"Cleaning Up With Rent-a-Chemical"
"Lease programs are emerging as a safer, more environmentally friendly way to manage chemicals."
Source: Ensia, 10/09/2014
Public
"Hinkley Point Nuclear Plant Gets OK From EU"
"The European Union has approved Britain's bid to heavily subsidize the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant, overriding opposition from environmentalists and questions over the project's 24.5 billion pound ($39 billion) price tag."
Source: Christian Science Monitor, 10/09/2014
"CN Train Derailment: Petroleum Cars Catch Fire in Saskatchewan"
"CN train derailment in Saskatchewan caused petroleum distillate to ignite, forcing about 50 people to evacuate from a nearby community. The CN train derailment comes in the wake of recent high-profile oil train accidents."
Source: AP, 10/09/2014
"Oil-Price Swoon Hits Energy Firms’ Shares"
"The share-price boom at U.S. energy firms has gone bust, due to slumping global growth and tumbling crude prices."
Source: Wall St. Journal, 10/09/2014
"EPA: US Cars More Efficient Than Ever"
"The average fuel economy of new US cars and trucks hit a record 24.1 miles per gallon (mpg) last year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Overall fuel economy for new cars and trucks has risen almost 5 mpg since 2004."
Source: Christian Science Monitor, 10/09/2014
Chemical Accident Data Won't Be Bottled Up
While the idea that government neglect and public ignorance are the right approach to chemical safety and security has lost some credence, information on chemical accidents is still hard to come by. Here are tips as well as news about the National Response Center's database of oil and chemical spills.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
Will Fracking Disclosure Decisions Put Profits Above Health?
Federal agencies are still grinding forward on decisions about disclosure of often-toxic ingredients pumped into the ground during "fracking" to produce gas and oil. Significant decisions may come eventually from the Interior Department, the EPA, and the Obama White House. But don't bet on any courageous decisions until after the November election.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
Lame-Duck Congress Could Pass Freedom-of-Information Bill
The coming lame-duck session is the last opportunity for Congress to enact a bipartisan bill that would make modest improvements in the Freedom of Information Act. Will transparency trump gridlock when Congress returns after the November 4, 2014, midterm elections? That remains to be seen.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
Penn. Slaps Record $4.5 Million Fine on Leaking Fracking Waste Pit
"Pennsylvania environmental regulators are pursuing a record $4.5 million fine against a gas driller over what they describe as a major case of pollution from a leaking waste pit."
Source: AP, 10/08/2014
"Greens Launch Operation To Mobilize Volunteers in Key Senate Races"
"The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has launched a grassroots operation to mobilize its members as volunteers in nine Senate races that they say are crucial to environmental progress."
Source: The Hill, 10/08/2014
Pages
