Pollution

Will Science Be Stifled at the EPA?

Anti-science policies are being instituted by the Trump administration at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal offices, reports the latest Backgrounder. That makes it especially challenging to keep politics out of decision-making around everything from natural disasters to public health. An examination of scientific integrity under Trump 2.0 and what environmental journalists should watch for.

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"Trump DOJ To Climate Nonprofits: Hand Over Info And Come To Court"

"The Trump administration has directed nonprofits involved in a $20 billion Biden-era climate initiative to turn over records to the FBI and appear in federal court later this month, according to two people who were granted anonymity for fear of reprisal."

Source: E&E News, 03/10/2025

Contamination Fears Drive Push To Remake California Cannabis Agency

"After a year of product tests that show pesticides in California cannabis products, regulators have yet to update standards. Santa Cruz County commissioners say the delay warrants a “public health emergency” and shifting responsibility to other state agencies."

Source: LA Times, 03/07/2025

Industry Bills Would Bar Science Behind Hundreds of Environmental Protections

"Two bills in Congress would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from using hundreds of chemical assessments completed by its IRIS program in environmental regulations or enforcement."

Source: ProPublica, 03/07/2025

Does N.C. Need Another Polluting Plant to Turn Plastic Waste Into Diesel?

"Buffeted by PFAS-emitting industries, Fayetteville could soon be home to a financially troubled company that wants to turn tons of plastic waste into diesel fuel using a polluting, energy-intensive process called pyrolysis."

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/05/2025

"High Court Rejects EPA Sewage Permits in San Francisco Win"

"The US Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected EPA “end result” sewage permits issued under the Clean Water Act that focus on water quality instead of outlining specific requirements to prevent pollution.

In a fractured 5-4 ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito, the court blocked the EPA from issuing permits that make a permittee responsible for surface water quality, or “end result” permits—a term the court coined in the ruling. National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits govern pollution from sewer overflows during storms.

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 03/05/2025

UN Sets August Date For Extra Session To Finalize Plastics Treaty

"The United Nations Environment Programme on Monday said a new round of negotiations toward a global plastics treaty will take place from August 5 to 14 in Geneva, Switzerland, after countries failed to agree on the parameters of a final agreement last December in Busan, South Korea."

Source: Reuters, 03/04/2025

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