Government

Oversight on EPA FOIA Screening,  Covering Pipeline Protests, Feedlot Air Emissions, Data on Illegal Fishing

The new year will likely mean subpoenas on EPA’s FOIA response policies, as a Democrat takes the chair in the House Oversight Committee amid charges the agency is choking off politically sensitive record requests. And are new laws in a dozen states making coverage of pipeline protests a felony? That, plus air emission exemptions for animal feedlot operators and data on illegal fishing. All in the latest issue of the WatchDog.

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Under Trump, Squalls over Science Will Continue in 2019

The Trump administration’s “war on science” is playing out not just at the EPA, with its controversial proposed “secret science” rule, but at federal agencies throughout the government. This special TipSheet lays out the conflict, and offers guidance on how to turn the overarching issue into a story with character and a regional or local sense of place. Plus, see more in our ongoing 2019 Journalists’ Guide to Energy & Environment.

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Help Environmental Journalists Hold Governments Accountable

Every presidential administration tries to influence the press — and sometimes can even stand in the way of reporters doing their jobs. But no previous administration has ever labeled reporters the “enemy of the people,” as President Trump has done, over and over again.

From the U.S. EPA to Interior, SEJ has challenged government attempts to block press freedom; joined hundreds of other news organizations across the country to stand up to Trump’s bullying; confronted dozens of challenges to press freedom in recent years; and jumped in to defend journalists reporting on Standing Rock, photographers working in National Forests and publications awaiting FOIA requests.

SEJ is proud to defend the crucial work of environmental reporters. With your continued support, we’ll keep speaking out in 2019. Read more and please give now.

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Shutdown Could Last Into New Year: White House Budget Director Mulvaney

"The partial shutdown paralyzing large portions of the federal government may last into January when Democrats retake control of the House, the White House acknowledged Sunday, as negotiations over funding for President Trump’s border wall sputtered to a near-standstill and congressional leaders abandoned Washington for Christmas."

Source: Washington Post, 12/24/2018

Climate Team, and Its Boss, Just Got Harder to Find at Top Health Agency

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has quietly folded its Climate and Health Program into a branch that studies asthma and expunged the word climate from the name of the newly consolidated office, the agency confirmed on Thursday."

Source: NY Times, 12/21/2018

Trump Conservation Pick Decried For Inexperience, Conflicts Of Interest

"The White House’s nominee to head a top US conservation agency lacks her predecessors’ experience, while her political connections raise potential conflicts of interest, a Guardian analysis has found. Aurelia Skipwith, who started her career at the agrochemical giant Monsanto, has been nominated to lead the interior department’s Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees endangered species and wildlife refuges."

Source: Guardian, 12/20/2018

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