News & Commentary

Illinois Needs to Address Transportation Pollution—Not Widen I-55

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoMeghan Hassett, J.C. Kibbey

Illinois has a transportation pollution problem. Expanding I-55 would only worsen it, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

NY Bills to Ban Harmful PFAS Chemicals & Protect Our Health

May 12, 2023 Expert BlogAlbanyKate Donovan

New York shows promise to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from consumer products to protect communities.

Under “Food Apartheid,” Urban Farms Are More Important Than Ever

April 28, 2023 DispatchUnited States, Indiana, IndianapolisJeff Turrentine

But BIPOC urban farmers continue to face unique challenges—including inequitable access to land and loans.

Earth Day Should Be Every Day!

April 21, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, United StatesChakena D. Perry

Four Chicago students share why clean water and air are human rights.

Auditor Calls for Canada’s Transparency on Logging Emissions

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogOttawaJennifer Skene

Canada's Environment Commissioner found that the Government of Canada has failed to transparently report on the climate impact of industrial logging, with potentially sweeping ramifications for its forest policymaking. 

Canada Rejects Transparency on Logging’s Climate Toll

April 18, 2023 Expert BlogOttawa, CanadaJennifer Skene

Canada has again failed to transparently report on the logging industry's climate impacts, giving the sector a free pass for more than 70 megatonnes of carbon emissions annually, and perpetuating a "climate blind" forest policy framework. 

Elevate and METEC Collaborate on Peoria Home Updates

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogPeoriaAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

This is the ninth blog in a series celebrating the grant projects funded through our Clean Air Act settlement with the owners of the E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant outside Peoria, Illinois.

Army Corps' NY/NJ Storm Surge Barrier Project Must Protect Communities on Their Terms

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, New Jersey, New YorkSahana Rao, Isabel Friedman, Anna Weber

The U.S. Army Corps' latest storm surge barrier proposal for New York and New Jersey is still missing meaningful community participation and a comprehensive approach to climate adaptation.

Leveling the Playing Field Toward an Equitable Clean Freight Trucks Transition

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)Sarah Elkotbeid

Our climate and health crises are so vast and complex, we have to change the way we tackle our problems to move the needle. The Delivering Zero Emissions Communities (DZEC) clean truck accelerator program is exploring new models.

Rate Increases and Blackouts: Duke Energy’s Strategy for 2023

April 6, 2023 Expert BlogNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, EastLuis Martinez

Duke failed to keep the lights on last December, but it is now pursuing enormous rate increases of more than 30 percent to help pay for fossil fuels and huge executive salary raises.

A Trojan Horse That Would Subvert Climate Justice in New York

April 5, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

Senate Bill S6030 is a greenhouse gas accounting boondoggle.

Clean Cars Can Bring Over $145 Billion in Benefits to New York

April 3, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars rule can bring over $145 billion in benefits to New York. 

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.

SPP Must Rework Rules That Penalize Wind and Solar Power

March 28, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, United StatesCaroline Reiser, Natalie McIntire

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) rejection of Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) proposal gives SPP a new opportunity to create an accreditation process that does not discriminate against renewable resources.

Water Crisis in Philly Highlights Our Broken National System

March 27, 2023 Expert BlogPhiladelphia, Jackson, Ohio, United StatesErik D. Olson

An industrial chemical spill upstream of the city’s water intakes is poised to contaminate the water supply. If you feel like you’ve seen this movie before, it’s because you have.

To Lead on Climate, New York State Should Aim High on Clean Industry

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

The federal government is rolling out programs to support deployment of emerging technologies that can dramatically reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing. New York should seize the opportunity to clean up its industrial base, attract new industrial investment, and become a…

EPA’s Chance Is NOW to Finally Fix the Broken Lead & Copper Rule

February 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Michigan, InternationalErik D. Olson

Americans across political lines support action to fix lead in drinking water—and here’s how it can be done.

Ohio Train Disaster Reveals Gaping Holes in Hazardous Chemical Controls

February 21, 2023 Expert BlogOhio, MidwestDr. Jennifer Sass, Erik D. Olson

The Norfolk Southern toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, was an accident waiting to happen. We need regulatory action to prevent more—or even worse—accidents from happening.

"Natural" Gas Is Expensive and Dangerous. We Can Do Better.

February 18, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Large gas utilities in Illinois are pushing for a historically large rate increase. Now is the time to make the switch to cleaner home appliances.

Mining for Limestone on Chicago’s Southeast Side? Residents Gear Up for a Fight (Again).

February 17, 2023 DispatchIllinois, ChicagoSusan Cosier

A proposal to build an underground facility on a contaminated lot is yet another reason the city needs to address the cumulative impacts of industry on communities.