News & Commentary

Safer Drinking Water in Schools: NY Leg. Votes for Our Kids

June 10, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkJoan Leary Matthews

The New York State Legislature passed a bill (S2122-A / A160-B) in the closing days of this legislative session to require more stringent measures to reduce lead in drinking water in schools. This is a huge victory for kids!

Pebble Mine’s ESG Report: Destructive, Desperate, and Doomed

April 30, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Hoping to greenwash reckless Bristol Bay mine as environmentally and socially responsible, Canadian owner Northern Dynasty Minerals’ report fools no one.

Alaska Natives Lead a Unified Resistance to the Pebble Mine

April 20, 2021 DispatchAlaskaNicole Greenfield

The effort to stop a massive mine project in Bristol Bay, Alaska, has been a decades-long fight for the region’s Indigenous People. Five tribal leaders share their experiences.

Investors Say No to Pebble Mine, Yes to Bristol Bay—Again

April 7, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Fifty investment firms representing over $105 billion sent a letter to EPA and Congress urging permanent protection of Alaska's Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine.

Bristol Bay Salmon: A “Vitally Important Economic Engine”

March 18, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

A new report quantified the economic benefits of Bristol Bay’s wild salmon, which generate $2.2 billion in value, support 15,000 American jobs, and supply 57 percent of the world’s sockeye salmon. Bristol Bay’s wild salmon are also the lifeblood of…

Pebble Mine: Investors Beware

March 9, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

After denial of federal permit, Canadian owner of embattled Bristol Bay mining scheme doubles down on assurances to potential investors, ignoring intensifying support of demand by Alaskans for permanent protection of Bristol Bay fishery.

UPDATED: Science, Polling Support NY Bill to Save Bees

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

Senator Brad Hoylman introduced new language today for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, a bill that would make the state a national leader in safeguarding its bees, birds, water, and people from widespread neonicotinoid pesticide contamination.

Bristol Bay Tribes Target Pebble Mine in New Ad

February 24, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

United Tribes of Bristol Bay ran a full-page ad today in Politico urging President Biden to stop the Pebble Mine and protect Bristol Bay.

Pebble Mine: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

August 4, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Following Army Corps of Engineers’ release of Pebble’s flawed final environmental impact statement, opposition digs in, Alaskan coalition urges EPA veto, House votes to cut off funding for permitting, Senators Manchin and Cantwell speak out, and Northern Dynasty’s share value…

NYS to Cut PFOA/PFOS "Forever Chemicals" from Drinking Water

July 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesEric A. Goldstein

Public water suppliers across New York State will be required to test for and ultimately slash harmful levels of the synthetic organic chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, according to new rules just adopted by State Health officials.

New York State Assembly Passes Ban on Toxic Teflon Chemicals in Food Packaging

July 23, 2020 Latest NewsNew YorkCourtney Lindwall

Most Americans already have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. Prevention through protections like these are key.

Report Finds Neonics Pose Big Risks to Bees as Losses Mount

June 25, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesDaniel Raichel

Summertime is normally a great time for bees, but last summer saw record bee losses. A new report from Cornell may shed light on why.

Take Action to Protect Bees During National Pollinator Week

June 22, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, New JerseyDaniel Raichel, Lucas Rhoads

This Pollinator week, let’s heed the science and skip the fluff. Here’s how you can take action now to protect pollinators and human health.

Toledo’s Blooming Algae Crisis

April 2, 2020 DispatchToledoJodi Helmer

A toxic algae outbreak that left Toledo without drinking water for several days in 2014 served as a wakeup call for responsible farming in the region. Efforts have been made to prevent algae blooms in Lake Erie, but a changing…

Getting the Lead Out of Yonkers Schools

April 2, 2020 DispatchYonkers, New YorkNicole Greenfield

When New York State pulled back the curtain on its school lead problem, Yonkers stood out as one of the worst performers.

Pebble Mine: Conservation Groups Sue Trump Administration

October 9, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, AlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Trump administration violated the law by reversing proposed protections for Bristol Bay, Alaska.

Stand Up for Safe Drinking Water in New York State

September 9, 2019 Expert BlogNew YorkKimberly Ong

Get harmful chemical contaminants out of New York State's drinking water.

Pebble Mine: An Open Letter to CEO, Wheaton Precious Metals

August 27, 2019 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Bristol Bay coalition dismisses Governor’s claim of outside influence in Pebble Mine opposition, calling claim “demonstrably false” and “insulting to Alaskans,” vowing “we will never relent.”

Still High Levels of Lead in Drinking Water in NYC Schools

August 20, 2019 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityJoan Leary Matthews

The New York City Department of Education posted the latest round data for a limited number of schools tested in 2018—one third of the schools in NYC.

That Summer When Climate Change Baked Alaska

August 9, 2019 DispatchAlaskaJeff Turrentine

An Anchorage-based wildlife biologist describes what life is like in our northernmost state—one that’s been dramatically altered by rising temperatures.