Chemicals

"The Problematic Chemicals Fueling America’s EV Revolution"

"The same companies that spewed “forever chemicals” linked with cancer and other diseases in neighborhoods around the world are now key players in the development of EV batteries—sometimes with hefty taxpayer support. Often those companies keep their chemical formulas and emissions from the public ... ."

Source: Mother Jones, 07/16/2024

"West Virginia School Will Remain Open For Now Amid Toxic Groundwater Fears"

"A small West Virginia school will remain open for now after a court temporarily blocked an effort to relocate classes due to the town’s contaminated groundwater being added to a national cleanup priority list."

Source: AP, 07/16/2024

"Nations Gather To Negotiate Deep Sea Mining Code As Opposition Mounts"

"The United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA) will meet on Monday to consider new rules allowing firms to extract minerals from the ocean floor, despite mounting concerns about the economic and environmental risks."

Source: Reuters, 07/16/2024

"Monsanto Roundup Trial Win Overturned By Oregon Court"

"An Oregon appeals court on Wednesday overturned a trial victory by Monsanto owner Bayer AG in a decision that adds to an ongoing debate over the company’s efforts to create a nationwide legal and legislative shield from lawsuits alleging Roundup weed killer causes cancer."

Source: The New Lede, 07/15/2024

"Supreme Court Rulings Boost Odds to Win Chemical Rule Challenges"

"Three recent Supreme Court decisions increase industries’ chances of winning regulatory challenges, but only after a period of divergent lower court rulings on what the nation’s primary commercial chemical law requires."

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 07/11/2024

"Is The EPA About To Get Serious About Methane Pollution From Landfills?"

"Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions both in the U.S. and globally." "Current EPA rules are inadequate, experts say, but the agency has committed to updating them. States like California, Maryland, and Washington can show the way."

Source: Canary Media, 07/11/2024

"These Biden Rules Could Be Trashed By Trump"

"Some priority regs — including climate standards for existing gas-fired power plants, curbs on lead and copper in drinking water, and heat protections for workers — could be doomed."

Source: E&E News, 07/11/2024

Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It?

A major intergovernmental gathering later this year will address plastic pollution, including in oceans. But an overview from our Issue Backgrounder notes that the likelihood of solving the problem may be small. One reason? Petrochemical industry lobbying. Another? The shifting world market for plastic waste. And there are more concerns, such as the effectiveness of incineration and chemical recycling techniques. More, including questions to ask, in Backgrounder.

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"Fight Over Seabed Agency Leadership Turns Nasty"

"Allegations of possible payments to help secure votes. Claims of abuse of agency funds by top diplomats. A possible job offer to entice a candidate to withdraw from a race. These are not the shenanigans of a corrupt election in an unstable country. Rather, they are efforts in the seemingly genteel parlors of a United Nations-affiliated agency, meant to sway decisions related to the start of seabed mining of the metals used in electric vehicles."

Source: NYTimes, 07/08/2024

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