Latest Pollution News
California proposes new oil drilling ban near neighborhoods
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's oil and gas regulator on Thursday proposed that the state ban new oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes and hospitals to protect public health in what would be the nation's largest buffer zone between oil wells and communities. ...
$2.1M penalty for roofing company over emission violations
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A North Portland roofing company has been fined $2.1 million for a decade of air quality violations. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality said Wednesday it’s the largest fine in the agency’s history, The Oregonian/OregonLive...
EU leaders seek to safeguard energy supplies as prices soar
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders struggled to find a common ground during a long debate Thursday on how to ease the pain of soaring energy bills. The hours-long energy discussion at the EU leaders’ summit came amid spiraling prices that are pummeling households...
Human rights panel to hear Navajo uranium contamination case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A group representing Navajo communities is presenting its case to an international human rights body, saying U.S. regulators violated the rights of tribal members when they cleared the way for uranium mining in western New Mexico. The...
Billions in environmental justice funds hang in the balance
Tens of billions of dollars for U.S. environmental justice initiatives originally proposed in a $3.5 trillion domestic spending package now hang in the balance as Democrats decide how to trim the bill down to $2 trillion. Investments in a wide range of these projects were...
Greenpeace chief warns of 'greenwashing' at UN climate talks
BERLIN (AP) — The head of environmental group Greenpeace on Thursday warned against efforts by countries and corporations at the forthcoming U.N. climate talks in Glasgow to “greenwash” their ongoing pollution of the planet. The summit hosted by Britain has been...
McLaren will pay $5M, not $20M, in Flint water settlement
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A $641 million settlement with people affected by Flint's lead-contaminated water was reduced by $15 million Wednesday after a judge agreed that a hospital could cut its pledge. McLaren Health will pay $5 million instead of $20 million. It had the...
Arbitrator: Official wrongly fired in Flint water scandal
DETROIT (AP) — The only Michigan official fired in the Flint water catastrophe likely was a “public scapegoat” who lost her job because of politics, an arbitrator said in ordering $191,880 in back pay and other compensation. It's a remarkable victory for Liane...
Montana reaches deal in Colstrip coal ash cleanup dispute
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The state of Montana has reached a settlement with a coal plant operator that gives the company two years to come up with an alternative plan to clean up water polluted with coal ash. Ponds meant to contain the toxic ash from the Colstrip power...
Carbon dioxide underground storage project advances
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Plans for North Dakota's first carbon dioxide storage project are moving forward. State regulators granted several approvals Tuesday for the underground storage of carbon emissions from Red Trail Energy's ethanol plant near Richardton. ...
