EPA

Westlake Chemical

EPA weakens oversight of toxic chemicals

Under its new interpretation of the Toxic Substances Control Act, EPA has decided to focus its investigations into chemical safety solely on the risks of direct exposure, which will exclude risk analysis based on exposure through air, water and soil.

EPA weakens oversight of toxic chemicals
Red Dog Mine

The most toxic town in America

The most toxic town in America
Scott Pruitt at Congress

Ethical and legal questions surround Scott Pruitt's time at the EPA

Ethical and legal questions surround Scott Pruitt's time at the EPA
Polluting plant

Groups sue EPA over regulatory rollback, saying clean air is 'at risk'

Groups sue EPA over regulatory rollback, saying clean air is 'at risk'
Texas wind farm

Congress boosted spending on science and the environment, even as Trump administration tried to cut

Congress boosted spending on science and the environment, even as Trump administration tried to cut
The West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston sits on the Kanawha River, which is fed in part by the Elk River — the main water supply for nearly 300,000 of the state's residents.

Documentary uncovers contaminated truths behind water crisis in West Virginia, other locations

A new documentary shows the issues with the water supply in Charleston, West Virginia, and the surrounding area went far beyond a chemical leak.

Documentary uncovers contaminated truths behind water crisis in West Virginia, other locations
Screenshot of an error message on an EPA webpage

Climate change information disappears from federal websites in 'pervasive, systematic' scrubbing

In one instance, more than 200 pages meant to help state, local and tribal governments prepare for climate change have been removed.

Climate change information disappears from federal websites in 'pervasive, systematic' scrubbing
Louisiana pollution warning

A liberal author tries to cross over an 'empathy wall' in Louisiana

California sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild ventured out of her liberal bubble to try to grasp why some conservatives reject government regulations in Louisiana, even as industry pollution persists, largely unchecked, for years.

A liberal author tries to cross over an 'empathy wall' in Louisiana
A combination picture shows the coal-fired Castle Gate Power Plant

Trump is ending Obama-era emissions cuts. How will CO2 emissions change?

President Donald Trump's newest executive order tackles EPA regulations and the Clean Power Plan, which was a big part of how the US planned to hit emissions reductions under the Paris Climate agreement.

Trump is ending Obama-era emissions cuts. How will CO2 emissions change?
Car and gas station

Automakers are pushing to reverse fuel efficiency gains

Under President Barack Obama, the EPA worked closely with industry to reach a fleet fuel economy standard of about 54 mpg, starting in 2025. Now, the auto industry lobby has asked EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to consider rolling back that standard.

Automakers are pushing to reverse fuel efficiency gains
Stream pollution from coal mining

The GOP Congress killed Obama's Stream Protection Rule. Now what?

Coal has deep roots in Appalachia and its local communities, but this way of life often comes with persistent water pollution. Now, with the recent overturn of the Stream Protection Rule, coal companies are under less pressure to control and clean up their environmental impact.

The GOP Congress killed Obama's Stream Protection Rule. Now what?
Scott Pruitt

How do you run a government agency you have spent so much time suing?

Scott Pruitt, former Oklahoma attorney general and President Trump’s choice for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, has brought multiple lawsuits against the agency, some of which are still pending.

How do you run a government agency you have spent so much time suing?
Trump signng

The 'single biggest assault' against environmental policies?

Scientists, environmental lawyers and activists are becoming increasingly alarmed by the Trump administration’s actions toward government agencies charged with protecting the environment and its attacks on science and public information.

The 'single biggest assault' against environmental policies?
An oil well in India

US methane emissions are drastically underestimated, a new study shows

A team of atmospheric scientists from Harvard combined satellite data with ground observations to calculate global methane emissions — and the new figures are causing concern.

US methane emissions are drastically underestimated, a new study shows
Pollution smokestacks

An obscure clause in an old law could help regulate US carbon emissions

President Obama's Clean Power Plan has been put on hold by the Supreme Court, but this academic thinks Section 115 of the 46-year-old Clean Air Act allows Obama's plan to function.

An obscure clause in an old law could help regulate US carbon emissions