agency finds neonicotinoids could jeopardize more than 200 plants and animals protected by the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

CT lawmakers water down bill addressing toxic pesticides

A Connecticut bill would have restricted toxic pesticides called neonicotinoids - or so it seemed. The bill's newest iteration, some experts feel…

In 2022, the EPA found three widely used neonicotinoid insecticides harm roughly three-fourths of all endangered plants and animals, along with all 39 species of amphibian protected by the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

CT General Assembly Bills Address Pesticide Use

Connecticut's General Assembly is considering legislation which would end the use of certain types of pesticides in the state. Senate Bill 962 and …

According to Environment America, 90% of wild flowering plants need the help of animal pollinators to survive, and declining bee populations are extremely dangerous for the ecosystem. (Adobe Stock)

"Bee-ing" an Advocate to Save Pollinators Beyond Earth Day

HARTFORD, Conn. - Even though Earth Day has passed, groups advocating for bees hope people will continue to take steps to save these pollinators…

Unlike prior years, the 2021 environmental summit will he held online. (Connecticut League of Conservation Voters)

21st Annual Environmental Summit Starts Today, Goes Virtual

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Legislators, advocates and experts are gathering today, virtually, to brainstorm solutions for the myriad threats facing …

The Connecticut River is one of many across the country polluted by companies that have sought environmental waivers during the pandemic. (idenimadept/Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Sue EPA Over Suspending Pollution Rules During Pandemic

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Conservation groups are asking a federal judge to make the Environmental Protection Agency enforce pollution controls. They're …

The Trump administration has lost 16 of the 17 lawsuits brought by Earthjustice that have resulted in major environmental court decisions so far. (Pixabay)

Report: Trump Administration Sets New Records for Court Losses

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Trump administration's efforts to weaken public health and environmental regulations are being roundly defeated in the …

Hartford has the highest rate of asthma in Connecticut, and one of the highest rates in the country. (USN/Wikimedia Commons)

EPA Fuel-Efficiency Rollback Called a Bad Deal for Everyone

HARTFORD, Conn. – City officials and environmentalists say the EPA's plan to freeze the fuel-efficiency standard is bad for public health…

Critics say the loophole will allow more emissions of mercury, benzene, lead and other toxins. (SD-Pictures/Pixabay

EPA "Polluter Loophole" Challenged in Court

HARTFORD, Conn. – Clean-air advocates want the federal courts to stop a new rule that would allow major polluters to turn their pollution …

States are expected to sue as the Trump administration tries to repeal the Clean Power Plan. (bhumann34/Pixabay)

States Fight Rollback of Environmental Regulations

HARTFORD, Conn. – States in the Northeast and on the West Coast are challenging Trump administration changes to environmental regulations…

The new RGGI reductions will reduce carbon pollution by more than 132 million tons through 2030. (Benita5/Pixabay)

Stepping Up Pace on Fighting Climate Change

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut and eight other states are stepping up their efforts to cut carbon emissions. The Regional Greenhouse Gas …

Chlorpyrifos is used on strawberries, fruit trees, corn, wheat and other food staples. (Shamefaced/Pixabay)

EPA to Delay Decision on Pesticide Ban

HARTFORD, Conn. – A federal appeals court has refused to order the Environmental Protection Agency to decide if it will ban a pesticide linked …

Making a new regulation for a toxic chemical would require eliminating two existing regulations. (Voltamax/pixabay.com)

Lawsuit Challenges 'One-In, Two-Out' Executive Order on Regulations

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Public interest law, environmental and labor groups are suing to stop the Trump administration's executive order to cut government …

The EPA is scheduled to update regulations for copper and lead in drinking water this year. (Meir Roth/Pexels)

New Executive Order Called "Threat" to Environmental Safeguards

HARTFORD, Conn. – Environmental advocates say a new executive order issued by President Trump threatens clean air and water safeguards and puts …

Under a consent decree approved in 2000, General Electric agreed to clean up PCBs in the Housatonic River. (John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons)

Objections to Cleanup of Housatonic PCBs Overruled

LITCHFIELD, Conn. – The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected General Electric's objections to a plan to remove PCBs from the Housatonic …

Passage of a bill to protect pollinator habitat was a victory for Connecticut's environment. (John Severns/Wikimedia Commons)

Year of Struggles, Victories for Connecticut's Environment

HARTFORD, Conn. – The latest Environmental Scorecard for Connecticut tells of both legislative victories and defeats in a year focused on …

A new report confirms that capping carbon spurs investment in renewables and energy efficiency. (Digitalpilgrim/Wikimedia Commons)

RGGI Succeeds in Cutting Climate Pollution

HARTFORD, Conn. - The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, continues to make real progress in reducing carbon emissions. A new status report …

Technology planned and in use could cut emissions from new aircraft by 25% in 8 years. (Regular Daddy/Wikimedia Commons)

EPA Finding Step Toward Aircraft Emission Standards

HARTFORD, Conn. - Greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines endanger public health and welfare, that's according to a new finding from the …

Marchers want opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership in the Democratic Party platform. (AFGE/Wikimedia Commons)

Clean Energy Revolution to Greet the DNC

PHILADELPHIA - Thousands will be marching in the streets of Philadelphia on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, calling for a The full …

The law will require the EPA to test 10 chemicals a year to start. (Myfuture.com/flickr)

Major Toxic-Substances Control Bill Clears House

HARTFORD, Conn. – A bill to significantly strengthen the Toxic Substances Control Act should soon be law across the country. The 1976 law …

Expanding existing energy efficiency and renewables policies would help Connecticut reach target reductions in greenhouse gases. (SayCheeeeeese/Wikimedia Commons)

CT Losing Ground on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

HARTFORD, Conn. - Greenhouse gas emissions are increasing in Connecticut, putting state-mandated reduction targets at risk. The state is legally …

Analysis of canned foods found 67 percent of the cans tested had BPA in the lining. (King of Hearts/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Toxic Chemicals May Taint Canned Foods

HARTFORD, Conn. - Chemicals in the linings of most food cans may be dangerous to consumers. That's the finding of a new report just released by six …

Connecticut advocates have been urging other retailers, including Lowe's, to follow the lead of Home Depot and phase out dangerous chemicals in some flooring products. They are concerned that a Senate update of the Toxic Substances Control Act isn't sufficient. Credit: Susan Eastwood.

Watchdogs: "More Harm than Good" in Toxic Substances Update

HARTFORD, Conn. - Backers say it will provide a long-needed update to the Toxic Substances Control Act, but local consumer advocates say a measure …

PHOTO: A new report says Connecticut residents should not worry about reliability of the power grid as the state adopts the EPA Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commmons.

Report: CT Power Should Remain Reliable Under Clean Power Plan

HARTFORD, Conn. – It won't be a problem keeping the lights on as Connecticut adopts the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power …

PHOTO: While Connecticut drivers are paying less at the pump, local environmental advocates warn there could be greater long-term costs from increased air pollution - and even more potholes on the roads. Photo credit: M. Clifford.

Flip-Side of Low Gas Prices: Full Price is "Never Paid" at the Pump

HARTFORD, Conn. - Low gas prices are likely to give the economy a boost by giving drivers in New England some extra money in their pockets, but there …

PHOTO: Connecticut is not cost-effective turf for natural-gas

Earth Week: Focus on Keeping Fracking Waste Out of CT

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut may not be the most welcoming or cost-effective state for natural gas fracking, but conservation advocates are …

PHOTO: An increase in farm fertilizer runoff along with more severe weather is leading to a larger number of reports of toxic algae blooms in U.S. waterways. It can make people ill and kill pets and wildlife. Photo credit: Ben Townsend.

Report: Toxic Algae Problems More Common Across Nation

HARTFORD, Conn. - Toxic algae blooms gumming up waterways is a nationwide problem according to the latest National Wildlife Federation (NWF) report…

PHOTO: About 167,000 piston-powered general aviation aircraft in the U.S. are using leaded aviation fuel. Courtesy: AOPA

Flying Lead: The Unfriendly Skies of Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. - They got the lead out of automobile gas decades ago. But three-quarters of the nation's piston-engine-driven airplanes - some 167,00…

NWF: We Really Can Have It All: EPA Regs & New Jobs

HARTFORD, Conn. - Mercury, carbon and soot. Most people in Connecticut have heard by now that these toxic pollutants are harming our environment…

Congress Ponders "Right to Know" Bill to Label G-M-O Foods

OXFORD, Conn. – The rise of genetically-modified foods on supermarket shelves has raised concerns in Connecticut and across the country - and …

Justice the Cornerstone of King's Legacy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Connecticut's biggest celebration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., has taken place at Yale University's Peabody Museum of …

Fake vs. Real Christmas Trees? A Surprising Answer

HARTFORD, Conn. - As Nutmeggers contemplate whether to buy a real Christmas tree or the artificial kind, it's helpful to consider the environmental …

CT Takes Lead in Ridding Toxic Ingredient in Thanksgiving Dinner

HARTFORD, Conn. - That big Thanksgiving feast could contain an unwanted toxic ingredient, according to a new report from the Breast Cancer Fund…

Some Back-to-School Products & "Bounce Houses" Spell Danger for CT Kids

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Backpacks, lunchboxes and binders, all of which seem like helpful back-to-school supplies for Connecticut kids, could actually do …

Mine Accidents, Oil Slicks Related To Declining Supplies?

HARTFORD, Conn. - So far this year, the U.S. has seen the worst oil spill in its history and the worst coal mine accident in four decades. …

Environmental Health Risks: Not Just Cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A recent report delivered to President Obama by a special panel appointed by President Bush warned that the risk of cancer from …

"Fracking" Prompts Health, Environmental Questions about Gas Extraction

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The oil leak disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has many Americans considering other forms of energy production. But a process being …

Report on School Safety: Wakeup Call on Possible Cell Tower Danger

WASHINGTON, D.C. – There is new evidence it's not just cell phones that might harm children's health, but the invisible radiation from cell …

Connecticut Only State to Receive Federal Energy Challenge Funds

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, can seep into homes and cause serious health problems for unsuspecting …

Peanut Poisoning Victims Still Waiting to be Served Food Safety Assurances

HARTFORD, Conn. - One year ago this week, Americans were scouring their pantries to clear out peanut products after salmonella-tainted peanut butter …

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CT: Toxics