Environmental Politics

"CHARLOTTE — When Republicans took control of the North Carolina legislature four years ago, they promised to do away with environmental regulations they claimed hurt economic growth. But environmental groups say lawmakers have gone too far, gutting laws aimed at protecting the public's health."

"Twelve states filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration on Friday seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to regulate coal-fired power plants in an effort to stem climate change."

"When Washington lobbyists fail to derail regulations proposed by federal agencies, they often find a receptive ear within the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, an arm of the White House Office of Management and Budget that conducts much of its business in secret."

"GOP lawmakers are 'betraying the party's mascot' with legislation that would roll back protections for endangered African elephants, animal rights activists say."

North Carolina lawmakers said Thursday they still haven't reached agreement on legislation requiring Duke Energy to limit pollution leaking from its coal ash dumps across the state, nearly six months after a spill coated 70 miles of the Dan River with gray sludge."

"The Department of Energy (DOE) gave conditional approval to a second Oregon facility to export liquefied natural gas to countries that don't have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the U.S."

"Survey of 300 US environmental groups show lower percentage of jobs held by ethnic minorities than in science and engineering"

"U.S. EPA is on the verge of having more vacancies than Senate-confirmed officials in its top jobs."

"WASHINGTON — The Rev. Lennox Yearwood punched his fist in the air as he rhythmically boomed into the microphone: 'This is a moment for great leadership. This is a moment for our country to stand up. This is our moment.'"