U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Close-up of car tailpipe emitting white smoke

Federal Fuel Economy Rules Take Different Path than Emission Standards

The traditional approach for federal fuel economy and emissions standards is for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency to propose regulations simultaneously. This year is different.

August 3, 2023 - The New York Times

Line of 18-wheeler trucks on a highway in Tennessee

Biden's Truck Pollution Rule Hanging by a Thread

Four House Democrats joined all but one Republican to enact the Congressional Review Act to roll back President Biden's rule on heavy truck pollution approved by the EPA last December. The Senate had earlier narrowly passed the joint resolution.

May 30, 2023 - The Hill

Redevelopment

Anti-Displacement Measures for Brownfield Developments

A series of reports published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Smart Growth America highlights tools and policies that can help mitigate displacement pressure when recovering and developing brownfields around the United States.

May 2, 2023 - Smart Growth America

Electric big rig truck plugged into charging station

Can Federal Emissions Standards Hasten the Transition to EVs?

The EPA unveiled two far-reaching rules to tighten emission standards for light, medium and heavy duty vehicles that can only be met by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The proposal is certain to be challenged in court as an agency overreach.

April 17, 2023 - The New York Times

A shipping freighter, bearing agricultural materials, floats on a narrow waterway, bound by levees.

Complaint Blames Bay Delta Ecological Crisis on Racism

Advocates hope to enlist the federal government in forcing state regulators to set clean water standards for the San Francisco Bay Delta.

January 2, 2023 - Stocktonia

Big Flat, California

What Is the Clean Water Act?

The primary environmental law to regulate water pollution in the United States, the Clean Water Act, went into effect 50 years ago, on October 18, 1972.

October 30, 2022 - James Brasuell

A sign announcing the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Jackson, Mississippi

Mississippi Investigated for Civil Rights Violations in Jackson Water Crisis

The NAACP has accused a pair of Mississippi departments of discrimination against Black Mississippians, leading to the loss of drinking water in the state's capital city at the end of the summer.

October 25, 2022 - Mississippi Free Press

Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired steam plant near Page, Arizona.

The Inflation Reduction Act's Secret Climate Weapon

While the impact on inflation of the questionably-titled Inflation Reduction Act remains to be seen, the law will mitigate the damage done by a landmark Supreme Court case in June that gutted the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

September 1, 2022 - The New York Times

New Jersey Power Plant

Supreme Court Guts the U.S. EPA’s Ability to Limit Carbon Emissions

The consequences of this ruling have long been foretold. With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now officially barred from the fight against climate change, Congress will have to act to reduce carbon emissions.

June 30, 2022 - Yahoo News

Factory Emissions

Supreme Court To Hear Challenge to EPA Powers

The Court's decision could limit the agency's authority to regulate carbon emissions in the power sector.

November 2, 2021 - Bloomberg

Ohio River Power Plant

Court's Rejection of Trump EPA Rule Clears Slate for Emissions Regulation

A D.C. circuit court struck down a rule that limited the agency's regulatory reach to emissions "at the source" in the power sector.

January 28, 2021 - Bloomberg Law

Congress

Biden Diversifies Cabinet With EPA Administrator, Interior Secretary Picks

President-elect Biden made two historic cabinet selections: Michael Regan, who heads the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, to run the U.S. EPA, and Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, to head the Interior Department.

December 21, 2020 - The Washington Post

Bears Ears National Monument

The Trump Administration's Trail of Broken Environmental Regulations

Critics of the Trump administration who chide the president for a lack of accomplishments should check the environmental record.

October 25, 2020 - The New York Times

Washington D.C.

Environmental Agencies Failing at Civil Rights, Report Says

A report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General calls out state environmental agencies for a lack of civil rights enforecement and makes recommendations for resolving shortcomings.

October 15, 2020 - Grist

Pittsburgh Steel City

U.S. EPA To Reclassify Thousands of Major Polluters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated its new rule change will result in up to 1,258 tons of additional emissions of hazardous materials every year.

October 6, 2020 - The Hill

Pollution

The Trump Administration's Environmental Policies Have Consequences for Black Lives

A Trump administration decision not to tighten Clean Air Act restrictions on soot pollution will have more consequences for Black Americans.

June 21, 2020 - Vox

Nuclear Power

U.S. EPA Rolling Back Science-Based Regulation Under Cover of COVID

Contentious policy revisions at the Environmental Protection Agency roll back data-guided policies under the Trump administration.

May 4, 2020 - Nature

great lakes

Report Faults the EPA for Lack of Environmental Enforcement in Great Lakes States

A report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) shows a decrease in environmental enforcement in six Midwest states. The ELPC calls for increased funding. The EPA states the claims errors in data reporting are responsible for the drop.

April 28, 2020 - Urban Milwaukee

Detroit, Michigan

GM, Toyota, and Fiat Chrysler Back Trump on Weaker Auto Emissions Rule

The auto industry is divided on whether to back stronger emissions standard adopted by California and 13 other states. Three major automakers and three auto industry groups sided with Trump on Monday in a court battle over 'one national standard.'

November 3, 2019 - Reuters

Muni Bus Market Street

Trump Administration Suddenly Holding California to Higher Environmental Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to force the state of California to spend highway money on public transit, because of the environment.

October 3, 2019 - Eno Center for Transportation

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.