petrochemicals

Top Tweets
Bird specimens carry a toxic legacy.
People in white lab coats stand outside with a large blue banner reading "science makes america great."
A series of row houses with stairs leading to porches and a swing set in the front yard.
A birdwatcher with binoculars in a forest.
Tulane University sign with red brick academic building and palm trees in background.
Credit: zimmytws/BogStock Photo ID: 299386018

Tulane faces backlash for silencing researcher exposing pollution and racial bias

A Tulane University scientist has resigned, alleging she was muzzled for exposing how Louisiana’s petrochemical industry harms Black communities through pollution and discriminatory hiring.

Jack Brook reports for the Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
A pile of plastic bottles for recycling.
Credit: Photo by tanvi sharma on Unsplash

Plastics industry misled public on decades-old recycling tech

The fossil fuel industry has aggressively promoted “advanced recycling” as a breakthrough solution to plastic pollution — even while knowing it rarely works.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
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.

HOUSTON — Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have previously violated the pollution limits in their permits have recently applied for new federal operating permits or renewals.

These facilities include the Chevron Pasadena Refining facility, the LyondellBasell Houston refinery, and the Chevron Phillips Chemical Sweeny Complex in Brazoria County, all of which are seeking renewed Title V permits.

Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
A factory complex emits pollutioni through several smokestacks with hazy skies in background.
Credit: Photo by jessie zhang/Unsplash

US Senate votes to ease regulations on toxic air pollution from industry

In a historic rollback of Clean Air Act protections, the U.S. Senate voted to let polluters off the hook for controlling the most dangerous air pollutants, with the House of Representatives and President Trump expected to follow suit.

Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Image of petrochemical refinery lit up at night.

Federal court allows discrimination lawsuit against Louisiana petrochemical expansion to proceed

A federal appeals court ruled that civil rights groups can pursue their lawsuit accusing St. James Parish officials of racial discrimination in the siting of polluting petrochemical plants in Black neighborhoods.

Jack Brook reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
A controversial facility that would process plastic waste to be burned in steel mills has been cancelled
Credit: PramoteBigstock/BigStock Photo ID: 459325153

A controversial facility that would process plastic waste to be burned in steel mills has been cancelled

Environmental advocates are celebrating the cancellation of the International Recycling Group’s project in Erie, PA

PITTSBURGH — International Recycling Group (IRG) has announced that they will cancel a planned plastic waste processing facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, due to President Trump’s federal funding cuts and tariffs, among other reasons.

Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Polluting oil refinery emits smoke under cloudy sky.

New Trump-era EPA move could let polluters dodge toxic air rules

A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy under the Trump administration may allow chemical giants to sidestep rules that limit mercury, benzene, and other hazardous pollutants — with big consequences for public health.

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press.

In short:

  • Industry groups representing ExxonMobil, Dow, Chevron, and hundreds of other chemical and petrochemical makers are lobbying the EPA for blanket exemptions from air pollution rules, citing high costs and “unworkable” timelines.
  • The EPA, now led by Lee Zeldin, has set up what environmental groups have called a “polluters’ portal” — an email inbox where companies can request two-year exemptions from nine Biden-era environmental rules.
  • Environmental groups warn that this loophole could result in increased exposure to pollutants known to cause cancer, asthma, and birth defects, especially in children.

Key quote:

“There is no basis in U.S. clean air laws — and in decency — for this absolute free pass to pollute.”

— Vickie Patton, general counsel, Environmental Defense Fund

Why this matters:

This policy could open the floodgates to more cancer-causing fumes, more neurotoxins in kids’ bodies, and more birth defects — especially in the communities that already bear the brunt of pollution. It's one in a series of major regulatory rollbacks that Zeldin has announced that have major implications for public health and well-being.

Read more:

ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE