Citizen Health & Safety

Factory Farms Take Federal Money, Refuse Disclosure of Pollution

May 4, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced plans to expand a program with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that uses tax money to help factory farms capture their methane pollution and burn it for energy. Before EPA and USDA spend more money on factory farms, the very least these facilities can do is agree to tell us how much they are polluting. Big Agriculture has successfully fought an attempt to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from these large factories, known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). With these giant livestock operations in position to reap financial rewards from climate change policies, the public needs to know what they are emitting in order to measure progress and ensure accountability.

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EPA Announces Coal Ash Proposal

May 4, 2010 by Matthew Madia

After a long and politically controversial review, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today a proposal to regulate coal ash.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Agencies Set Rulemaking Agendas

Unified Agenda On April 26, federal agencies published their updated rulemaking agendas outlining past, present, and future regulations. The agendas provide insight into the Obama administration's plans and expectations in the coming months.




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Pollution and Justice 101

Apr 30, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be conducting a webinar to instruct the public on how to use the pollution information in the agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to support environmental justice efforts. In addition to teaching the basics about TRI, the webinar will feature real life examples of how communities have used TRI to address environmental justice concerns. We have encouraged EPA to reach out to the public and publicize the data and tools the agency provides; this webinar is an excellent opportunity for any citizen or public interest group to learn about a very valuable advocacy tool at their disposal.

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Obama on Oil Rigs: Who Knew These Things Could Leak?

Apr 30, 2010 by Matthew Madia

President Obama is backing away from earlier plans to permit new offshore drilling amid growing concerns that oil spilling from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico will soon reach the Louisiana coast, exacting serious environmental damage.

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Labor Pushing Proactive Agenda during a Dark Time for Workers

Apr 29, 2010 by Matthew Madia

It doesn’t seem like a very safe time to be an American worker. Yesterday was Workers Memorial Day, and the news is filled with stories about why such a day is necessary. Seth Harris, Deputy Secretary of the Labor Department, called it a “somber time” in an event today at the Center for American Progress.

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Meat and Poultry Agency Struggles without Leader

Apr 28, 2010 by Matthew Madia

Without a Senate-confirmed head, rulemaking at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has ground to a halt. FSIS, the agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, made progress on only one significant regulation in the past six months, according to the semiannual Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions published Monday.

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Coal Ash Rule Still on Track?

Apr 26, 2010 by Matthew Madia

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency still plans to issue a proposal for the regulation of coal ash in the coming weeks, according to the agency’s most recent regulatory agenda.

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FDA Reviewing Policy for Conflicts on Advisory Panels

Apr 23, 2010 by Matthew Madia

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tweaking the way it treats advisory committee members who have financial conflicts of interest. FDA will require more detailed information on the financial interests of members who have been granted waivers to serve on committees despite a potential conflict, according to draft guidance released Wednesday.

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Clean Air Means Big Benefits for the Economy Too

Apr 21, 2010 by Matthew Madia

A new report under development at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the public benefits of clean air standards far outweigh the costs of compliance. The report estimates that regulation under the Clean Air Act benefits the economy to the tune of $175 billion per year since 1990, BNA news service (subscription) reports. Controls cost regulated industries $45 billion per year.

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