Bush moves to allow coal-fired plants nearer US land preserves
Washington Post Nov 19, 08 6:29 AM CST
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Polluting facilities like coal-fired power plants could soon be allowed to operate closer to national parks, according to documents obtained by the Washington Post . Rules being finalized by the EPA—against strong objections from several officials—will weaken Clean Air Act protections by averaging out emission counts over a year, meaning pollution spikes at peak times will soon be legal.
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Rules make allow power plants nearby
Washington Post May 16, 08 4:33 AM CDT
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Clean air rules likely to be changed this summer are causing serious concerns about future pollution at some of America's most spectacular national parks, reports the Washington Post . The changes will pave the way for 28 new coal-fired power plants near ten parks, according to a report supported by some National Park Service officials . Parks already have "impaired visibility" because of pollution, and the changes represent a major "setback," said one official.
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Over own experts' objections, EPA moves to allow power plants closer to rec areas
Christian Science Monitor Apr 23, 08 4:03 PM CDT
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The Environmental Protection Agency is set to change its rules to allow the construction of coal power plants in previously off-limits areas near national parks, the Christian Science Monitor reports. A draft revision to the Clean Air Act would soften standards of pollution in “Class 1” areas (ie, national parks) and how much pollution a proposed plant would add.
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Coalition aims to force agency to take action on global warming
New York Times Apr 3, 08 3:19 AM CDT
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States, cities and environmental groups have teamed up to take on the federal government over global warming, the New York Times reports. The 18-state coalition is aiming to force the EPA to take action in the wake of last year's Supreme Court ruling that the agency should limit vehicle emissions if it finds greenhouse gases are endangering public health.
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Sets higher limit than own experts' recommendations
Washington Post Mar 13, 08 7:18 AM CDT
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Ignoring the recommendations of its own scientists, the Environmental Protection Agency yesterday reset standards for pollution-forming ozone from cars and factories at a level critics say may cost thousands of lives. The new cap is lower than the old level but still far above the limit urged by EPA experts, reports the Washington Post .
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Strawberry growers rip EPA pesticide limits as 'too much, too soon'
Associated Press Mar 2, 08 7:38 AM CST
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California strawberry farmers fear that EPA efforts to curb pesticide pollution could kill most of this year's crops, the AP reports. Ventura County growers, who produce 25% of the nation's berries, say the pesticides are needed to increase crop output. Requirements that fumigants be cut as much as half could reduce production by 7,500 acres, a "death blow" to the area that could cost tens of millions of dollars, one farmer said.
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Greenies hail ruling, which will force agency to rewrite controls
Reuters Feb 8, 08 5:40 PM CST
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A court ruled today that the Environmental Protection Agency violated the Clean Air Act by instituting a “cap-and-trade” program for the emission of mercury and other toxic chemicals. Reuters reports that the federal court's ruling means coal-fired plants will all have to invest in mercury-reduction equipment in order to adhere to emissions standards.
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15 states join fight to limit greenhouse gases from cars and trucks
Associated Press Jan 2, 08 2:21 PM CST
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California, joined by 15 other states, filed suit today against the Environmental Protection Agency for rejecting its plan to limit greenhouse gases on cars, trucks, and SUVs. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the Bush administration is "ignoring the will of millions" by ruling that Congress' recent boost in fuel-efficiency standards makes California's own emissions law unnecessary, reports the AP.
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Feds lag on allowing states to set tougher controls, Arnold says
Los Angeles Times Nov 8, 07 5:21 PM CST
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California sued the Environmental Protection Agency today in an attempt to force the federal government to give states the authority to enforce their own controls on greenhouse-gas emissions. Fourteen other states filed with California in two separate lawsuits, the Los Angeles Times reports. "There's no legal basis for Washington to stand in our way," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Sacramento.
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EPA cuts down on criminal cases, says focus is on biggest offenders
Washington Post Sep 30, 07 8:15 AM CDT
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The EPA has taken a decidedly less aggressive tack in criminal cases, the Washington Post reports, a trend advocates fear will embolden polluters. The number of prosecutions, new investigations, and total convictions have all dropped by more than a third. One ex-official, who resigned in protest, blamed the Bush administration, saying agents couldn’t count on support from the White House.
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Federal judge rules against carmakers on standards for greenhouse gases
New York Times Sep 13, 07 11:50 AM CDT
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Vermont can set its own greenhouse emissions standards to curb gases that contribute to global warming, a federal judge ruled yesterday in a decision that boosts states’ rights. Automakers sued the state after it adopted standards originally made law in California, saying the regulations were impractical and would upend the industry, the Times reports.
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Lobbyist for polluters boosts partner Giuliani
New York Times May 2, 07 8:00 AM CDT
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Rudy Giuliani's affiliation with a big-name Houston law firm has been key to his fund-raising success, especially in Texas, but may be dangerous politically, the Times reports. Bracewell & Giuliani, which the former New York mayor joined in 2005, is one of the most prominent lobbyists for the heavy-polluting oil, gas, and energy industries.
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Supreme Court ruling a rebuke to Bush's hands-off policy on auto emissions
New York Times Apr 3, 07 7:52 AM CDT
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Carbon dioxide must be regulated by the federal government unless it can provide a scientific reason not to, the Supreme Court ruled Monday. The 5-4 decision, which ordered the EPA to consider CO 2 an "air pollutant" as defined by the Clean Air Act, was a blow to the Bush administration's policy of refusing to regulate factory and automobile emissions.
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