Publication Items

Taking Office as EPA Acting Administrator, Wheeler Gets Realer [1]

The presence of a new acting administrator at EPA in the wake of Scott Pruitt’s resignation may mean a change in tone and a renewed openness for journalists covering the agency. But it doesn’t appear to mean different policy approaches. This week’s TipSheet reports on the early days of former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler’s command, with a roundup of coverage and angles to watch.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [3]
Climate Change [4]
Energy & Fuel [5]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [7]
Government [8]
Health [9]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Policy [12]
Pollution [13]
Waste [14]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Taking Office as EPA Acting Administrator, Wheeler Gets Realer [1]
Breaking the ‘Cycle’ on Chemical Safety Story [17]

Chemical plant explosions make for fiery headlines, but then the reporting tends to flame out. The latest Backgrounder spells out why environmental journalists should stay vigilant on chemical safety coverage, with news hooks and ingredients for a potent mix of advance stories.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [18]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [19]
Chemicals [20]
Disasters [21]
Economy & Business [22]
Energy & Fuel [5]
Environmental Politics [7]
Government [8]
Health [9]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
People & Population [23]
Policy [12]
Pollution [13]
Transportation [24]
Water & Oceans [25]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Breaking the ‘Cycle’ on Chemical Safety Story [17]
EPA Inaction Leaves Smog an Endless Summer Story [27]

It’s summer smog season, with all its unpleasant environmental and health impacts. But if you’re reporting on this perpetual problem, you may not be able to rely on the EPA to help you figure out where it is worst. This week’s TipSheet explains, then helps get you started on your own smog coverage.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [3]
Energy & Fuel [5]
Environmental Politics [7]
Government [8]
Health [9]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Pollution [13]
Transportation [24]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
California [28]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [29]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [30]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about EPA Inaction Leaves Smog an Endless Summer Story [27]
Veteran Photo Editor on Making Visual Storytelling a ‘Lead Actor’ [32]

Visual storytelling can serve as a primary narrative tool, especially when it comes to human impacts on the environment. That’s the case made by acclaimed former National Geographic photo editor Dennis Dimick in this feature interview, that delves into his unexpected journalistic career.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [33]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [19]
Climate Change [4]
Energy & Fuel [5]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Studies [34]
Fish & Fisheries [35]
Food [36]
Forests [37]
Health [9]
Journalism & Media [10]
Natural Resources [38]
People & Population [23]
Planning & Growth [39]
Pollution [13]
Science [40]
Water & Oceans [25]
Wildlife [41]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [42]
Northwest (OR WA) [43]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Veteran Photo Editor on Making Visual Storytelling a ‘Lead Actor’ [32]
Media Object as EPA Bars Reporters from Drinking Water ‘Summit’ [44]

Is EPA antipathy toward news media hiding inaction on a toxic drinking water contaminant? That’s the question asked by the latest WatchDog, which looks at a recent incident in which media access to a public meeting was limited, and then explores what may be behind it.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [45]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [46]
Chemicals [20]
Consumer [47]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [7]
Government [8]
Health [9]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
People & Population [23]
Pollution [13]
Water & Oceans [25]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Media Object as EPA Bars Reporters from Drinking Water ‘Summit’ [44]
Environmental Protections in Play Amid Farm Bill Furor [48]

Big environmental issues such as the use of pesticides, labelling of organic foods and the preservation of farmland and water are central to a huge farm bill lurching its way through the nation’s legislature, hamstrung by partisan politics. Our latest Backgrounder sets up the landscape for your coverage.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [18]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [19]
Air [3]
Chemicals [20]
Consumer [47]
Economy & Business [22]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [7]
Food [36]
Forests [37]
Government [8]
Health [9]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Policy [12]
Pollution [13]
Water & Oceans [25]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Environmental Protections in Play Amid Farm Bill Furor [48]
Are Fluorinated Chemicals Contaminating Your Local Drinking Water? [49]

A family of widely used fluorinated chemicals may be contaminating local drinking water supplies, causing uncertain health effects and with little clarity over federal regulations. But some states are starting to step in. This week’s TipSheet unwinds the confusion over PFAS, with some backstory and plenty of resources for your local coverage.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [46]
Chemicals [20]
Consumer [47]
Environmental Health [6]
Health [9]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Pollution [13]
Science [40]
Water & Oceans [25]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
Northwest (OR WA) [43]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Are Fluorinated Chemicals Contaminating Your Local Drinking Water? [49]
Small Market Beat Reporter Delves Where ‘Few Have Looked’ [50]

A local beat reporter with an unusual background seeks hidden corners of local environmental policy and is rewarded with top honors for her work. An interview with Texas Observer reporter Naveena Sadasivam about her learning curve, her award-winning reporting and what she thinks the profession must do to build its future. The latest “Inside Story.”

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [33]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [19]
Climate Change [4]
Economy & Business [22]
Energy & Fuel [5]
Environmental Politics [7]
Government [8]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Pollution [13]
Waste [14]
Region:
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Small Market Beat Reporter Delves Where ‘Few Have Looked’ [50]
Often Misunderstood Estuaries Underpin Environment’s Health [51]

The estuaries that proliferate across the United States can be hard to define — and protect. But their role in a healthy environment makes them a crucial focus of good reporting. The latest Issue Backgrounder explores their importance, the many challenges they face, and how to track the agencies and programs meant to protect them.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [18]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [19]
Biodiversity [52]
Economy & Business [22]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [7]
Fish & Fisheries [35]
Government [8]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Natural Resources [38]
People & Population [23]
Planning & Growth [39]
Policy [12]
Pollution [13]
Water & Oceans [25]
Wildlife [41]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Alaska and Hawaii [53]
California [28]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [29]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [30]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [31]
Northwest (OR WA) [43]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [54]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
International [55]
Mexico [56]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Often Misunderstood Estuaries Underpin Environment’s Health [51]
Tracking Troubled Waters with ‘Endangered Rivers’ List [57]

A running list of endangered rivers becomes an annual starting point for strong local coverage of critical water issues. This week’s TipSheet spotlights the latest additions to an inventory of trouble spots around the United States, plus key angles and issues for coverage, and a selection of top resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [46]
Agriculture [19]
Chemicals [20]
Consumer [47]
Economy & Business [22]
Energy & Fuel [5]
Environmental Health [6]
Environmental Politics [7]
Fish & Fisheries [35]
Government [8]
Journalism & Media [10]
Laws & Regulations [11]
Natural Resources [38]
Pollution [13]
Water & Oceans [25]
Wildlife [41]
Region:
National (U.S.) [15]
Alaska and Hawaii [53]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [29]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [58]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [42]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [54]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [26]
Visibility:
Public [16]
- Read more about Tracking Troubled Waters with ‘Endangered Rivers’ List [57]

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