Climate Change/Air Quality / Public News Service

The temporary permitting process at Hobbs State Park includes specific collection zones, boundaries and safety requirements. Only dead trees impacted by the 2024 storm may be removed. (Kit Leong/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Firewood permits available for Arkansas' Hobbs Park

As the cleanup effort continues at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area in Rogers, officials with Arkansas State Parks have authorized a temporary …

The E-Wolf is the state's first zero-emission ferry, operating out of San Diego. (Pacific Environment)

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

During World Oceans Month, California leads the way in clean shipping

June is World Oceans Month and California environmental groups are highlighting advances in zero-emission shipping. International shipping emits …

Buried food and yard waste break down without oxygen and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas (likstudio/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

County leader working to change the way Michigan handles trash

By Nina Misuraca Ignaczak for Planet Detroit.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection for the Planet Detroit-Public News Servi…

It is estimated 250,000 workers in New Mexico will endure the summer without any protection rules from heat Illness or injury. (RCP/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Another summer without heat-protection rules for NM's outdoor workers

A New Mexico coalition is stressing an urgent need for the state to adopt the strongest possible heat risk standards for indoor and outdoor workers…

A new study found 21 million Americans are considered

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Monday, June 9, 2025

Study: Hispanic and Black gasoline 'superusers' could see savings with an EV

A new study showed the top 10% of drivers by gas consumption, otherwise known as "superusers," use 35% of the gas supply. It found the cost of gas …

According to the US Energy Information Administration, Michigan ranks 10th among the states in total population and total energy consumption. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 9, 2025

Expert: Michiganders could pay millions to support outdated coal plant

Michigan taxpayers may end up footing the bill to keep an aging coal plant open. The J.H. Campbell plant was scheduled to close on May 31, but a …

Nearly 150 of New Mexico's 500 bird species are in need of conservation, according to the draft 2025 New Mexico State Wildlife Action Plan. (spatesphoto/Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 9, 2025

Final day to comment on NM's State Wildlife Action Plan

New Mexico residents have until the end of today to comment on a draft of the new State Wildlife Action Plan. It identifies more than 500 species …

While not traditionally considered part of

Monday, June 9, 2025

MO nonprofits give financial boost to tornado-ravaged communities

Missouri Foundation for Health and its partners are putting $500,000 toward tornado recovery, boosting local relief efforts after storms devastated …

Ohio imposes a $200 annual registration fee on electric vehicles, exceeding the standard fee for gasoline-powered cars. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 9, 2025

Ohio EV fans concerned as federal tax credits face elimination

One thing prompting some Ohioans to make the switch to an electric vehicle has been a $7,500 federal tax credit for the purchase but it might be going…

Small businesses line Main Street in downtown Whitesburg, Ky. (Adobe Stock)

Disaster recovery workshops slated for eastern KY small business owners

As eastern Kentucky communities attempt to bounce back from a string of natural disasters, more small businesses are struggling to get back on their …

In Pennsylvania, federal Inflation Reduction Act investments allow homeowners to get a 30% tax credit for installing cleaner energy systems like rooftop solar, wind, geothermal or battery storage. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

PA groups urge Senate to protect clean energy tax incentives

Pennsylvania's U.S. Senators are being asked to do what they can to safeguard federal clean energy tax credits, which are on the chopping block in …

An aerial view shows the Mississippi River as it snakes through farmlands in Louisiana. The group American Rivers has just named it the nation's

Mississippi River tops 'most endangered' list amid FEMA uncertainty

The Mississippi River tops a new list of America's most endangered rivers, in part because federal officials propose shifting flood disaster costs to …

The average cost for a gallon of regular gas is about $3 in Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Blacks, Latinos disproportionately burdened by gas costs

As federal electric vehicle incentives face potential rollbacks, a new study is highlighting the burden of gasoline costs on Black and Latino drivers …

There are currently some 15,000 producing oil and gas wells in Weld County, not counting shut-in wells and temporarily plugged and abandoned wells. (Adobe Stock)

New alert system brings oil and gas spill data directly to Colorado residents

Over the past 12 months, 884 oil and gas spills were reported near homes in Greeley, Fort Lupton, Kersey, La Salle and Platteville, according to …

Landfill regulations are managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In Harris County, 78% of the methane emissions come from three privately owned landfills over which the city has no jurisdiction. (rob245/Adobe Stock)

Houston officials look at options for growing trash problem

By Elena Bruess for Houston Landing.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Houston Landing/MIT Climate Change Engage…

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which allocated $57 million for electric vehicle charging stations in Colorado, aims to build out stations every 50 miles on major corridors across all 50 states. (Adobe Stock)

Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' sets sights on clean energy in Colorado

As the U.S. Senate considers President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" recently passed by the House, clean energy advocates are sounding the …

In 2023, several Midwestern states saw prolonged stretches of unhealthy air due to smoke blowing in from Canadian wildfires. A similar pattern has emerged this spring. (Adobe Stock)

With return of wildfire smoke, ND residents in tune with air quality

If they have not already, North Dakotans are urged to become familiar with an online tool detailing air quality in their area, as environmental …

Workers are entitled to 32 ounces of cool drinking water per hour and 15 minutes of rest every hour in the most extreme heat indexes above 100 degrees. (Adobe Stock)

New Maryland heat standards aim to protect summer workers

As the hot summer months begin, Maryland workers will operate on new standards to protect them from extreme heat. The heat standards took effect in …

When asked who should be doing more to adapt to changing water resources, the top response from Wyoming residents surveyed was industries in the state, followed by local and state government officials. (T. Schofield/Adobe Stock)

Survey: 81% of Wyomingites think state should plan for water supply shifts

Wyomingites are split on what is causing climate change, but 86% of residents in the state agree it is happening, according to a new survey. Kristen …

Thomas Hochman says the federal government has not clearly defined what counts as

Fast-track energy plan could bypass rural IN

Indiana's rural communities could lose out under a new federal bill aimed at speeding up clean energy development. What Republicans are calling the …

The U.S. biogas industry grew quickly in 2023, adding 96 new projects, reaching a total of more than 2,251 active sites. (Wolfgang Jargstorff/Adobe Stock)

Battle brews in Michigan over methane deregulation bills

More than 20 groups are urging Michigan lawmakers to reject two bills they say would turn the state's farmland and rural towns into dumping grounds fo…

TX family transitions from growing chickens to growing hemp

An east Texas farming family is reaping the benefits after transitioning from industrial chicken farming to growing hemp. For 30 years, the Halley …

As part of 2021's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress allocated $4.7 billion for plugging orphaned oil and gas wells nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WV law changes standards for plugging abandoned oil wells

There are more than 20,000 abandoned oil and gas wells scattered across West Virginia, putting communities at risk for water contamination and …

In 2004, British Petroleum introduced the carbon calculator, reframing the climate crisis as a matter of personal responsibility, according to reporting from The Guardian. (Adobe Stock)

New climate change research: People can't fight it alone

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service C…

In recent years, New Mexico has offered tax credits and rebates for the purchase of elective vehicles. (AndriiYalanskyi/AdobeStock)

Federal tax credits for NM's EV owners face elimination

Supporters of electric vehicles in New Mexico cite a number of advantages to owning one, but 2026 budget negotiations underway in Washington include …

The 2025 Florida hurricane season, from June 1 to Nov. 30, is predicted to be above average with 17 named storms. (Adobe Stock)

FL emergency managers prep for hurricane season amid FEMA uncertainty

As Florida emergency response officials conduct their annual statewide hurricane preparedness exercise this week, emergency managers are grappling …

In 2022, U.S. subsidies for fossil-fuel companies totaled $757 billion, according to the International Monetary Fund. The figure included uncompensated costs of negative health effects and environmental degradation. (Adobe Stock)

IRA cuts would remove $1.58 billion from two Republican-led CO districts

Congress is set to claw back $6.5 billion in climate-related Inflation Reduction Act investments to help pay for the Trump administration's priorities…

South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation posted on Facebook its Somerset facilities

Tornado strikes Kentucky, leaving at least 18 dead

After a devastating tornado ripped through southeastern Kentucky last Friday and Saturday, Gov. Andy Beshear asked for a federal disaster declaration …

The district level mapping tool shows how farmers and ranchers in every state have benefited from the voluntary Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. (kegfire/Adobe Stock)

AR farmers, ranchers tout benefits of federal conservation programs

A new poll shows Arkansas farmers and ranchers believe they benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

The Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative compared and evaluated 22 on-farm interventions, 12 of which were nature-based and 10 tech-based, and found the nature-based solutions provided superior results. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Investment group touts nature-based agriculture solutions to climate change

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborati…

Among species protected under the Endangered Species Act, 99% have been saved from extinction, including the bald eagle. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado celebrates Endangered Species Day

Today is Endangered Species Day and people in Colorado and across the nation are celebrating successful efforts to save bald eagles, brown pelicans…

A National Wildlife Federation poll showed Texas producers support increased funding for a voluntary, incentive-based program to help farmers and ranchers conserve grasslands. (cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

TX farmers and ranchers benefit from federal conservation funds

A recent poll by the National Wildlife Federation showed Texas farmers and ranchers benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S…

A global survey of 130,000 people across 125 countries found 89% said their government should do more to fight climate change. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Survey: Vast majorities in VA, across globe back climate action

Nine in 10 people in Virginia and across the globe are worried about climate change and want governments to do something about it, according to a new …

The Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget would eliminate $1.3 billion in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grants and research, targeting climate and education programs. (Monica/Adobe Stock)<br />

Trump's proposed budget threatens Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts in PA

Environmental advocates have warned President Donald Trump's proposed budget could cripple restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Federal agencies have …

Around 67% of Ohio adults support stricter carbon limits on coal plants but congressional staffers underestimate public support by up to 50 percentage points. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Why many in Ohio stay silent on shared climate worries

Most Ohioans, like people across the globe, are concerned about climate change but think others around them are not. The revelation comes from a new …

Alfalfa farms consumed a third of Colorado's entire Colorado River allocation in 2024, enough to supply the city of Denver for 38 years. (Adobe Stock)

More than 2 trillion gallons of Colorado River water tapped by alfalfa farms in 2024

As Colorado and other Basin states relying on the shrinking Colorado River work to reduce water use, new data showed just how much water is helping …

Along with bamboo, plastic alternatives are biodegradable and can be made from vegetable fats and oils, cornstarch, straw, woodchips, sawdust and recycled food waste. (Jaimie/Adobe Stock)

Tariffs hit OR plastic alternatives market

Tariffs are disrupting supply chains from China, making it harder for reusable alternatives to compete with single-use plastics. Jeffrey Delkin…

Coal plants in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia could release more than 138 million additional tons of CO2 if federal greenhouse gas limits are repealed, according to the Sierra Club. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's Gavin coal plant among top polluters in new mapping tool

A new Sierra Club dashboard highlighted how Southeastern Ohio coal plants could face sharp increases in pollution if several federal environmental rul…

The Environmental Protection Agency said it will roll back 31 environmental rules including a scientific finding which has long been the central basis for U.S. actions against climate change. (Simon/Adobe Stock)

New dashboard shows effects of possible EPA rollbacks on TX environment

A new mapping tool from the Sierra Club showed how proposed rollbacks on coal-pollution safeguards could affect the Texas environment. The Trump …

New Mexico's snowpack is significantly below normal for this time of year, with levels at 36% across the state. (Photo courtesy Isabelle Jenniches)

NM groups work to improve soil health, mitigate effects of changing climate

New Mexico's decades-long drought combined with climate change have more farmers and ranchers embracing the six healthy soil principles, tailoring …

Nevadans could save 16% on their utility bills by 2035 by pursuing cost-saving energy-efficiency measures, according to the National Renewable Energy Lab. (Scott Habermann/Adobe Stock)

New website helps Nevadans find help saving on energy costs

Nevada clean-energy proponents have launched a new website to help connect Nevadans to energy and cost-saving programs. One of the nonprofits behind …

A hunter stands in the Minnesota Heritage Forest Project area, which is protected from heavy industrial use under a new land deal covering nine counties. (Photo courtesy of Jay Brittain)

Mighty Mississippi in MN gets extra shield thanks to land deal

The Mississippi River is the drinking water source for 20 million people and its starting point in northern Minnesota has new protections following co…

Climate change is causing significant degradation to the Mississippi River ecosystem, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Office of Great Waters. (mellz1995/Pixabay)

Does climate change 'perception gap' silence action in Mississippi?

New research suggests Mississippians may be experiencing the same climate-change perception gap found across the globe - when people underestimate how…

A global survey of 130,000 people across 125 countries found that 89% say their government should do more to fight climate change. (Adobe Stock)

9 in 10 surveyed in CO, across globe back climate action

Nine in ten people in Colorado and across the globe are worried about climate change and want governments to do something about it, according to a …

In 2022, the average annual amount of electricity purchased by residential customers in the U.S. was 10,791 kilowatt hours, an average of about 899 kilowatt hours per month, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)<br />

West Virginia’s electricity prices could rise amid push for coal

Over the past 15 years, West Virginians have been shelling out more of their income each month on electricity bills. Now, as lawmakers continue to …

The American Lung Association reports more than 2.6 million Ohioans, including over 600,000 children and 500,000 people with asthma, are at higher risk from air pollution exposure. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio cities brace for impact of federal EV rollback proposals

As air pollution levels rise in parts of Ohio, new federal proposals could roll back protections that limit emissions from gas-powered vehicles…

The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act included tax credits and incentives to promote electric vehicle adoption in New Mexico. (See Less/Adobe Stock)

U.S. veterans who hold elective office want environmental investments restored

A bipartisan group of current and former elected officials said the continued use of fossil fuels threatens global security and they want funding for …

The nonprofit Elected Officials to Protect America is holding a two-day Energy Security Summit this week in Washington D.C. (Benjamin Wong)

CA elected officials, advocates decry proposed cuts to climate programs

Elected officials spoke out Tuesday at an energy security summit in Washington D.C., calling on Congress to protect federal climate investments and …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - June 12, 2025

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Climate Change

Firewood permits available for Arkansas' Hobbs Park

During World Oceans Month, California leads the way in clean shipping

County leader working to change the way Michigan handles trash

Another summer without heat-protection rules for NM's outdoor workers

Study: Hispanic and Black gasoline 'superusers' could see savings with an EV

Expert: Michiganders could pay millions to support outdated coal plant

Final day to comment on NM's State Wildlife Action Plan

MO nonprofits give financial boost to tornado-ravaged communities

Ohio EV fans concerned as federal tax credits face elimination

Disaster recovery workshops slated for eastern KY small business owners

PA groups urge Senate to protect clean energy tax incentives

Mississippi River tops 'most endangered' list amid FEMA uncertainty

Study: Blacks, Latinos disproportionately burdened by gas costs

New alert system brings oil and gas spill data directly to Colorado residents

Houston officials look at options for growing trash problem

Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' sets sights on clean energy in Colorado

With return of wildfire smoke, ND residents in tune with air quality

New Maryland heat standards aim to protect summer workers

Survey: 81% of Wyomingites think state should plan for water supply shifts

Fast-track energy plan could bypass rural IN

Battle brews in Michigan over methane deregulation bills

TX family transitions from growing chickens to growing hemp

WV law changes standards for plugging abandoned oil wells

New climate change research: People can't fight it alone

Federal tax credits for NM's EV owners face elimination

FL emergency managers prep for hurricane season amid FEMA uncertainty

IRA cuts would remove $1.58 billion from two Republican-led CO districts

Tornado strikes Kentucky, leaving at least 18 dead

AR farmers, ranchers tout benefits of federal conservation programs

Investment group touts nature-based agriculture solutions to climate change

Colorado celebrates Endangered Species Day

TX farmers and ranchers benefit from federal conservation funds

Survey: Vast majorities in VA, across globe back climate action

Trump's proposed budget threatens Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts in PA

Why many in Ohio stay silent on shared climate worries

More than 2 trillion gallons of Colorado River water tapped by alfalfa farms in 2024

Tariffs hit OR plastic alternatives market

Ohio's Gavin coal plant among top polluters in new mapping tool

New dashboard shows effects of possible EPA rollbacks on TX environment

NM groups work to improve soil health, mitigate effects of changing climate

New website helps Nevadans find help saving on energy costs

Mighty Mississippi in MN gets extra shield thanks to land deal

Does climate change 'perception gap' silence action in Mississippi?

9 in 10 surveyed in CO, across globe back climate action

West Virginia’s electricity prices could rise amid push for coal

Ohio cities brace for impact of federal EV rollback proposals

U.S. veterans who hold elective office want environmental investments restored

CA elected officials, advocates decry proposed cuts to climate programs