Environment / Public News Service

The Rio Grande and its tributaries provide drinking water for about 13 million people in the United States and Mexico. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Friday, November 29, 2024

Lawsuit limbo over disputed NM, TX water rights

A delegation of New Mexico lawmakers is asking the federal government to quickly resolve long-standing litigation affecting water users in the Rio Gra…

According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, mule deer were uncommon in the early 1900s. Their populations surged in the 1950s and 1960s, peaked in 1991, but are now seeing historic lows. (M. Leonard Photo/Adobe Stock)

Friday, November 29, 2024

State agency hosts talks across Wyoming on declining mule deer

After a devastating recent winter, the already-struggling mule deer population in Wyoming took a big hit and the state's wildlife agency is …

Around 131 million people in the U.S. live in communities regularly exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Friday, November 29, 2024

New KY air monitoring project to address health effects of air pollution

A new air monitoring project aims to study the health effects of air pollution in west Louisville's Rubbertown neighborhood. More than two decades …

About 30% of agricultural methane emissions stem from manure storage. The other 70% comes from the digestive systems of livestock. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, November 29, 2024

CT, US take steps to mitigate methane emissions

By Seth Millstein for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Connecticut News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News …

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida ranks 15th among states in the number of farms, and 29th for the amount of land farmed in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Farmers, aquaculturists unite to protect Florida's land, water

For decades, Florida's upstream farmers and downstream aquaculturists have been at odds over water quality and environmental impacts. Now, the new …

The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed monarch butterflies as

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Monarch butterflies candidate for Endangered Species List

Monarch butterflies could be on the federal Endangered Species list by year's end. Eastern monarchs found in New York and other northeastern states …

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Tips on spotting climate change misinformation and bias

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Col…

Milk is the only food that makes up an entire food group. (magdal3na/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Activist: Dairy may not be best way to get your calcium

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Wh…

The Hispanic Access Foundation's wildfire management toolkit encourages families to proactively seek out local news and CalFire updates rather than waiting for evacuation orders from the authorities. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Wildfire toolkit helps CA Hispanic families prepare

Low-income Latino communities often bear the brunt of wildfires, so the Hispanic Access Foundation offers a wildfire management toolkit and video …

The USDA is investing more than $3 billion in about 140 pilot projects for

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

USDA's 'Climate-Smart' efforts raise questions on transparency, impact

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Alabama News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

The NAACP, Human Rights Watch, the ACLU and other groups are voicing opposition to the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

PA environmental, free speech advocates worry over 'anti-terror' law

A bill introduced in Congress is facing backlash from nonprofit organizations, warning it could stifle free speech. The Stop Terror-Financing and …

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)

Advocates: PA's climate progress threatened by 2nd Trump presidency

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

Many countries in the world have reusable bottle systems. (Alvaro/Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

Two Oregon companies forge sustainable path for beer, wine bottles

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

After a slight increase in 2022, the number of 2023-2024 western monarchs

Montanans can help keep monarch butterflies off the endangered list

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide by early December whether to list the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife …

The Illinois International Port District's top imports are sand and gravel, petroleum and metal products. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

EPA grants to fund IL port energy projects

Illinois, like many states, continues to seek innovative solutions for cleaner air. The Biden administration recently selected the Illinois …

One megawatt (MW) of electricity generated by a wind turbine in Wisconsin can typically power around 350 typical Wisconsin homes, according to Renew Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Despite lag in WI wind energy, potential is high for takeoff

Wisconsin ranks 26th in the nation for wind energy, generating far less than neighboring states. Wisconsin has about 900 megawatts of installed …

West Virginia has the nation's third highest electricity costs as a percentage of household income, according to a 2022 report by Citizens Utility Board of Illinois. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

Grid operator's $14 billion in costs mean higher bills for WV residents

Major electric grid operator PJM Interconnection estimates it'll cost more than $14 billion to provide electricity for 2025-2026, up from $2.2 …

A Sierra Club report found offshore wind can save New Englanders $630,000,000 annually. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers studying CT’s offshore wind possibilities

Connecticut is the subject of an offshore wind study which aims to identify supply chain opportunities for the state and the Northeast region…

Jacques Beech saw his electric bill fall to $100 a month after installing solar panels on his Minneapolis home. (Photo courtesy Brad Stauffer for Energy News Network)

Monday, November 25, 2024

Mpls. solar nonprofit proves patience brings results to low-income residents

By Frank Jossi for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

The College of the Atlantic includes a 38-acre main campus in Bar Harbor, Maine, two nearby organic farms and two offshore island research stations on Great Duck Island and Mount Desert Rock. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Student governance key to ME’s College of the Atlantic top 'green' ranking

Maine's College of the Atlantic has once again topped the Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges. The Bar Harbor-based school has been …

In 2022, flash floods hit the hills of eastern Kentucky, leaving in their wake millions of dollars of devastation. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 25, 2024

Study looks at what causes flash floods in the Appalachian mountains

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection for the Daily Yonder-Public News Service Collaborat…

Xcel Energy officials and Minnesota dignitaries gathered this week for a ceremonial connection of the company's Sherco solar facility. Phase One is now online and the utility says once fully operational, Sherco will power 150,000 homes. (Photo courtesy Xcel)

Following solar news, is MN closer to reaching carbon-free goal?

Minnesota's solar energy outlook took a big step forward this week with a new project coming online, bringing the conversation back into focus about …

Use caulk, spray foam and weather stripping to keep more heat inside the home. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …

Meadville's Climate Action Plan includes a food project to help local vendors and farmers increase the affordable fresh produce they offer. And a farming incubator will allow residents access to larger plots of land and agricultural training. (Don/Adobed Stock)

Funding boosts 'green' projects in Meadville, PA

A small rural town in northwest Pennsylvania is using a combination of state and federal funds to implement "green" projects as part of its Climate Ac…

Food systems are responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with meat production, particularly beef, being a significant driver. (CanYalicn/Adobe Stock)

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

The U.S. International Joint Commission was asked in March 2024 to address the effects of transboundary water pollution in the Kootenai River Watershed, and should make its decisions by March 2026. (Adobe Stock)

Montana joins tribes to target Canadian mining pollution

Montana has joined a coalition of Indigenous groups working to address Canadian coal mining pollution in the state's Kootenai River. The …

The solar industry already employs more than 250,000 people, nearly twice as many as those who work in the coal-mining industry, according to the Sierra Club. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona's climate advancements at risk under 2nd Trump presidency

Environmental groups in Arizona say they've faced challenges in advancing environmental protections, and that could now become even harder under a …

The nonprofit FracTracker Alliance has created an online map that shows the proximity of CO2 pipelines in Great Plains states to ecologically vulnerable areas and Indigenous lands. (Adobe Stock)

'FracTracker' maps pipeline effects on Indigenous land

A nonprofit group that tracks oil and gas development has created an interactive map to show how close CO2 pipelines in Great Plains states come to en…

A report from the Maryland Public Interest Research Group anticipates future emissions reductions will come from the transportation and industrial sectors. (Adobe Stock / AI-generated)

Report: MD leads nation in greenhouse gas reduction

New research finds Maryland leading the nation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Protection Agency data show between 2005 and 2022…

Researchers have found that online shopping generates 4.8 times more packaging waste than in-store purchases, on average. (Adobe Stock)

Toy safety, environmental impacts cloud e-commerce holiday push

As Minnesotans click the "purchase" button when shopping online for the holidays, they're urged to consider two things: toys from overseas suppliers …

Kentucky ranks 48 of 50 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 84.8 per 100,000. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Cancer education program sheds light on Appalachian disparities

Some Kentuckians are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and more likely to die from the disease than others. Dr. Nathan Vanderford, associate …

The Hoosier Environmental Council reports Indiana has more unlined coal ash pits that contaminate our groundwater than any other state in the nation. (Adobe stock)

Hoosier green goals at crossroads amid federal shifts

Indiana environmental advocates are facing uncertainties following the election. Changes in federal leadership could shift key environmental …

More than 8 million tons of cargo passes through the Port of Detroit annually, supporting more than 9,000 local direct jobs and more than $900 million in economic activity. (Detroit Wayne County Port Authority)

EPA grants $21.9M for MI port upgrades, emission planning

The Environmental Protection Agency is delivering more than $21.9 million to the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, aiming to provide a greener …

Built in 1953 and outlasting its original lifespan, Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline transports 22 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily across 645 miles of terrain through Michigan and Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Controversial Line 5 project faces more legal action in WI

A legal challenge is expected since the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has granted key permit approvals to a Canadian energy company to rer…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends states monitor biosolids, which can end up being used as farm fertilizer, for PFAS contamination and identify industrial discharges of PFAS. (Adobe Stock) <br />

KY farmers should think twice about using ‘biosludge’ as fertilizer

Kentucky farmers are using biosolids or "biosludge" from city sewage as cheap fertilizer but the price tag is high in terms of health, from toxic …

Several Midwestern states, including North Dakota, have been looking over plans submitted by Summit Carbon Solutions for what's described as one of the largest carbon capture and storage projects in the world. (Adobe Stock)

Carbon pipeline debate reaches new stage after ND permit OK'd

More regulatory action is needed, but a controversial pipeline project in North Dakota is moving forward after a permit was approved last week…

$Short-term exposure to fracking pollutants can cause respiratory and other health issues, while long-term exposure, especially during pregnancy, is linked to birth defects and complications. (Aryfahmed/Adobe Stock)$

PA group fights for global treaty to end plastic pollution

An environmental group in Pennsylvania is among those backing a global plastics treaty set to be finalized by year's end. It is estimated 99% of …

Studies show nature-based outdoor learning has measurable socio-emotional, academic and physical health benefits for students. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME counters learning loss with expanded outdoor programs

Maine educators are expanding outdoor learning opportunities to help build the next generation of environmental stewards. The state has unveiled a …

As of Nov. 1, the United States has faced 24 confirmed weather and climate disaster events in 2024, each causing over $1 billion in damages. These included 17 severe storms and four other major events.(Adobe Stock)

Citizen scientists’ rainfall data saves lives, aids weather forecasting

By Jennifer Oldham for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News …

Funds from the Inflation Reduction Act are now flowing to help California families afford energy-efficient electric heat pumps. (Isengard/Adobe Stock)

New CA rebate program launched to cut home energy costs

A new rebate program could save California families up to $8,000 on an electric heat pump for home heating and cooling. The Home Electrification and …

Wisconsin will receive $78 million over five years from the federal government to expand electric vehicle improvements. It plans to have all new charging stations up and running by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

WI makes innovative strides, but lags in EV adoption

Electric vehicles have seen a nationwide uptick, yet Wisconsin lags behind - with EVs making up only about 1% of all cars on the road. …

The Buffalo River Watershed Alliance was created to help preserve and protect the scenic beauty and pristine water quality of the Buffalo National River by opposing and preventing the construction and operation of industrial concentrated animal feeding operations within the Buffalo River watershed. (ODell Outside/Adobe Stock)

AR nonprofit works to protect Buffalo National River from contamination

Members of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance are supporting two moratoriums on concentrated animal feeding operations to be voted on today by the A…

Virtual power plants, a microgrid connecting renewable energy with smart appliances, costs ratepayers 40% to 60% less than building and maintaining conventional coal or gas-powered plants. (Adobe Stock)

Creating virtual power plants for resiliency during extreme weather, wildfires

An electric cooperative supplying power to Western Colorado is pioneering energy independence for homes, businesses and farms. They are creating a …

Two solar projects now produce about 35% of Four Seasons' energy use. Solar arrays cover the entire roof of the company's Ephrata, Penn., warehouse. (Four Seasons Family of Companies)

Federal funds help power PA produce distributor's rooftop solar

By Sara Millhouse for Resource Rural.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Resource Rural-Public Ne…

According to a United Nations 2015 report, food system emissions were responsible for 18 billion tons of carbon dioxide, making up 34% of global emissions. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Investors, activists both work to shape companies' climate goals

The food we consume is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with beef production -- key to the fast food industry -- among …

Shareholders step up to shape climate goals in corporate world

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

In Connecticut, 818,000 electric vehicles are registered per 100,000 people. Nationally, between 2020 and 2023, EV sales grew from 300,000 to 1.6 million. (Adobe Stock)

Misconceptions keep CT drivers from getting EVs

Misinformation about electric vehicles is keeping more of them from being on Connecticut roads. Owners of the state's more than 31,000 registered …

Slaughterhouses can contribute to environmental degradation through toxic runoff and water usage. (Adobe Stock)

GA activist focuses on zoning violations to advocate for environmental health

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - November 29, 2024

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Environment

Lawsuit limbo over disputed NM, TX water rights

State agency hosts talks across Wyoming on declining mule deer

New KY air monitoring project to address health effects of air pollution

CT, US take steps to mitigate methane emissions

Farmers, aquaculturists unite to protect Florida's land, water

Monarch butterflies candidate for Endangered Species List

Tips on spotting climate change misinformation and bias

Activist: Dairy may not be best way to get your calcium

Wildfire toolkit helps CA Hispanic families prepare

USDA's 'Climate-Smart' efforts raise questions on transparency, impact

PA environmental, free speech advocates worry over 'anti-terror' law

Advocates: PA's climate progress threatened by 2nd Trump presidency

Two Oregon companies forge sustainable path for beer, wine bottles

Montanans can help keep monarch butterflies off the endangered list

EPA grants to fund IL port energy projects

Despite lag in WI wind energy, potential is high for takeoff

Grid operator's $14 billion in costs mean higher bills for WV residents

Researchers studying CT’s offshore wind possibilities

Mpls. solar nonprofit proves patience brings results to low-income residents

Student governance key to ME’s College of the Atlantic top 'green' ranking

Study looks at what causes flash floods in the Appalachian mountains

Following solar news, is MN closer to reaching carbon-free goal?

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

Funding boosts 'green' projects in Meadville, PA

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

Montana joins tribes to target Canadian mining pollution

Arizona's climate advancements at risk under 2nd Trump presidency

'FracTracker' maps pipeline effects on Indigenous land

Report: MD leads nation in greenhouse gas reduction

Toy safety, environmental impacts cloud e-commerce holiday push

Cancer education program sheds light on Appalachian disparities

Hoosier green goals at crossroads amid federal shifts

EPA grants $21.9M for MI port upgrades, emission planning

Controversial Line 5 project faces more legal action in WI

KY farmers should think twice about using ‘biosludge’ as fertilizer

Carbon pipeline debate reaches new stage after ND permit OK'd

PA group fights for global treaty to end plastic pollution

ME counters learning loss with expanded outdoor programs

Citizen scientists’ rainfall data saves lives, aids weather forecasting

New CA rebate program launched to cut home energy costs

WI makes innovative strides, but lags in EV adoption

AR nonprofit works to protect Buffalo National River from contamination

Creating virtual power plants for resiliency during extreme weather, wildfires

Federal funds help power PA produce distributor's rooftop solar

Investors, activists both work to shape companies' climate goals

Shareholders step up to shape climate goals in corporate world

Misconceptions keep CT drivers from getting EVs

GA activist focuses on zoning violations to advocate for environmental health