Stay informed

In a new report released by Environmental Defense Fund, scientists found that fine particle pollution, primarily generated by burning fossil fuels, is especially rampant — and deadly — in Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities. But there is a way for all of us to breathe easier. The Environmental Protection Agency could tighten its standard.

In a new report released by EDF, scientists found that fine particle pollution, primarily generated by burning fossil fuels, is especially rampant — and deadly — in Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities. But there is a way for all of us to breathe easier. The Environmental Protection Agency could tighten its standard.

An expert from Environmental Defense Fund testified to stress the importance that EPA provides full, lasting, and durable effect to two California rules that that will help put more zero-emitting freight trucks and buses on our roads, protect people from unhealthy pollution, and create thousands of new jobs.

EDF “Strongly Supports” Proposal to Strengthen Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, Protect Millions from Smog-Forming Coal-Plant Smokestack Pollution

This blog is co-authored by Taylor Bacon, Analyst, US Clean Air and Climate; Maria Harris, Senior Scientist; and Mindi DePaola, Program Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist. A new EDF report finds that strengthening federal protections for fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) to 8 µg/m3 will have large health benefits and reduce air pollution-related health …

EDF’s new Air Tracker tool allows us to better understand how local air pollution behaves, illuminating the path it takes from a likely source area. Because this tool allows us to look backwards at where pollution likely originated, it shifts the focus, putting communities and people first. Developing it required a shift in thinking.  Most …

Air Tracker is a new web-based tool that allows users to plot the likely path of air pollution 

REPORT: For Senior Populations, Black Americans Are Three Times More Likely to Die from Exposure to Particle Pollution Than White Americans

Truck pollution causes asthma in young children. Community groups like South Ward Environmental Action in Newark, New Jersey, are fighting for clean air and clean economic development. EDF is supporting their efforts. 

Truck pollution causes asthma in young children. Community groups like South Ward Environmental Action in Newark, New Jersey, are fighting for clean air and clean economic development. EDF is supporting their efforts.

Most Americans hadn’t thought about the importance of ports until pandemic-driven disruptions in the global supply chain created delays and uncertainty about the delivery of the goods we count on in our homes, schools, businesses and beyond. But people who live in the communities near ports, where last century’s fossil fuel-powered equipment belches out harmful …

Jennifer Hadayia is the Executive Director of Air Alliance Houston, a nonprofit advocacy organization working to reduce the public health impacts from air pollution and advance environmental justice. With nearly 25 years of public health experience, Jennifer leads AAH’s mission and strategies, which include equity-centered research, community-based education and collaborative advocacy.     How did …

EDF Urges EPA to “Substantially Strengthen” Proposed Emissions Standards for New Commercial Trucks and Buses

“50 Years is Enough!” That was the theme at this year’s 8th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Climate Change Conference in New Orleans. 50 years of indiscriminate toxic dumping, 50 years of hazardous waste sites in frontline communities, 50 years of land-use decisions that harm communities of color – enough! It’s a searing …

By Erin Murphy and Joe von Fischer New peer-reviewed research reveals neighborhoods with more people of color and lower household income tended to have more gas leaks. Because natural gas is composed primarily of methane, leaks are a source of climate pollution as well as a health and safety hazard and nuisance to nearby communities.

Toxic pollution from Suncor oil refinery in Colorado exceeded permitted limits more than 500 times in two years

In a major milestone for environmental justice advocates, the EPA has questioned Colorado state over permits issued to the Suncor oil refinery which has been exceeding toxic pollution limits for years.

Big Gaps in Air Monitoring  Air quality in the U.S. has improved tremendously over the last 50 years thanks to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970, but not all neighborhoods have benefited from these improvements. The law mandated the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and to determine …

The Bond Act would fund $1.1 billion in restoration and flood risk reduction projects, such as restoring wetlands, benefitting both communities and nature. The post Environmental bond gives New York a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fund a more climate resilient future. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Supreme Court Should Deny Request to Reinstate a Ban on Use of the Best Available Science about the Costs of Climate Damage

Photos from the EPA archive show how much the US has changed since the agency was established

Lawsuit Would Compel the Environmental Protection Agency to Enforce Air Pollution Law

EDF Joins Broad Coalition to Support EPA’s Proposal about the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy This week Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) filed comments on EPA’s plan to assess the risks to frontline communities from nearby releases of chemicals to the air and water. The EPA’s proposal is an improvement from the previous administration, which failed to follow the requirements of the Toxic Substances Control …

A coalition formally petitioned the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission to consider an Advanced Clean Trucks rule and a low NOx rule this spring.