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Industry Wins Again at the Legislature: Water Quality Standards Weakened

Changes sought by industry to the DEP rules regarding water quality standards for human consumption  were passed by the Legislature on February 10.  The DEP incorporated the changes into the proposed rules as "a compromise" between the views…
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WV House Passes Bill Easing Regulation of Aboveground Storage Tanks Near Drinking Water Intakes

In 2014, a leak from an aboveground storage tank on the Elk River just above the drinking water intake for Charleston and much of Kanawha County polluted drinking water for 300,000 consumers. As a result the West Virginia Legislature passed…
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Can the Environment Survive the West Virginia Legislature? Week 1.

Think of the period between January 12 and March 12 as hunting season.  The prey?  West Virginia’s precious environment.  The hunters?  All those willing to undervalue and sacrifice the environment for a few extra dollars here or there. …
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The New Civilian Climate Corps

Immediately upon assuming office, President Biden issued an executive order addressing his climate objectives.  Prominent among these was the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to tackle climate change resiliency and provide job training…
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Big Vermont Settlement in Forever Chemical Case

On November 11, 2021 a $34million settlement was reached between residents of Bennington, VT, and Saint-Gobain Corporation, which formerly operated a Teflon factory in the area. Teflon was made using PFOA, the infamous “forever chemical”…
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Biden Restores Protections for Migratory Birds

For 100 years, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) has protected nearly 1000 bird species in the United States against being “taken” or killed except under prescribed circumstances. This statute prohibits hunters from intentionally killing…
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Biden Reinstates Protections for Three National Monuments

By Natasha Lasky, ODP Staff Writer The White House announced Friday that President Biden will use his executive authority to restore protections for three national monuments drastically reduced during the Trump Administration. He will reestablish and increase the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, both of which are in Utah. The orders […] The post Biden Reinstates Protections for Three National Monuments appeared first on Our Daily Planet.
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23 Species Removed From Endangered List — Because they Are Now Extinct

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed 23 species from the Endangered List because, despite efforts to save them, they have become extinct.  Among these is the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, known as the Good Lord Bird because anyone lucky enough…
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Heat and Drought Shrink Prized Western Trout Streams

In a stark example of how climate change can damage the outdoor recreation industry, heat and drought in the Rocky Mountain area have nearly dried up many prized trout streams.  The Associated Press reported in a September 7, 2021 article that…
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World Medical Journals Call For Action on Climate Change As Health Issue

Leading medical, nursing and public health journals throughout the world published a joint editorial on September 5, 2021 calling for urgent action on climate change.  The editorial focused on rising health problems already being felt from…