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What’s Happening? The chemical industry has an extensive—and ongoing—history of complaining about how long it takes EPA to do new chemical safety reviews. The irony is that industry is the very player causing the delays in EPA’s review process. Clear data indicate that chemical manufacturers are primarily responsible for the length of EPA’s reviews and …

To comply with its carbon-reduction laws on the books and support healthier communities, North Carolina should be shifting its electricity sources from coal to lower-cost clean energy. But in its latest plan presented to the NC Utilities Commission in August, Duke Energy proposed a coal-to-gas transition – a shift that offers North Carolina households and …

Dairy companies and farmers have a big opportunity to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while continuing to help feed the world.

Senate Bill 28 and House Bill 107 would create a punitive flat annual license tax for EV owners of $200.

Dairy companies and farmers have a big opportunity to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while continuing to help feed the world.

In Presidio County, running water is a luxury that some residents do not enjoy. Families in Las Pampas, a Colonia near the Mexican border, must truck water from the City of Presidio to their homes north of town, spending money and time to secure what many Texans take for granted – running water and the …

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was established by the United Nations General Assembly to accelerate action to strengthen disaster resilience. In the United States, this day comes on the heels of a major blow to our Nation’s wetlands. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to narrow the scope of protections for wetlands, as defined in the Clean Water Act. As result, this landmark decision could cause detrimental impacts to the environment, communities and economy. The post On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, protecting the Nation’s wetlands is more important and urgent than ever first appeared on Growing Returns.

As Hispanic Heritage Month ends, we celebrate our Hispanic Water Leadership Institute alumni making a difference in their communities. Nearly 20% of the United States identifies as Hispanic. The largest minority group in the country is also the largest group disproportionately impacted by contaminated groundwater. This is due to a lack of resources and widespread …

The global backdrop to this month’s newsletter is somber. Still, there are bright spots for climate progress, and important opportunities for business action and advocacy.

By Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo and Ilissa Ocko Companies are announcing plans to use ammonia to decarbonize the power sector, because they view it as a carbon-free fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide and other carbon-based air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, when combusted. But there are serious issues with this strategy, primarily because it doesn’t …

As the effects of climate change continue to unfold, all communities across the U.S. will face a wider range of risks. However, some communities will be more affected by those risks due to greater exposure and limited ability to recover from their effects.   For two neighboring communities in Detroit, the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index, a …

Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals and Katelyn Roedner Sutter, State Director, California What Happened? On October 10, 2023, California Assembly Bill 899, authored by Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi, became law. It requires manufacturers of baby food (other than infant formula) who wish to sell their products in California to: Test a representative sample of …

As hundreds of fleet professionals from across the U.S. gather in Austin, TX this week for the American Trucking Association’s annual Management Conference and Exhibition, some may be arriving with a feeling of uncertainty about the pace of transition to zero-emission trucks. While fleet managers have more tools at their disposal than ever before, the …

A paradox has become evident through many of my recent discussions and projects with fleets: while fleet managers have more tools at their disposal than ever before, the ambition of their efforts has grown significantly, too. Thus, it can feel as challenging as ever to make progress on reducing pollution from trucks at a pace …

More homeowners than ever need flood insurance. Fewer than ever can afford it.

NOTE: This is the second in a series about EPA’s regulation of new chemicals. What Happened? EPA recently proposed new regulations for its safety reviews of new chemicals under our nation’s main chemicals law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). With this action, the agency has a big chance to solve major problems that have …

Latest U.S. climate policy news, key upcoming advocacy opportunities for companies, relevant events, and exciting EDF updates from Victoria Mills.

(This post originally appeared on EDF’s Energy Exchange) Our new website, Community Voices in Energy — a collaboration with Chicago-based Blacks in Green — equips frontline communities to participate as experts in climate and energy proceedings and influence energy investments. By ensuring that community members are able to share their direct experience on the record in public utility commission …

We’re back! Hope your September is off to a good start and that you got to enjoy some R&R this summer. I’m resolved to spend more of my life on top of

This summer’s record-shattering temperatures make abundantly clear why we need to act fast to cut climate pollution.

Last Monday, Environmental Defense Fund and Texas A&M University unveiled the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), a robust, data-driven mapping tool built to highlight how drivers of cumulative vulnerability and exposure to climate impacts disadvantage communities across the U.S. Combining 184 sets of data, or “indicators,” to rank more than 70,000 U.S. Census tracts, the CVI …

Our new website, Community Voices in Energy — a collaboration with Chicago-based Blacks in Green — equips frontline communities to participate as experts in climate and energy proceedings and influence energy investments. By ensuring that community members are able to share their direct experience on the record in public utility commission hearings, the site helps …

Research shows that investing in flood resilience saves at least $6 for every $1 spent pre-disaster, which is why it’s so important to start planning for climate impacts now. Virginia leaders must continue to build flood resilience through four big initiatives.  The post 4 opportunities for Virginia’s General Assembly to build statewide flood resilience first appeared on Growing Returns.

After a whirlwind and inspiring New York Climate Week, I’m looking ahead to COP28 and reflecting on the key themes that I want to carry forward. This year more than ever, food and agriculture sector issues were front of mind in the conversation, given companies even more opportunities and resources to take action. I came …

If your home or small business were destroyed in a disaster, would you have the resources to fully rebuild? Very few do. That is why insurance exists. By paying an annual premium, policyholders shift the risk of financial devastation to an insurance company.