Public News Service

As federal lawmakers move forward with proposed environmental protection rollbacks, advocates are sounding the alarm and requesting additional time for public feedback. One proposal would repeal a Biden-era rule regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency previously found the rule would save thousands of lives and provide $20 billion per year in public health and environmental benefits. ...

Ohioans could soon feel the pinch of rising energy costs. A bill passed by the U.S. House, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," would repeal key clean energy tax credits, driving up household energy bills and threatening job growth in the state. ...

Nearly 10% of North Dakotans and almost 14% of children face food insecurity and if Congress passes a budget with big SNAP cuts, aid groups said problems will spill into other areas for the same households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once known as food stamps, faces major downsizing in the budget reconciliation bill now in the Senate. It has already been approved by the House. ...

As outdoor recreation picks up for summer, a clean-water advocacy group reminds people that some fish around Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River are not safe to eat due to high levels of pollutants. The "do not eat" advisory spans about a mile from the dam upriver to Ruckle Creek. The area was used by the U.S. ...

As Congress continues to debate specifics of the budget reconciliation bill, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," environmental rights advocates are paying close attention to proposed changes to the Methane Emission Reduction Program. The rule, implemented by former President Joe Biden, requires oil and gas operators to minimize leaks and burning of excess methane. Ranjana Bhandari, executive director of the advocacy group Livable Arlington, said some lawmakers want to delay the implementation of the methane polluter fee. ...

As Congress debates the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," environmental groups are watching closely for changes that could weaken the Methane Emission Reduction Program. The Biden-era program limits leaks and flaring from oil and gas sites. That's important in Pennsylvania, where over 1 million tons of methane escape each year. ...

From poultry to beer, Minnesota has an avid interest in producing food with ingredients and practices mindful of the state's water resources and the latest recipients of specialized grants are taking charge. The grants were awarded by the "Continuous Living Cover" program under the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Food manufacturers and others in the supply chain use the funds to develop larger markets for crops that help stabilize the soil in which they are planted. ...

As Michigan aims to support 2 million electric vehicles by 2030, the new "Equitable EV Action Plan Framework" could help local leaders with the transition. The framework was developed by the University of California-Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, and partners -- including the nonprofit advocacy group Michigan Clean Cities. The plan outlines steps local governments can take to build EV infrastructure and improve accessibility, particularly in underserved communities. ...

As Congress debates the GOP's sweeping budget reconciliation bill, some lawmakers are working to include a provision which would delay a methane polluter fee. The Waste Emissions Charge was meant to be an incentive for oil and gas operators to minimize leaks and flaring that send methane into the atmosphere by capturing it, and bringing it to market. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is more than 80 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2. ...

Iowa has joined a growing network that provides comprehensive and social service resources to the state's unpaid family caregivers. Nationwide, 48 million people provide caregiving assistance to loved ones who need help due to illness, injury, or other challenges. Thanks to a recent expansion, Iowa is now one of twenty-five states served by the 211 Caregiver Support Program - which AARP Iowa State Director Michael Wagler said connects caregivers with a wide variety of help, even if the caller doesn't know exactly what they're looking for. ...