Some residents taking fighting       wildfires into their own hands
www.nytimes.com

Some residents taking fighting       wildfires into their own hands

As wildfire seasons worsen, a growing number of rural residents are buying and outfitting fire rigs and other equipment to protect their property and themselves.
A sign on a concrete building reading "United States Environmental Protection Agency."
Credit: marcnorman/BigStock Photo ID: 21123533

New EPA reorganization may quietly dismantle chemical health watchdog

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to gut its independent chemical risk program, potentially stalling regulation of dangerous substances and handing a long-sought victory to the chemical industry.

Molly Taft reports for Wired.

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Solar panels and wind turbones in a grassy field with mountains in background.
Credit: Fahroni/BigStock Photo ID: 462747775

Republican divide over green energy tax credits could shake up party megabill

A group of House Republicans is clashing with party leaders over plans to gut clean energy tax credits, raising the possibility of a GOP showdown.

Kelsey Brugger, Andres Picon, Nico Portuondo and Manuel Quiñones report for Politico.

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Brown wooden gavel on a bed of $100 dollar bills.

Trump moves to shield oil companies from climate lawsuits as states push back

Over 30 states and cities suing oil giants for climate damages now face direct legal opposition from the Trump administration, which has begun suing states to block their cases.

Karen Zraick reports for The New York Times.

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The U.S. Congress building in Washington DC with a fountain in the foreground during daytime.

EPA freezes environmental justice grants as Zeldin defends budget cuts before Congress

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drew bipartisan criticism in a contentious Senate hearing over whether the agency defied federal law by halting billions in climate and environmental justice grants.

Matthew Daly reports for The Associated Press.

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Solar panels in a green field under partly cloudy skies.

Trump administration moves to raise fees for solar and wind projects on federal land

The U.S. Interior Department plans to revoke a Biden-era rule that slashed costs for renewable energy developers using federal lands, a step back toward fossil fuel-friendly policies.

Nichola Groom reports for Reuters.

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Flattened plastic bottles ready for recycling.

Plastic pollution may be accelerating global warming by disrupting Earth's carbon cycles

Plastic production emits about 5% of global greenhouse gases, but scientists warn that microplastics may also hinder the planet's natural ability to store carbon, amplifying climate change beyond current estimates.

Nicolás Rivero reports for The Washington Post.

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Damaged beach house with erosion visible at base and metal stilts supporting part of the structure.

Staff shortages at National Weather Service raise safety concerns ahead of hurricane season

A wave of retirements and layoffs has left the National Weather Service scrambling to fill critical roles as the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, raising bipartisan fears about the nation’s storm readiness.

Zack Colman reports for POLITICO.

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

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.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

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

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

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.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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

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