Environmental Politics

Did the chemical industry's main lobbying group write the bill to update the Toxic Substances Control Act? The top Democrat on the Senate Environment Committee, California's Barbara Boxer, says computer forensics show a draft of the "bipartisan" bill supported by the American Chemistry Council was written by the ACC itself. ACC denies it. Boxer has a competing bill. The controversy will erupt at a hearing today.

Robert Kenner's new film, "Merchants of Doubt," is about a "product" that is being "sold in courtrooms and the halls of Congress, he says, on television and, occasionally, in newspapers."
 

"Displeased with legislation introduced earlier this week, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have drafted their own bill to reform the nation’s chemical laws."

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has signed a bill lauded by the struggling coal industry and called dangerous by the miners’ union."

Since Florida Gov. Rick Scott's flat denial that his administration has banned state employees from using the terms "climate change" and "global warming," employees from other agencies have come forward to confirm the "unofficial" policy not to use the terms.

"Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich is calling legislation introduced Tuesday to reform the nation’s toxic chemical laws an industry bill. "

"President Obama has tapped Christy Goldfuss, a former top official at the National Park Service, to lead his committee of environmental advisers."

"Senate Republicans used a Wednesday hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) landmark climate rule to highlight the objections from states that oppose the rule."

"SAN FRANCISCO — Lax oversight by the state has allowed the oil and gas industry to contaminate protected water aquifers and endanger the public, California regulators acknowledged Tuesday while pledging to intensify supervision."