Climate Change/Air Quality / Public News Service

The financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service expects to save billions of dollars by using electric rather than gas-powered mail delivery trucks. (USPSoig.gov)

Friday, October 11, 2024

NM streets will be quieter, cleaner when USPS electric mail trucks arrive

Neighborhoods across New Mexico and other states will soon be cleaner and quieter as the U.S. Postal Service rolls out its new electric mail-delivery …

Federal regulations are an area in which the president has significant latitude to affect food policy. (Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)<br />

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Where does Harris stand on meat, factory farming?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Colla…

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Wednesday, October 9, 2024

ME ‘living shorelines’ counter rising sea levels, stronger storms

By Erik Hoffner for Mongabay.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Ser…

An initiative on November's ballot in Washington state could slow the transition to electric equipment like heat pumps. (nikomsolftwaer/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Diverse coalition opposes WA ballot measure rolling back natural gas transition

A diverse coalition of groups is opposing an initiative in Washington that could upend the state's push to make buildings greener and more efficient…

Water purification in Orange County's Groundwater Replenishment System involves three steps: microfiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

CA facilities could turn sewage into tap water, but public acceptance lags

By Matt Vasilogambros and Kevin Hardy for Stateline.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Jour…

The American Clean Power Second Quarter 2024 Market Report ranked Ohio fourth nationally and first in the Midwest for clean power installations and first in the Midwest for utility-scale solar capacity this year. (AnnaStills/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Ohio’s clean-energy surge drives jobs, growth

As Ohio continues to embrace clean energy solutions, the debate over its economic and environmental impact remains a focal point for residents…

Climate change, marked by rising temperatures, sea levels and extreme weather, poses significant threats to Tennessee. The environmental shifts are predicted to cause more illness, death and forced relocation of Tennesseans. (michelmond/Adobe Stock)

Report exposes donors funding climate change disinformation in TN

As Tennesseans deal with record-breaking heat, hurricanes and prolonged drought linked to a changing climate, a new report showed how American …

According to the International Energy Agency, methane emissions from fossil fuels must drop by 75% by 2030 to meet climate goals set in Paris. (Adobe Stock)

High-tech tools can bust careless oil and gas drillers

By Jennifer Oldham for Sierra.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public New…

According to industry data, Wisconsin is currently home to more than 70,000 clean energy jobs. (Adobe Stock)

More WI resumes could soon include climate work history

Federal data show health care and technology-related jobs are still in high demand but a career in clean energy is now at the top of the list, too…

Colorado State University researchers found snowpack in areas burned by the Cameron Peak Fire disappeared 7 to 11 days earlier than unburned areas. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Wildfire burn areas see faster snowpack melts, disrupt water resources

As a warming climate brings bigger and more frequent wildfires, burn scars left behind at high mountain altitudes are seeing snowpack melt much …

Wildfire seasons are projected to get longer in coming years in Colorado and across the Mountain West. (Adobe Stock)

Spikes in emergency visits during CO bad air days cost $1.14 billion in 2019

Colorado lawmakers are digging into the health and economic impacts of the state's poor air quality from wildfire smoke and ozone pollution created by…

The federal Rural Energy for America Program provides loan guarantees and grants to farmers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. (Adobe Stock)

Report: USDA program helped hundreds of KY businesses become energy efficient

In Kentucky, 462 businesses, farms and schools have received $77 million in federal funding to boost energy efficiency through the U.S. Department of …

The website FundHubWA shows Washingtonians clean energy opportunities, such as electric vehicle rebates. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

With unprecedented climate funding available, WA launches resource hub

Washington state has launched a new website that lets people and organizations know about ways they can fund going green. With resources for clean …

For decades, the fossil fuel industry has been able to slow or prevent policies to reduce climate pollution by laundering false claims and junk science through allied think tanks and media outlets. (Adobe Stock)

Report names donors bankrolling climate change disinformation

As Coloradans deal with record-breaking heat, wildfires, and prolonged drought - linked to a changing climate - a new report shows how American …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates more than one-third of food produced in the U.S. is never eaten, wasting the resources used to produce, process and distribute it. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME tackles food waste in effort to mitigate climate change

A new study found Maine households are a leading contributor of food waste in local landfills, which in turn contributes to climate change. …

A group of Oregon conservation advocates is calling on officials to reinstate a 2021 Climate Protection Program invalidated in 2023 by a state Court of Appeals. (Adobe Stock)

Groups seek reinstatement of Oregon’s Climate Protection Program

A group of Oregon conservation advocates is asking the state's Department of Environmental Quality to restore the provisions of a 2021 Climate Protect…

IEDC reports Indiana ranked third in nation and first in Midwest for utility-scale solar in development in Q2 2024. (Adobe stock)

IN emerges as national leader in clean energy innovation

Indiana is positioning itself as a national leader in clean energy, driving economic growth through innovative projects and significant investments…

Viva Farms leases out parcels of more than 100 acres it operates in the Skagit Valley. (Lena Beck)

WA incubator helps new farmers overcome land access barrier

By Lena Beck for Modern Farmer.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Modern Farmer-Public News Service Col…

Declining monarch butterfly populations are getting help from

Testing the 'butterfly effect' in New Mexico's Bosque

New Mexico volunteers will test the "butterfly effect" this Saturday as they perform small actions meant to produce monumental change. Civic and …

Some 78% of Americans are concerned about rising utility bills, according to a 2024 survey from CNET. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WV regulators dismiss AEP rate hike proposal

A proposed rate hike by American Electric Power that would have affected customers in two dozen West Virginia counties is off the table for now…

Just one-third of Latinos live within walking distance of a park, compared to half of all white Americans who can easily access green spaces. (Adobe Stock)

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates, preserves Colorado's great outdoors

Communities in Colorado and across the U.S. are making time to connect with nature during Hispanic Heritage Month. Hilda Berganza, climate manager …

If Project Maple goes forward, it will be in operation by November 2029. (Adobe Stock)

CT groups urge Gov. Lamont to reject fracked gas pipeline

Connecticut environmental groups want Gov. Ned Lamont to reject a fracked gas pipeline expansion. Their concerns revolve around Enbridge's Project …

A Hispanic Access Foundation poll showed Latinos are extremely concerned about pollution in the Mississippi River and view the presence of microplastics, trash, chemical waste and PFAS, or

Latino voters in AR call on Congress to clean up Mississippi River

Some Latinos in Arkansas were among 400 residents across 10 states polled about the health of the Mississippi River. Both registered Republicans and …

The debate over a new Farm Bill and where to prioritize funding comes as the number of farms declines while farm sizes go up. Experts said it is a symptom of corporate consolidation within agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Future health of WI's farmland monitored in Farm Bill fight

Congress has one week from today to reauthorize a sweeping policy playing a big role in shaping the nation's food production system, and Wisconsin …

Retention basins are artificial ponds often used on farms to manage water and prevent fertilizer and other contaminants from reaching nearby waterways. (Adobe Stock)

Flooded farm fields no longer the norm for some MN producers

Minnesota has had a dry start to the fall but saw record rain this past spring. One farmer said changes to his land made it easier for the crop …

Maine's clean energy sector grew more than three times faster than the state's overall economy between 2016 and 2022 and now employs more than 15,000 people, according to the Governor's Energy Office. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Federal funds, clean energy projects boost ME union workforce

Union workers in Maine say federal funds are helping fuel the state's clean energy transition and offering incentives for young people to stick around…

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Energy Policy found when nonresidential buildings install solar, they can spur other installations in the area. (Rob Rafson)

MI church lets its 'little light shine' with solar power

By Izzy Ross for Grist.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection, reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News …

Reports show states across New England have to upgrade distribution systems to accommodate a peak load in 2050, which will be double what New England historically experienced. (Adobe Stock)

CT governor pauses involvement in multistate offshore wind deal

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is pausing the state's involvement in a multistate offshore wind development deal. Lamont cites the projects' potential …

Hydroelectric turbine runners are being made at Voith Hydro's factory in York, Penn. The company says nearly 450 of its pump turbines have been installed worldwide, with a combined output of more than 60,000 megawatts. (Voith Hydro)<br /><br /><br />

PA hydropower turbine plant uses IRA funding to boost jobs

In Pennsylvania, some former coal communities are transitioning into clean energy hubs with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Pennsylvania …

If Duke Energy has its way, some Hoosiers may soon face higher electric bills. (Adobe Stock)

Duke Energy's proposed rate hike, profits under fire

Duke Energy is facing criticism over its proposed rate hikes of up to 16%, while delaying the retirement of its coal-fired power plants in Indiana…

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is anticipated to save over $350 million annually on electric bills for 900,000 low-income households nationwide and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 million metric tons over five years. (Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe Stock)

Solar power drives change in Ohio’s disadvantaged areas

Ohio's most vulnerable communities are set to benefit from more than $312 million in federal funding aimed at reducing energy costs and promoting envi…

A clean energy industry advocacy report found nonunion workers are often paid less, incur more job-related injuries and receive fewer benefits than unionized employees. (Adobe Stock)

Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry

A new study showed as Texas has emerged as a national leader in wind turbine and solar energy installations, clean energy workers often face …

Florida's new law, House Bill 433, preempts

New OSHA rule aims to protect Florida workers from deadly heat

A new federal proposal to protect workers from extreme heat is being hailed as a potential lifesaver by labor advocates, even as Florida faces …

The Land for Maine's Future program has helped preserve more than 67 miles of shoreline on rivers, lakes and ponds, as well as 42 farms and 9,819 acres of farmland and the conversion of 158 miles of former railroad corridors into recreational trails. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME boosts land conservation projects as climate change alters terrain

Maine officials are stepping up land conservation projects as climate change continues to alter the state's terrain. New funding from the Land for …

Latino Conservation Week, an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation, started in 2014. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week

Latino Conservation Week is in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone. The 11th annual event runs through Sunday…

In July, the U.S. Department of Labor released a proposed workplace heat standard requiring employers to provide rest breaks, water, shade or air conditioning to workers exposed to excessive heat. (Pixabay)

Proposed OSHA heat rule could affect Virginia workers

Labor advocates in Virginia are urging the public to weigh in on new federal protections to safeguard workers from the dangers of extreme heat…

Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Feds ask WY to recalculate cost of proposed West Fork Dam

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …

NV Energy's proposal sought to increase its rate of return to investors from 9.5% to 10.4%. The Public Utilities Commission approved a 9.65% return, according to the Nevada Conservation League. (Adobe Stock)

Utility regulators deny NV Energy rate change for northern NV customers

Nevada leaders and community groups are pleased with this week's decision by state utility regulators to reject NV Energy's request to raise its basic…

Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

MI included in landmark EPA climate investment

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …

A new report finds the Climate Commitment Act will lead to job gains in construction in Washington state. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA's cap-and-invest program could add 45,000 jobs, $9 billion

Washington's clean energy law could bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the state, according to a new report. Greenline Insights' …

A new report shows companies like ExxonMobil, the Hess Foundation and Shell Oil have been large donors to a slew of programs at Columbia University. Some of this funding has buoyed climate and environmental research. (Adobe Stock)

Columbia U. climate research 'biased' by fossil fuel funding

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …

Including the $236 million in federal funding for wildland fire management recently announced for 2025, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested a total of $1 billion to the cause, according to the Department of the Interior. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Wildfire management funding should include community response

This month, the federal government announced funding for next year's wildfire management, totaling $236 million and experts hope threatened …

Inflation Reduction Act funding is helping leading electric cooperatives, which serve one in five rural Americans, to accelerate the adoption of affordable and reliable clean energy, lowering costs for their members. (Adobe Stock)

Tri-State to lower customer energy costs by $400 million over 20 years

Colorado's second-largest electricity provider, the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, projects new federal clean energy funding will …

The electric vehicle stations will have both fast and slow charging ports. (Mike Mareen/Adobe Stock)

EV charging stations coming to NW Arkansas

The Ozark Regional Transit Authority will use a $14.9 million federal grant to build electric vehicle charging stations around northwest Arkansas…

Environmental researchers say locally based-food growers tend to be more conscious about minimizing harmful runoff from their farmland. (Adobe Stock)

WI program serves up fresh produce, with a side of climate benefits

Access to nutritious food can be hard to come by for underserved populations. A Wisconsin program that relies on contributions from locally based …

Data from the Electric School Bus Initiative finds Virginia is one of the top states to own and purchase clean school buses. (Adobe Stock)

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Virginia kids are heading back to school in a more environmentally friendly way. School districts and counties statewide are making the switch to …

In 2017, the country's seafood industry supported 1.7 million jobs and contributed $212 billion in sales, according to NOAA's Office for Coastal Management. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Clamming for workers: ME boosts aquaculture training programs

The University of Maine is helping to train the next generation of skilled aquaculture workers. Designs for a new $10 million Sustainable …

One cow can produce up to 264 pounds of methane every year, and it's estimated that livestock production is responsible for 30% of global anthropogenic methane emissions. (Adobe Stock)

How livestock farming fuels climate change

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - October 11, 2024

2024Talks - October 11, 2024

The Yonder Report - October 10, 2024

Climate Change

NM streets will be quieter, cleaner when USPS electric mail trucks arrive

Where does Harris stand on meat, factory farming?

ME ‘living shorelines’ counter rising sea levels, stronger storms

Diverse coalition opposes WA ballot measure rolling back natural gas transition

CA facilities could turn sewage into tap water, but public acceptance lags

Ohio’s clean-energy surge drives jobs, growth

Report exposes donors funding climate change disinformation in TN

High-tech tools can bust careless oil and gas drillers

More WI resumes could soon include climate work history

Study: Wildfire burn areas see faster snowpack melts, disrupt water resources

Spikes in emergency visits during CO bad air days cost $1.14 billion in 2019

Report: USDA program helped hundreds of KY businesses become energy efficient

With unprecedented climate funding available, WA launches resource hub

Report names donors bankrolling climate change disinformation

ME tackles food waste in effort to mitigate climate change

Groups seek reinstatement of Oregon’s Climate Protection Program

IN emerges as national leader in clean energy innovation

WA incubator helps new farmers overcome land access barrier

Testing the 'butterfly effect' in New Mexico's Bosque

WV regulators dismiss AEP rate hike proposal

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates, preserves Colorado's great outdoors

CT groups urge Gov. Lamont to reject fracked gas pipeline

Latino voters in AR call on Congress to clean up Mississippi River

Future health of WI's farmland monitored in Farm Bill fight

Flooded farm fields no longer the norm for some MN producers

Federal funds, clean energy projects boost ME union workforce

MI church lets its 'little light shine' with solar power

CT governor pauses involvement in multistate offshore wind deal

PA hydropower turbine plant uses IRA funding to boost jobs

Duke Energy's proposed rate hike, profits under fire

Solar power drives change in Ohio’s disadvantaged areas

Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry

New OSHA rule aims to protect Florida workers from deadly heat

ME boosts land conservation projects as climate change alters terrain

Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week

Proposed OSHA heat rule could affect Virginia workers

Feds ask WY to recalculate cost of proposed West Fork Dam

Utility regulators deny NV Energy rate change for northern NV customers

MI included in landmark EPA climate investment

Report: WA's cap-and-invest program could add 45,000 jobs, $9 billion

Columbia U. climate research 'biased' by fossil fuel funding

Experts: Wildfire management funding should include community response

Tri-State to lower customer energy costs by $400 million over 20 years

EV charging stations coming to NW Arkansas

WI program serves up fresh produce, with a side of climate benefits

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Clamming for workers: ME boosts aquaculture training programs

How livestock farming fuels climate change