Why the U.S. Struggles to Replace Millions of Lead Pipes. ‘We’re Just Stuck.’
Ronnie Levin, former EPA Senior Scientist, Region 1, was quoted in The Washington Post about the challenges of implementing national lead pipe replacement standards and working with thousands of utility companies across the country.
Lawsuits Mount Over EPA’s Asbestos Ban
Bob Sussman, former EPA Deputy Administrator and Senior Policy Counsel to the EPA Administrator, was quoted in Politico about a petition from the Asbestos Disease and Awareness Organization (ADAO) that asserts EPA’s recent ban on asbestos is not strong enough.
EPA Designates ‘Forever Chemicals’ For Enforcement Under the Superfund Program
Tracey Woodruff, former EPA Senior Scientist and Policy Advisor in the Office of Policy, was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the new Superfund rule, adding that it is a step in the right direction, especially for low income communities and communities of color.
‘Important Step’: EPA Finalizes Rule to Clean Up Forever Chemical Contamination
Walter Mugdan, former EPA Region 2 Deputy Regional Administrator and Superfund Director, was quoted in Common Dreams about EPA’s recently finalized rule to hold industrial polluters accountable for PFAS contamination across the country.
Majority Latino City Endures Years of Toxic Water in Health ‘Crisis’
Ronnie Levin, former Senior Scientist, Region 1, was quoted in the Washington Post about arsenic contamination in Sunland Park, NM, despite years of sampling and violations.
Boston Names City’s First Chief Climate Officer
Brian Swett, EPN Board Member, was appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu to be the City of Boston’s Chief Climate Officer, leading the Environment, Energy, and Open Space (EEOS) Cabinet. Brian is a nationally recognized leader in climate change and sustainability, with more than 20 years of experience working with municipal governments, private sector real estate developers, federal governments, and nonprofits
The EPA Has Done Nearly Everything It Can to Clean Up This Town. It Hasn’t Worked.
Mike Koerber, former Deputy Director, OAQPS, was quoted in ProPublica about how a new EPA rule that requires fenceline monitoring could help Calvert City, KY, address severe community pollution.
Experts: EPA Chemical Plant Emissions Rule a Win for WV Communities
Jeremy Symons, Senior Advisor to EPN, was quoted in Public News Service about a new EPA rule requiring select chemical plants in West Virginia and other states to lower pollution of ethylene oxide, chloroprene, and other cancer-causing pollutants and report their emissions to EPA.
EPA Sets First Federal Limits on Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water
Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, was quoted in Smithsonian Magazine discussing EPA’s new federal limits of PFAS in drinking water.
Hair-Straightening Products Contain Chemicals That Boost Risks of Cancer, Kidney Injuries and Breathing Issues
Tracey Woodruff, former EPA Senior Scientist and Policy Advisor in the Office of Policy, was quoted in Live Science about the FDA’s expected ban of formaldehyde in hair products and notes that other dangerous chemicals in many products are not tested for safety.
In a First, EPA Sets Limit for ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water
Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, was quoted in this article about the importance of the federal drinking water standards for certain PFAS compounds.
Breast Milk Can Expose Babies to Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, was quoted in this article about the very real concern of passing PFAS from mother to child through breastfeeding.
EPA Puts Limits on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water
Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, was quoted in this article discussing the positive impacts of the agency’s recently-set drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals.
Evidence of PFAS Found in Popular Bandage Brands Including Band-Aid
Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, was quoted in Environmental Health News about bandaid brands containing organic fluorine, a strong indicator that PFAS are present.
EPA Nears Finish Line on Expansion of Air Toxics Reporting
A set of public comments written by EPN was mentioned in a Politico article about air emissions reporting requirements. EPA is expected to issue a final rule in the coming months.
Lead In The Drinking Water Is Still a Problem In The U.S. — Especially in Chicago
Elin Betanzo, former Environmental Engineer, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Standards and Risk Management Division, and Betsy Southerland, former Director of the Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, were quoted in NPR about Chicago’s 400,000 lead service lines and how the city has lacked enforcement of EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule.
EPA’s Truck Pollution Standard Means Clean Trucks, Clean Air, Clean Lungs
Margo Oge, former Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, penned an op-ed in Forbes about EPA’s final heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule and writes about how it advances economic, climate, and public health goals.
Biden’s Climate Playbook: Propose Strong Rules, Then Soften Them
Stan Meiburg, former DRA in Region 4 and Acting Deputy Administrator, and Jeremy Symons, EPN Senior Advisor, were quoted in E&E News about Biden’s delicate climate agenda ahead of the 2024 election.
Federal Grant for Exxon Plant Faces Blowback
Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 2, was quoted in Politico about an Exxon Mobil plant–one of 33 projects announced–that is up for millions of dollars of federal funding to decarbonize. Many argue this funding goes against Biden’s climate commitments.
Plastic Chemicals Are Inescapable — And They’re Messing With Our Hormones
Tracey Woodruff, former EPA senior scientist and policy advisor in the Office of Policy, was quoted in Grist about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in many plastics that humans are exposed to on a daily basis. These EDCs are also released and found in the air, water, soil, and food.
5th Circuit Curbs EPA Authority Under Chemical Safety Law
Bob Sussman, former EPA Deputy Administrator and Senior Policy Counsel to the EPA Administrator, was quoted in Politico Pro about the 5th Circuit Court’s decision to strike down EPA’s interpretation of the ‘Significant New Use Rule’ and adopt Inhance Technology’s interpretation.
Biden Emissions Rules Face Lawsuit Barrage Over EV Transition
Margo Oge, former Director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in Bloomberg Law about the legal strength of the Biden Administration’s new light-and medium- duty vehicle emissions rule.
EPA’s New Clean Car Rules Will Make People, The Planet, And Auto Manufactures Healthier
Margo Oge, former Director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, penned an op-ed in Forbes about how the new car standards will make Americans healthier, reduce climate pollution, and allow US car companies to compete around the world.
Cascade of Climate Rules Starts Today With Clean Cars
Margo Oge, former Director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in Politico about the Biden Administration’s newest transportation rule that will push for EV’s and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, citing it as the “single most important climate regulation in the history of the country.”