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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Ordered Removal of Edwards Dam, Setting Precedent for River Restoration

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Ordered Removal of Edwards Dam, Setting Precedent for River Restoration

In a landmark environmental decision, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ordered the removal of the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in Maine on November 25, 1997. This decision, which led to the dam's demolition on July 1, 1999, marked the first time the U.S. federal government prioritized the benefits of a free-flowing river over those of a hydroelectric power plant. The Edwards Dam, a wooden and concrete structure built in 1837, had blocked the migration of millions of fish for over 150 years. Its removal allowed approximately 27 kilometers of the Kennebec River to flow freely, a condition it had not experienced since its construction. The initial aftermath involved disturbed sediments and bare riverbanks, but this was seen as a prelude to ecological recovery.

Senator Schumer Urges Navy to Expedite Toxic Plume Remediation at Former Grumman Site in Calverton

Senator Schumer Urges Navy to Expedite Toxic Plume Remediation at Former Grumman Site in Calverton

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and local officials are calling on the U.S. Navy to accelerate cleanup efforts at the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Calverton, Long Island. A toxic groundwater plume, containing PFAS 'forever chemicals' and 1,4-dioxane, is spreading from the site towards the Peconic Bay. The Navy's revised schedule has pushed back the completion of the remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) to 2039, a decade later than the initial target of 2029. Suffolk County water studies have found elevated levels of these contaminants, with some samples showing PFAS compounds 100 times higher than New York State drinking water standards and 1,4-dioxane nearly 15 times higher. Schumer criticized the Navy for stalling cleanup efforts, disputing county studies, and delaying the disclosure of PFAS findings in fish from Swan Pond.

New Mexico Land Commissioner Bans New Uranium Mining on State Lands

New Mexico Land Commissioner Bans New Uranium Mining on State Lands

New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has issued an executive order prohibiting the leasing of state lands for new uranium mining and related activities. This decision was announced at a press conference and aims to protect communities and natural resources from the environmental and health impacts associated with uranium production. The order also directs the State Land Office to prioritize the cleanup of existing legacy uranium sites and calls on the uranium industry and the federal government to fund and address these long-standing issues. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández expressed strong support for the ban, highlighting concerns about outside companies exploiting New Mexico's resources and the historical disrespect shown to the state's citizens. The move comes despite the Trump administration's push for increased uranium production nationwide, which Commissioner Garcia Richard described as a 'low blow' to affected communities.

Montgomery County Residents Demand 'Plan C' for Waste Management Amid Incinerator Debate

Montgomery County Residents Demand 'Plan C' for Waste Management Amid Incinerator Debate

Residents around the Shady Grove Transfer Station in Montgomery County, Maryland, are advocating for an alternative waste management strategy, dubbed 'Plan C,' as county officials consider the future of the Dickerson incinerator. County Executive Marc Elrich has proposed shifting from incineration to advanced waste processing, which would involve trucking waste out of the county if the incinerator closes before a new facility is built. This proposal has raised concerns among residents about increased odors, truck traffic, and potential hazardous material incidents at the Shady Grove Transfer Station. A study indicated that long-hauling waste would result in an additional 40 trash trucks daily through the transfer station. Council President Natali Fani-González rejected Elrich’s approach, leading the council to adopt a budget that maintains funding for incinerator operations through June 2027. The Dickerson incinerator, operational since 1995, processes approximately 600,000 tons of waste annually, converti...

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee Secures Federal Funding for Pittsburgh Schoolyard Transformation

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee Secures Federal Funding for Pittsburgh Schoolyard Transformation

U.S. Representative Summer Lee of Pittsburgh announced the successful transformation of Greenfield Elementary's schoolyard, supported by $400,000 in federal community project funding. The project, led by the Trust for Public Land’s Community Schoolyards program, converted the paved and underused area into a greener, more inviting space with new play equipment and enhanced connection to nature. This initiative aims to provide a safe recreational area for students and serve over 2,500 neighbors within a ten-minute walk, fostering community gathering and interaction with the natural environment. Representative Lee emphasized that this project exemplifies the positive impact of public investment on communities, creating vital green spaces and promoting climate resilience.

U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar Raises Concerns Over Marathon Refinery Transparency as EPA Declines Investigation Request

U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar Raises Concerns Over Marathon Refinery Transparency as EPA Declines Investigation Request

U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar has voiced concerns regarding the transparency and safety practices of the Marathon refinery in El Paso, Texas. Her concerns follow recent incidents at the refinery, including a pollutant spill and an injury to a contractor. An environmental report indicated that over 15 tons of pollutants, such as propylene, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, were released in early August after an alteration in the fluid catalytic cracker. Residents reported sulfur odors and symptoms like nausea, headaches, and sore throats. In response to these issues, Representative Escobar requested an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but her request was declined. The EPA cited that oversight of such matters falls under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Meanwhile, Marathon Petroleum has tested a new emergency alert system for residents living within 800 meters of the refinery, in collaboration with the city, and has scheduled a com...

Alaska Begins Construction of Controversial Road Segment Near Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

Alaska Begins Construction of Controversial Road Segment Near Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

The state of Alaska has commenced construction on a 2.8-mile gravel road segment within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, located on land owned by the King Cove Corp., an Alaska Native village corporation. This action proceeds despite ongoing legal challenges and environmental concerns. Conservation groups, including the Defenders of Wildlife, view this segment as a precursor to a larger, 19-mile road project that would traverse the refuge to connect the village of King Cove (population 750) with a jet-accessible airport in Cold Bay. The larger project aims to provide critical access to hospitals for King Cove residents. While a federal judge recently vacated a 2025 land exchange that would have facilitated the full road, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suspended a permit for the larger road, the state asserts that the current 2.8-mile segment falls outside the scope of the vacated land exchange and the Corps' permit, as it does not involve discharging fill into Waters of the U.S., including wetla...

Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Stormy weather can send the Pacific Ocean flooding into people's homes in small, remote island nations

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Raises Health Concerns Over Increased Uranium Production Near White Mesa Mill

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Raises Health Concerns Over Increased Uranium Production Near White Mesa Mill

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and other Indigenous communities are expressing renewed concerns over the health impacts of uranium production, particularly around the White Mesa Mill in Utah, the nation's only conventional uranium mill. This heightened concern comes as the U.S. government pushes to revive domestic uranium production, driven by a 2024 federal law banning Russian uranium imports by 2028 and President Trump's goal to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The White Mesa Mill, owned by Energy Fuels, plans to significantly increase its yellowcake production and expand its waste storage facilities. Tribal members, including Malcolm Lehi and Yolanda Badback, fear potential contamination of their water sources and air quality, citing historical injustices and health issues linked to past uranium mining. Despite assurances from state regulators and the company that pollution is contained and current operations are safe, residents report odors and continue to rely on bottled water due to distru...

EU Ships Scrapped in South Asia Despite Domestic Capacity, Study Reveals Policy Gaps

EU Ships Scrapped in South Asia Despite Domestic Capacity, Study Reveals Policy Gaps

A new study by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform and T&E reveals that the vast majority of EU-owned or EU-flagged ships are being scrapped in South Asia under poor environmental and safety conditions, despite the EU having sufficient domestic recycling capacity. Between 2019 and 2025, only 22% of EU-flagged and/or EU-owned ships dismantled worldwide were recycled in EU facilities, representing just 5% of the total tonnage. Nearly half of these ships, accounting for 66% of total tonnage, were beached in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The study highlights that many shipowners reflag their vessels or falsely claim continued operations to evade EU waste export restrictions, which prohibit ships becoming waste in EU waters from being exported to non-OECD countries and require EU-flagged vessels to use EU-approved facilities. This practice results in the export of toxic waste and a loss of valuable high-quality materials for the EU economy.

The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Inner Harbor lost. Water system should serve the people | Opinion

Inner Harbor lost. Water system should serve the people | Opinion

After the Inner Harbor desalination project was voted down a second time, Corpus Christi should terminate the project's permits, Armon Alex writes.

Congressman Riley M. Moore Secures $1 Million for Pennsboro and Ritchie County Water Project

Congressman Riley M. Moore Secures $1 Million for Pennsboro and Ritchie County Water Project

Congressman Riley M. Moore has presented a check for $1 million to support the Bonds Creek Water Project in Pennsboro and Ritchie County. These funds, secured through his work on the House Committee on Appropriations, are designated to address critical water quality and supply issues in the region. The project aims to remove toxins, including arsenic, from the water supply and strengthen the overall water infrastructure, ensuring reliable water service for residents. Congressman Moore emphasized that no one in the 21st century America should contend with arsenic in their water and expressed his commitment to bringing federal resources to West Virginia to deliver clean water to communities. This investment is intended to improve overall water quality and supply, providing a more reliable system for the affected residents.