New EPA Rule Could Give Politicals More Veto Power on FOIA Requests
"More political appointees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could soon have the authority to weigh in on public information requests."
Source: The Hill, 06/26/2019
Journalism & Media
Air Needs Freshening in Most U.S. National Park Units
The nation’s parks are generally thought to be pristine natural havens. But a recent study finds the overwhelming majority suffer from air pollution problems like smog and ozone. That makes for important local and regional news stories, per the latest biweekly TipSheet. Get background, story ideas, resources and more.
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Big Environmental Impacts on Small Communities Is Story That Must Be Told
While environmental journalists often focus on regulatory wrestling matches in Washington, D.C., a seasoned New York Times investigative reporter argues the most important stories are those in the real communities where bureaucratic impacts are felt. Three-time Pulitzer winner Eric Lipton makes the case for public service in journalism that tells the environment story from the outside in.
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"Mike Pence Repeatedly Refuses To Say Climate Crisis Is A Threat to US"
"At the end of a week in which the Trump administration rolled back Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan, Mike Pence declined repeated invitations to say the human-induced climate crisis is a threat to US national security."
Source: Guardian, 06/24/2019
Impossible Foods and Regenerative Grazers Face Off Over Carbon Farming
"The plant-based burger company called regenerative grazing the “clean coal of meat” in a recent report. That hasn’t gone over well amongst carbon ranchers."
Source: Civil Eats, 06/21/2019
Wilderness Society Sues Trump Administration To Get Mine Rule Docs
"The Wilderness Society is suing the Trump administration to try to force the release of documents on its decision to lift restrictions on mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota."
Source: AP, 06/21/2019
DOI Delayed Releasing Documents On Yellowstone Superintendent's Firing
"The release of internal documents sought by The Hill related to the replacement last year of Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk were delayed by the Interior Department under a new rule that gives political appointees more say over what is released."
Source: The Hill, 06/20/2019
Clean Water Act: Did Burning River Really Fuel Landmark Law's Passage?
"In 1969, Cleveland's Cuyahoga River burned for the last time. It was a short blaze, under control within 30 minutes and fully extinguished within two hours."
Source: Greenwire, 06/19/2019
Critics: Top Interior Lawyer 'Close To Perjury' During Hill Testimony
"A green group is requesting an investigation of the Department of the Interior’s top lawyer, arguing he downplayed his role in the department’s controversial public records review process while testifying in May."
Source: The Hill, 06/19/2019
Database Helps Track PFAS Drinking Water Contamination
Millions of people across the United States are believed to be drinking PFAS-contaminated water. And a growing database could prove an invaluable resource for environmental journalists trying to get a handle on that public health risk. Our latest biweekly Reporter’s Toolbox, recently refocused on data journalism tools and techniques, explains how to tap the expanding PFAS data.
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