Big EPA Spending Boost to Get Senate Vote This Week

October 22, 2019 / by

Tiffany Stecker and Dean Scott /

Bloomberg Environment

EPN members Stan Meiburg, former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting Deputy Administrator, and David Coursen, former EPA Office of General Counsel, were quoted in this article about a recent omnibus spending package that would increase EPA’s budget, demonstrating continued Congressional support for the agency’s mission.

‘Racism Dictates Who Gets Dumped On’: How Environmental Injustice Divides The World

October 21, 2019 / by

Nina Lakhani /

The Guardian

EPN member Mustafa Santiago Ali, former EPA Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization, and Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was quoted in this article about racism and its intersections with environmental inequalities, highlighting several prominent leaders in the environmental justice community. This article also ran in ColorLines.

Wyoming Rancher Praises Trump Administration For Environmental Regulation Enforcement Changes

October 18, 2019 / by

Kristin Kasper /

Gray DC

Stan Meiburg, EPN member and former EPA Deputy Regional Administrator in Region 4 and Region 6 and Acting Deputy Administrator, was quoted in this article about two new executive orders that affect how EPA gives notice for violating regulations and enforces them.

Toxic PCBs Linger In Schools; EPA, Lawmakers Fail To Act

October 16, 2019 / by

Tammy Weber and Martha Irvine /

Associated Press

EPN member Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator for Region 2, was quoted in this article about contamination in public schools from PCB toxics, which have been long-neglected by EPA, as the agency quietly released recommendations for state action without taking any binding federal steps.

An Insider’s Look At The Shameful History Of EPA’s Climate Inaction – And Why We Must Turn It Around

October 16, 2019 / by

Dan Reich /

Resilience

Dan Reich, EPN member and former Assistant Regional Counsel, EPA Region 9, wrote this op-ed about the history of inaction at EPA over climate change and air pollution, beginning with the Kyoto Protocol and tracing opposition to environmental regulation through multiple administrations.

California Power Shutdowns Raise Air Pollution Worries

October 16, 2019 / by

John Flesher /

Chicago Tribune

Joe Goffman, EPN member and former Associate Assistant Administrator for Climate and Senior Counsel, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, was quoted in this article about electricity blackouts in California following widespread wildfires, which could increase air pollution as businesses use oil and gas generators.

E.P.A. Bypassed Its West Coast Team as a Feud With California Escalated

October 15, 2019 / by

Lisa Friedman /

The New York Times

Cynthia Giles, EPN member and former Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, was quoted in this article about EPA Administrator Wheeler’s attacks on California and the contrived process used to draft and release the agency’s accusations, as it completely bypassed its Region 9 team that usually handles state-specific issues.

How Much Is A Human Life Worth? The Agency Has An Answer

October 15, 2019 / by

Jean Chemnick /

Climatewire

EPN member Rob Wolcott, former EPA Senior Counsel, Office of Air and Radiation, was quoted in this article about the value of statistical life assigned by EPA to analyze the benefits of avoidable mortalities when crafting particulate matter regulations.

No ‘Deep State’ – Just Deeply Committed Public Servants

October 14, 2019 / by

Dale Evarts and Jeff Clark /

The News & Observer

EPN members Dale Evarts, former Director, EPA Climate and International Group, and Jeff Clark, former Office of Air Quality and Planning Standards, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, wrote this op-ed defending government whistleblowers as deeply committed public servants instead of coordinated agents campaigning to undermine the Trump Administration’s agenda.

Disbanded Scientists Find US EPA’s Air Standard For Soot Pollution Inadequate

October 14, 2019 / by

Zack Hale /

S&P Global

Steve Silverman, EPN member and former Attorney, EPA Office of General Counsel, was quoted in this article about the Independent Particulate Matter Review Panel and its planned letter to EPA recommending a decrease in acceptable amounts of particulate matter.

Perciasepe: Federal Policy Vital To Deploying Climate Technology

October 11, 2019 / by

David Clarke /

Inside EPA

Bob Perciasepe, EPN member and former EPA Deputy Administrator, was quoted in an Inside EPA article about the need for American leadership on air pollution given emerging technologies that may be able to address the scale of the problem with federal support.

Fired EPA Scientists To Release Air Pollution Report They Say Agency Unqualified To Issue

October 11, 2019 / by

Phil McCausland /

NBC

John Bachmann, former Associate Director for Science/Policy and New Programs, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, and Chris Zarba, EPN member and former Director, EPA Science Advisory Board, was quoted in this article about a gathering of the former members of the Particulate Matter Review Panel in an attempt to provide scientific expertise on air pollution despite the withdrawal of government support.

Undeterred, Dismissed Scientists Plod Through Air Quality Reviews

October 11, 2019 / by

Amena Saiyid /

Bloomberg Environment

EPN member Chris Zarba, former Director, EPA Science Advisory Board, was quoted in this article about the gathering of former Particulate Matter Review Panelists to provide scientific expertise on air quality standards even without government support.

Duke Climatologist Seeks A Halt On Gas-Fired Power Plants, Atlantic Coast Pipeline

October 10, 2019 / by

Lynn Bonner /

The News & Observer

EPN member Dale Evarts, former Director, EPA Climate and International Group, was quoted in this article about a letter sent to the governor of North Carolina by a Duke professor and endorsed by two dozen former EPA officials regarding natural gas infrastructure in the state and the dangerous effects of methane leakage. A similar article ran in The News & Observer.

Toxic Chemicals Are Found In Blades Of Artificial Turf

October 10, 2019 / by

David Abel /

Boston Globe

Betsy Southerland, EPN member and former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, is quoted in this article about PFAS contamination and toxic chemicals in lawn and turf components, which has been linked to kidney cancer, endocrine disruption, and a range of diseases.

EPA To Overhaul Rule On Testing For Lead Contamination

October 10, 2019 / by

Miranda Green and Rebecca Beitsch /

The Hill

EPN members Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, and Carl Reeverts, former Deputy Director of the Drinking Water Protection Division, EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, were quoted in this article about EPA’s proposed lead and copper rule and its potential disastrous effects on drinking water contamination.

EPA Looks To Lead on lead

October 10, 2019 / by

Josh Siegel and Abby Smith /

Washington Examiner

Carl Reeverts, EPN member, former Deputy Director of the Drinking Water Protection Division, EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, was quoted in this article about EPA’s proposed lead and copper rule, which relaxes requirements for replacing lead-lined pipes and allows contamination to continue.

Trump Feud With California Warrants U.S. Congress Probe: Hundreds of ex-EPA Employees

October 10, 2019 / by

Timothy Gardner /

Reuters

EPN member Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, is quoted in this article about a letter from hundreds of former EPA employees urging a congressional probe to investigate whether President Trump’s attacks on California for pollution were retaliation for the state’s failure to support the administration’s deregulatory environmental agenda. Similar articles ran in CNN and LA Times.

Trump Administration’s New Lead Rules In Water Dismissed As ‘Window Dressing’

October 10, 2019 / by

Emily Holden /

The Guardian

EPN member Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, was quoted in this article about EPA’s new proposed rules for lead in drinking water, which would decrease annual requirements for replacing lead-lined water pipes, leading to further water contamination. Similar articles ran in the Washington Examiner and Associated Press.

Coal Companies’ Climate Fight Complicates EPA’s Power Rule Defense

October 9, 2019 / by

Josh Siegel and Abby Smith /

Washington Examiner

Joe Goffman, EPN member and former Associate Assistant Administrator for Climate and Senior Counsel, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, was quoted in this article about a complicated legal fight over Clean Air Act restrictions as fossil fuel companies and environmental groups both attack EPA’s Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule in court.

EPA’s War On California

October 9, 2019 / by

Dave Coursen /

The Hill

Dave Coursen, EPN member and former EPA Office of General Counsel, wrote this op-ed about the conflict between EPA and California over air and water quality following the state’s deal with automakers to maintain fuel efficiency standards.

New Legislation Aims To Make Natural Gas The New Coal Industry In NEPA

October 5, 2019 / by

Frank Lesnefsky /

The Citizens' Voice

EPN member Bernard Goldstein, former chair, EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, was quoted in this article about new Pennsylvania legislation that provides tax credits for natural gas manufacturing and fertilizer plants.

How Will Trump’s Lax Emissions Standards Save Money And Lives? By Assuming Americans Will Simply Drive Less

October 4, 2019 / by

Elizabeth Shogren /

Reveal News

Jeff Alson, EPN member and former EPA Senior Engineer and Policy Advisor, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in this article about the Trump Administration’s manipulation of science to justify their reductions in vehicle emission standards.

EPA Slams California Air Quality After Blocking The State’s Emissions Standards

September 27, 2019 / by

Chrissy Sexton /

Earth

EPN members Gay MacGregor, former Senior Policy Advisor, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, and Janet McCabe, former Acting Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, were quoted in article about the Trump Administration’s attacks on California over fuel efficiency standards, including its recent threats to withhold the state’s interstate highway funds.