http://www.salon.com/2017/02/21/lies-and-pollution-trump-loyalists-are-willing-to-poison-their-bodies-as-well-as-their-minds/
"It’s not clear whether Trump voters in deeply red states like West Virginia and Kentucky are aware of the fact that coal mining and Trump’s terrible bill will surely add copious amounts of selenium, mercury and arsenic to the water supplies in those states — in addition to the variety of toxins present in coal slurry, ash and other waste materials."
Saturday, February 25, 2017
The GOP and ALEC's Brazen Plan to Sell Off America's Public Lands to the Fossil Fuel Industry @alternet
The GOP and ALEC's Brazen Plan to Sell Off America's Public Lands to the Fossil Fuel Industry @alternet:
"Not surprisingly, the effort to privatize public lands is driven in part by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that relies heavily on financing by extractive industry leaders to distribute cookie-cutter legislation to state legislatures in hopes that they will enact bills to roll back fundamental conservation laws. Many of the people pushing for the takeover of America’s public lands are also tied to radical fringe groups who don’t represent mainstream views. By mid-January, a House bill (H.R. 621) was introduced by Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz identifying 3.3 million acres of America’s public lands across 10 states to be 'disposed of' and sold off. “What’s worthless to allies of the fossil fuel industry for all except oil and gas extraction has irreplaceable value to the American people for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and countless other pastimes that Teddy Roosevelt first acknowledged were central to the strength and well-being of this nation,” the Wilderness Society said in a statement responding to the bill. “Today, those outdoor pastimes have a $646 billion value and contribute millions of American jobs to rural communities without harming the lands and waters themselves.” Miraculously, a little over a week after proposing his land disposal bill, Rep. Chaffetz announced in a midnight Instagram post that his bill would "die." Congressional offices had reportedly been overwhelmed by calls from people who want to keep our wild lands public, including many of Chaffetz's own constituents, who were concerned about the possibility of losing access for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Rep. Chaffetz did the right thing in listening to an overwhelming tide of constituents who castigated him for such an un-American piece of legislation. But this is just one victory in a broader defense of public lands at large."
"Not surprisingly, the effort to privatize public lands is driven in part by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that relies heavily on financing by extractive industry leaders to distribute cookie-cutter legislation to state legislatures in hopes that they will enact bills to roll back fundamental conservation laws. Many of the people pushing for the takeover of America’s public lands are also tied to radical fringe groups who don’t represent mainstream views. By mid-January, a House bill (H.R. 621) was introduced by Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz identifying 3.3 million acres of America’s public lands across 10 states to be 'disposed of' and sold off. “What’s worthless to allies of the fossil fuel industry for all except oil and gas extraction has irreplaceable value to the American people for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and countless other pastimes that Teddy Roosevelt first acknowledged were central to the strength and well-being of this nation,” the Wilderness Society said in a statement responding to the bill. “Today, those outdoor pastimes have a $646 billion value and contribute millions of American jobs to rural communities without harming the lands and waters themselves.” Miraculously, a little over a week after proposing his land disposal bill, Rep. Chaffetz announced in a midnight Instagram post that his bill would "die." Congressional offices had reportedly been overwhelmed by calls from people who want to keep our wild lands public, including many of Chaffetz's own constituents, who were concerned about the possibility of losing access for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Rep. Chaffetz did the right thing in listening to an overwhelming tide of constituents who castigated him for such an un-American piece of legislation. But this is just one victory in a broader defense of public lands at large."
Major outdoor retailers boycott Utah over threats to sell off public lands
https://thinkprogress.org/outdoor-retailers-boycott-utah-over-public-lands-threats-9cac78dcdeac#.t843uuwjh
"After 20 years of hosting the bi-annual outdoor retailer show in Salt Lake City, organizers of the show finalized their decision to move the $45 million event after a “disappointing” call Thursday with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R). A spokesman for Herbert said OIA’s move perpetuated a “false narrative” about Utah, despite the fact that the governor has been pouring $4.5 million of Utah taxpayer dollars into a lawsuit to seize national public lands in the state each year; an effort that is opposed by Utah residents, and has very little chance of success."
"After 20 years of hosting the bi-annual outdoor retailer show in Salt Lake City, organizers of the show finalized their decision to move the $45 million event after a “disappointing” call Thursday with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R). A spokesman for Herbert said OIA’s move perpetuated a “false narrative” about Utah, despite the fact that the governor has been pouring $4.5 million of Utah taxpayer dollars into a lawsuit to seize national public lands in the state each year; an effort that is opposed by Utah residents, and has very little chance of success."
After Advancing Scott Pruitt Confirmation, Senator Heads Over to Energy Lobbyist Fundraiser
https://theintercept.com/2017/02/17/after-advancing-scott-pruitt-confirmation-senator-heads-right-over-to-energy-lobbyist-fundraiser/
"JUST MOMENTS AFTER leading the floor debate on Thursday in support of Scott Pruitt’s nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left the Senate chamber to attend a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by energy lobbyists at a Capitol Hill steakhouse. The Senate voted 54-46 around 11:15 a.m. to invoke cloture, a mechanism that limits debate and allow an up-or-down confirmation vote Friday at 1 p.m. Barrasso, who has worked to shepherd Pruitt through the confirmation process, gave a brief floor statement, then left the chamber to relax with influence peddlers at Charlie Palmer Steak. The event, which asked for checks as high as $5,000 to Barrasso’s campaign committee, was hosted by lobbyists for energy firms that have cheered Pruitt’s battles with regulators. As the Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt worked closely with energy lobbyists to file lawsuits against a wide range of environmental regulations. Pruitt challenged EPA rules on fracking, controls on pollution from power plants, limits on mercury emissions, and enhancing clean water regulations. Several of Pruitt’s lawsuits and letters to regulators, a New York Times investigation found, were drafted with language provided to him by industry lobbyists."
"JUST MOMENTS AFTER leading the floor debate on Thursday in support of Scott Pruitt’s nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left the Senate chamber to attend a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by energy lobbyists at a Capitol Hill steakhouse. The Senate voted 54-46 around 11:15 a.m. to invoke cloture, a mechanism that limits debate and allow an up-or-down confirmation vote Friday at 1 p.m. Barrasso, who has worked to shepherd Pruitt through the confirmation process, gave a brief floor statement, then left the chamber to relax with influence peddlers at Charlie Palmer Steak. The event, which asked for checks as high as $5,000 to Barrasso’s campaign committee, was hosted by lobbyists for energy firms that have cheered Pruitt’s battles with regulators. As the Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt worked closely with energy lobbyists to file lawsuits against a wide range of environmental regulations. Pruitt challenged EPA rules on fracking, controls on pollution from power plants, limits on mercury emissions, and enhancing clean water regulations. Several of Pruitt’s lawsuits and letters to regulators, a New York Times investigation found, were drafted with language provided to him by industry lobbyists."
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Republicans are creating legislation that would weaken Endangered Species Act
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/17/the-gops-war-on-the-planet-continues/
"The Republican Party’s war on nature rolls on."
"The Republican Party’s war on nature rolls on."
The NRA has persuaded Congress to legalize the killing of bear cubs in wildlife refuges
https://thinkprogress.org/congress-legalized-killing-bear-cubs-in-refuges-9ca5d3ae3929#.cmoopmkxc
"The hunting practices the House voted to legalize on Thursday are considered cruel by many Alaska residents. Recent polling shows that by a two-to-one margin, Alaskans don’t support baiting or trapping in national wildlife refuges. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation. The system is made up of 566 national wildlife refuges, including 16 in Alaska."
"The hunting practices the House voted to legalize on Thursday are considered cruel by many Alaska residents. Recent polling shows that by a two-to-one margin, Alaskans don’t support baiting or trapping in national wildlife refuges. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation. The system is made up of 566 national wildlife refuges, including 16 in Alaska."
For Polluters, Congress Will Overturn an Environmental Rule for $2.3 Million
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/02/14/415105/for-polluters-congress-will-overturn-an-environmental-rule-for-2-3-million/
"In the 24 days since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Republican-controlled Congress has already moved to overturn four major rules that the oil, gas, and coal industries spent millions of dollars fighting during the Obama administration. First, Congress eliminated the Stream Protection Rule, which would prevent toxic mine waste from being dumped in streams. Then Congress voted to get rid of a rule that limited bribery and corruption in oil operations around the world. And in the coming days, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote to overturn a rule that limits methane pollution when oil and gas companies drill on public lands and to eliminate a rule that increases public input in public lands management decisions."
"In the 24 days since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Republican-controlled Congress has already moved to overturn four major rules that the oil, gas, and coal industries spent millions of dollars fighting during the Obama administration. First, Congress eliminated the Stream Protection Rule, which would prevent toxic mine waste from being dumped in streams. Then Congress voted to get rid of a rule that limited bribery and corruption in oil operations around the world. And in the coming days, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote to overturn a rule that limits methane pollution when oil and gas companies drill on public lands and to eliminate a rule that increases public input in public lands management decisions."
With 'Valentine to Corruption,' Trump Officially Kills Big Oil Transparency
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/14/valentine-corruption-trump-officially-kills-big-oil-transparency
"President Donald Trump on Tuesday officially voided a rule that forced extractive industries to disclose payments made to foreign governments. The transparency law, known as the Cardin-Luger amendment, was an Obama-era rule established to prevent multinational energy companies from striking backroom deals with corrupt governments."
"President Donald Trump on Tuesday officially voided a rule that forced extractive industries to disclose payments made to foreign governments. The transparency law, known as the Cardin-Luger amendment, was an Obama-era rule established to prevent multinational energy companies from striking backroom deals with corrupt governments."
Saturday, February 18, 2017
North Dakota bills could strip Dakota Access Pipeline protesters of their rights
https://thinkprogress.org/north-dakota-bills-could-strip-dakota-access-pipeline-protesters-of-their-rights-9b8320af98ab#.e1w1kzpb4
"There are currently four bills in the state’s House and Senate that create new criminal penalties for acts of protest or heighten existing penalties. And there is a fifth bill that could put demonstrators in physical danger."
"There are currently four bills in the state’s House and Senate that create new criminal penalties for acts of protest or heighten existing penalties. And there is a fifth bill that could put demonstrators in physical danger."
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Jason Chaffetz has no response for a little girl who asked if he believes in science
https://thinkprogress.org/young-girl-burns-chaffetz-at-town-hall-do-you-believe-in-science-because-i-do-2c973cf8c23e#.t74kk3rqm
"Chaffetz’s weak and evasive responses were not well received by his constituents."
"Chaffetz’s weak and evasive responses were not well received by his constituents."
Sunday, February 12, 2017
The Trump Administration’s Two-Pronged Assault on Public Health
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/02/07/298183/the-trump-administrations-two-pronged-assault-on-public-health/
"The 115th Congress and the Trump administration have already set their sights on gutting the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other cornerstone protections that ensure that our air is safe to breathe and our water safe to drink. They have promised to get rid of pollution limits for power plants instead of shifting to clean energy and nullify pollution limits for oil and gas drilling—as they also promise to drill anywhere and everywhere. These actions alone would greatly endanger public health and environmental quality. If that was not enough, however, congressional Republicans and the administration are also set on eliminating health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. This extreme rollback of federal regulations and services would allow more pollution, affect public health, and, at the same time, remove health care options for treatment when people get sick."
"The 115th Congress and the Trump administration have already set their sights on gutting the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other cornerstone protections that ensure that our air is safe to breathe and our water safe to drink. They have promised to get rid of pollution limits for power plants instead of shifting to clean energy and nullify pollution limits for oil and gas drilling—as they also promise to drill anywhere and everywhere. These actions alone would greatly endanger public health and environmental quality. If that was not enough, however, congressional Republicans and the administration are also set on eliminating health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. This extreme rollback of federal regulations and services would allow more pollution, affect public health, and, at the same time, remove health care options for treatment when people get sick."
Jason Chaffetz uses meeting with Trump to promote disposal of public lands
https://thinkprogress.org/chairman-of-house-ethics-committee-uses-meeting-with-trump-to-promote-disposal-of-public-lands-3270703a3198#.bogau0daw
"Chaffetz also seems to have quickly forgotten the intense public backlash to his recent efforts to privatize or dispose of public lands. Last Thursday, in response to massive protests in Montana and New Mexico, Chaffetz was forced to pull a bill he had introduced that would have sold off 3.3 million acres of public lands."
"Chaffetz also seems to have quickly forgotten the intense public backlash to his recent efforts to privatize or dispose of public lands. Last Thursday, in response to massive protests in Montana and New Mexico, Chaffetz was forced to pull a bill he had introduced that would have sold off 3.3 million acres of public lands."
EPA Nominee Pruitt Sued for Withholding Thousands of Energy Co. Emails
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/07/epa-nominee-pruitt-sued-withholding-thousands-energy-co-emails
"The suit alleges Pruitt has failed to respond to multiple records requests seeking access to more than 3,000 emails with Koch Industries and other coal, oil, and gas corporations, as well as the corporate-funded Republican Attorney General’s Association (RAGA)."
"The suit alleges Pruitt has failed to respond to multiple records requests seeking access to more than 3,000 emails with Koch Industries and other coal, oil, and gas corporations, as well as the corporate-funded Republican Attorney General’s Association (RAGA)."
Saturday, February 11, 2017
So begins the war on science, fact and the environment
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/25/1625116/-So-begins-the-war-on-science-fact-and-the-environment
"What he thinks about crowd size is one thing, but what he believes about our environment has direct and serious potential impacts for all of us."
"What he thinks about crowd size is one thing, but what he believes about our environment has direct and serious potential impacts for all of us."
Republicans Want to Make the EPA Great Again by Gutting Health Regulations
https://theintercept.com/2017/02/05/republicans-want-to-make-the-epa-great-again-by-gutting-health-regulations/
"This bald industry bid to subvert public health-based regulations that can cut into profit isn’t new. What’s new is that this upside-down environmental attack, in which those who benefit directly from polluting industries are policing the independent scientists who can show the harms of their products, could now succeed. Although the House passed the “secret science” bill in 2014 and 2015, it never made it to the Senate floor. After it passed the House in 2015, Barbara Boxer called the bill “insane,” Bernie Sanders called it “laughable,” and President Obama promised to veto it. This time, it’s not a joke. With a Republican majority in both houses and Trump in the White House, the Secret Science act could easily become law. The small group of lawyers and PR strategists orchestrating the secret science effort are closely tied to those attacking the EPA from within. All have connections to either big tobacco, oil, or both — and almost all have been affiliated with a small, right wing group called the Energy & Environment Legal Institute. It’s interesting that E&E should fixate on transparency since the group has gone to great lengths to conceal its donors. Nevertheless, public records document some of the group’s ties to big coal companies, including the now bankrupt Alpha Natural Resources, Peabody Coal, and Arch Coal."
"This bald industry bid to subvert public health-based regulations that can cut into profit isn’t new. What’s new is that this upside-down environmental attack, in which those who benefit directly from polluting industries are policing the independent scientists who can show the harms of their products, could now succeed. Although the House passed the “secret science” bill in 2014 and 2015, it never made it to the Senate floor. After it passed the House in 2015, Barbara Boxer called the bill “insane,” Bernie Sanders called it “laughable,” and President Obama promised to veto it. This time, it’s not a joke. With a Republican majority in both houses and Trump in the White House, the Secret Science act could easily become law. The small group of lawyers and PR strategists orchestrating the secret science effort are closely tied to those attacking the EPA from within. All have connections to either big tobacco, oil, or both — and almost all have been affiliated with a small, right wing group called the Energy & Environment Legal Institute. It’s interesting that E&E should fixate on transparency since the group has gone to great lengths to conceal its donors. Nevertheless, public records document some of the group’s ties to big coal companies, including the now bankrupt Alpha Natural Resources, Peabody Coal, and Arch Coal."
Trump Cronies Rewarded as House GOP 'Dirty Trick' Bolsters Big Oil
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/03/trump-cronies-rewarded-house-gop-dirty-trick-bolsters-big-oil
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted to repeal a rule curbing methane emissions on public lands, delivering a win, say environmental groups, to big oil and cronies of President Donald Trump. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation, finalized under the Obama administration in November, limited methane venting, flaring, and leaks from fossil fuel production on federal and tribal lands, thereby aiming to "avoid wasting up to 41 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas per year," as Reuters wrote at the time. The Associated Press adds Friday: "A government report said about 40 percent of gas being flared or vented could be captured economically and sold"."
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted to repeal a rule curbing methane emissions on public lands, delivering a win, say environmental groups, to big oil and cronies of President Donald Trump. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation, finalized under the Obama administration in November, limited methane venting, flaring, and leaks from fossil fuel production on federal and tribal lands, thereby aiming to "avoid wasting up to 41 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas per year," as Reuters wrote at the time. The Associated Press adds Friday: "A government report said about 40 percent of gas being flared or vented could be captured economically and sold"."
In Welcome Gift for Tillerson, Congress Abolishes Big Oil Transparency
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/03/welcome-gift-tillerson-congress-abolishes-big-oil-transparency
"An Obama-era rule that prevented fossil fuel companies from striking backroom deals with foreign governments is about to be dismantled after Senate Republicans passed a bill early Friday voiding the measure."
"An Obama-era rule that prevented fossil fuel companies from striking backroom deals with foreign governments is about to be dismantled after Senate Republicans passed a bill early Friday voiding the measure."
It’s official. Congress has rolled back two Obama-era rules that curbed pollution and corruption.
https://thinkprogress.org/first-two-cras-8baa11e3bdd7#.516dwdbka
"Friday morning, U.S. senators took some time out of their day to vote on a rule that increased transparency requirements for oil and gas companies operating overseas. They voted to overturn the rule. It was the second time this week the Senate, following on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives, voted in favor of fossil fuel industries. The Senate voted Thursday to roll back the Stream Protection Rule, which, as the name suggests, protects streams from mountaintop removal coal mining operations, which habitually dump the debris from mountaintop removal into the fresh water streams below. The practice has been tied to water contamination and virtually destroys the downhill ecosystem."
"Friday morning, U.S. senators took some time out of their day to vote on a rule that increased transparency requirements for oil and gas companies operating overseas. They voted to overturn the rule. It was the second time this week the Senate, following on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives, voted in favor of fossil fuel industries. The Senate voted Thursday to roll back the Stream Protection Rule, which, as the name suggests, protects streams from mountaintop removal coal mining operations, which habitually dump the debris from mountaintop removal into the fresh water streams below. The practice has been tied to water contamination and virtually destroys the downhill ecosystem."
More Bald-Faced Corruption As House GOP Repeals Anti-Bribery Law For Oil Companies
http://thedailybanter.com/2017/02/house-republicans-oil-company-bribery/
"In yet another sign that they're done pretending they work for the American people, House Republicans got rid of a regulation that keeps oil companies from secretly paying off officials in other countries: Using the little-known Congressional Review Act, the House GOP voted on Wednesday to kill an Obama-era regulation that would require publicly traded oil, gas, and mining companies to disclose any payments that they made to foreign governments, including taxes and royalties. The rule itself dates back to the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act — when senators from both parties included a provision requiring greater disclosure from mining and drilling companies working abroad. The hope was to cut down on corruption in resource-rich developing countries by increasing transparency."
"In yet another sign that they're done pretending they work for the American people, House Republicans got rid of a regulation that keeps oil companies from secretly paying off officials in other countries: Using the little-known Congressional Review Act, the House GOP voted on Wednesday to kill an Obama-era regulation that would require publicly traded oil, gas, and mining companies to disclose any payments that they made to foreign governments, including taxes and royalties. The rule itself dates back to the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act — when senators from both parties included a provision requiring greater disclosure from mining and drilling companies working abroad. The hope was to cut down on corruption in resource-rich developing countries by increasing transparency."
Virginia House Votes to Keep Fracking Chemical Cocktails a Secret
Virginia House Votes to Keep Fracking Chemical Cocktails a Secret:
"Virginia's House of Delegates voted 59-37 on Monday in favor of a bill that would allow fracking companies to keep their chemical cocktails a secret. HB 1678 states that "chemical ingredient names, the chemical abstracts number for a chemical ingredient, or the amount or concentration of chemicals or ingredients used to stimulate a well" are exempt from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. As the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, while fracking is not heavily used in Virginia, some energy companies have shown interest. Texas energy company Shore Exploration and Production Corp. has acquired about 86,000 acres of gas and oil leases for Virginia's Taylorsville basin. The bill was sponsored by Republican delegate Roxann L. Robinson, who introduced a similar bill last year. During Friday's debate of the bill, she argued that "by protecting that actual recipe, it will foster more efficient and more advancements in the fracking industry"."
"Virginia's House of Delegates voted 59-37 on Monday in favor of a bill that would allow fracking companies to keep their chemical cocktails a secret. HB 1678 states that "chemical ingredient names, the chemical abstracts number for a chemical ingredient, or the amount or concentration of chemicals or ingredients used to stimulate a well" are exempt from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. As the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, while fracking is not heavily used in Virginia, some energy companies have shown interest. Texas energy company Shore Exploration and Production Corp. has acquired about 86,000 acres of gas and oil leases for Virginia's Taylorsville basin. The bill was sponsored by Republican delegate Roxann L. Robinson, who introduced a similar bill last year. During Friday's debate of the bill, she argued that "by protecting that actual recipe, it will foster more efficient and more advancements in the fracking industry"."
Thursday, February 9, 2017
The Trump Administration’s Two-Pronged Assault on Public Health
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/02/07/298183/the-trump-administrations-two-pronged-assault-on-public-health/
"The 115th Congress and the Trump administration have already set their sights on gutting the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other cornerstone protections that ensure that our air is safe to breathe and our water safe to drink. They have promised to get rid of pollution limits for power plants instead of shifting to clean energy and nullify pollution limits for oil and gas drilling—as they also promise to drill anywhere and everywhere. These actions alone would greatly endanger public health and environmental quality. If that was not enough, however, congressional Republicans and the administration are also set on eliminating health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. This extreme rollback of federal regulations and services would allow more pollution, affect public health, and, at the same time, remove health care options for treatment when people get sick."
"The 115th Congress and the Trump administration have already set their sights on gutting the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other cornerstone protections that ensure that our air is safe to breathe and our water safe to drink. They have promised to get rid of pollution limits for power plants instead of shifting to clean energy and nullify pollution limits for oil and gas drilling—as they also promise to drill anywhere and everywhere. These actions alone would greatly endanger public health and environmental quality. If that was not enough, however, congressional Republicans and the administration are also set on eliminating health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. This extreme rollback of federal regulations and services would allow more pollution, affect public health, and, at the same time, remove health care options for treatment when people get sick."
Republicans Introduce Bill to "Terminate the Environmental Protection Agency"
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39377-republicans-introduce-bill-to-terminate-the-environmental-protection-agency
"Ironically, the bill to abolish the EPA is part of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee's plan to "Make the EPA Great Again"."
"Ironically, the bill to abolish the EPA is part of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee's plan to "Make the EPA Great Again"."
Army Corps Tossed Environment Studies On DAPL Because Trump Told Them To | Crooks and Liars
Army Corps Tossed Environment Studies On DAPL Because Trump Told Them To | Crooks and Liars
"As former State Department lawyer Keith Benes said to the Washington Post, the Corps can't just drop the EIS process for arbitrary reasons. And Trump demanding they do is an arbitrary reason."
"As former State Department lawyer Keith Benes said to the Washington Post, the Corps can't just drop the EIS process for arbitrary reasons. And Trump demanding they do is an arbitrary reason."
Congress moves to restrict public input on public land planning
https://thinkprogress.org/congress-moves-to-restrict-public-input-on-public-land-planning-e8461a41dfd4#.79j2dzghq
"Hundreds of sportsmen, outdoor business owners and supporters of the great outdoors rallied in states across the West last week, raising their voice in support of protecting public lands. Congress responded by moving to restrict citizen input on public land use planning."
"Hundreds of sportsmen, outdoor business owners and supporters of the great outdoors rallied in states across the West last week, raising their voice in support of protecting public lands. Congress responded by moving to restrict citizen input on public land use planning."
Seattle found a new way to resist the Dakota Access Pipeline
https://thinkprogress.org/seattle-dakota-access-wells-fargo-divestment-48cc7a7041a6#.uh5ggw66n
"The city council wants to send a clear message to Wells Fargo by divesting some $3 billion."
"The city council wants to send a clear message to Wells Fargo by divesting some $3 billion."
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Leaked memo reveals Trump’s plan to smash the EPA
Leaked memo reveals Trump’s plan to smash the EPA
"A leaked copy of the Trump team’s plan for the EPA calls for slashing its budget, “terminating climate programs,” ending auto fuel-economy standards, and executing “major reforms of the agency’s use of science and economics.” The Trump administration has frozen EPA’s grants and contracts, cutting off funding for everything from cleanup of toxic sites to testing of air quality. EPA employees have been ordered not to share information via social media, press releases, or new website content"
"A leaked copy of the Trump team’s plan for the EPA calls for slashing its budget, “terminating climate programs,” ending auto fuel-economy standards, and executing “major reforms of the agency’s use of science and economics.” The Trump administration has frozen EPA’s grants and contracts, cutting off funding for everything from cleanup of toxic sites to testing of air quality. EPA employees have been ordered not to share information via social media, press releases, or new website content"
Trump bans government scientists from sharing their work with the taxpayers who funded it
Trump bans government scientists from sharing their work with the taxpayers who funded it
"The president signed executive orders Tuesday that cut off all new contracts and grants for the Environmental Protection Agency — and he also banned the agency’s employees from providing updates on social media or to journalists, the Associated Press reported."
"The president signed executive orders Tuesday that cut off all new contracts and grants for the Environmental Protection Agency — and he also banned the agency’s employees from providing updates on social media or to journalists, the Associated Press reported."
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Gov. Rick Perry Would Put Science and Scientists at Risk as Energy Secretary
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/01/17/296621/gov-rick-perry-would-put-science-and-scientists-at-risk-as-energy-secretary/
"Scientific integrity ensures that trustworthy information reaches decisionmakers and the public by relying on transparency, peer review and open discussion, the involvement of experts based on their own integrity and experience, and the removal of political influence. The DOE and its National Laboratories depend on and exercise these values to deliver new technologies as flashy as 3-D printed cars and as transformative as wide band-gap semiconductors. More importantly, the department and its laboratories apply their values across collaborative efforts with universities, industries, and other countries to deliver new business opportunities, enhance trade, and meet international goals, such as curbing climate change. The Clean Energy Ministerial, one example of this collaborative work, brings energy departments from more than 24 countries together to tackle common obstacles to technology deployment. Perry has repeatedly failed to meet such standards of integrity when interacting with the scientific community or using scientific information in policymaking."
"Scientific integrity ensures that trustworthy information reaches decisionmakers and the public by relying on transparency, peer review and open discussion, the involvement of experts based on their own integrity and experience, and the removal of political influence. The DOE and its National Laboratories depend on and exercise these values to deliver new technologies as flashy as 3-D printed cars and as transformative as wide band-gap semiconductors. More importantly, the department and its laboratories apply their values across collaborative efforts with universities, industries, and other countries to deliver new business opportunities, enhance trade, and meet international goals, such as curbing climate change. The Clean Energy Ministerial, one example of this collaborative work, brings energy departments from more than 24 countries together to tackle common obstacles to technology deployment. Perry has repeatedly failed to meet such standards of integrity when interacting with the scientific community or using scientific information in policymaking."
Friday, January 27, 2017
Bipartisan EPA Alumni Urge Senate to Reject Pruitt's "Troubling" Nomination
Bipartisan EPA Alumni Urge Senate to Reject Pruitt's "Troubling" Nomination
"Pruitt has deep ties to the fossil fuel industry and the rightwing billionaires Charles and David Koch."
"Pruitt has deep ties to the fossil fuel industry and the rightwing billionaires Charles and David Koch."
Trump’s pick for EPA admits acting on behalf of oil and gas interests as state attorney general
https://thinkprogress.org/pruitt-presents-fundamental-conflict-of-interest-between-epa-and-oil-companies-cf83f394fdc5#.bnmnexap6
"Pruitt has been criticized for using his position as a spokesperson for oil and gas interests. In 2014, he wrote a letter to the EPA on state letterhead that was later found to have been written by Devon Energy."
"Pruitt has been criticized for using his position as a spokesperson for oil and gas interests. In 2014, he wrote a letter to the EPA on state letterhead that was later found to have been written by Devon Energy."
Trump’s EPA pick stood by while human-caused earthquakes spread across his state
https://thinkprogress.org/pruitt-earthquakes-dbaacffdaec1#.6nzw03piw
"In 2010, the year Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt (R) was elected, the state experienced 43 earthquakes. In 2016, the year Pruitt was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma registered 518 earthquakes. Sixteen of them were magnitude 4.0 or greater, including the state’s biggest ever, a 5.8 quake that rattled houses from their foundations. There is no question these earthquakes are caused by wastewater injections from oil and gas operations. Over the past decade, the state’s biggest industry has transitioned to hydraulic fracturing technology, which uses massive amounts of chemical and sand-laced water, injected at high pressure into the ground. The industry boomed — but it also was left with significant amounts of unusable water. The cheapest, easiest disposal method is to simply inject the water back into the ground. As state attorney general, Pruitt is responsible for advising and defending state agencies on legal issues. He is also responsible for protecting Oklahoma citizens. But under his watch, earthquakes grew exponentially, in both size and frequency. Oklahoma’s ground literally can’t take the wastewater. The pressure is chipping away at the state’s fault line. And some legal experts say Pruitt could be on the hook for a potentially devastating earthquake."
"In 2010, the year Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt (R) was elected, the state experienced 43 earthquakes. In 2016, the year Pruitt was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma registered 518 earthquakes. Sixteen of them were magnitude 4.0 or greater, including the state’s biggest ever, a 5.8 quake that rattled houses from their foundations. There is no question these earthquakes are caused by wastewater injections from oil and gas operations. Over the past decade, the state’s biggest industry has transitioned to hydraulic fracturing technology, which uses massive amounts of chemical and sand-laced water, injected at high pressure into the ground. The industry boomed — but it also was left with significant amounts of unusable water. The cheapest, easiest disposal method is to simply inject the water back into the ground. As state attorney general, Pruitt is responsible for advising and defending state agencies on legal issues. He is also responsible for protecting Oklahoma citizens. But under his watch, earthquakes grew exponentially, in both size and frequency. Oklahoma’s ground literally can’t take the wastewater. The pressure is chipping away at the state’s fault line. And some legal experts say Pruitt could be on the hook for a potentially devastating earthquake."
Friday, January 20, 2017
The Many Times Scott Pruitt Chose Polluters over Children’s Health
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/01/17/296643/the-many-times-scott-pruitt-chose-polluters-over-childrens-health/
"During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump railed against so-called pay-to-play politics and started a rallying cry to “drain the swamp” in Washington. Despite this strong rhetoric, journalists and politicians have noted that Trump’s cabinet nominees actually epitomize a system rigged to benefit large corporations at the expense of the public good. His nominee for administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA—Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt—is no exception. During his career, Pruitt has demonstrated that, given a choice, he will side with large, polluting corporations over the environment and public health, including the health of children. Every time."
"During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump railed against so-called pay-to-play politics and started a rallying cry to “drain the swamp” in Washington. Despite this strong rhetoric, journalists and politicians have noted that Trump’s cabinet nominees actually epitomize a system rigged to benefit large corporations at the expense of the public good. His nominee for administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA—Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt—is no exception. During his career, Pruitt has demonstrated that, given a choice, he will side with large, polluting corporations over the environment and public health, including the health of children. Every time."
Donald Trump’s Plan for Our Water is Just as Bad as You’d Imagine
Donald Trump’s Plan for Our Water is Just as Bad as You’d Imagine
"Trump’s plan for repairing our nation’s water systems would be an absolute disaster for just about everyone—except of course, water corporations and Wall Street investors. In fact, some of the same players that brought down our nation’s housing market are poised to repeat the same mistakes—but this time, with our water. Donald Trump is a business tycoon, not a policy expert. It’s therefore disturbing (though not terribly shocking) that his policy proposals favor Wall Street and private interests. Trump's infrastructure plan was crafted by his Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross, a billionaire who built his fortune helping companies lay off employees, and Peter Navarro, a conservative professor of business at the University of California Irvine."
"Trump’s plan for repairing our nation’s water systems would be an absolute disaster for just about everyone—except of course, water corporations and Wall Street investors. In fact, some of the same players that brought down our nation’s housing market are poised to repeat the same mistakes—but this time, with our water. Donald Trump is a business tycoon, not a policy expert. It’s therefore disturbing (though not terribly shocking) that his policy proposals favor Wall Street and private interests. Trump's infrastructure plan was crafted by his Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross, a billionaire who built his fortune helping companies lay off employees, and Peter Navarro, a conservative professor of business at the University of California Irvine."
Scott Pruitt: Trump's Pick for EPA
http://prwatch.org/news/2017/01/13201/scott-pruitt-trump-nominee-epa
"Pruitt was the focus in a Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times investigative series published in 2014, which examined how numerous Republican attorneys general, including Pruitt, had formed secret alliances with energy corporations."
"Pruitt was the focus in a Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times investigative series published in 2014, which examined how numerous Republican attorneys general, including Pruitt, had formed secret alliances with energy corporations."
500+ Groups Urge Senators: 'Use All Your Power' to Block Anti-Environment Pruitt
500+ Groups Urge Senators: 'Use All Your Power' to Block Anti-Environment Pruitt
"More than 500 national, state, and local organizations on Tuesday announced their opposition to Donald Trump's fossil-fuel soaked nominee to run the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scott Pruitt."
"More than 500 national, state, and local organizations on Tuesday announced their opposition to Donald Trump's fossil-fuel soaked nominee to run the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scott Pruitt."
Endangered Species Act is now an endangered species as Republicans plan its extinction
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/17/1621533/-Endangered-Species-Act-is-now-an-endangered-species-as-Republicans-plan-its-extinction
"Congress reconvened last week with two critics of the law holding key Senate leadership positions — Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso as the incoming chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski as chairwoman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Pair those two with Scott Pruitt heading up the EPA, and the only species that won’t be endangered is the Republican lobbyist."
"Congress reconvened last week with two critics of the law holding key Senate leadership positions — Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso as the incoming chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski as chairwoman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Pair those two with Scott Pruitt heading up the EPA, and the only species that won’t be endangered is the Republican lobbyist."
Rex Tillerson Denies Oil & Gas Subsidies Exist, While Company Profits From Them
Rex Tillerson Denies Oil & Gas Subsidies Exist, While Company Profits From Them
"Rex Tillerson on Wednesday, under oath, denied the existence of fossil fuel subsidies. This is dangerously incorrect. In fact, the Oil & Gas Industry receives more than $17 Billion in Subsidies per year, and according to our new analysis ExxonMobil likely gets as much as $1 billion of that. Former ExxonMobil CEO, Rex Tillerson, testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations committee and may be about to head the State Department – and it’s not looking good for the climate. Under Tillerson and his predecessors, Exxon knew that climate change was happening yet spun a massive disinformation campaign to sow doubt about climate science, and spent hundreds of millions buying influence in Washington to block progress on climate pollution. Today Tillerson was at it again, testifying that the science on climate change, and the impact it might have on the world and our country, is still fuzzy. But he also upheld another proud oil and gas industry tradition: denying that the oil and gas industry receives subsidies. There’s a pattern here. Whenever the oil industry faces a problem that truly threatens their business model, they deny it exists."
"Rex Tillerson on Wednesday, under oath, denied the existence of fossil fuel subsidies. This is dangerously incorrect. In fact, the Oil & Gas Industry receives more than $17 Billion in Subsidies per year, and according to our new analysis ExxonMobil likely gets as much as $1 billion of that. Former ExxonMobil CEO, Rex Tillerson, testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations committee and may be about to head the State Department – and it’s not looking good for the climate. Under Tillerson and his predecessors, Exxon knew that climate change was happening yet spun a massive disinformation campaign to sow doubt about climate science, and spent hundreds of millions buying influence in Washington to block progress on climate pollution. Today Tillerson was at it again, testifying that the science on climate change, and the impact it might have on the world and our country, is still fuzzy. But he also upheld another proud oil and gas industry tradition: denying that the oil and gas industry receives subsidies. There’s a pattern here. Whenever the oil industry faces a problem that truly threatens their business model, they deny it exists."
Bracing for Trump's Anti-Science Agenda, DOE Announces 'Scientific Integrity Policy'
Bracing for Trump's Anti-Science Agenda, DOE Announces 'Scientific Integrity Policy'
"As President-elect Donald Trump's anti-science administration prepares to swoop into Washington, D.C., outgoing Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz on Wednesday announced a new "scientific integrity policy" meant to protect workers and policies that may be at risk."
"As President-elect Donald Trump's anti-science administration prepares to swoop into Washington, D.C., outgoing Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz on Wednesday announced a new "scientific integrity policy" meant to protect workers and policies that may be at risk."
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Sanders Skewers Perry for Whitewashing Climate Crisis
Sanders Skewers Perry for Whitewashing Climate Crisis
"During his confirmation hearing on Thursday, former Texas Governor Rick Perry was able to laugh off having once called for abolishing the Department of Energy, which he is now poised to lead, but Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) refused to let him get away "sounding like a hung over frat boy," as one observer put it, when speaking about the crisis of climate change."
"During his confirmation hearing on Thursday, former Texas Governor Rick Perry was able to laugh off having once called for abolishing the Department of Energy, which he is now poised to lead, but Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) refused to let him get away "sounding like a hung over frat boy," as one observer put it, when speaking about the crisis of climate change."
The Most Dangerous Bill You've Never Heard of Just Passed the House
The Most Dangerous Bill You've Never Heard of Just Passed the House:
"Last, week, under the cover of a media bliss-out except among Koch funded right-wing channels, the House of Representatives passed a bill which would effectively repeal future standard setting under every important environmental, public health, consumer protection, labor standards, occupational safety and civil rights law on the books."
"Last, week, under the cover of a media bliss-out except among Koch funded right-wing channels, the House of Representatives passed a bill which would effectively repeal future standard setting under every important environmental, public health, consumer protection, labor standards, occupational safety and civil rights law on the books."
Why Oil Is the Glue That Bonds Trump and Putin @alternet
Why Oil Is the Glue That Bonds Trump and Putin @alternet:
"They include the U.S. corporate giant, ExxonMobil, and Russia’s mega-methane firm, Gazprom. Almost everyone, except for much of the media, acknowledges that Russia behaves like a classic petro state. Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, once described the Russian Federation as “an oil and gas company masquerading as a country.” Putin’s government, for example, gets half its revenue from oil and gas sales to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Oil accounts for almost 60 per cent of Russia’s exports and a third of its capital investments. The global 2014 oil price crash severely undermined the country’s economy and lowered living standards for ordinary Russians. As a consequence Putin’s oil locomotive is now stagnating and needs foreign investment and higher oil prices. Unlike most Canadian politicians, Putin has studied the politics of oil. He can even talk about theDutch disease and other resource curses. As a young intelligence officer he watched a global oil price collapse in the early 1990s unhinge the Soviet Union and does not want to see that experience repeated. Beginning more than a decade ago, Putin removed the country’s most powerful oligarchs from Russia’s oil and gas companies and nationalized the industry to consolidate his power. He then let in a few western players such as ExxonMobil to help revitalize Russia’s oil patch."
"They include the U.S. corporate giant, ExxonMobil, and Russia’s mega-methane firm, Gazprom. Almost everyone, except for much of the media, acknowledges that Russia behaves like a classic petro state. Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, once described the Russian Federation as “an oil and gas company masquerading as a country.” Putin’s government, for example, gets half its revenue from oil and gas sales to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Oil accounts for almost 60 per cent of Russia’s exports and a third of its capital investments. The global 2014 oil price crash severely undermined the country’s economy and lowered living standards for ordinary Russians. As a consequence Putin’s oil locomotive is now stagnating and needs foreign investment and higher oil prices. Unlike most Canadian politicians, Putin has studied the politics of oil. He can even talk about theDutch disease and other resource curses. As a young intelligence officer he watched a global oil price collapse in the early 1990s unhinge the Soviet Union and does not want to see that experience repeated. Beginning more than a decade ago, Putin removed the country’s most powerful oligarchs from Russia’s oil and gas companies and nationalized the industry to consolidate his power. He then let in a few western players such as ExxonMobil to help revitalize Russia’s oil patch."
How Exxon Won the 2016 Election
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/01/10/296277/how-exxon-won-the-2016-election/
"At no time in recent U.S. history has one company been at the brink of attaining so much power and influence over U.S. policy, both domestic and foreign. If the Senate confirms most or all of the five Cabinet nominees whose backgrounds and positions would most benefit Exxon, the company will have acquired substantial direct and indirect control over the regulatory, law enforcement, lawmaking, and diplomatic powers of the American government. Although the company’s change in fortunes and access to power will undoubtedly boost its bottom line, Exxon’s public policy agenda will come at extraordinary cost to public health, the environment, and taxpayers."
"At no time in recent U.S. history has one company been at the brink of attaining so much power and influence over U.S. policy, both domestic and foreign. If the Senate confirms most or all of the five Cabinet nominees whose backgrounds and positions would most benefit Exxon, the company will have acquired substantial direct and indirect control over the regulatory, law enforcement, lawmaking, and diplomatic powers of the American government. Although the company’s change in fortunes and access to power will undoubtedly boost its bottom line, Exxon’s public policy agenda will come at extraordinary cost to public health, the environment, and taxpayers."
Monday, January 16, 2017
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Did Putin help elect Trump to restore $500 billion Exxon oil deal killed by sanctions
https://thinkprogress.org/putin-helped-trump-exxon-oil-deal-sanctions-6f169c4a4cd0#.ohl4vn3mu
"it appears our democracy and our children have a new axis to worry about: Putin, Trump, and ExxonMobil, whose CEO Rex Tillerson — an extreme Russophile and long-time director of a US-Russian oil company — is Trump’s puzzling choice for Secretary of State. I say “puzzling” because the long-serving Exxon employee (from age 23!) has no qualifications to be secretary of state — other than a history negotiating major oil deals with countries like Putin’s Russia, which in any sane world would actually disqualify him or at least force a recusal from all State Department dealings with Russia. But that puzzle disappears if we follow the famous dictum from the Watergate era for uncovering a tangled web of covert campaign acts: “Follow the money"."
"it appears our democracy and our children have a new axis to worry about: Putin, Trump, and ExxonMobil, whose CEO Rex Tillerson — an extreme Russophile and long-time director of a US-Russian oil company — is Trump’s puzzling choice for Secretary of State. I say “puzzling” because the long-serving Exxon employee (from age 23!) has no qualifications to be secretary of state — other than a history negotiating major oil deals with countries like Putin’s Russia, which in any sane world would actually disqualify him or at least force a recusal from all State Department dealings with Russia. But that puzzle disappears if we follow the famous dictum from the Watergate era for uncovering a tangled web of covert campaign acts: “Follow the money"."
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