EPA moves to further limit protections for wetlands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to scale back protections for wetlands, aligning with a 2023 Supreme Court decision that limited federal authority over U.S. waterways.

Michael Phillis reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency will implement new, more predictable rules on which waterways the Clean Water Act covers, responding to concerns from farmers and industry groups.
The Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA ruling found that federally protected wetlands must be directly adjacent to a permanent waterway, a shift that significantly narrows previous protections.
Environmental groups warn that the rollback will lead to more pollution and habitat loss, particularly in drier regions already facing water scarcity.

Key quote:

"They are going to continue to find ways to change the Clean Water Act to weaken public safeguards."

— Julian Gonzalez, senior legislative counsel at Earthjustice

Why this matters:

Wetlands help filter pollutants, prevent flooding, and provide critical wildlife habitat. Reducing federal oversight could allow more development and pollution in sensitive areas, potentially affecting water quality and increasing flood risks. States with stronger protections may maintain stricter rules, but others could see significant environmental degradation. This change reflects a broader trend of limiting federal environmental regulations in favor of state and industry control.

apnews.com

Sick African American man coughing holding paper napkin near mouth suffering from respiratory ailment

Credit: Prostock-studio/BigStock Photo ID: 400400966

In coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

While President Trump is directing hundreds of millions of dollars to coal projects, miners in Appalachia are suffering from a resurgence of black lung disease. But industry pushback has indefinitely delayed federal rules that would reduce miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust.

Read the Full Article on

e360.yale.edu

EPA moves to further limit protections for wetlands

Carbon pollution is making food less nutritious and risking health of billions

Dozens of North Carolina houses have been lost to the sea. Some surviving homes are now being moved on wheels

How to build a better kind of nuclear power? This side hustle might help

Takeaways from the first conference focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels

In coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

US mounts new bid to block shipping carbon tax

Africa's clean energy transition is linked to growing lead exposure concerns

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.