Blogs & Ecology

The Environmental Protection Agency is, yet again, not doing the very thing its name implies.

For the umpteenth time in the past few years, the EPA is simply turning its nose up to carbon emissions, as if it shouldn't and couldn't regulate them. And that's bologna.

It started early in 2005, when California asked the EPA if it could more stringently regulate emissions from its millions of automobiles. By 2007, the EPA still hadn't answered the question, and California sued the EPA in April of that year.

Photo courtesy of the LA Times

The devastating, 2.6 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash slurry released in a Tennessee dike burst could perhaps have been avoided if TVA officials hadn't rejected costly fixes, a new report in the Tennessean reveals.

Image courtesy of California Safe Schools

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the California Safe Schools organization gathered luminaries of the environmental health and children's education world together for a program called "Your Life is Now." The event featured speeches from high profile educators and environmentalists, and an award ceremony that honored two of the highest profilers of all—California EPA Secretary Linda Adams and Congresswoman Hilda Solis....

For well over two years we have been wondering why they still allow chemicals like triclosan in products like soap, creams and even toothpaste. We know people are crazed about using antibacterial products, even though they do more harm than good. They are possibly gender-benders and may be responsible for killing amphibians. So why are they still so ubiquitous? Because the EPA continues to think that they are just fine. ...

Some mountaintops removed for mining, photo courtesy of the NY Times

Clean Slate, Image credit:Ritual & Repetition, M. Sherwin.

Around here at the Sierra Club, we are very excited for Obama's Inauguration. We know he has great plans for our country's economic and energy futures and we're ready to help him repower, refuel and rebuild America.

During these troubled economic times, we have identified four key actions the President-elect can make on day one of his administration-- independently of Congress-- that will enable America to start 2009 with a 'clean slate' of energy policies....

If you’re somehow attached to or involved with the green building movement it’s certainly worthwhile to note that the EPA is urging professional and student architects, builders and product developers to submit designs for green buildings and building materials for its third annual Lifecycle Building Challenge competition.

Faced with the stark truth that the numbers of U.S. students pursuing careers in science are dwindling rapidly, the EPA and the City College of New York have announced a joint effort to encourage and produce environmental scientists of diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams in the field of environmental science and potentially wind up working for the EPA.

Of course, there’s always the reality that a career at the EPA may not fit the economic aspirations of such driven individuals, but there’s certainly cause for hope that the program through CCNY just may help fill the void at the EPA.
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Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled a new most-wanted list that focuses on environmental fugitives. These are folks that have done things like smuggled harmful chemicals, dumped hazardous waste into rivers and trafficked in polluting cars.

I must admit that I find it a bit ironic that the very agency that refused to grant California a waiver to regulate tailpipe emissions for greenhouse gases, has climbed up on its eco-horse to point fingers. ...

Jake Rajs—Stone/Getty Images

Image from Jen SFO-CBN

Image courtesy of Barackobama.com

Image source: Santa Clara University

While not officially nominated, the Washington Post reported yesterday that he is on the short list of new leaders for the US Environmental Protection Agency. Obama's Administration is also reported to be looking to hire women and minorities to lead "high-profile positions."

More on the potential nominees after the jump....

Photo via Elsie esq

The EPA will be helping holiday shoppers out with new Energy Star labels on TVs. Earlier this month we talked about Energy Star requirements toughening up on TVs, and new requirements going in place by November 1.

Well, also beginning November 1, TVs that meet EPA’s newer, more comprehensive specifications will be in stores and ready for green-minded consumers.

So, which TVs are getting new labels?...