Washington, DC–(ENEWSPSF)–February 13, 2013.  After years of scrutiny and criticism, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson signed amendments strengthening existing standards for human research involving pesticides submitted by third parties for consideration in EPA decisionmaking. These amendments apply to studies involving the controlled exposure of participants[Read More…]

A mild infection of coffee rust on a tree in Mexico. Image credit: John Vandermeer ANN ARBOR–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. A shift away from traditional coffee-growing techniques may be increasing the severity of an outbreak of ‘coffee rust’ fungus that has swept through plantations in Central America and Mexico, according to[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013 – Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, told a Senate Committee panel today that Congress should enact public health and environmental safeguards before any further expansion of natural gas fracking occurs because it is exposing Americans to growing risks from air pollution, water pollution[Read More…]

Environmental Groups Sue Sanford Town Board for Banning Public Discussion of Fracking, While Supporting Industry Expansion SANFORD, NY–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013 – The Town of Sanford, New York, is violating its residents’ First Amendment right to free speech by placing a gag order on discussion of proposed fracking in the state[Read More…]

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency transferred its legal duty of lake protection to local authorities Sacramento, CA–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. Two Tahoe conservation groups, the Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday challenging new rules for Lake Tahoe that seriously reduce protections for the treasured[Read More…]

  The Chemical Data Reporting information will help EPA and others assess chemicals more quickly and encourage the use of safer chemicals WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) yesterday released the 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information on more than 7,600 chemicals in commerce. The CDR database contains[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013.  Is 2013 the year colony collapse disorder (CCD) begins impacting our food supply? According to the American Bee Journal, almond growers in California may not have access to the honey bee colonies necessary to pollinate this year’s crop. “We need 1.6 million colonies, or two colonies[Read More…]

Blending the old and the new, the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh will officially open one of the world’s most earth-friendly buildings and landscape facilities this week. This photo was taken near the end of construction last May. MAINE–(ENEWSPF)–February 11, 2013. Would you believe that the nation’s best example of sustainable[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 11, 2012. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its decision to allow residues of the cancer causing insecticide endosulfan on imported Chinese teas until July 31, 2016. Its decision to provide “additional time to transition to an alternative to endosulfan” raises serious concerns of further exposure[Read More…]

Florida governor and cabinet improperly granted new, 30-year Everglades farming leases to Big Sugar and vegetable plantations while taxpayers pay to clean up mess Tallahassee, FL–(ENEWSPF)–February 8, 2013. Earthjustice has filed a legal challenge on behalf of the Florida Wildlife Federation to block Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet[Read More…]