April 12, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
As preparations for COP29 ramp up, the debate over the financial commitments of wealthy nations to support developing countries in decarbonization and disaster recovery intensifie
Oil refineries are polluting US waterways. Too often, it’s legal
Summary
Every day, the process of processing crude oil into petroleum creates millions of gallons of wastewater containing hazardous chemicals and heavy metals, which leaks from the facilities and into rivers and streams, affecting nearby communities. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is legally required to monitor these toxins and levy penalties, a new study released by the Environmental Integrity Project finds that this is not happening. Monitoring data, permit applications, and hazardous release reports from the nation's 81 oil refineries that discharge waste directly into waterways or via off-site treatment facilities are analyzed in the research. The plants released 60,000 pounds of selenium, which has been related to fish mutations, and 15.7 million pounds of nitrogen, which feeds hazardous algal blooms, in 2021 alone. 10,000 pounds of nickel, which is toxic to fish at very low concentrations, as well as 1.6 billion pounds of chlorides, sulfates, and other dissolved solids that may destroy pipes and contaminate drinking water, were also dumped into streams. According to the research, the majority of this pollution occurs in areas where people have less economic means and political power to fight back. More than 40% of the refineries in the research are in areas where the majority of population are persons of color or are low-income.
April 12, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
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Climate Change
Climate Change
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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
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Climate Change
Climate Change
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Energy Justice
Energy Justice
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Climate Change
Climate Change
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Climate Change
Climate Change
Geothermal energy, long considered a niche player in the U.S. energy landscape, is now poised for significant growth thanks to a confluence of factors including technological adva
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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Walter Moorer and other residents of Chin Street in Africatown, Alabama, have long protested against the environmental hazards posed by the Hosea Weaver asphalt plant, which emits
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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice released a comprehensive report unveiling the profound social inequities exacerbating environmental issues in New York City
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Climate Change
Climate Change
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Energy Justice
Energy Justice
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Climate Change
Climate Change
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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives investigated the link between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker
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