Environmental Protection Agency

A factory smoke stack billows out black smoke into a blue sky.

24 States Sue EPA Over New Soot Pollution Limit

The agency cites health risks of air pollution as reason for the new limit; states appear concerned it will kill their economies.

March 11, 2024 - The Hill

Close-up of bronze plaque on building with "United States Environmental Protection Agency" text.

EPA Releases Equity Action Plan

The agency is taking a more holistic approach to addressing environmental justice concerns.

March 6, 2024 - The Equation

Close-up of sign on chain link fence "City of Flint Water Plant" with hours.

EPA Drops More Civil Rights Investigations

A lawsuit that halted an investigation in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ is having a chilling impact on other environmental justice cases.

February 2, 2024 - Word In Black

Smoke coming out of stack at petrochemical plant in Louisiana.

Judge Halts EPA Action in ‘Cancer Alley’ Civil Rights Case

EPA investigations into violations of the Civil Rights Act in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” were ruled as “federal overreach.”

January 26, 2024 - Common Dreams

View of wetlands with lilypads at dusk.

States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling

The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.

December 5, 2023 - Pew Stateline

Environmental Protection Agency sign

EPA Launches Environmental Justice Grant Program

The agency says the program is designed to be more accessible to smaller and underresourced communities.

November 26, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Black plume of smoke rising from petrochemical plant fire in Houston, Texas

EPA Grant Will Fund Air Pollution Tracking in Houston

The city wants to monitor air quality and measure cancer-causing emissions near two petrochemical plants, one of which announced plans for expansion last year.

July 17, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of port community of San Pedro, California

EPA Grants Target Environmental Justice

The agency will administer $100 million in grants to cities, states, and tribal nations as part of the Biden administration’s Justice40 initiative.

January 12, 2023 - Route Fifty

United States Environmental Protection Agency building in Washington, D.C.

Could This Supreme Court Ruling Affect Fair Housing?

Experts on housing law discuss the potential repercussions of a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down the EPA’s authority in limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Could conservative judges apply the same rationale to limit HUD's authority?

August 30, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

School Buses

EPA Launches School Bus Electrification Program

The agency will distribute $5 billion over the next five years to help school districts purchase electric and low-emissions buses.

July 21, 2022 - U.S. PIRG, the Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups

Power Plant

Ways the EPA Can Still Fight Climate Change

Despite the Supreme Court’s recent decision to limit the EPA’s ability to regulate emissions from power plants, the agency still has a range of tools at its disposal for enforcing pollution controls and reducing harmful emissions.

July 18, 2022 - High Country News

Coal Mining and Power Station

Did the Supreme Court Gut Federal Power?

The Supreme Court limited the EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Some commentators believe that this decision will virtually eliminate EPA power—but the decision is too ambiguous to support such a clear conclusion.

July 3, 2022 - Michael Lewyn

Port of Oakland

EPA Moves To Tighten Regulations on Emissions

Many environmental groups argue the EPA's proposed plan, which is less stringent than California's regulations, doesn't go far enough to support electrification and reduce GHG emissions.

March 8, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Factory Emissions

EPA Relaxes Environmental Rules, Cites Coronavirus

During the outbreak, the agency will allow companies to monitor themselves for pollution violations.

April 6, 2020 - The New York Times

Downtown Phoenix Skyline

Arizona Environmental Agency Cutbacks Significant, Says Report

A new report says funding and staffing cuts at the state’s environmental protection agency could prevent it from adequately protecting public health and the environment.

December 20, 2019 - Phoenix New Times

Rendering

How Peoria Is Putting Green Infrastructure to Work

Peoria's new stormwater farm takes the pressure off its outdated combined sewer system. It's part of a larger effort by the city to align green infrastructure with social equity goals.

December 12, 2019 - Next City

Fish and WIldlife

The Dismal State of Water Infrastructure in Rural Kentucky

In a region where the utility is on the "brink of financial collapse," residents face outages, boil-water advisories and bills that come with health warnings.

February 14, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Gowanus Canal, Dirty Water

EPA Launches Long-Awaited Cleanup of Gowanus Canal

Gowanus Creek was channelized in the 1800s and has been accumulating sludge ever since.

October 25, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Stormwater

One Way Washington Could Move Forward on Infrastructure

The WIFIA federal loans program provides start-up capital to local water infrastructure projects. The program is designed to encourage experimentation and cost-effective construction strategies.

August 17, 2017 - Brookings

Scott Pruitt

California Is 'Recruiting' U.S. EPA Employees

Under the Trump Administration, federal employees dedicated to causes like climate change mitigation face uncertain prospects. They could turn to accommodating state governments.

March 28, 2017 - High Country News

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