EJToday: Top Headlines

Eastern Power Prices Skyrocket As Heat Burdens US Grids [9]

"Power prices from New York to Virginia are surging as sweltering heat threatens to overwhelm US grids and upend travel for the Independence Day holiday.

Temperatures are expected to breach 100F (38C) across an expansive portion of the East Coast beginning Thursday and extending into the weekend, with the most intense heat settling across Mid-Atlantic states. The heat wave will strain power systems and add to demand pressure that’s been driven in part by the data center boom.
Climate Change [10]
Disasters [11]
Economy & Business [12]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Infrastructure [14]
People & Population [15]
Technology [16]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Bloomberg News [19], 07/02/2026
- Read more about Eastern Power Prices Skyrocket As Heat Burdens US Grids [9]
Ocean Surface Temperatures Hit A Record High For June [20]

"Temperatures on the ocean surface have hit a record high, raising fears of another burst of extreme heat this summer." "European scientists warn of consequences for weather patterns, the global climate and marine life"

Climate Change [10]
Environmental Health [21]
Fish & Fisheries [22]
Natural Resources [23]
Water & Oceans [24]
Public [17]
International [25]
Source: Guardian [26], 07/02/2026
- Read more about Ocean Surface Temperatures Hit A Record High For June [20]
New Orleans Residents Resist Warning To Abandon Sinking City [27]

"After a recent study found New Orleans is at a ‘point of no return’ amid the climate crisis, some locals say they will ‘only leave if forced to’. But what would it take to stay?"

Climate Change [10]
Consumer [28]
Disasters [11]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Infrastructure [14]
People & Population [15]
Water & Oceans [24]
Public [17]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [30]
Source: Guardian [31], 07/02/2026
- Read more about New Orleans Residents Resist Warning To Abandon Sinking City [27]
U.S. to Overhaul Radiation Safety Rules to Spur Nuclear Expansion [32]

"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans to end longstanding guidance that radiation exposure be “as low as reasonably achievable.”"

Disasters [11]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Environmental Studies [33]
Government [34]
Infrastructure [14]
Laws & Regulations [35]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [36]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Technology [16]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: New York Times [38], 07/02/2026
- Read more about U.S. to Overhaul Radiation Safety Rules to Spur Nuclear Expansion [32]
House Committee Sets Vote On Data Center, Grid Bills [39]

"The House Energy and Commerce Committee will vote on bipartisan legislation this week to shield utility customers from the costs associated with data centers, while also advancing legislation aimed at bolstering the nation’s transmission system to meet surging demand."

Climate Change [10]
Consumer [28]
Disasters [11]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Politics [29]
Infrastructure [14]
Laws & Regulations [35]
People & Population [15]
Planning & Growth [40]
Pollution [37]
Technology [16]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: E&E News [41], 07/02/2026
- Read more about House Committee Sets Vote On Data Center, Grid Bills [39]
EPA Plans Roundtable On “Safety Challenges” Of Paraquat Weed Killer [42]

"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Tuesday that it will host a roundtable to hear from scientists, farmworkers, community advocates, and others to discuss the “documented safety challenges associated with the chemical,” and explore “potential solutions and alternatives.”"

Agriculture [43]
Chemicals [44]
Consumer [28]
Economy & Business [12]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Justice [45]
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [34]
Journalism & Media [46]
Laws & Regulations [35]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Science [47]
Technology [16]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: The New Lede [48], 07/02/2026
- Read more about EPA Plans Roundtable On “Safety Challenges” Of Paraquat Weed Killer [42]
Chemical Accidents Rise as Trump Admin Proposes Weakening Safety Rules [49]

"Hazardous chemical releases from industrial accidents that injured or killed people increased by nearly 50 percent in recent years."

Chemicals [44]
Disasters [11]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Laws & Regulations [35]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Inside Climate News [50], 07/02/2026
- Read more about Chemical Accidents Rise as Trump Admin Proposes Weakening Safety Rules [49]
Trump Unit Seeks To Stomp Out All Fires Quickly, Reviving Old Policy [51]

"The deaths of three U.S. government firefighters in a Colorado wildfire are casting a spotlight on the Trump administration’s creation of a new federal fire service and its revival of a previously discredited policy to stomp out all wildfires quickly."

Biodiversity [52]
Climate Change [10]
Disasters [11]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Forests [53]
Government [34]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: AP [54], 07/02/2026
- Read more about Trump Unit Seeks To Stomp Out All Fires Quickly, Reviving Old Policy [51]
EPA Approves Three New Fluorocarbon Pesticides [55]

"The Trump administration has approved three new pesticides that may be considered “forever chemicals” under an international definition, though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is disputing the characterization."

Agriculture [43]
Chemicals [44]
Consumer [28]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Laws & Regulations [35]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Science [47]
Technology [16]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: The Hill [56], 07/02/2026
- Read more about EPA Approves Three New Fluorocarbon Pesticides [55]
Trump’s Record-Setting July 4 Fireworks Could Shower DC With Pollution [57]

"The National Park Service will launch a dazzling 850,000 fireworks in the nation’s capital this year. Scientists are watching for the environmental and public health impacts."

Air [58]
Environmental Health [21]
Journalism & Media [46]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [59]
Source: E&E News [60], 07/02/2026
- Read more about Trump’s Record-Setting July 4 Fireworks Could Shower DC With Pollution [57]
Court Hands Trump New Power Over Independent Agencies Overseeing Energy [61]

"A nearly century-old precedent that has been in conservatives’ cross-hairs for years met its demise Monday, when the Supreme Court ruled to limit the independence of agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission."

Activism [62]
Climate Change [10]
Conflict/Corruption [63]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Studies [33]
Government [34]
Laws & Regulations [35]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [36]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: E&E News [64], 07/01/2026
- Read more about Court Hands Trump New Power Over Independent Agencies Overseeing Energy [61]
After Bold Pledge, EPA Shelves Microplastics Testing In Drinking Water [65]

"For the next five years, the Environmental Protection Agency has indicated it will not require public water utilities to test for microplastics or pharmaceuticals in drinking water, according to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register."

Chemicals [44]
Consumer [28]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Environmental Studies [33]
Government [34]
Laws & Regulations [35]
Pollution [37]
Science [47]
Technology [16]
Waste [66]
Water & Oceans [24]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Los Angeles Times [67], 07/01/2026
- Read more about After Bold Pledge, EPA Shelves Microplastics Testing In Drinking Water [65]
US Issues Emergency Order For PJM Interconnection As Heatwave Looms [68]

"The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday declared an emergency across the nation's largest power grid, citing soaring demand and supply risks ‌as extreme heat grips the region."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [11]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Infrastructure [14]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [69]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [59]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [70]
Source: Reuters [71], 07/01/2026
- Read more about US Issues Emergency Order For PJM Interconnection As Heatwave Looms [68]
Congress Members Move To Override Court Ruling On Pesticide Protections [72]

"Some US lawmakers are rushing to introduce legislation to reverse the impact of a US Supreme Court ruling handed down last week that overturned years of precedent by limiting consumer lawsuits against pesticide companies."

Agriculture [43]
Chemicals [44]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Politics [29]
Laws & Regulations [35]
People & Population [15]
Pollution [37]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: The New Lede [73], 07/01/2026
- Read more about Congress Members Move To Override Court Ruling On Pesticide Protections [72]
Seven Former EPA Workers File Lawsuits Alleging Unjust Firings [74]

"Seven former EPA workers on Tuesday joined a growing list of employees suing the agency after they were fired for signing a public letter critical of the Trump administration."

Activism [62]
Environmental Health [21]
Environmental Justice [45]
Environmental Politics [29]
Government [34]
Journalism & Media [46]
Laws & Regulations [35]
People & Population [15]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Bloomberg Environment [75], 07/01/2026
- Read more about Seven Former EPA Workers File Lawsuits Alleging Unjust Firings [74]

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