Page 8 - Working Lands News Today

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing tougher air-quality standards for soot pollution, and an Arkansas clean-air advocacy group says its a step in the right direction. Soot is fine particulate matter from power plants, vehicles and refineries, and the EPA wants to revise its National Ambient Air Quality Standards for soot. Glen Hooks, policy manager for the group Audubon Delta, said the EPA proposal would reduce the maximum allowable amount of this type of pollution from 12 microgr...

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to stop developers of the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine in Northern Nevada while an appeal by conservation groups is being considered. The groups said theyre disappointed with the decision, as they hoped filing an emergency motion with the court would stop the development - at least, until their appeal could be heard. But the court gave mine developers the green light to proceed. ...

New York lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban radioactive waste from being discharged from the Indian Point Energy Center. This comes as the facilitys owner, Holtec International, is considering dumping treated - but still radioactive - waste into the Hudson River. The river has a history of pollutants being dumped into it, and some 200 river miles are classified as a superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency. ...

The first year of the state’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 was marked by billions being pledged on facilities to help the state meet that goal. But there still is a lot of work to be done.

Now is the best time yet to ratchet up spending on natural resources.

On Friday, Jan. 20, Gov. Phil Scott outlined budget policy initiatives for this legislative session.

Gov. Phil Scott delivered his 2023 Budget Address from Montpelier on Friday, Jan. 20. The transcript was provided by the governors office.

His departure is effective January 1, 2023 — his 60th birthday.

Sixteen projects will increase pollinator habitat and boost conservation efforts...

When Damaris and Mel Hall started selling samosas at Vermont street festivals in 1993, they made 30 at a time. Damaris, a trained chef from...