Climate Change/Air Quality / Public News Service

The Lummi Nation totem pole traveled through the islands of Puget Sound before making its way to the East Coast. (Freddie Lane)

Monday, September 26, 2022

WA Totem Pole Travels U.S. for 'Just' Clean Energy Transition

A totem pole from the Lummi Nation in northwest Washington is traveling across the country as part of a bid to call for clean energy and environmental…

The Suncor Line 1 Rocky Mountain Pipeline Project would replace an existing 10-inch pipeline with a 16-inch pipeline. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 26, 2022

Colorado Groups Petition Leaders to Halt Suncor Line 1 Pipeline

More than 40 environmental groups are urging federal regulators and Colorado's Congressional delegation to put a pause on a pipeline project under way…

According to the Bureau of Land Management, there are more than 200,000 abandoned mine sites in Arizona, about 20,000 located on public land. (John Chandler Media/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 26, 2022

Report: Reclaiming Abandoned, Degraded Lands Benefits Economy, Climate

A new study found reclaiming abandoned mines and other degraded lands could bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. economy, fight climate …

The number of Pennsylvania residents who have already installed solar power at their homes or businesses is now close to 15,000. (Diyanadimitrova/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 26, 2022

Clean-Energy Investments to Boost PA Economy

Renewable energy has the possibility to boost the economy and benefit workers and the environment in the Keystone State. That was the message at the …

Authors of a new study predict lakes in the Northern Hemisphere will eventually lose their frozen surface between 15 and 45 days earlier as climate change worsens. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 26, 2022

New Study Adds to Concerns About Diminishing Lake Ice Cover

Minnesotans are preparing for another winter, and a new global study raises questions about how colder climates might see fewer days of ice cover on …

The Biden administration is working on new nationwide regulations for methane gas emissions from oil and gas sites. (Leonid Ikan/Adobe Stock)

Report: 40% of Regional Methane Pollution Linked to "Super Emitters"

A relatively small number of so-called "super emitters" are responsible for 40% of the methane emissions in oil and gas hotspots such as California's …

Elementary school students on a field trip marvel at the size of a redwood tree. (Victoria Reeder)

For Students, A Trip to the Forest is a Game Changer

As California's children settle into the new school year, about 1,500 students will soon take the field trip of a lifetime to see the giant redwoods…

Crater Lake National Park covers more than 180,000 acres in southern Oregon. (aiisha/Adobe Stock)

Public Lands Day Celebrates 'Spectacular' Landmarks in OR, U.S.

Saturday is National Public Lands Day, a celebration of national parks in the United States. People will be able to access national park lands for …

Researchers warn that as climate change increases wildfire areas in snow zones throughout the West, the wildfire influence on the snowpack also will grow. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Wildfires Expanding Into Snow Zones Will Impact Water Supplies

Wildfires in Wyoming and across the West are creating bigger impacts on snowpack supplying farms, energy production and drinking water for millions …

The World Health Organization links indoor air pollution, including pollutants from burning natural gas, to increased chances of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. (Vladimir Semenov/Adobe Stock)

Groups Plead with Public Utilities Commission to 'Supercharge' Electrification

Nevada needs to move away from natural gas and toward clean energy - that's the view of climate action groups that spoke up on Tuesday at an open foru…

New technology can pinpoint methane sources to within 15 feet, and using a high-resolution imagery, can connect plumes to individual pieces of equipment. (Adobe Stock)

New Maps Expose Methane 'Super-Emitter' Sites

A new study mapping methane pollution across five oil and gas production basins in states including Colorado found a small number of sites account for…

Wildfires near farms in Whatcom and Skagit counties have made work in the fields hazardous for workers. (Alfredo Juarez)

Amid Wildfires, Heat, WA Farmworkers Call for Greater Protections

Washington state farmworkers are facing harsh conditions in the midst of wildfires and late-summer heat. They're calling for greater protections from …

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower energy costs for households and businesses, create manufacturing jobs for American workers and deliver a clean, secure, and healthy future for families. (Vitalli Vodolazskyi/AdobeStock)

Tennessee Rural Electric Co-ops to Benefit from Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act has made a historic investment of $370 billion dollars to fight climate change over the next decade. Among its benefits…

Wyoming to Receive $25 Million for Orphan Wells Under Infrastructure Bill

President Joe Biden's bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expected to bring more than 300 jobs to Wyoming to clean up and plug so-cal…

The new Indian Youth Service Corps enlists Indigenous youths for paying jobs that include trail restoration, habitat surveys, climate mitigation, watershed restoration and other culturally important tasks. (Kristi Rugg/National Park Service)

Indian Youth Services Corps Offers Jobs in Conservation, Preservation

Indigenous youths have been enlisted in the Southwest, including New Mexico, to help conserve natural and cultural resources on tribal lands as part …

If you put faith in predictions by the Old Farmer's Almanac, expect record-breaking cold in the eastern half of the United States this winter and above-average snow totals. (Claudia/Pixabay)

Old Farmer's Almanac Predicts 'A Tale of Two Winters' for 2023

Fall arrives in Texas next week, which means winter and its challenges will be right behind. But never fear, the Old Farmer's Almanac says it will be …

Part of New York State's climate law says 35% of total statewide spending on clean energy and efficiency programs must go to disadvantaged communities. (Adobe Stock)

NY Prepares Disadvantaged Communities for Climate Change Effects

New York State has been working to ensure disadvantaged communities aren't so vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, as storms grow in …

Some environmental groups say carbon capture might be worth exploring, but only on a smaller scale to ensure it can work as part of climate-change solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Expert: Too Many Unknowns about Carbon Capture

South Dakota regulators could get an updated map proposal this fall from a company behind a multistate pipeline for underground storage of carbon diox…

According to a study by the Center for Biological Diversity, woody biomass energy generation in California emits almost four times the carbon pollution of gas-generated power. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Division in CA Over Woody Biomass’ Climate Future

After California's Legislature approved a plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, experts called for one renewable-energy source to be re-evaluated…

An estimated six million children with asthma in the United States are especially vulnerable to air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

IA Leaders Face New Pressure to Study Climate Change

The effects of climate change, such as droughts and destructive storms, have been visible across Iowa in recent years. That's prompted calls for …

The Idaho National Laboratory treats nuclear waste at its facility near Idaho Falls. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

Critics: Climate Bill's Nuclear Funding Undermines Clean-Energy Claims

The Inflation Reduction Act aims to revolutionize the clean-energy sector in the United States. But in Idaho, critics think its investment in nuclear …

Congress passed historic legislation to battle climate change last month, but researchers say the average American badly underestimates support by their fellow citizens. (Niklas/Pixabay)

Study: Perception Versus Reality about Climate-Change Distress

If you protest in the streets of Texas about climate change and your neighbor doesn't, you may think they don't care about the issue. But new …

GA Group Mobilizes against World's Largest Wood-Pellet Plant

Residents of Adel, a predominantly Black and Hispanic town in South Georgia, are fighting plans to build the world's largest wood-pellet plant in …

Methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure in New Mexico are the state's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the University of New Mexico. (umm.edu)

NM Fossil-Fuel Industry Fights Methane, Ozone Rules Compliance

Environmental groups in New Mexico say a lawsuit filed by an advocacy group for the state's fossil-fuel industry suggests it values profit more than p…

Much like coal and oil, woody biomass is a carbon-burning form of energy production that emits carbon dioxide. (Adobe Stock)

Massachusetts Helping Turn Tide on Biomass Energy

Clean-energy advocates are hopeful Massachusetts' leadership on fighting biomass pollution will drive change in other states and nations. The Bay …

Northern Utah'a air quality ranks among the worst on the planet, according to IQAir, a website that monitors pollution levels around the world. (Salil/Adobe Stock)

High-Pollution Days Bring Free Rides on Wasatch Range Transit System

Salt Lake City is notorious for its bad air days this time of year, but there is a silver lining to the brown cloud. The Free Fare for Clean Air …

Farmers face startup costs to diversify their crop rotations, but experts say the move can mean lower overall costs over the long run. (Adobe Stock)

Old Ideas About Farming Offer New Alternatives

The resilience of the U.S. food supply to disasters has become even more important in the time of climate change. Nebraska farmers, like others…

West Virginia has the potential to create more than 1,000 solar energy jobs, and nearly 3,000 energy efficiency jobs by 2030 and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, according to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act: A Pathway to Transition WV from Coal

West Virginia residents stand to gain from the tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act. The legislation, supported by Sen. Joe Manchin…

The biomass process, also called anaerobic digestion, uses waste products from farm animals and plants to extract methane and generate power. (Olivo/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Call Biomass Proposal 'Flawed, Inefficient'

Environmental advocates are calling a Michigan proposal to use animal and industrial waste as a source of "renewable natural gas" for power generation…

Planting native flowering plants in your yard instead of grass can help restore critical habitat for struggling pollinator species. (Adobe Stock)

Wanted: Next-Generation Beekeepers for Nebraska Farms

With the age of Nebraska's farmers and beekeepers on the rise, bee enthusiasts are encouraging more young people to check out the Great Plains Master …

The Quino Checkerspot Butterfly is one of dozens of species listed under the Endangered Species Act that lives in the area to be protected as a wildlife refuge in Western Riverside County. (Andrew Fisher/USFWS Volunteer Biologist/Flickr)

Local Officials Promote Proposed Wildlife Refuge in Riverside County

Local leaders are pressing Congress to create a new wildlife refuge in Riverside County. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Sen. Alex Padilla…

Panel Discussion Tonight on Future of Nevada's Water

Some of the state's top experts will speak out tonight on the greatest water issues facing Nevada. The event, sponsored by the Nevada Conservation …

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron have risen during the last decade from around 577 feet to 582 feet. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Provides Hope for Michigan's Climate-Change Policies

With the Inflation Reduction Act now law, many states are beginning to bring their climate goals to fruition. In the last decade, Michigan has seen …

Multi-billion-dollar companies like Chevron, which owns this refinery in El Segundo, would have to track and make public their carbon emissions if SB 260 becomes law. (Pedro Szekely/Flickr)

Vote Coming on Bill to Make Big Companies Disclose Carbon Emissions

A big floor vote in the State Assembly is expected this week or early next on a bill that would require mega-corporations that do business in Californ…

Indiana has more than 7,000 MW of clean energy in development - with the bulk of that in solar. (Branden/Adobe Stock)

Indiana Becoming America's 'Crossroads of Clean Energy'

Solar energy is growing fast in Indiana, which bodes well for clean energy as a whole in the state. Indiana ranks third among states in terms of …

Weather experts predict the upcoming 2022 hurricane season has a 60% chance of producing more storms of higher intensity. (Jillian Cain/Adobe Stock)

New Bill Allocates Money for Improving NC's Coastal Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act, newly signed into law, allocates billions of dollars to fight climate change, including funds specifically for coastal …

Latino workers are getting training in green-energy job skills through a pilot program, but some face roadblocks trying to balance a new career path with maintaining two or three other jobs to support themselves. (Adobe Stock)

Program Works to Bring 'Green' Construction Jobs to Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Latino community has been inundated with job opportunities in the "green" economy thanks to a new pilot program. Elevate, a climate-…

Part of the Inflation Reduction Act's $369 billion climate-change investment creates the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, which aims to reduce leaks from producing and distributing natural gas. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act is Law: What Next for Climate?

Although President Joe Biden has signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, he's getting pressure to declare a climate emergency to provide further …

Congress recently passed legislation expected to help households transition away from expensive air conditioning to more efficient and affordable heat-pump technology which also can cool homes. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Urges States to Help More Low-Income Households Stay Cool in Summer

Coloradans struggling economically put their health at risk when they decide not to turn on cooling systems, frequently out of fear of not being able …

Inflation Reduction Act is Law; Climate Future Still Murky

Although President Joe Biden has signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, many are hoping he will declare a climate emergency to provide further …

Lake Mead has been downgraded to a Level 2a water shortage, leading to cuts in water deliveries in 2023. (SpaceEconomist192/Wikimedia Commons)

Feds Announce Cuts in Colorado River Water Deliveries to NV, AZ and Mexico

Nevada is set to lose 8% of its Colorado River water allotment next year because of perilously low water levels at Lakes Mead and Powell caused by a 2…

According to a 2021 study, 90% of coal must remain unextracted to keep global temperatures at levels considered safe by leading scientists. (Adobe Stock)

Court Ruling Adds to Challenges Facing Wyoming Coal Industry

A federal court's decision to require the Department of Interior to consider the potential health and climate impacts of coal mining on public lands c…

The Yurok Tribe hopes that money from the Inflation Reduction Act will allow a big expansion of its forest restoration programs, like this one along the Trinity River in northern California. (Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe).

CA Groups, Tribes Praise New Bill, Call for Climate Emergency Declaration

As President Joe Biden gets ready to sign the Inflation Reduction Act into law, California conservation groups are hailing it as the country's …

Ductless heat pumps are an energy-efficiency option that also provide air conditioning. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

WA Push Heats Up to Make Homes Greener, Healthier

Washington state wants to make homes for its most vulnerable residents greener and healthier. It started with a needs assessment from the Department …

The Inflation Reduction Act includes tax credits for renewable energy, such as wind turbines. (Yay Images/Adobe Stock)

Historic Climate Action Bill Heads to President Biden's Desk

Congress has passed legislation making the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history. It has grassroots organizations like Northern Plains …

The Inflation Reduction Act contains $369 billion in new spending to fight global warming from the oil and gas industry and boost clean energy. (Mike/Pixabay)

New Climate Bill to Tackle Texas Methane Emissions

Included in the Inflation Reduction Act is a provision aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, but it remains to be seen …

NOAA seeks to make it easier for groups and agencies to work towards restoring habitats. (Adobe Stock)

NOAA Brings Focus to Middle Peninsula

Virginia has some of the fastest-eroding coastline in the U.S, so an effort at one federal agency is bringing new focus to the region. Inside the …

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