News and Articles


As the largest investment in working lands, the pending Farm Bill may be our best bet to address agriculture’s contribution to climate change.

Growing Climate Change: The Farm Bill as Comprehensive Climate Change Policy

Will the new Farm Bill’s policies cause agriculture to contribute to or mitigate against climate change? As the largest investment in working lands, the pending Farm Bill may be our best bet to address agriculture’s contribution to climate change. Proposed changes would ironically reduce conservation programs, which mitigate climate change, and provide more insurance for farmers affected by climate change events, shoring up profits for commodity producers.

FDA Takes Voluntary Approach to Limiting Animal Antibiotics

The agency is issuing a final guidance document that explains how animal pharmaceutical companies can work with it to voluntarily remove growth enhancement and feed efficiency indications from the approved uses of their medically important antimicrobial drug products.

If left unmonitored, recent trends of forest loss could result in a significant loss of land conservation and water quality, and limit climate change protection.

Loss of Forest Cover Threatens Water, Climate, and Land Conservation

A recent study conducted by Harvard University urges the importance of land-use regulations to help preserve water quality, increase the amount of harvested wood, and protect wildlife habitats.

Right whales are protected by the Ship Strike Reduction Rule.

Endangered Whales Protected by Ship Strike Reduction Rule

According to the NOAA, a final rule has been issued to help keep protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale by reducing lethal vessel collisions.

Green Building Council's CEO Hails Renewables Memo

President Obama’s memorandum directing the federal government to consume 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 "will ensure the country is saving energy, reducing our carbon footprint, improving air quality, driving investment in clean technology, and creating jobs," Rick Fedrizzi said Dec. 5.

Years of work have gone into constructing the shore power infrastructure needed to comply with the California Air Resources Board

California Ports Ready for At-Berth Regulation

The California Air Resources Board approved the "Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Auxiliary Diesel Engines Operated on Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth in a California Port" regulation six years ago. It aims to cut emissions from diesel auxiliary engines on container ships, passenger ships, and refrigerated-cargo ships while they're berthed at the California ports.

INTERPOL Issues Purple Notice on Rogue Fishing Vessel

The ship, currently believed to be called "Thunder," allegedly has sailed under several flags recently to avoid detection of illegal fishing activities.

Hidden Climate Change Caused by Shale Gas Boom

EIP Announces Hidden Climate Change Impact to Fracking Boom

The recent shale gas boom has led to climate change impact in more than 90 new industrial plants, which are projected to emit greenhouse gases equal to 21 coal-fired power plants.

Some in Congress Urge Faster Phase-Out of Hydrofluorocarbons

A letter from U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, who chairs the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee, and 15 colleagues asks EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to take action to accelerate the process.

White House CEQ Chair Announces Departure

Nancy Sutley is leaving in February 2014, the White House announced.

The Province of Ontario is in the early days of a "supercycle" of activity to develop renewable energy sources.

Canada Preparing for $350 Billion Infrastructure Boom

The Province of Ontario's Green Energy Act of 2009 helped to ignite fast growth in the production of clean and renewable energy. Since 2009, the act has spawned more than 20,000 jobs.

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Drying Frac Sand

Why frac sand use will become more popular over the next few years and the best methods for drying frac sand.

Fire Hydrants Possibly Exempt from Lead-Safety Law

Fire Hydrants Possibly Exempt from Lead-Safety Law

With just over a month to go before the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act becomes effective in the United States, the House of Representatives has passed a bill that will exempt fire hydrants from lead-safety regulations.

Missing Arctic measurements could explain a hiatus in warming data that has puzzled researchers for years.

The Missing Heat

Non-climate scientists' study is seen as a convincing explanation for something that has puzzled other researchers for many years.

Most comments are opposed to the proposed U.S. Coast Guard plan to let fracking waste water move by barge on inland waterways.

Barge Shipments of Fracking Waste Water Opposed

Dozens of comments urge the U.S. Coast Guard not to allow barge owners to ship shale gas extraction waste water via inland waterways, saying it is a threat to drinking water supplies.

Vermont Law School, University of Vermont Announce Accelerated MBA Program

Students will be able to receive both the newly created Accelerated Sustainable Entrepreneurship MBA at the School of Business Administration and a law or master's degree at VLS.

Tesla Fires Could Affect Sustainable Transport Demand

Tesla Fires Could Affect Sustainable Transport Demand

As three fires have been reported on the Model S, Tesla manufacturer worries that false claims and negative press could harm the demand for sustainable transportation.

U.S. drinking water system operators have been preparing for the federal lead-free law to take effect in January 2014. Four states already have laws in place that comply with or exceed its requirements.

Drinking Water Providers Getting the Lead Out

The Reduction Act calls for reducing lead in new products, new installations, and repairs of systems that deliver drinking water. It takes effect in January 2014.

The TCEQ grant application workshops set in four Texas cities in December 2013 concern construction of new alternative fuels facilities or major renovations of existing facilities to dispense such fuels.

TCEQ Hosting Grant Application Workshops for Fueling Stations

The four workshops are taking place in December in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Arlington.

Coal interests fiercely oppose EPA

What's At Stake in Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA

EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in stationary sources will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court early next year.