June 2, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation
The Supreme Court's ruling in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County limits environmental litigation by emphasizing agency discretion under NEPA...
New EPA Rule Could Accelerate Cleanup of Coal Ash Dumps
Summary
A new EPA rule aims to close a decade-long gap in federal regulation that allowed old coal ash dumps to escape monitoring and cleanup requirements. The rule, prompted by a loophole in previous regulations, extends monitoring and remediating requirements to coal plants and impoundments that shut down before October 2015. It also includes surface dumps of coal ash, ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing coal combustion residuals (CCRs). The EPA estimates the compliance cost of the new rule to be between $214 and $240 million annually, primarily borne by waste site owners. Environmental advocates see the rule as a significant step toward holding polluters accountable and protecting water resources, while industry representatives express concerns about potential impacts on recycling activities. The ultimate effectiveness of the rule may depend on strong enforcement and political support.
May 30, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation
The Supreme Court unanimously restricted federal environmental reviews under NEPA to direct project impacts, easing infrastructure approvals...
May 29, 2025
Energy
Energy
Over $14 billion in U.S. clean energy projects have been canceled in 2025 due to President Trump’s rollback of climate policies, stalling industry momentum...
May 23, 2025
Climate
Climate
Zillow's analysis reveals minority homeowners, especially Black and Hispanic, face significantly higher climate risks—such as extreme heat...
May 19, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $176 million in environmental grants cut from nonprofits and municipalities, ruling the executive branch...
May 19, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
Texas lawmakers are advancing a bill to shield oil companies from liability when treated fracking water is reused, aiming to boost water supplies amid drought
May 19, 2025
Climate
Climate
Africa has launched a continent-wide space agency to coordinate national efforts, improve climate data collection, and enhance resilience to extreme weather...
May 15, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
An internal FEMA review reveals critical readiness gaps just weeks before hurricane season, while a Rice University study shows only 8% of Houstonians feel prepared...
May 8, 2025
Climate
Climate
A Nature Cities study found Houston is the fastest-sinking U.S. city, with 42% of its land subsiding over 5mm annually due to groundwater and oil extraction, increasing flood risk
May 5, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Residents of East Houston, like Angela Jackson, are fed up with the overwhelming stench and illegal dumping near the McCarty Road Landfill...
May 1, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Trump administration’s EPA is terminating over $2.4 billion in environmental justice grants, mostly aiding poor and minority communities...
April 28, 2025
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Juan and Ana Parras founded T.E.J.A.S. to combat environmental racism in Houston’s industrial corridors, leveraging decades of grassroots organizing to empower...
April 17, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A Tulane study confirms long-standing claims that Black communities in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" suffer disproportionate pollution while being excluded from both high...
April 11, 2025
Climate
Climate
A $378 million funding delay to LIHEAP after mass HHS layoffs threatens vital cooling aid for low-income Americans amid intensifying heat waves.
April 9, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation
A federal appeals court ruled a lawsuit can proceed against St. James Parish, Louisiana, for alleged racist land-use policies...