Science Survey: A Question of Science in EPA Air Regulation Decisions

November 15, 2008–Scientists advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on air pollution issues are criticizing EPA higher-ups for ignoring their scientific counsel. Specifically, they are accusing the Bush Administration of excising science from the process the agency uses to determine how clean the air we breathe should be. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) challenges EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

The Beat: The Roots of Conservatives' Environmental View

November 15, 2008–When the journalist and author William F. Buckley Jr. died last February, much was written and said about his seminal role in the growth of the modern conservative movement after he founded National Review magazine in 1955. Read as The Beat checks in on a few of the most influential journalists and publications identified with the conservative and libertarian regions of the political spectrum to offer a sampling of their recent treatment of environmental matters.

Coalition of Groups Readies Openness Agenda for Next Administration

November 5, 2008–A broad coalition of open-government groups is finalizing an ambitious agenda to improve public access to information in the next administration.

Covering Congress: House Committee Phone Numbers

November 5, 2008–Committee staff are crucial to covering environmental issues. Here are some current House committee phone contacts relevant to the environment beat.

Gumshoe Tools: Sunlight Foundation's Party Time Database

November 5, 2008–Those U.S. representatives and senators really know how to party. Especially the ones running for re-election or under indictment. Now journalists who want to follow the money have a new "Access Washington" snooper-tool to use in their investigative projects.

EPA, OSHA Flunk Science Openness Rating from UCS

October 22, 2008–EPA, FWS and OSHA are among the least open of 15 different federal agencies covered most frequently by environmental reporters, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Info on Clean Water Priced Like Gold in Alaska

October 22, 2008–"When an environmental group, Alaskans for Clean Water, asked for copies of state records about an unsuccessful ballot proposal to limit mining pollution, officials initially said they would turn over the documents — for $50,000," the Associated Press reported October 20, 2008.

TOOLBOX: Foreign Agents Database and More

October 22, 2008–This database is useful for environmental and energy reporters looking for mischief perpetrated by government officials and the industries who influence them with money.

Wide Range of Environmental Issues Before Supreme Court

October 15, 2008–US Supreme Court to hear six cases with important environmental implications. Issues involved are: use of sonar in Naval training; logging in California; power plant operation; disposal of mining wastes; royalties paid to the Navajo Nation on coal leases; and liability under Superfund law.

EPA Libraries Open Doors

October 8, 2008–EPA reopened five libraries September 30, 2008, after fighting its own scientists, enforcement lawyers, open-information groups, and eventually Congress for two years in an unsuccessful effort to keep them closed.