U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

A leak in a 68-year-old petroleum pipeline beneath Mount Eyre Manor caused contamination of local drinking water supplies with toxic fuel components like benzene and xylenes. Energy Transfer discovered the leak in January 2025, leaving residents facing concerns over remaining fuel in the groundwater. Although the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is providing oversight, federal regulators, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, declined to intervene.

California lawmakers previously ordered regulators to prepare for underground carbon storage, setting deadlines for companies to prove they could pay for cleanup costs. California Resources Corp. began burying carbon at Elk Hills in Kern County, which became a test run approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Critics warn that without state-specific rules, California cannot hold companies accountable for keeping carbon safely underground.

The EPA has delayed its re-assessment of nitrates in drinking water, which was initially suspended in 2019 and restarted under the Biden administration. Scientists and health advocates warn that outdated nitrate thresholds may not protect public health, as new research links lower levels to cancer and other illnesses. The Trump administration eliminated the EPA office responsible for the assessment, raising concerns about weakened health protections.

John Klar, a Vermont farmer and conservative political voice, has gained a prominent role in the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement. He was appointed to a Trump administration EPA advisory panel focused on agricultural policy and has advocated for reducing pesticides and limiting large agricultural companies. MAHA, associated with vaccine skepticism, faces conflicts with some administration actions on food policy.

A large plume of black smoke and flames were visible at the Suncor Energy refinery in Commerce City due to a flare during unit startup activities. Suncor described the flare as a safety measure, but community members expressed concerns over prior lack of notification and ongoing environmental impact, citing a 2024 lawsuit and an EPA report showing high pollution levels. The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division plans public meetings in August and September 2026 to address emission reduction proposals.

President Donald Trump announced the expansion of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which requires data centers to cover their infrastructure costs to shield consumers from higher utility bills. Republican governors and tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta joined the initiative, aiming to lower electricity costs for families and businesses.

Wildfire smoke poses significant health risks to pets, particularly older animals, those with preexisting conditions, and flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs. Symptoms to monitor include coughing, difficulty breathing, and eye irritation, with the American Veterinary Medical Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advising pet owners to keep animals indoors, use air purifiers, and limit outdoor exposure.

The Keystone pipeline operator, South Bow, agreed to a $26.9m penalty for a 2022 oil spill in Kansas, resolving allegations of violating clean water laws by the EPA and the state. The spill released nearly 13,000 barrels of crude oil into a creek in Washington county, Kansas, and the company must also spend $40m to prevent future accidents.

The Keystone pipeline operator, South Bow, agreed to a $26.9m civil penalty and an additional $40m for safety measures to resolve allegations of violating clean water laws following a 2022 oil spill in Kansas. The spill released nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek in Washington county, Kansas.

The operator of the Keystone Pipeline system, South Bow, agreed to a $26.9 million civil penalty and an additional $40 million for future safety measures over a 2022 Kansas oil spill that released 13,000 barrels of crude oil. The spill, the largest onshore crude pipeline incident in the U.S. in nine years, harmed over 2,700 animals and an endangered long-eared bat species, prompting environmental restoration efforts.

The operator of the Keystone Pipeline, South Bow, agreed to pay a $26.9 million penalty for a 2022 Kansas oil spill that released 13,000 barrels of crude oil, the largest onshore spill in the U.S. in nine years. The settlement includes $40 million for future prevention and $3 million for environmental restoration in Kansas, following violations of clean water laws and harm to an endangered species.

The Keystone Pipeline system's operator, South Bow, agreed to a $26.9 million civil penalty and $40 million in additional spending to address a 2022 oil spill in Kansas that released 13,000 barrels of crude oil. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas allege violations of clean water laws, with the spill harming over 2,700 animals, including an endangered long-eared bat species.

The Keystone Pipeline system's operator, South Bow, agreed to a $26.9 million civil penalty and $40 million in preventive measures over a 2022 Kansas oil spill that released 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek, harming wildlife including an endangered species. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas allege violations of clean water laws, with a proposed settlement requiring environmental restoration funding and judicial approval after a public comment period.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a $57.6 million cleanup agreement with Columbia Falls Aluminum Company to address pollution from decades of aluminum smelting at its Montana site. The agreement outlines mitigation of toxic byproducts like arsenic, fluoride, and cyanide, with the site previously added to the Superfund list in 2016. The cleanup plan includes capping waste to prevent soil and water contamination, though the 647-page agreement requires a 30-day public comment period and court review before finalization.

Eagan Capital is suing Eagan over the city's data center moratorium, claiming it infringes on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's regulatory authority. Other cities like Inver Grove Heights have also imposed similar moratoriums on energy-intensive data centers. Unrelated developments include a hospice workers' strike, a lawsuit by former EPA biologists, and a new bank branch aimed at reducing racial wealth disparities.

The U.S. and Mexico are advancing efforts to resolve the Tijuana River sewage crisis through agreements like Minute No. 333 and a bilateral memorandum of understanding. Mexico committed $93 million to sewage projects, and the EPA highlights progress on infrastructure and funding for Tijuana River solutions.

The article discusses the challenges of 'double-decker sandwich' caregiving, where couples care for both sets of parents, and provides strategies for managing this. It also covers risks of heat waves for older adults, hidden causes of lung cancer like radon, and a Vermont woman's initiative to send teddy bears to children in crisis zones.

Nonsmokers can develop lung cancer, with radon gas, secondhand smoke, and family history identified as key risk factors. About 10% of annual lung cancer cases occur in nonsmokers, and radon testing and CT screening are recommended for those at higher risk.

Nonsmokers account for about 10% of annual lung cancer cases, with radon exposure, secondhand smoke, and family history identified as key risk factors. Radon, a radioactive gas found in homes, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, and testing/reduction measures are recommended. CT screening is advised for high-risk individuals.

Nonsmokers can develop lung cancer, with about 10% of annual cases occurring in individuals who have never smoked. Radon, a radioactive gas, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, and other risk factors include secondhand smoke and family history. Testing and professional mitigation can address radon exposure, while CT screening may help detect early-stage lung cancer in high-risk individuals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a groundwater cleanup plan for BASF’s site in Wyandotte, Michigan, addressing contaminants like heavy metals, PFAS, and organic compounds. The plan includes perimeter barriers, groundwater extraction, and on-site treatment, with construction starting in 2027. Local groups have long criticized pollution at the site, which borders the Detroit River and a drinking water intake.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Monsanto v. Durnell that states cannot impose pesticide warnings differing from federal standards, affecting Minnesota's ability to label glyphosate-based Roundup with additional health warnings. The 7-2 decision overturned a Missouri jury's award to a farmer who claimed Roundup caused his cancer, citing federal preemption of state strict liability doctrines.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that state courts cannot hold Monsanto liable for labeling issues in pesticides like Roundup, as federal law preempts such claims. The decision dismissed a $1.25 million verdict awarded to a man who claimed Roundup caused his cancer, with justices citing compliance with EPA regulations. The ruling split the court, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing the majority and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.

New Jersey's Summer Termination Program protects eligible residents from electric, water, and sewer shutoffs between June 15 and August 31. The initiative aims to address rising utility costs and health risks during extreme heat, with state officials citing climate-driven heatwaves as a growing threat.

Vermont has become the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, a herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, despite concerns from farmers about profit margins. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing its safety, while Syngenta, a manufacturer, defends its use. The ban has been supported by advocates hoping to influence other states.

Vermont has become the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, a weed killer linked to Parkinson's disease, despite opposition from some farmers concerned about profit margins. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing paraquat's safety, while companies like Syngenta defend its use despite bans in countries like China and the EU.

Vermont has become the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, despite opposition from some farmers and ongoing debates about its safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing paraquat's safety, while Syngenta, a manufacturer, defends its use despite global bans in countries like China and the European Union.

California filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s attempt to roll back the state’s vehicle emissions standards. The Trump administration used the Congressional Review Act to submit four of California’s emissions waivers for congressional review, aiming to limit the state’s authority to set stricter pollution rules.

California filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s attempt to revoke the state’s vehicle emissions standards. The Trump administration has targeted California’s waiver authority under federal clean air laws, using the Congressional Review Act to submit four of California’s waivers for congressional review.

A family of four wastes nearly $3,000 in food annually, according to a 2025 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report. This doubles the previous federal estimate of $1,500, which was based on 2010 grocery prices.

New Orleans is advancing plans to use federal funding for replacing lead pipes, with a Louisiana constitutional amendment on the November ballot aimed at removing legal barriers. The Sewerage & Water Board has secured $152 million in federal funds, but a constitutional provision prohibits public money from being spent on private property, necessitating the proposed amendment for clarity.

California has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s attempt to revoke the state’s vehicle emissions standards. The dispute centers on California’s long-standing federal waivers to set stricter emissions rules, which Trump’s administration is targeting through the Congressional Review Act. The state argues that revoking these waivers is unlawful and vows to defend its regulatory authority.

Chicago has deployed 277 solar-powered air quality monitors across all wards, focusing on neighborhoods disproportionately affected by pollution. The network, part of the nation's largest community air quality monitoring system, provides real-time data, such as a safe air quality index of 31 recorded in Grant Park.

New Jersey swimming areas in Ocean and Cape May counties are under advisories due to elevated fecal bacteria levels, specifically enterococci exceeding state safety standards. The DEP and local health officials are monitoring affected sites, but no closures have been enforced as of June 21.

The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for Miami-Dade and Broward counties until 10 a.m. on Sunday due to wildfires burning over 20,000 acres. The alert advises sensitive individuals to limit outdoor activities as smoke spreads, with wildfires 'The Quarry 2' and 'Well' now mostly contained. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue recommended closing windows and using recirculation mode for air conditioning.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah warned that smoke from wildfires in Miami-Dade is moving toward Broward County, posing health risks, particularly for those with chronic conditions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Environmental Protection Agency highlighted potential respiratory issues and advised limiting outdoor activity as temperatures rise.

Two wildfires burned 8,000 acres in western Miami-Dade County, with the larger fire at 30% containment and the smaller at 25% containment. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed seven units near Northwest 137 Avenue and 25 Street, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned of pollution affecting air quality in South Florida.

EMR, a scrap metal recycling company, sued the city of Camden over the suspension of its junkyard license following a two-alarm fire at its facility in May. The city cited multiple fires at EMR's facilities since 2020 as justification, while EMR claims the suspension violated its due process rights. Residents also filed a class action lawsuit against the company over emissions, and officials demanded the facility be shut down.

Fourteen Republican state attorneys general and 19 GOP members of Congress are urging the EPA to classify mifepristone, an abortion medication, as a water contaminant. Environmental experts and the Center for Biological Diversity state there is no evidence of harm from mifepristone in water systems, citing a 1996 FDA statement and common drug trace amounts in water.

Fourteen Republican state attorneys general and 19 GOP members of Congress are urging the EPA to classify mifepristone, an abortion medication, as a water contaminant. Environmental experts state there is no evidence that mifepristone in wastewater harms humans or the environment, while the request cites a 1996 FDA statement acknowledging the drug may enter the environment but noting harmful effects are 'not anticipated.'