Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 8, 2013. In apparent contradiction to its stated intention to protect pollinators and find solutions to the current pollinator crisis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the unconditional registration of the new insecticide sulfoxaflor, which the agency classifies as highly toxic to honey bees. Despite warnings and concerns[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2013.  Underscoring the Obama Administration’s commitment to investing in innovation and the American workforce, Acting Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman today announced that 61 scientists from across the nation will receive up to $15.3 million in funding for research as part of the Energy Department’s Early Career Research[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2013.  The U.S. Energy Department and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) today announced that registration is now open for America’s Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC), a national student competition created to help families save money by saving energy. Students, educators, and school principals are encouraged to register[Read More…]

First-of-its-kind facility on East Coast would hurt Chesapeake and hasten nearby fracking Washington, D.C. –(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2013. A coalition of local, regional, and national groups are objecting to the environmental impacts posed by the proposed Dominion Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal on the Chesapeake Bay, saying the[Read More…]

Animal waste from factory farm could jeopardize endangered species, contaminate America’s first national river Mount Judea, AR–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2013. A coalition of conservation and citizen groups sent a notice of intent to sue yesterday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding its Farm Service Agency’s loan guarantee for an industrial[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2013.  The Sierra Club, as part of the Wilderness 50 coalition, the Smithsonian Institution, and Nature’s Best Photography are launching a “Wilderness Forever” photography competition. Fifty winning photos illustrating the magnificence of our nation’s wilderness areas will be viewed by millions of visitors in an exhibition at[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2013.   After 40 years of delay, the Associated Press reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will rule on the safety of the antibacterial chemical triclosan this year. Triclosan is present in hundreds of consumer products ranging from antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics,[Read More…]

NEW ORLEANS–(ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2013.  Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today visited an offshore drilling rig and production platform in the Gulf of Mexico, capping a two-day visit to the Department’s regional offices that oversee oil and gas development in federal waters. Earlier, Secretary Jewell met with Interior employees, praising[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2013.  The U.S. Department of the Interior today released its Annual Environmental Justice Implementation Progress Report for 2012 documenting programs, policies and activities that “continue the momentum gained during the current Administration” to help build and sustain the environment, health and economies of low-income, minority and tribal[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2013.  A NASA-led modeling study provides new evidence that global warming may increase the risk for extreme rainfall and drought. The study shows for the first time how rising carbon dioxide concentrations could affect the entire range of rainfall types on Earth. Analysis of computer simulations from 14[Read More…]