Earthjustice Press Releases

American Electric Power Pulls Billion Dollar Big Sandy Request

Kari Birdseye — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:29:17 +0000

Kentuckians no longer facing 30% bill increase to clean up coal plant

Today, Kentucky Power, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, notified the Public Service Commission that it will withdraw its application to install clean air controls on their Big Sandy coal fired power plant in Louisa, Kentucky. Big Sandy, a major emitter of multiple forms of air pollution, needs to be retrofit in order to meet critical clean air safeguards. Until today, American Electric Power was planning to sink over a billion dollars into new scrubbers on the plant.

Landmark Gas Drilling Court Case Against Upstate New York Town Advances

Shirley Hao — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:27:27 +0000

Case pits small town's rights against out-of-state gas company's wishes

An oil and gas company is scheduled to file briefs today in its lawsuit against a small town in upstate New York fighting to preserve its way of life.

The brief is expected to outline why the privately-held Anschutz Exploration Corporation, owned by billionaire Phillip Anschutz (estimated net worth: $7.5 billion), thinks it should be allowed to overrule the zoning laws limiting industrial gas development in the Town of Dryden (population: 14,000).

Nasty Green Slime Covers North-Central Florida’s Santa Fe River Due to Pollution

Jared Saylor — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:57:08 +0000

Health authorities urge people to keep out of the water—just in time for Memorial Day weekend

Boaters, anglers and swimmers heading to the spring-fed Santa Fe River near Gainesville for the Memorial Day weekend are in for a rude surprise—pollution from sewage, manure and fertilizer has sparked an outbreak of nasty green slime. Local health authorities are recommending that no one swim, fish, or drink water near the outbreak.

Public Health Groups Move to Enter Fight Over Toxic Chemical

Kari Birdseye — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:46:28 +0000

Oppose industry challenge to listing styrene as potential carcinogen; Public’s right to know government health findings under attack

One of the largest labor organizations in the U.S., a leading environmental advocacy group, and one of the top physicians in occupational medicine filed legal papers late Friday aimed at making sure government can alert the American public to the potential dangers of styrene, a chemical used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, as well as boats, cars, bathtubs and products made with rubber, such as tires and conveyer belts.

Revised EPA Storm Water Permit Will Ensure District Will Meet Clean Water Goals

Raviya Ismail — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:29:50 +0000

Requires pollution reduction for Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek

Clean water advocates reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over a clean water permit for Washington, D.C. that will require the city to develop a plan for reducing its discharges of polluted stormwater to clean up local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

Feds Turn Down Permit for Flaming Gorge Pipeline

John McManus — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:21:22 +0000

Threat to Green River gone for now

Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) closed the door on what will hopefully be the last attempt to permit the Flaming Gorge Pipeline. FERC denied a request for rehearing from Aaron Million’s company, Wyco Power and Water, Inc.—an attempted “do-over” on FERC’s earlier denial of a preliminary permit. The Colorado developer has spent several years, and a claimed $5 million, attempting to launch this ill-conceived boondoggle.

Arctic Oil Drilling to Pump Pollution into Pristine Skies

Kari Birdseye — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:25:30 +0000

Groups file lawsuit challenging EPA air pollution permit for Shell Oil

A day after more than 1 million people urged President Barack Obama to reject plans to drill in the Arctic Ocean this summer, a coalition of groups today filed a lawsuit in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution discharge permit for Shell’s Kulluk offshore drilling unit and associated fleet of vessels for use in the Beaufort Sea.

EPA Strongly Defends Its Veto of One of Largest Mountaintop Removal Mines Ever Proposed

Liz Judge — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:28:02 +0000

Agency files appeal to persevere in protection of Appalachian waters, communities

On Friday afternoon, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a notice that it is appealing the U.S. District Court decision that overturned the agency’s veto under the Clean Water Act of the extremely destructive Spruce No. 1 mine, one of the nation’s largest proposed mountaintop removal coal mines. The appeal will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Groups Seek Faster Schedule for EPA Soot Rule

Brian Smith — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:23:27 +0000

35,000 lives a year at stake

The American Lung Association and National Parks Conservation Association today requested the federal court to order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comply with the Clean Air Act and complete the overdue review of the air pollution health standard for particulate matter also known as soot. Earthjustice filed the action on behalf of the two organizations.

New Ad: Cleaner Air Isn't Just Good For Our Lungs; It's Good For Our Economy

Shirley Hao — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:03:02 +0000

Seven-figure TV/cable ad buy supports EPA clean air standards and highlights economic benefits of limiting industrial air pollution

If politicians in Washington know that protecting the air we breathe not only protects people and wildlife, but also helps spur our economy, then why are they trying to gut Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean air standards?