"Thirteen States Sue Over EPA Methane Rule"
"More than a dozen states have sued the Obama administration over a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to limit methane emissions at oil and natural gas sites."
Source: The Hill, 08/04/2016
Laws & Regulations
Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact
Previously secret information about the safety and environmental impact of Enbridge pipeline operations was released in July as a result of efforts by journalist Mike De Souza (pictured), managing editor of the National Observer, and an independent Canadian government watchdog.
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Secret Sugar Can Claim "Confidentiality" in Food Recall
Consumers learned in late July of a "voluntary" recall of some processed food products due to possible metal fragments in sugar used to make them. The source of the contaminated sugar remains unknown, because federal law protects "trade secrets" — putting protection of companies above protection of the public. Image: © Clipart.com.
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Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All?
Journalists are sometimes competitive — and even secretive about the exclusive "scoops" they may be working on, lest their competitors beat them to publication. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is conducting a survey to get journalists' opinions on the Obama admin's proposed release-to-one-release-to-all policy.
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House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs
Transparency is at the core of an escalating confrontation between House Republicans and some state Attorney Generals over Exxon's support for climate change denial. The AGs in July defied a subpoena from the House Science Committee, chaired by Lamar Smith (R-TX, pictured).
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"Enforcement: In Texas, Wastewater Spills Get Less Scrutiny"
"In Texas, there were more than 2,700 spills at oil and gas sites last year. But the state tracked only about half of those."
Source: EnergyWire, 08/03/2016
"EPA Warns Automakers of Even Steeper U.S. Fuel-Economy Goals"
"The auto industry will need to step up introduction of fuel-saving technology to help the U.S. meet aggressive goals to combat climate change despite manufacturers’ requests for relief from existing rules, the Environmental Protection Agency’s top transportation official said."
Source: Bloomberg, 08/03/2016
"Prosecutors in PG&E Case Abruptly Reduce Potential Fines"
"Abruptly and without explanation, federal prosecutors slashed potential criminal penalties for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. from $562 million to $6 million Tuesday while a jury was considering whether the company violated safety laws both before and after the lethal 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 08/03/2016
Japan, South Korea Block U.S. Wheat Varieties Over GMO Concerns: USDA
"Japan and South Korea have both taken steps to block certain imports of U.S. wheat after unapproved genetically-modified (GMO) plants from Monsanto Co seeds were found growing in Washington state, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Monday."
Source: Reuters, 08/02/2016
"How Monsanto And Scofflaw Farmers Hurt Soybeans In Arkansas"
"When Tom Barber, a scientist at the University of Arkansas who studies weeds, drives the country roads of eastern Arkansas this summer, his trained eye can spot the damage: soybean leaves contorted into cup-like shapes."
Source: NPR, 08/02/2016
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