Expert Insights: Why Gas Stoves Are Under Fire

June 9, 2023 / by

Bernard Goldstein /

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bernie Goldstein, former EPA Assistant Administrator for Research and Development and former chair, EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, penned this op-ed discussing why the phasing out of household gas appliances will be beneficial to human health and the environment.

Plastic Containers Still Distributed Across the US Are a Potential Health Disaster

June 1, 2023 / by

Tom Perkins /

The Guardian

Bob Susmann, counsel to PEER and Center for Environmental Health and former EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in this article about his clients’ formal request to EPA asking the agency to stop Inhance, a leading manufacturer of plastic containers, from continuing to manufacture PFAS-contaminated containers.

Like Tobacco and Big Oil, Secret Docs Show Chemical Companies Knew PFAS Dangers

June 1, 2023 / by

Brett Wilkins /

Common Dreams

Tracey Woodruff, Director, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California, San Francisco, and former Senior Scientist and Policy Advisor, EPA Office of Policy, was quoted in this article discussing the research paper she co-authored that revealed chemical companies knew about the dangers of PFAS for years but failed to alert regulators and the public.

Calls To Toughen Water Quality Rules After Sackett Face Many Doubts

May 26, 2023 / by

Sam Hess /

Inside EPA

Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, was quoted in this article discussing the many uncertainties in state-level water protections that have been created as a result of the Sackett vs. EPA decision.

‘Devastating’ Supreme Court Decision Leaves Wetlands Unprotected

May 26, 2023 / by

Andy McGlashen /

Audubon

Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, was quoted in this article about the impact of the Sackett decision on ephemeral and intermittent waters and streams and the need for congressional action to strengthen Clean Water Act protections.

Supreme Court Narrows Scope of EPA Water Protections

May 25, 2023 / by

Rachel Frazin /

The Hill

Mark Ryan, former Assistant Regional Counsel, EPA Region 10, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney at the Department of Justice, was quoted in this article discussing the significant narrowing of the definition of waters of the United States following the Supreme Court decision on Sackett vs. EPA.

Will EPA’s PFAS Rule Spur Other Water Regs?

May 19, 2023 / by

E.A. Crunden /

E&E News

Ronnie Levin, former Senior Scientist, EPA Region 1, and Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, were quoted in this article discussing EPA’s decision to set drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds.

History Shows EPA’s Proposed Vehicle Emissions Rule Can Be Done – It’s Worth Trillions!

May 16, 2023 / by

Margo Oge /

Forbes

Margo Oge, former Director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, penned this op-ed highlighting the many benefits of EPA’s proposed light-duty vehicle emissions standards and dispelling the false claims surrounding the proposal.

Black and Latino Communities More Likely to Have Harmful PFAS Levels in Water

May 15, 2023 / by

Diane Macedo /

ABC News

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President for Environmental Justice, National Wildlife Federation, former EPA Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and former EPA Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was interviewed on this news segment about a recent study that determined that communities of color are disproportionately exposed to PFAS in drinking water.

Environmental Attorney Says Industry ‘Mixed Message’ Hurt TSCA Budget Bid

May 11, 2023 / by

Jessica Karins /

Inside EPA

Bob Sussman, former EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in this article discussing how inconsistent messaging from industry groups played a role in the anemic FY 2023 TSCA budget.

Biden Rule Tells Power Plants to Cut Climate Pollution by 90 Percent — or Shut Down

May 11, 2023 / by

Alex Guillen /

Politico

Bob Perciasepe, former acting EPA Administrator, was quoted in this article discussing why the Biden administration will need to get the regulated sector to support its draft power plant rule.

Groups Offer Dueling Views of Needed Ambition in EPA’s Auto Proposal

May 9, 2023 / by

Doug Obey /

Inside EPA

Jeff Alson, former Senior Engineer and Policy Advisor, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in this article about the public hearings on EPA’s proposal to strengthen emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles.

EPA Needs to Be Rebuilt, Not Nickel and Dimed to Death with Budget Cuts

May 4, 2023 / by

David Coursen /

The Hill

Dave Coursen, former Attorney, EPA Office of General Counsel, penned this op-ed discussing how the Congressional Republicans’ proposed federal budget cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling would severely hamper EPA’s ability to continue its vital work.

Groups Tout PFAS Contamination Study to Push Strict TSCA Approach

May 1, 2023 / by

Jessica Karins /

Inside EPA

Bob Sussman, attorney for Center for Environmental Health and former EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in this article about recent findings that show that PFAS migrates out of fluorinated high-density polyethylene plastic containers, highlighting a need to limit production of this form of packaging.

Army Corps to Revisit Parts of Pebble’s Permit Application, But Opponents Say Mine Can’t Move Forward

April 29, 2023 / by

Izzy Ross /

NPR-KDLG

Dennis McLerran, former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 10, was quoted in this article discussing the Army Corps of Engineer’s decision to reconsider portions of Pebble Company’s permit application to mine in Bristol Bay, despite EPA’s recent veto of the mine proposal.

What Limits Will the World Health Organization Recommend for PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water?

April 26, 2023 / by

Elizabeth Southerland and Linda Birnbaum /

Environmental Science & Technology

Linda Birnbaum, former Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, wrote this commentary discussing the need for the World Health Organization to substantially revise its proposed drinking water guidelines for PFAS compounds.

EPA, FDA Weigh Oversight Overhaul for Animal Parasite Products

April 20, 2023 / by

Scott Nolen /

American Veterinary Medical Association

Bill Jordan, former Deputy Director, EPA Office of Pesticide Program, was quoted in this article discussing a proposal to shift EPA oversight of topical flea and tick products administered to animals to the Food and Drug Administration.

House GOP Fail to Stop Biden’s New Water Rule – But the Courts Might

April 19, 2023 / by

Vanessa Montalbano /

The Washington Post

Mark Ryan, former Assistant Regional Counsel, EPA Region 10, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, was quoted in this article regarding the failed House vote to undo the Biden administration’s waters of the U.S. rule and the legal challenges that will continue, possibly even beyond the forthcoming Supreme Court decision on Sackett vs. EPA.

As States Replace Lead Pipes, Plastic Alternatives Could Bring New Risks

April 19, 2023 / by

Joseph Winters /

Grist

Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 2, was quoted in this article suggesting that alternatives to PVC, such as copper or stainless steel pipes, be used when lead service lines are replaced.

A Better Cost:Benefit Analysis Yields Better and Fairer Results: EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision

April 18, 2023 / by

Ronnie Levin and Joel Schwartz /

Environmental Research

Ronnie Levin, former Senior Scientist, EPA Region 1, co-authored this research article assessing the true potential benefits and costs of a stronger Lead and Copper Rule Revision.

Dangerous Chemicals Detected at Indiana Plastic Recycling Plant Fire

April 17, 2023 / by

Malihe Razazan and Rose Aguilar /

KALW 91.7

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 2, was interviewed in this news segment about the presence of hazardous chemicals, including asbestos, in the debris of a plastics warehouse fire in Indiana.

Biden Tailpipe Emission Rules Face ‘Major Questions’ Legal Wave

April 14, 2023 / by

Jennifer Hijazi /

Bloomberg Law

Margo Oge, former Director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in this article discussing the ability of EPA’s proposed phase 3 light- and heavy-duty vehicle standards to withstand possible legal challenges.

Cleaning Up Toxic Air

April 14, 2023 / by

Jenni Doering /

Living on Earth

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 2, was interviewed in this podcast discussing EPA’s proposal to limit the levels of hazardous air pollutants emitted from industrial sites.

U.S. EPA Unveils New Emissions Standards to Push Electric Vehicle Production

April 13, 2023 / by

John Vause /

CNN

Margo Oge, former Director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was interviewed in this segment discussing new emission standards proposals aimed at driving Americans towards more electric cars.