Pollution

"In a speech to staff, Michael Regan rebuked the Trump administration’s efforts to sideline climate scientists."

"The Supreme Court has dealt another blow to a major EPA air pollution control initiative, freezing implementation of the agency’s latest crackdown on smog-forming emissions that cross state lines."

"The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed a criminal bribery complaint urging the Justice Department to investigate former President Trump’s solicitation of campaign donations from fossil fuel executives."

"The Supreme Court opened the door Monday to setting new limits for how agencies account for climate and environmental risks for new projects." "The case follows the court’s recent trend of picking up controversial environmental issues."

"Norfolk Southern and its contractors botched the decision to blow open five vinyl chloride tank cars after last year’s disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and trackside detectors that might have prevented the crash failed to accurately detect the temperature of a burning wheel bearing 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) beforehand, according to the National Transportation Safety Board."

"In heat waves, chemicals like formaldehyde and ozone can form more readily in the air, according to researchers driving mobile labs in New York City this week."

"An L.A. Times/WeedWeek investigation finds alarming levels of pesticides in cannabis products at dispensaries across the state".

"In New Mexico, oil companies agreed to work with regulators to find a solution to the state’s more than 70,000 unplugged wells. After months of negotiations, the industry turned against the bill it helped shape."

"Scientists warn of ‘scary’ feedback loop in which fires create more heating, which causes more fires worldwide".

"Agricultural insecticides were a key factor, according to a study focused on the Midwest, though researchers emphasized the importance of climate change and habitat loss."