Climate Change/Air Quality / Public News Service

Federal data show nearly 4,000 of the oil and gas drilling permits issued by the Biden administration are on public lands overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's New Mexico office. (Photo courtesy WildEarthGuardians)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

NM Advocates: Climate Crisis Demands End to Feds' Fossil-Fuel Leasing

The Bureau of Land Management has auctioned off another 10,000 acres of New Mexico public lands to the oil and gas industry, despite a local rally …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported the methane gas emitted in 2021 was the second-highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the nation, behind carbon dioxide. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

NY Senate Passes HEAT Act, Assembly Poised to Take Up Bill

The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances…

A 2014 study predicted one million new homes will be built in very high wildfire severity zones between the years 2000 and 2050. (Sundry Photography/Adobestock)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Experts: Wildfire Risk Hurting CA Home Values, Increasing Insurance Costs

It is getting increasingly expensive to have a home on the edge of the woods in California, in terms of home value and insurance costs. A new study …

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wetlands cover 5.5% of the 48 contiguous states, with one million acres of wetland in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

SCOTUS Ruling Creates New Definition for Wetlands

Virginia environmental advocates are not happy with the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on the Clean Water Act. The ruling in Sackett versus E-P-…

Parcels of land downstream of Ruybal Fox Creek Ranch have been subdivided into 35- to 50-acre large-lot tracts. (Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust)

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Preserving Cultural, Environmental Legacy in Southern Colorado

Ruybal Fox Creek Ranch sits in a dramatic canyon in the foothills of southern Colorado's San Juan Mountains, right next to the Rio Grande National …

A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report estimates at least two billion people worldwide eat insects. Globally, more than 1,900 insect species are considered edible, particularly those in tropical countries. The most commonly eaten insect groups include beetles, caterpillars, bees, wasps, ants and grasshoppers. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 5, 2023

NY Chef Changing Minds on Eating Insects

By Whitney Bauck for The Guardian.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Monday, June 5, 2023

Building Solutions for 'Range Anxiety' Can Boost Electric Vehicle Transition

By Whitney Bauck for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Netw…

Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, including mussels, barnacles and sea anemones, which settle on reefs and provide food for many other species. Crabs and fish also hide from predators within reef crevices. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 5, 2023

Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits Farmers, Coastal Communities

By Lynn Fantom for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

A 2019 report from the New York State Comptroller's Office found almost 85% of green jobs were in increased demand. A 2022 report found there are 35,700 workers in New Jersey's green economy. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Offshore Wind Farms Grow Job Opportunities

Offshore wind in New York and New Jersey is becoming a large contributor to job growth. New York's offshore wind investments are slated to create …

The Biden administration has set a goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2030, enough to power more than 10 million American homes. (Adobe Stock)

Bills Aim to Create 'Responsible' Offshore Wind Industry in ME

Maine lawmakers are considering two pieces of legislation which supporters said are needed to ensure "responsible" development of offshore wind projec…

Project developers have announced ambitions for more than 200 new capture facilities to be operating by 2030, capturing more than 220 metric tons of CO2 per year globally, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Environmentalists Build Opposition to CO2 Pipelines at Des Moines Hearing

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates carbon dioxide pipelines, and is holding a two-day conference in Des …

The El Ni�o weather pattern, which produces unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean around Christmas, was originally recognized by fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s. (FengYu/AdobeStock)

Forecasters: Texas Should Expect Drought, High Temps, El Niño

Memorial Day is considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States, with many Texans keeping an eye on what the weather has in store…

In New York, the Inflation Reduction Act has helped grow manufacturing and jobs for numerous forms of clean energy. But the White House predicts a default would raise interest rates and lead to higher prices for these projects. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Debt Default Would Impact NY Clean-Energy Investments

The looming U.S. debt default could affect a host of programs across the country - and in New York, the list includes clean-energy investments…

$By 2025, estimated health damages caused by methane leakage during fracking would cost $13-29 billion each year, according to the consulting firm Seed Scientific. (Adobe Stock)<br />$

Dangers of Fracking Wastewater Put Spotlight on 'Halliburton Loophole'

A law known as the "Halliburton Loophole" is under growing scrutiny. It exempts oil and gas companies from revealing the chemicals they use in the …

An increase in average global temperatures above 1.5 degrees Celsius risks sea-level rise, extreme weather and the loss of species and habitats, as well as food scarcity and increasing poverty for millions of people worldwide, according to ClientEarth. (Adobe Stock)

Montana Rolls Back Environmental Protections

Montana's environmental advocates are criticizing Gov. Greg Gianforte for signing a bill they said will allow the state to ignore the impacts of …

Last year Xcel Energy posted over $8.3 billion dollars in gross profits, with Colorado contributing more to Xcel's earnings than its other subsidiaries. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday Hearing on Xcel Energy Rate Increase Request Open to Public

On Wednesday, Xcel Energy customers will have a chance to tell the Colorado Public Utilities Commission what they think about the company's request - …

July 2022 was the hottest July since 1895 in Texas, according to Weather.com. (praewpailyn/Adobe Stock)

Texas Heatwaves are Coming; New Toolkit Available to Docs

Extreme heat kills about 700 people in the United States each year, but a new toolkit and weather alerts can protect folks in Texas and beyond…

Researchers found cities with the highest ParkScore rankings are healthier places to live based on the metrics of physical inactivity and mental health. (Adobe Stock)

ParkScore Rankings Name Washington D.C. Nation’s Best

The nonprofit Trust for Public Land has published its annual ParkScore rankings, and some area cities are high on the list. Washington, D.C.…

A wetland and marsh area at Chain O' Lakes State Park. Illinois' Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989 set a goal of no net loss of wetlands due to projects funded by the state. (GoodFreePhotos.com)

SCOTUS Lands Gut Punch to EPA Wetland Protections

A U.S. Supreme Court decision is shaking up the environmental community in Illinois and across the country. The high court ruled 5-4 on Thursday …

Advocates of a Climate Peace Clause protested outside trade negotiations in Los Angeles last year. (Will Wiltschko/Trade Justice Education Fund)

Trade Justice Advocates Call for Climate Peace Clause in U.S.-E.U. Trade Talks

Next week, trade negotiations resume in Sweden between the U.S. and the European Union, and advocates are urging all parties to sign a "Climate Peace …

Oil and gas leasing are currently allowed on 90% of publicly-owned lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Seeks Coloradans' Input on New Public-Lands Rule Aiming for Balance

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is holding a public hearing today in Denver on its new rule, which aims to put conservation, protection of …

One of the tax credits offered under the Inflation Reduction Act is a home energy audit, where property owners can find out if their home is wasting energy. (Adobe Stock)

With Emerging Incentives, Clean Energy No Longer a VIP Club

Clean-energy products, such as electric vehicles or home heat pump systems, might seem out of reach for a lot of people. But with federal incentives …

Advocates say the EPA's proposed carbon pollution standards would avert approximately 1,300 premature deaths. (Ralf Broskvar/Adobe Stock)

AZ Leaders Urge Strong Standards to Cut Climate Pollution from Power Plants

Arizona leaders gathered Tuesday in support of the Biden administration's proposed plans to cut climate pollution from fossil-fuel power plants to tac…

Community solar projects can make solar energy accessible to residents who may not be able to install solar panels on their own home, according to the National Association of Home Builders. (Adobe Stock)<br />

In WV, Community Solar Gains Popularity Amid Rising Utility Bills

Amid rising energy costs and inflation, energy advocates said they have seen a jump in interest in community solar. Luanne McGovern, legislative …

The world is home to 1.8 billion young people between ages 10 and 24, the largest generation of youth in history, who are increasingly aware of the challenges and risks presented by the climate crisis. (Adobe Stock)

'Climate Grief' Motivates Young Mainers to Take Action

The magnitude of climate change can feel overwhelming, creating a sense of so-called "climate grief" for some, but young climate activists say they …

According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, there are currently more than 1,500 approved drilling permits that have not started production. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition Turns to CO Voters to Phase Out Fracking Permits

A coalition of grassroots groups is turning to Colorado voters in an effort to phase out all new oil and gas leases by 2030. Kate Christensen - an …

The EPA admits its new standards for air pollution at power plants could bring small increases in utility bills, but projects the plan would bring a total of $85 billion in climate and health savings. (Adobe Stock)

New EPA Standards Seen as Attack on Coal-Fired Power Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to cut pollution from power plants not already set to retire by 90% by 2030 is the most ambitious in ov…

A new report predicts up to 639 premature deaths from respiratory illnesses would be prevented in Pennsylvania due to emission reductions resulting directly from participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (Erik Bergen Photos/Adobe Stock)

New Report: Impact for PA to Join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

A new report analyzed the potential impact of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Pennsylvania emissions, power generation, revenue, and jobs…

The Cumberland Fossil Plant is the largest generating asset in the TVA coal fleet and is located in Stewart County, Tennessee. It powers approximately 1.1 million homes. (David/AdobeStock)

TN Groups Call To Action for TVA Pivot To Clean Energy

Environmental groups in Tennessee have an urgent call to action for the Tennessee Valley Authority to cut fossil-fuel emissions and replace their coal…

According to the East Coast Greenway Alliance, 50 million bike rides, runs and walks occur every year along the project's existing route. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina Greenways: A Path to Health, Happiness, and Economic Growth

By Ashira Morris for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalis…

The American Geosciences Institute says the enormous size of the oil and gas industry results in huge volumes of oil and produced water, which lead to thousands of spills every year. (Photo courtesy of WildEarth Guardians)

NM Environmentalists: New Rules, Same Spills at State's Oilfields

Environmentalists and citizens in New Mexico believe the state agency charged with overseeing oil and gas activity is not doing enough to enforce rule…

Due to sea level rise, 263,500 jobs and more than $11 billion in wage income across the Chesapeake Bay region will be at risk of 100-year flooding by 2050, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rising Sea Levels to Impact Chesapeake Bay Region’s Economy

A new report finds rising sea levels in Chesapeake Bay will cost the surrounding regions jobs. The Resources for the Future report finds, in …

A new EPA report states climate change can increase children's pollen exposures as seasons lengthen and temperatures warm. (WavebreakMediaMicro/AdobeStock)

Report Links EPA Climate Change, Children’s Health and Well-Being in TN

In Tennessee and across the country, children's growing and developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, according to a new report …

A student advisor said students are moving the climate change debate forward because it is very difficult to ignore kids talking about their future. (Adobe stock)

Indiana Group Amplifies Student Voices on Climate Crisis

An Indiana-based environmental group is amplifying the voices of high school students who write about the environment and climate change. Earth …

In 2022, the Living Schoolyards Act was introduced in Congress, which would direct federal resources toward greening school grounds like those above. However, the bill failed to advance out of committee. (Adobe Stock)

Green Playgrounds Help NY Achieve Climate Goals

By Marianne Dhenin for Next City.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Signs someone could be having a stroke and needs immediate emergency care include loss of speech, vision or the inability to move their arms or legs or maintain balance. (Adobe Stock)

National Stroke Awareness Month Spotlights Environmental Factors

Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of disability and death, and are responsible for nearly a million deaths each year in the U.S.…

A schoolyard in Concord, California. More than 4.2 million of the students in California public schools are on campuses with less than 10% tree canopy, half with less than 5%. (Sharon Danks)

Reimagining Schoolyards to Improve Health and Learning

By Carl Smith for Governing.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News…

The EPA said the spread of Lyme disease, carried by black-legged ticks, is influenced by changing temperatures and rainfall patterns. (Evgeniy Kalinovskiy/AdobeStock).

Report: EPA Climate Change and Children’s Health and Well-Being in Arkansas

In Arkansas and across the country, children's growing and developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, according to a new report …

The Scattergood Generating Station's iconic red-and-white emissions stacks will be obsolete when it adds a hydrogen-burning unit in 2029. (Caleigh Wells)

LA’s Controversial Plan to Switch Gas Plant to Hydrogen

By Caleigh Wells for KCRW.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

According to Chispa, communities of color are 61% more likely to live in a county with unhealthy air. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: How NV Land Conservation Contributes to Combating Climate Change

It's officially Clean Air Month, and experts recently discussed how land conservation in Nevada is connected to combating climate change and …

School districts have until Aug. 22 to turn in their applications for this year's Clean School Bus Program. (Moms Clean Air Force)

AZ School District Sees Benefits of Electric Buses, More Funds On Way

This week, one Arizona school district is sharing the local benefits ushered in by the Inflation Reduction Act. Isaac School District in West …

A solar-plus-storage system costs $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the battery size and other factors, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but just adding a battery to a solar system will cost anywhere from $12,000 to $22,000. (Adobe Stock)

NH Battery-Storage Program Lowers Energy Costs, Emissions

By Sarah Shemkus for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Indiana ranks third in the nation for total coal consumption. (James Phelps, Jr./Adobe Stock)

Indiana Governor Ignores Environmental Group's Plea

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ignored pleas from environmental advocates who were asking him to veto a bill that gives lawmakers more power over state …

Scientific evidence shows air pollution can contribute to adverse birth outcomes, infant mortality, damaged lung function, asthma, cancer and even neurological disorders and childhood obesity, according to UNICEF data. (SoloviovaLiudmyla/AdobeStock)

West Dallas Neighborhood Seeks Relief From Major Air Polluter

A West Dallas neighborhood, citing decades of air and noise pollution, wants an asphalt shingle plant to abandon its decades-old location - but foot-…

According to the EPA, a supplemental proposal called the Super Emitter Reduction Program aims to reduce methane emissions from a bevy of sources by 87%, compared with 2005 levels. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature Considers Bill to Align Climate, Public Utility Laws

New York State's Legislature is reviewing a bill to align the state's public utility law with its climate goals. The New York HEAT Act aims to get …

Santa Monica Beach is seen on a clear day, Feb. 25, 2022. The air is cleaner than in the past; South Coast Air Quality Management District says ozone levels are at less than half of what they were in the 1950s. (Amy Ta)

Hotter, More Humid, But Cleaner: How L.A.’s Air Has Changed

By Caleigh Wells for KCRW.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

The fossil fuel industry successfully lobbied Congress to add billions of dollars for carbon capture technologies in the recently passed Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Unproven Tech Could Stall Action on Climate Change

Some 45 environmental groups across Colorado are sounding the alarm about a host of emerging technologies that have been attached to legislation aimin…

According to the Lake Carriers' Association, the Great Lakes fleet moves more than 90 million tons of cargo annually. (icholakov/Adobe Stock)

Could Great Lakes’ Cargo Fleet 'Go Green?'

By Audrey Richardson for Great Lakes Echo.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Michigan News Connection reporting for Solutions Journalism-Public Ne…

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