ENVIRONMENT POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Environment Posts
Zinke Faces the U.S. Senate
Earlier this month, Department of the Interior head, Ryan Zinke, a self-declared geologist, faced a senate hearing to address his proposed 2019 budget. However, this hearing may expand to include his numerous scandals.
EPA Set to Rollback Automotive Standards
Earlier this month Pruitt announced another step in Trump’s “regulatory agenda” with the plan to lessen automotive regulations on emissions and fuel economy. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were revised in 2010 to require a minimum fuel efficiency of 54.5 miles to the gallon (double the current typical average) by model year 2025.
UPDATED:Scott Pruitt Under Investigation by Congress for Excess Spending, Secret Emails and Ethics Controversy
In letters sent to President Trump and the EPA Secretary Pruitt, the Oversight Committee of U.S. Congress requested documents from Secretary Pruitt as they investigate the myriad of controversies that have arisen around the EPA’s lead administrator. Pruitt is currently past the given deadline to produce the documents, and the deadline has been extended to April 25, 2018.
Judge Rules That Environmental Studies Are Not Required for Border Wall Construction Order in re: Border Infrastructure Environmental Legislation; Case 3:17-cv-01215-GPC-WVG
Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled that the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security have not exceeded their legal limits in waiving environmental reviews based on the REAL ID law of 2005. This Bush era law allows Federal agencies to waive previously required environmental reviews.
EPA Announces Remedy for West Lake Landfill Superfund Site
EPA Secretary Pruitt announced a proposed remedy for the West Lake Landfill in North Saint Louis County calling the site a top priority for the EPA. The project, named “Excavation Plus,” will remove most of the radioactive material that poses a public health threat and place a permanent cap and engineered cover system for long-term…
DOI Secretary Zinke Announces Offshore Oil Drilling Program [UPDATED]
Both officials and residents of California have come out in droves to push back against Zinke’s draft of the Offshore Oil Drilling Program. Protests have spanned the length of California, involving thousands of people. The protest in Sacramento preceded a Federal “open house,” which many are calling a peace offering for the lack…
Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the “Waters of the United States” Rule [UPDATED]
Almost a year after the announcement of its review, the Trump administration has formally suspended the “Waters of the United States” Rule. This suspension paves the way for this Administration’s version of the pollution regulating rules. The original Obama rule was up for implementation, and the documents filed on January 31…
Nominations for the EPA, NOAA and Environmental Policy Advisor Positions [UPDATED]
Over the last few weeks, Trump has submitted nominations for various environmental positions within the government. With these nominations, many are worried that the administration has the manpower it needs to roll back green energy initiatives and replace them with coal and fossil fuel programs. There have been four nominations…
Scientists Sue EPA and DOI Advisory Board Members Quit
Earlier this month, The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Protect Democracy sued EPA Secretary Pruitt for blocking scientists who receive EPA funding from being on advisory boards within the agency. Pruitt announced this unprecedented shift back in October 2017 without any window for public comment, citing a potential…