North America | YourEarth Solutions

EPA Report Shows Air Emissions of Toxic Chemicals from Industrial Facilities Down More Than Half Since 2005

January 12, 2017 / by Headquarters Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention OCSPP / Environment, Government, North America, United States EPA

Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released its annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows releases of toxic chemicals into the air fell 56% from 2005-2015 at industrial facilities submitting data to the TRI program. Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-report-shows-air-emissions-toxic-chemicals-industrial-facilities-down-more-half

11:00 AM EST: EPA To Make Announcement Today Regarding Major Automaker

January 12, 2017 / by Jason Patlis / Environment, Government, North America, United States EPA

Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a media call at 11 a.m. EST today, Thursday, January 12, to make an announcement regarding a major automaker. Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/1100-am-est-epa-make-announcement-today-regarding-major-automaker

Scott Pruitt, You’ve Been Warned

January 11, 2017 / by Jeff Turrentine / Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Gage Skidmore/Flickr Scott Pruitt, Donald Trump’s pick to be the next director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, must be feeling pretty psyched this week. On Monday, federal ethics officials gave him the all clear, bringing him one step closer to Senate confirmation. That, however, doesn’t alter the […]

Feds Release Long-Awaited Roadmap for Coal Program Overhaul

January 11, 2017 / by Theo Spencer / Climate, Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Interior Secretary Sally Jewell today laid out plans for long-overdue overhaul of the broken federal coal program, including steps to address climate change and fix a process that has short-changed taxpayers more than $30 billion over the last three decades. Currently, 40 percent of coal burned in the […]

RGGI Report: Less Pollution Drives Billions in Health Gains

January 11, 2017 / by Jackson Morris / Air Quality, Climate, Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund This blog post was authored with my colleague Bruce Ho. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which launched in 2009 to fight climate change by cutting carbon pollution from power plants in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, also provides major public health benefits—including lives saved, asthma attacks prevented, and […]

Nearly 200,000 Call for Action on Tar Sands Tanker Threat

January 11, 2017 / by Joshua Axelrod / Conservation, Europe, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Resources, Species

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund In the final weeks of President Obama’s time in office, members and activists from eight environmental organizations located around the country are calling on the federal government to take decisive action to stop the looming threat of tar sands tankers on U.S. waterways. NRDC, Credo Action, Center for […]

Dear HUD Secretary-Nominee, People Are at the Center of Housing and the Environment

January 11, 2017 / by Shelley Poticha / Climate, Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Oceans, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund The core mission of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all, free from discrimination. It’s something that we, as environmentalists are deeply invested in, and, in fact, have been working diligently on for a […]

Interior Department Transfers Nearly $8 Million to Cobell Education Scholarship Fund

January 11, 2017 / by Jason Patlis / Asia, Government, North America, United States Department of the Interior

Published by the Department of the Interior The Scholarship Fund – funded in part by the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations and authorized by the Cobell Settlement – provides financial assistance through scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students wishing to pursue post-secondary and graduate education and training. Read the full article at: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-transfers-nearly-8-million-cobell-education-scholarship-fund

Interior Department Announces 24 New National Historic Landmarks

January 11, 2017 / by Jason Patlis / Government, North America, United States Department of the Interior

Published by the Department of the Interior The National Historic Landmarks Program recognizes historic properties of exceptional value to the nation and promotes the preservation efforts of federal, state, and local agencies and Native American tribes, as well as those of private organizations and individuals. Read the full article at: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-24-new-national-historic-landmarks

2016 Efficiency Standards to Create $75 Billion in Savings

January 11, 2017 / by Lauren Urbanek / Climate, Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund It was a big year for appliance and equipment energy efficiency standards, with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) releasing 11 new or updated standards in 2016, ranging from battery chargers and pool pumps to ceiling fans and portable air conditioners. Together, these new standards will save consumers […]

Key principles for applying benefit-cost analysis to federal regulation

January 11, 2017 / by Michelle Orfei / American Chemical Council, Industry, North America

Since 1974, Presidents have issued Executive Orders requiring regulatory agencies to analyze the anticipated results and economic effects of proposed regulations. Executive Order 13563, Executive Order 12866, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-4 require agencies to conduct a careful and transparent analysis of the anticipated impacts of economically significant regulatory actions. […]

5 Tough Questions for Rex Tillerson, the Ocean and YOU

January 11, 2017 / by Jeff Watters / Conservation, North America, Ocean Conservancy, Oceans, Species

Published by Ocean Conservancy It’s a new year, and I resolve to continue championing for ocean conservation in 2017—no matter how the tides may change in Washington, D.C. Will you help me? This week, Rex Tillerson, nominee for Secretary of State, will begin Senate confirmation hearings. As Mr. Tillerson is questioned by senators about his qualifications […]

EPA Announces $2 Million to Assist Tribes’ Brownfields Efforts

January 11, 2017 / by Headquarters / Environment, Government, North America, United States EPA

Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected Kansas State University (KSU) to receive approximately $2 million in funding over the course of five years to provide technical support to tribes addressing environmentally contaminated land. Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-2-million-assist-tribes-brownfields-efforts

TODAY: EPA Admin. Gina McCarthy, Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch, Other Federal Officials Announce Major Development in Volkswagen Investigation

January 11, 2017 / by Jason Patlis / Environment, Government, North America, United States EPA

Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WASHINGTON – Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and other federal officials will hold a press conference today, Wednesday January 11, 2017, at 1:30 P.M. Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/today-epa-admin-gina-mccarthy-atty-gen-loretta-lynch-other-federal-officials-announce

Volkswagen Agrees to Plead Guilty, Pay $4.3 Billion in Criminal and Civil Penalties

January 11, 2017 / by Jason Patlis / Environment, Government, North America, United States EPA

Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy joined U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch at a press conference at the U.S. Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/volkswagen-agrees-plead-guilty-pay-43-billion-criminal-and-civil-penalties

Thar She Blows! New England Harnesses the Power Gusting Over the Atlantic

January 10, 2017 / by Clara Chaisson / Climate, Conservation, Europe, Lands, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Oceans, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Courtesy Deepwater Wind “2016 was the best year yet!” said just about no one—except, perhaps, U.S. offshore wind developers. In December, the burgeoning industry saw its first turbines start spinning off the coast of Rhode Island. It’s been a long time coming. Europe installed its first offshore wind […]

Clean Energy Is a Heartland Value

January 10, 2017 / by Rhea Suh / Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Fund, North America, Resources

Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund When it comes to supporting renewables, blue and red make green. A wind farm in Steward, Illinois Tom/Flickr Among a dwindling number of politicians at the national level, there’s a pretend debate going on. Using all the scare tactics and rhetorical tricks they can muster, some apologists for the […]

Why are Whales Stranding in the Gulf?

January 10, 2017 / by Matt Love / Conservation, North America, Ocean Conservancy, Oceans, Species

Published by Ocean Conservancy In recent months, two young sperm whales stranded themselves along the coast of Louisiana. These events highlight the importance for quality health and diagnostic information for the marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. What could kill one of the greatest predators to ever exist on earth? These animals are harmed by […]

630 companies and investors tell Washington: Continue to act on climate change

January 10, 2017 / by Jason Patlis / Climate, Conservation, Global News, North America, World Wildlife Foundation

Published by the World Wildlife Fund With the private sector responsible for nearly two-thirds of the heat-trapping carbon emissions produced by the United States, American companies are a linchpin in the domestic and global fight to slow climate change. The good news? With an eye on the bottom line, US companies are rising to the challenge. […]

EPA Launches New Program With $1 Billion in Loans Available for Water Infrastructure Projects

January 10, 2017 / by Headquarters Water OW / Environment, Government, North America, United States EPA

Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $1 billion in credit assistance for water infrastructure projects under the new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-launches-new-program-1-billion-loans-available-water-infrastructure-projects