EPA Division That Studies the Health Risks of Toxic Chemicals Is in a Fight for Its Life — Against the EPA
The Integrated Risk Information System, or IRIS, is the only division of the EPA that independently assesses the toxicity of chemicals.
Environment
Ohio and Iowa Are the Latest of Eight States to Consider Anti-Protest Bills Aimed at Pipeline Opponents
Ohio’s bill mirrors a model laid out by ALEC, while Iowa’s creates a new felony, “critical infrastructure sabotage,” punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Fails Another Senate Test
At a hearing of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee on Tuesday, the EPA's Scott Pruitt repeatedly avoided answering simple yes-or-no questions.
Bad Chemistry
EPA Orders Testing for GenX Contamination Near Chemours Plant in West Virginia
DuPont introduced GenX in 2009 to replace PFOA, also known as C8, a chemical it had used for decades to make Teflon and other products.
Robert De Niro Accused of Exploiting Hurricane Irma to Build Resort in Barbuda
People from the Caribbean island of Barbuda have accused Robert De Niro of being part of a historic land grab in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
House Science Committee Wants to Investigate a Government Scientist for Doing Science
Republicans on the House Science Committee are accusing Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of lobbying.
First Sandy, Then Maria. A Mother and Daughter Marked by Both Storms Find Hope in Climate Activism.
Rachel Rivera and her 11-year-old daughter, Marisol, screamed with joy when they heard that New York City would be divesting from fossil fuel companies.
Voices
As New York City Declares War on the Oil Industry, the Politically Impossible Suddenly Seems Possible
New York City’s lawsuit for climate damages raises the prospect that oil companies may have to pay for rising sea levels and extreme weather.
Five Spills, Six Months in Operation: Dakota Access Track Record Highlights Unavoidable Reality — Pipelines Leak
The Bakken system pipelines racked up at least eight leaks in 2017. Mariner East 2 and Rover saw drilling fluid spills before fuel even entered the lines.
Voices
Irma Won’t “Wake Up” Climate Change-Denying Republicans. Their Whole Ideology Is on the Line.
Science is a battle zone because it is revealing again and again that pro-corporate business as usual leads to a species-threatening catastrophe.