March 24, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
More than 21,000 unexpected pollution releases by Texas companies have released over 400,000 tons of air pollution in Texas from 2016 to 2022.
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.
Black communities smothered 24/7 by toxic industries keep getting strung along, with no apology in sight.
Natural gas pipeline developers are pressing Congress and US energy regulators to speed up the permitting process as a way to build more projects that deliver energy to the Easter
March 24, 2023
Carbon Emissions
Carbon Emissions
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), countries spent a record-breaking $1 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2022.
March 24, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
The only way to stop the long-lasting harms of lead poisoning in children is to end exposure to the chemical — and with data-driven and community-based action, that’s possible.
March 24, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
The A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act has been reintroduced by Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva and Barbara Lee, and Senators Tammy Duckworth and Cory Booker.
March 24, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Advocates criticized Biden’s Council on Environmental Quality for excluding race as a key factor in its tool and have added the metric in their alternative version.
March 24, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Residents of a Louisiana parish located in the heart of a cluster of polluting petrochemical factories filed a lawsuit in federal court.
March 24, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Federal limits on particulate matter commonly known as soot could mean cleaner, safer air for Texans. But environmental experts worry Texas may snub rules.
March 30, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Residents in industry-choked Randolph renew efforts to block the power company’s plans near their fragile town.
February 26, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
The US Department of Agriculture is rolling out a new $3.1bn program to make payments towards loans for farmers who are behind on loan payments or on the brink of foreclosure.
February 27, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
The U.S. EPA has ordered Union Pacific Railroad to investigate potential contamination in and around the former wood preserving facility in Greater Fifth Ward area of Houston, TX.
February 27, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
The revised version of the U.S. government's "disadvantaged communities" tool automatically considers more than 750 federally recognized tribal tracts disadvantaged.
February 27, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
The Gulf of Mexico is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the oceans on earth, according to a new study.
February 28, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
The protection of children from pesticide exposure varies from state to state in the US due to different laws and regulations.