~ Newly-approved bills will protect water quality by removing over 27 million cubic yards of coal ash from unlined ponds in Chesapeake Bay Watershed ~ RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam has signed legislation to clean up more than 27 million cubic yards of coal ash from unlined ponds in Virginia, after a historic bipartisan agreement that was … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Environment
NSU gets private tour of Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise
by Kaitlyn M. Wolodkewitsch On Friday, Oct. 20, crew members from the Greenpeace Ship Arctic Sunrise gave a group of Norfolk State University students and faculty a private tour of the ship explaining their mission and their goals, as well as showing what everyday life is like on the Arctic Sunrise. Greenpeace ships travel the world peacefully … Continue reading
Norfolk seeks citizen input on “green infrastructure” plan
The City of Norfolk is developing a new ‘green infrastructure’ plan. Come learn about Norfolk’s tree canopy, how to better protect the City from storms, reduce flooding, restore habitats and provide more recreation access. Do you want: Less flooding and clean water? Access to fishing and boating? Safer streets and cleaner air? Attractive neighborhoods? Thriving … Continue reading
Trump budget slashes money of clean air and water programs
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump Administration budget released Tuesday slashes funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by nearly one-third, laying off thousands of employees while imposing dramatic cuts to clean air and water programs. The White House’s proposed spending plan for the EPA amounts to $5.6 billion, a 31 percent cut from the current budget … Continue reading
Chicago lawmaker proposes cracking down on Pokemon Go sites
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Invasive weeds have long threatened to erode dunes on a portion of the Chicago lakefront, but the area recently had to contend with a virtual invasion: “Pokemon Go” characters. The game sends players into the real world in search of digital monsters that appear on smartphone screens to be caught, and … Continue reading
Feds: EPA fails to protect water from oilfield contamination
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is failing in its mandate to protect underground drinking water reserves from oilfield contamination, according to a federal review singling out lax EPA oversight in California, where the state routinely allowed oil companies to dump wastewater into some drinking water aquifers. The U.S. Government Accountability Office … Continue reading
States reliant on fossil fuels sue over new clean air rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — States and industry groups dependent on fossil fuels are lining up to file court challenges to President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A flurry of lawsuits was expected Friday at U.S. Court of Appeals as the Environmental Protection Agency published the final version of the new … Continue reading
EPA sets new ozone standard, disappointing all sides
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Thursday established stricter limits on the smog-causing pollution linked to asthma and respiratory illness, drawing swift condemnation from business leaders and Republicans who warned of damage to the economy. The Environmental Protection Agency said the new standard of 70 parts per billion will reduce exposure to dangerous ozone … Continue reading
More coastal nuisance flooding forecast for coming months
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal scientists said Wednesday they expect nuisance flooding to increase in many places along the nation’s coasts in coming months. A combination of sea level rise from human caused global warming and the giant El Nino will likely combine to increase the type of minor street flooding that causes much inconvenience but … Continue reading
New York City aims to cut its waste by 90 percent by 2030
NEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s biggest city, in a far-reaching effort to limit its impact on the environment, is set to mark Earth Day by announcing a plan to reduce its waste output by 90 percent by 2030. The plan includes an overhaul of the city’s recycling program, incentives to reduce waste and … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 