"New reports provide an unprecedented look at contaminants leaking from coal ash ponds and landfills. But the chasm between information and environmental protection may deepen thanks to a proposed Trump administration rollback."
"Scott Pruitt’s Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that the burning of biomass, such as trees, for energy in many cases will be considered “carbon neutral” by the agency."
"Four protesters can present an unusual 'necessity defense' against criminal charges stemming from efforts to shut down two Enbridge Energy oil pipelines, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Monday."
"Two years after a long-lasting undersea heat wave scalded large sections of the Great Barrier Reef, scientists have found that because so many corals died, much of the reef has probably been altered “forever.”"
"A federal appeals court in New York on Monday blocked the Trump administration's efforts to delay penalties against automakers that fail to meet carbon-cutting emissions standards in new cars."
"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is expected to propose a rule Tuesday that would establish new standards for what science could be used in writing agency regulations, according to individuals briefed on the plan. It is a sweeping change long sought by conservatives."
"White House officials are cautioning Republican lawmakers and other conservative allies to temper their defense of Scott Pruitt, according to two people familiar with the discussions, in a sign that administration support for the embattled EPA chief may be waning."
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.
When it comes to the wildfires that now regularly threaten life and property, it’s not just the flames that create risk. Wildfire smoke itself can cause harm, even a long way from the fire. This week’s TipSheet explains the health threats of wildfire smoke and how to monitor the risk for your own area.
The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Foundation, invites journalists to apply for fellowships to attend two major climate change summits taking place in 2018: the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, United States (September), and the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, Poland (December). Apply by May 4.
