Environment / Public News Service

More than 66,000 southeastern Arizona drivers pay more than $4,000 a year for gasoline, according to research from the nonprofit Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 25, 2025

How would rolling back EV standards affect AZ drivers?

Next week, Congress is expected to vote on whether to roll back states' authority to set their own clean car and truck standards. Research shows …

Originally operated by Entergy, Palisades was acquired by Holtec International in June 2022. <br />(JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 25, 2025

DOE invests millions to revive MI nuclear plant, amid growing criticism

The owner of Michigan's Palisades Nuclear Plant is getting another $47 million to restart the facility. It is the third installment of a $1.5 …

Western Watersheds Project Executive Director Erik Molvar says a permitting change announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior this week will mean

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Friday, April 25, 2025

Feds unveil 'emergency permitting' for energy projects in MT, U.S.

This week, the Trump administration announced what it terms "emergency permitting" for energy projects, streamlining a sometimes yearslong process …

The Pesticide Action Network said after acquiring Monsanto in 2018, the company Bayer has faced nearly 100,000 lawsuits and was eventually ordered to pay up to $10.9 billion to settle claims alleging its product Roundup, widely used in farm fields, caused cancer. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 25, 2025

New ND law raises bar for pesticide liability lawsuits

North Dakota lawmakers have opted to side with farm chemical manufacturers facing legal challenges about the safety of their products. The state has …

Ohio's tomato growers harvest more than 300,000 tons annually. It is a crop heavily dependent on preserved genetic traits for disease resistance and shelf life. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 25, 2025

Ohio crops at risk as federal cuts disrupt seed preservation

A little-known federal program has quietly safeguarded the crops feeding the nation, including key Ohio staples like soybeans, tomatoes, corn and …

About 58,000 northern Nevada drivers pay more than $4,000 a year for gasoline, according to research from the nonprofit Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 25, 2025

NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination

Next week, Congress is expected to vote on whether to roll back states' authority to set their own clean car and truck standards. Data show some …

Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act funding pays for job training programs like welding and carpentry, a post-high-school counselor and a therapist, among other things in Skamania County. (EFStock/Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 25, 2025

Rural WA counties face challenges without key federal funding

By Claire Carlson and Lane Wendell Fischer for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Isobel Charle for Washington News Service for the Public News Ser…

A newly-passed Indiana bill will speed up approval for large-load customers such as data centers and let utilities recover costs for projects they build to serve those high-demand users. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Indiana House sends major energy bill to Gov. Braun

By Casey Smith for the Indiana Capital Chronicle.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Capital Chronicle-F…

About 500,000 children in the U.S. are exposed to lead, disproportionately on poor and Black and brown families. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Experts say lead in Milwaukee schools is an environmental justice issue

As the city of Milwaukee continues to grapple with addressing unsafe levels of lead across public schools, experts are calling it an environmental …

A total of 16,000 NOAA workers, including those who forecast severe storms, have been fired by DOGE. (Derrick Neill/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Second wave of weather employees fired ahead of NM wildfire season

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

From 2021 to 2022, the Department of Energy tripled its funding for agrivoltaics, including $8 million for a new program studying how solar panels can benefit farmers and rural areas. (pkproject/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Michigan State University study: Crops and solar panels can coexist

Results of a new study from Michigan State University suggest farmers no longer have to choose between growing crops and harnessing solar power…

In some parts of Montana's Big Hole River, levels of phosphorus and nitrogen are at two or three times healthy thresholds, according to data from area conservation groups. (Tracy/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Montana DEQ denies Big Hole River decision, cites law opposed by EPA

Montana officials have denied a petition asking the state to designate the Big Hole River as "impaired" by pollution. Two conservation groups …

In Cleveland, more than 90% of homes were built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Cleveland Health Dept says cleaner air starts at home

As Cleveland tightens its air quality standards for the first time since 1977, health officials are urging residents to take simple steps at home to …

Last year in Colorado, 841,412 gallons of paint were collected for recycling at 212 year-round drop-off sites located across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Recycling paint to celebrate Earth Day, reclaim storage space

Today is Earth Day, a time when many people are also tackling their spring cleaning, and PaintCare Colorado is encouraging people to recycle old cans …

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., has said the potential moves by President Donald Trump to strip tax-exempt status from environmental organizations would violate due process. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

An Earth Day twist: Trump could 'target' climate nonprofits

Earth Day is usually cause for celebration by nonprofit groups working to reduce the effects of climate change but this year, they are speaking out …

Nearly 10,000 West Virginia children per year will suffer asthma attacks because of ozone from the oil and gas industry, according to a report from the Clean Air Task Force. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

WV facilities seek exemptions from limits on toxic pollution

West Virginia communities will see increased air pollution with little oversight under a new Trump administration proposal offering presidential exemp…

Conservation voices said when European settlers first arrived in South Dakota, 96% of the state was grassland but today only around 50% of the original native grasslands remain. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

SD grassland enthusiasts hope for a native plant rebirth

April is National Native Plant Month, an observance at the core of South Dakota's identity. People wanting to protect the state's beloved grasslands …

Cobbs Creek Ambassadors help clean up the creek in Philadelphia. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful involves students in programs promoting community pride and environmental education. (Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

'Pick Up PA' drives statewide community cleanup efforts for Earth Day, beyond

Across the state, more than 300 Pick Up Pennsylvania environmental events are planned for this Earth Week. Last year, more than 77,000 volunteers …

The Paint Care program is funded by a small fee paid at the point of purchase, which then provides consumers an easy way to recycle their unused paint. (CLShebley/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Spring cleaning for Earth Day? What to do with leftover paint

On Earth Day, one easy way to help the environment is to make sure your leftover paint is put to good use. The PaintCare program allows you to …

Advocates are asking lawmakers to honor Earth Day by supporting a bill to require oil and gas companies to contribute to a fund to fight climate change. (Rangizz/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

This Earth Day, elected officials promote CA bill to 'make polluters pay'

As of today, Earth Day, more than 50 elected officials have signed a letter urging lawmakers to make oil and gas companies bear the cost of climate …

Seasonal allergies are expensive when they result in missed work and school days along with high medical costs. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Coping with OR's climate change-fueled pollen season

Oregon's pollen season is starting earlier and lasting longer, thanks to climate change, with research showing airborne pollen levels increasing more …

The Environmental Protection Agency said exemptions to clean air regulations will

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Pollution exemptions granted to AR coal plants

Two coal plants in Arkansas have received an exemption from the Trump administration and will have two additional years to comply with updated clean a…

Seasonal allergies are getting worse in part because increased CO2 in the air triggers plants to produce more pollen. (gamelover/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

WA's advanced pollen tracking tool can help allergy sufferers

Washington's pollen season is starting earlier and lasting longer, thanks to climate change, with research showing airborne pollen levels across the …

The city of Baltimore and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission serve a combined 3.5 million Marylanders. (Adobe Stock)

MD water systems have high levels of cancer-causing chemicals, report finds

A new report found 122 million Americans drink water with high levels of cancer-causing chemicals, frequently from runoff at livestock factory farms…

California is considering a bill to study the cost to taxpayers of climate-related disasters. Similar measures have already passed in New York and Vermont. (Strikernia/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

CA lawmakers consider charging oil companies for climate-related damage

The "Make Polluters Pay Superfund" bill goes before the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee Monday. The bill would direct the California …

More than 270 jurisdictions in 13 states currently use instant online permitting for solar installations. (Adobe Stock)

New report: IL makes it too hard to 'go solar'

A new report outlines some of the barriers Illinois residents face that can make adopting solar energy more difficult and expensive than necessary…

In 1997, more than 73 million tons of bituminous coal were mined in Pennsylvania, with over 75% coming from underground mines. (creativenature.nl/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

As Trump backs PA coal revival, critics say it's unlikely

The decades-long decline of Pennsylvania's coal industry could shift in another direction after a series of executive orders by President Donald Trump…

Despite some headwinds, a new analysis says Minnesota's clean energy sector remains on solid footing, with carbon emissions in the state reaching a record low in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More MN electricity is clean and homegrown

Minnesota is becoming less reliant on energy imports to power up homes and businesses. That's a key finding in the latest summary of contributions …

Despite some state space improvements, about 60% of U.S. egg-laying hens are still kept in cramped battery cages, each with less space than a sheet of paper. (Alex/AdobeStock)

Pennsylvania egg brand agrees to drop ‘free-roaming’ label

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public Ne…

When cows eat plant cover faster than it can regrow, it erodes and degrades the soil beneath, making it more susceptible to runoff and other undesirable consequences. (Saed/Adobe Stock)

WA cattle grazing can harm 'food webs'

By Seth Millstein for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Isobel Charle for Washington News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service C…

The osprey is found year-round in Florida, both as a nesting species and as a spring and fall migrant passing between more northern areas and Central and South America. (Pixabay)

Annual wildlife survey documents Florida's changing biodiversity

Teams of researchers and volunteers will fan out at dawn Friday with their smartphones and binoculars on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus for …

At the Straits of Mackinac, Line 5 splits into two 20-inch pipelines, running along the lake bed for about 4.5 miles, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. (CoastalSkyCaptures/Adobe Stock)

MI environmental groups, Tribes decry fast-tracking Line 5 tunnel

Environmental groups across Michigan are pushing back after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed it will fast-track Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel …

America's 63 national parks and 433 National Park Service-managed sites such as New Mexico's White Sands have been ordered to remain open, despite significant worker cuts. (nps.gov)

DOGE cuts at NM's national parks create alarm, anxiety

New Mexico's national parks generally operate year-round - but they might not operate at 100% efficiency this year due to employee firings, layoffs …

Iowa produced 2.5 billion bushels of corn in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa farmers question need for treated seeds

By Lisa Held for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service C…

The 2025 Allergy Capitals report ranks Toledo, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati as some of the worst cities for allergy sufferers. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans brace for the allergy season, seek relief

April showers bring May flowers. These signs of spring also mean a boost in pollen production from trees, grass, and weeds. Ohioans preparing for the …

Some North Dakota towns have seen plans come together for large-scale dairy operations, prompting debate about what kinds of tools local communities should have in restricting them due to environmental concerns. (Adobe Stock)

ND farm towns prepare for life with new animal feedlot law

Starting next year, North Dakota will have a new law in place that covers local zoning restrictions for animal feedlots. The bill's passage follows a …

The U.S. has seen dozens of coal plants come offline in recent years and researchers noted the ones still in use operate less frequently because of declining demand. They said it should deter policymakers from trying to spend money to increase coal production. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers: U.S. wouldn't see 'bang for its buck' in reviving coal

Minnesota is cited in a new research brief outlining the obstacles America would face in trying to reopen coal plants, an idea prioritized by the …

A doctor can determine what is causing allergies with skin testing or by examining your blood.<br />(Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Tips to find relief in California this allergy season

Allergy season is here and more than 100 million Americans are suffering from itchiness, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, sneezing, or wheezing…

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Mining Research Division in Pittsburgh collaborates with the institute's broader mining program to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses in every area of the mining industry. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

NIOSH job cuts threaten PA black lung research, safety labs

A union representing Pittsburgh-based workers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is fighting job cuts proposed by the Trump …

Seasonal or year-round allergies, depending on the allergen, affect up to 60 million people each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Spring brings seasonal allergies for many Kentuckians

Kentucky ranks among the worst states for seasonal allergies from early spring through late fall, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of …

Experts recommend starting allergy medication early to help your body better manage symptoms once pollen season begins. (Adobe Stock)

Allergy season in full swing in Tennessee, tips for relief

Spring has sprung in Tennessee, which means flowers and trees are blooming, pollen is plentiful and allergy sufferers are feeling the itchy effects…

Climate change is expected to increase the amount of airborne pollen by as much as 40% by 2100. (Sean Pavone/Adobe Stock)

Wichita named' allergy capital of nation' for 3rd straight year

With temperatures warming, allergy season is underway in Kansas and experts are offering tips on how to cope. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of …

Tree pollen in Louisiana is often from elm, oak, poplar, cypress and maple among others. (Adobe Stock)

New Orleans ranked 2nd among cities with worst seasonal allergies

With temperatures warming, allergy season is underway in Louisiana and experts are offering tips on how to cope. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation …

According to UnitedHealthcare, medical costs associated with pollen allergies exceed $3 billion a year, with nearly half of those costs linked to prescription drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Experts call preparation key to coping with spring allergies in SC

South Carolina may be famous for its oaks, pines and other trees but experts said pollen from those spectacular forests can also make life miserable …

Colorado forests have not seen below-average winter temperatures in more than three decades, and four of the last five years have brought below-average precipitation. (Adobe Stock)

Drought, warmer winters make CO forests 'beetle buffet'

Warmer winters and prolonged drought have turned Colorado forests into a budworm and beetle buffet, according to a new report from Colorado State …

Medical experts said if you know high pollen days are in the forecast, taking medicine before they arrive can help alleviate symptoms. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

Experts: Texans suffer from year-round allergies

Texas is frequently ranked as one of the worst states for seasonal allergies because symptoms can occur year-round. Dr. Miguel Wolbert, president of …

The wind industry alone brings almost 17.8-billion-dollars in investments to Illinois, currently powering almost 13 percent of the state's electricity needs. (Adobe Stock)

IL hopes to continue clean energy boom with new bill

As Illinois forges ahead in the clean energy space, legislators and advocates are pushing for what would be the third major climate bill passed in …

There's no cure for seasonal allergies, but prevention and treatment can help ease symptoms. It's estimated pollen allergies cost more than $3 billion a year, nearly half of that for prescription medications. (Adobe Stock)

Sniffles, sneezes: Navigating allergy season in Pennsylvania

The spring blooms may be pretty, but they are not always a welcome sight for Pennsylvanians who suffer from seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies …

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Environment

How would rolling back EV standards affect AZ drivers?

DOE invests millions to revive MI nuclear plant, amid growing criticism

Feds unveil 'emergency permitting' for energy projects in MT, U.S.

New ND law raises bar for pesticide liability lawsuits

Ohio crops at risk as federal cuts disrupt seed preservation

NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination

Rural WA counties face challenges without key federal funding

Indiana House sends major energy bill to Gov. Braun

Experts say lead in Milwaukee schools is an environmental justice issue

Second wave of weather employees fired ahead of NM wildfire season

Michigan State University study: Crops and solar panels can coexist

Montana DEQ denies Big Hole River decision, cites law opposed by EPA

Cleveland Health Dept says cleaner air starts at home

Recycling paint to celebrate Earth Day, reclaim storage space

An Earth Day twist: Trump could 'target' climate nonprofits

WV facilities seek exemptions from limits on toxic pollution

SD grassland enthusiasts hope for a native plant rebirth

'Pick Up PA' drives statewide community cleanup efforts for Earth Day, beyond

Spring cleaning for Earth Day? What to do with leftover paint

This Earth Day, elected officials promote CA bill to 'make polluters pay'

Coping with OR's climate change-fueled pollen season

Pollution exemptions granted to AR coal plants

WA's advanced pollen tracking tool can help allergy sufferers

MD water systems have high levels of cancer-causing chemicals, report finds

CA lawmakers consider charging oil companies for climate-related damage

New report: IL makes it too hard to 'go solar'

As Trump backs PA coal revival, critics say it's unlikely

Report: More MN electricity is clean and homegrown

Pennsylvania egg brand agrees to drop ‘free-roaming’ label

WA cattle grazing can harm 'food webs'

Annual wildlife survey documents Florida's changing biodiversity

MI environmental groups, Tribes decry fast-tracking Line 5 tunnel

DOGE cuts at NM's national parks create alarm, anxiety

Iowa farmers question need for treated seeds

Ohioans brace for the allergy season, seek relief

ND farm towns prepare for life with new animal feedlot law

Researchers: U.S. wouldn't see 'bang for its buck' in reviving coal

Tips to find relief in California this allergy season

NIOSH job cuts threaten PA black lung research, safety labs

Spring brings seasonal allergies for many Kentuckians

Allergy season in full swing in Tennessee, tips for relief

Wichita named' allergy capital of nation' for 3rd straight year

New Orleans ranked 2nd among cities with worst seasonal allergies

Experts call preparation key to coping with spring allergies in SC

Drought, warmer winters make CO forests 'beetle buffet'

Experts: Texans suffer from year-round allergies

IL hopes to continue clean energy boom with new bill

Sniffles, sneezes: Navigating allergy season in Pennsylvania