News from a Changing Planet -- This Week on Earth #35
The Supreme Court actively trying to destroy the planet, a new solution to the transmission crisis, more whales in New York, a toxic legacy in California and more.
But first: Recipe genius , who writes the newsletter , included me and my own personal 40 ingredients plus a small explanation of why I eat/cook the way I do over on her newsletter if you’re interested. And her newsletter is great if you like to cook/eat!
Back to business:
SUPREME COURT MAY STEP IN TO STOP PROGRESS ON CLEAN AIR… AGAIN: Justices seem skeptical of EPA’s attempts to protect us from pollution. (Washington Post):
A bunch of states sued the Environmental Protection Agency over its “good neighbor” rule, which imposed stronger rules on states to prevent harmful air pollutants (in this case, ozone) from crossing state lines and overburdening downwind states. In addition to befouling our air, this pollution makes it difficult for downwind states to stay within federal limits for pollution, no matter how much they might clean up.
There were procedural anomalies in taking up this case at the moment (it’s still being appealed at lower levels), which means it could set up a dangerous precedent where the court blocks regulations for industry that it doesn’t like, before cases even go through the normal process. When it comes to the air we breathe, the compounds that combine to produce ground-level ozone are harmful to our lungs, particularly to sensitive groups like children and the elderly.
These regulations “are designed to cut emissions of nitrogen dioxide from upwind states by roughly 70,000 tons by the summer of 2026, which EPA officials estimate could prevent as many as 1,300 premature deaths and reduce hospital and emergency room visits.” Sounds like a good idea to get rid of them…
A NEW FIX FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: One of the main hurdles to the clean energy transition has a relatively simple solution. (Heatmap News)
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