Environment / Public News Service

State lawmakers passed North Carolina's Carbon Plan to reduce emissions in 2021. (Mathew/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

In face of federal rollbacks, NC environmental efforts continue

President-elect Donald Trump retakes office in less than a week and promises to roll back efforts to combat climate change. But state-level efforts …

Ohio is the nation's fifth-largest producer of soybeans and corn, making agricultural policies like the Farm Bill critical for its economy. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Ohio farmers navigate uncertainty amid Farm Bill delays

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

The top cancers diagnosed in Iowa in 2023 were breast, lung, colon and rectal, and skin melanoma, according to research by the University of Iowa's Cancer Registry Report. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Advocates call on Iowa lawmakers to defeat 'Cancer Gag Act'

Advocates for small communities in Iowa are calling on state lawmakers not to pass the so-called "Cancer Gag Act," which they said would give pesticid…

According to ClimateCheck, heat risks are highest in Montgomery and lowest in Florence, while precipitation risks peak in Decatur and are lowest in Dothan. Birmingham faces the highest drought risk; Montgomery the lowest. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

How Alabama employees can drive climate action in 2025

By Ethan Brown for The Sweaty Penguin.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Alabama News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

Nationally, just one-third of state lawmakers are women. In the 2025 session, 52% of Colorado lawmakers are women. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Veteran CO lawmaker sets sights on climate, child care in 2025

In 2019, Colorado lawmakers set goals for cutting climate pollution by at least half by the year 2030, and by 90% by 2050 - compared with 2005 levels…

In December, the Oregon Investment council found the state's Public Employee Retirement System returned 2.7%, which lagged other states and its benchmark, in part because of fewer public investments. (Ded Pixto/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

New bill would pause Oregon state retirement fund's fossil fuel investments

A new bill aims to further reduce investments in fossil fuels by Oregon's Public Employee Retirement System. The Pause Act would impose a five-year …

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Georgia church creates solar-powered emergency hub with federal climate funds

By Yessenia Funes for Next City and Yale Climate Connections. Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the …

Federal incentives are being offered for carbon capture projects, including a multistate pipeline proposal for the Midwest involving ethanol emissions. However, skeptics said the project's designs are too big for unproven technology. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Carbon pipeline and landowner rights take their seat again in SD's capitol

South Dakota lawmakers begin a new legislative session today and are already hearing from worried landowners about their rights as a private company k…

Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Tennessee Valley Authority's largest customer, accounts for 11% of TVA's total load, serving around 431,000 electric customers. (Kevin Ruck/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Memphis may not have enough power to accommodate enormous AI facility

An environmental group is sounding the alarm about Elon Musk's xAI Colossus facility in Memphis, which they fear will strain the city's power grid…

Ohio's clean energy sector has seen significant growth, with clean energy and clean vehicle jobs reaching more than 119,000 in 2023, a 4.4% increase from the previous year. (Oleksii Syrotkin/Stocksy)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Ohio cities embrace clean energy innovation

Clean energy initiatives are gaining momentum across Ohio, with efforts aimed at expanding access and advancing sustainability. Not limited to …

Portsmouth became New Hampshire's first city to regulate single-use plastics in 2020 after state lawmakers failed to pass legislation aimed at curbing its usage. City properties have eliminated plastic bags and and distribute plastic straws only on request. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Environmental groups call for vinyl chloride ban

Environmental groups are calling for a ban on vinyl chloride, one of more than 16,000 toxic chemicals used to manufacture plastic. The Environmental …

Before serving in the Trump administration, Russell Vought spent more than 20 years in Washington, D.C., with grassroots and policy groups, according to the White House. (Shealah Craighead/Official White House Photo)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Hoosiers on alert as Trump’s OMB pick sparks policy concerns

Hoosiers enduring severe weather like the current Arctic blast could see potential policy shifts if Russell Vought is confirmed as director of the Off…

The oysters planted by the foundation will filter more than 5 million gallons of water each day. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Oyster outlook: Thousands grown in Chesapeake Bay this year

Chesapeake Bay has added more than six billion oysters since 2017 through the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance. And last year, the Chesapeake Bay …

Despite the decline, coal still plays a role in some regions, especially in states such as Wyoming, West Virginia and Kentucky, where coal is a significant part of the energy mix. (James Phelps Jr./Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

MI expert discusses wind, solar surpassing coal on U.S. grid in 2024

A Michigan expert weighs in on an historic shift in 2024 - wind and solar power surpassed coal on the U.S. grid. According to research from Ember - …

High water flows brought young sockeye quickly to the ocean, contributing to the record number of fish passing through the Bonneville Dam last summer, 92,000 more than the previous record. (Jason/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Resisting industry on the Columbia in 2025

Oregon salmon populations had some significant wins in 2024, including a record number of sockeye salmon passing through the Columbia River's …

Petitioners for the Delevan Lake Watershed Agricultural Enterprise Area hope to promote water quality to protect local surface water and build relationships between agricultural producers and watershed stakeholders. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Wisconsin adds more protected ag lands to its count

Wisconsin has just added more than 30,000 acres across two counties to its protected agricultural lands, advancing its commitment to preserve the …

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons third meeting will take place March 3-7 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. (Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Tennesseeans to mark fourth anniversary of nuclear weapons treaty ban

A Knoxville group of concerned citizens is marking the fourth anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons going into effect…

President Joe Biden's budget would reduce the deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade, stabilizing debt relative to the economy. Deficit reduction grows over time, and is expected to exceed $500 billion in 2034. (Tangtong/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Another Trump nominee under the microscope in PA

An environmental group is voicing concerns about the current nominee to lead the federal Office of Management and Budget. President-elect Donald …

At least 75 tree species, more than 225 bird species and eight federally listed, threatened or endangered bird, bat, salamander and plant species call the Monongahela National Forest home, according to the U.S. Forest Service. (Wikimedia Commons)<br />

Monday, January 13, 2025

WV groups urge shutdown of Monongahela coal haul road

Advocates want federal regulators to shut down what they say is an illegal coal haul road in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. South Fork …

A new course highlights that profitability can be part of sustainable business models. (patpitchaya/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Sustainability practices help NC businesses stick around

North Carolina businesses are getting tips on how to harness a sustainable approach to their work. The North Carolina Sustainable Business Council …

Russ Vought served as director of the Office of Management and Budget at the end of President Donald Trump's first term. (Shealah Craighead/White House)

Monday, January 13, 2025

NC senators urged to turn down Trump's Project 2025-linked budget director

As confirmations for the next Trump administration have begun, environmental groups say senators should turn down Russ Vough - the incoming …

Prior to serving in the previous Trump administration, Russell Vought spent more than 20 years working in Washington, D.C., with grassroots and public policy organizations, according to the White House. (Tia Dufour/Official White House Photo)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Advocate: Trump nominee could jeopardize environmental progress in UT

Russell Vought is one of the key architects behind the conservative, right-wing blueprint Project 2025, and President-elect Donald Trump has tapped …

The Energy Information Administration reported natural gas is Connecticut's largest energy source, with nuclear energy running second. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

CT urged to increase renewable energy to cut ratepayer costs

Connecticut environmental groups are dissatisfied with Gov. Ned Lamont's energy strategy for the state. In his State of the State address, the …

As apex carnivores, wolves sit at the top of the food chain, affecting everything in surrounding ecosystems, from elk to soil. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Livestock industry still howling about wolves' return

It's been 30 years since wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park, a move that remains controversial today - as Colorado's livestock …

The Solar Energy Industries Association reported Illinois ranks 15th in national solar capacity. (Adobe Stock)

Solar energy progress in IL could be on hold with new administration

By Kari Lydersen for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates more than one billion birds fly into glass each year in the United States, with most fatal crashes occurring at homes and buildings less than four stories tall. Applying patterns to window exteriors can help avoid these incidents. (Florida Gulf Coast University)

Art, science unite in FL to prevent birds hitting windows

With a thud, the tranquil sounds of nature are shattered as a bird crashes into a glass window. It's an all-too-common, deadly occurrence that …

Ohio ranks among the top 10 states in U.S. natural gas production, contributing about 5% of the nation's output and reserves, which is integral to the state's hydrogen hub project. (Calin Tatu/Adobe Stock)

Local concerns rise over Ohio’s hydrogen project

Ohioans are raising questions about the future of fracking and its environmental and community impacts, following the ARCH2 hydrogen hub open house …

More than 30 million people live in the Ohio River Basin, according to the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio River Basin would get federal protection under new legislation

The Environmental Protection Agency would be in charge of protecting and restoring the Ohio River Basin under recently proposed legislation by Reps…

The Stibnite Gold Project is located in the Payette National Forest near the town of Yellow Pine. (David Farnsworth/Adobe Stock)

Forest Service approves ID gold mine despite threats to water, public health

The U.S. Forest Service has given the go-ahead for a gold-mining project in central Idaho. If it receives state permits, the Stibnite Gold Project …

A crew helped Jim Hoffman build beaver dam analogs on his cranberry farm in central Wisconsin. (Jim Hoffman)

WI farmer uses 'mock beaver dams' to restore wetlands

By Bennet Goldstein for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public New…

Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, roughly 13 bottles per month for every person in the country, according to Earthday.org. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Trump administration should ban vinyl chloride

As public awareness about the link between plastics and cancer risk increases, environmental groups said they want the Trump administration to make …

Researchers are testing a number of propulsion systems, such as hydrogen, electricity and biofuels, to reduce the aviation industry's carbon footprint or cut it to net-zero. (Artist's Rendering/Adobe Stock)

Colorado strategizes with stakeholders to decarbonize future of air travel

By Ethan Brown for The Sweaty Penguin.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

A strong majority of Arizonans believe groundwater is essential for communities, farming, industry and way of life and support more protections to secure long-term water supplies in the state, according to the Center for the Future of Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

AZ environmental advocates say water regulation is their top priority in 2025

Arizona environmental advocates and organizers have laid out their 2025 priorities for Gov. Katie Hobbs and the state legislature, which is set to …

If confirmed, Brooke Rollins will direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its 100,000 employees, running on an annual budget of $437 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Texan tapped as ag secretary in upcoming Trump administration

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Pres…

Despite the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's minimum benefits for disadvantaged communities, there is insufficient integration of this and other justice mandates of the law into energy transmission plans. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NYS grid transmission process must be more equitable

A new report found New York State needs a more equitable grid transmission process. The Energy Justice Law and Poverty Center report noted …

Toxic PFAS chemicals have been detected in the blood of 99% of Americans, including infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Rising risks of toxic PFAS chemicals in CO drinking water

More than 143 million Americans are at risk of toxic PFAS, so-called forever chemicals, in their drinking water, according to new test results …

Bald eagle nests can be up to 12 feet high, 8 feet across and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. (Adobe Stock)

MT home to breeding bald eagles, now officially the U.S. national bird

Montanans are celebrating the official designation of the bald eagle as America's national bird after helping in its recovery. Once close to …

The new Chuckwalla National Monument is part of the Biden Administration's commitment to preserve 30% of the nation's land and waters by the year 2030. (Bureau of Land Management)

Tribes applaud as Biden announces two new national monuments in CA

The White House announced two new national monuments in California on Tuesday, one just east of Palm Springs and the other near Shasta Lake. A …

Researchers say most newer models of electric vehicles are fitted with heat pumps, which can add roughly 10% extra range to cars during freezing conditions. (Adobe Stock)

EV upgrades could ease concerns about cold-climate performance

By Kristoffer Tigue for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Networ…

U.S. Steel has had a presence in the Mon Valley since 1901 and currently employs about 4,000 workers.<br />(Jeffrey Bowser/Adobe)

Blocked sale of U.S. Steel does not allay fears of effects on workers, health, community

A Pennsylvania environmental justice group is voicing concerns about the blocked sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, citing its effect on the …

Grand Teton's Kelly parcel, now owned by the National Park Service, starts the Path of the Pronghorn, the longest land migration route in the lower 48. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Teton park acquires addition after widespread, multiyear effort

The 640-acre Kelly parcel has been in limbo for decades. It sits within the bounds of Grand Teton National Park but has long been owned by the state …

Florida received a D on the National Center for Science Education's 2020 report card for its limited inclusion of climate change content in state science standards. (Adobe Stock)

Climate Emotions Wheel aims to address mental health in climate education

By Rebecca R. Randall for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News …

Plastic bottles blanket a landfill. (Aryfahmed/Adobe Stock)

Why the burgeoning plastics problem is more than a waste issue

By Shi En Kim for Sierra.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Se…

Outdoor recreation accounted for 5 million jobs in 2023. (Ray Redstone/Adobe Stock)

As outdoor recreation keeps fueling Arizona GDP, 'EXPLORE Act' could help

Arizona, like other western states, could see outdoor recreation opportunities increase under the EXPLORE Act - which was recently EXPLORE Act…

Team Rubicon has grown to over 180,000 registered volunteers, with over 50% being military veterans. (Courtesy of Team Rubicon)

Veterans bring Hurricane Helene relief to GA’s overlooked communities

Months after Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia, rural communities are still grappling with its devastating impact. With limited access to …

The Perry Nuclear Power Generating Station on the shores of Lake Erie near Cleveland is one of two nuclear power plants currently operating in Ohio. (Wikipedia)

Ohio passes new law redefining nuclear power as 'green' energy

Backers say a law adding nuclear power to the definition of "green" energy will give Ohioans another option to cut carbon emissions but some environme…

Utah's economy and royalties from energy development on extensive state trust lands typically are the largest source of income for Utah's public school trust fund. (Adobe Stock)

Utah looks to diversify energy portfolio as AI gains momentum

Many contend Utah, like the greater United States, is facing an energy crisis, and the fast development and expansion of artificial intelligence …

After realizing their limited capacity to implement statutory state conservation programs, Wisconsin replaced the district model in 1982 with a county-based model, which joined overlapping issues like parks and planning with conservation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WI’s conservation model an 'untapped' resource

Wisconsin is the first state in the country to run its conservation programs by county rather than by district. One conservation advocate said …

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Environment

In face of federal rollbacks, NC environmental efforts continue

Ohio farmers navigate uncertainty amid Farm Bill delays

Advocates call on Iowa lawmakers to defeat 'Cancer Gag Act'

How Alabama employees can drive climate action in 2025

Veteran CO lawmaker sets sights on climate, child care in 2025

New bill would pause Oregon state retirement fund's fossil fuel investments

Georgia church creates solar-powered emergency hub with federal climate funds

Carbon pipeline and landowner rights take their seat again in SD's capitol

Memphis may not have enough power to accommodate enormous AI facility

Ohio cities embrace clean energy innovation

Environmental groups call for vinyl chloride ban

Hoosiers on alert as Trump’s OMB pick sparks policy concerns

Oyster outlook: Thousands grown in Chesapeake Bay this year

MI expert discusses wind, solar surpassing coal on U.S. grid in 2024

Resisting industry on the Columbia in 2025

Wisconsin adds more protected ag lands to its count

Tennesseeans to mark fourth anniversary of nuclear weapons treaty ban

Another Trump nominee under the microscope in PA

WV groups urge shutdown of Monongahela coal haul road

Sustainability practices help NC businesses stick around

NC senators urged to turn down Trump's Project 2025-linked budget director

Advocate: Trump nominee could jeopardize environmental progress in UT

CT urged to increase renewable energy to cut ratepayer costs

Livestock industry still howling about wolves' return

Solar energy progress in IL could be on hold with new administration

Art, science unite in FL to prevent birds hitting windows

Local concerns rise over Ohio’s hydrogen project

Ohio River Basin would get federal protection under new legislation

Forest Service approves ID gold mine despite threats to water, public health

WI farmer uses 'mock beaver dams' to restore wetlands

Advocates: Trump administration should ban vinyl chloride

Colorado strategizes with stakeholders to decarbonize future of air travel

AZ environmental advocates say water regulation is their top priority in 2025

Texan tapped as ag secretary in upcoming Trump administration

Report: NYS grid transmission process must be more equitable

Rising risks of toxic PFAS chemicals in CO drinking water

MT home to breeding bald eagles, now officially the U.S. national bird

Tribes applaud as Biden announces two new national monuments in CA

EV upgrades could ease concerns about cold-climate performance

Blocked sale of U.S. Steel does not allay fears of effects on workers, health, community

Teton park acquires addition after widespread, multiyear effort

Climate Emotions Wheel aims to address mental health in climate education

Why the burgeoning plastics problem is more than a waste issue

As outdoor recreation keeps fueling Arizona GDP, 'EXPLORE Act' could help

Veterans bring Hurricane Helene relief to GA’s overlooked communities

Ohio passes new law redefining nuclear power as 'green' energy

Utah looks to diversify energy portfolio as AI gains momentum

WI’s conservation model an 'untapped' resource