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Groups Urge EPA to Strengthen Smog Standards	9/5/2007
At a public hearing in Atlanta today, public health advocates called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen its proposed air quality standards for ozone (smog pollution).
New Air Quality Standards Reject Science, Leave Millions at Risk	9/21/2006
The Environmental Protection Agency today finalized new national air quality standards for particle “soot” pollution that ignore the overwhelming medical and scientific consensus that the standards need to be substantially strengthened to protect Americans from this deadly air pollutant. National air quality standards are the backbone of the Clean Air Act and thus efforts to reduce air pollution nationwide.
Bill to Clean Up Dirty Diesel Pollution Passes Key Committee	9/10/2007
Senate bill 502, a bill to Protect Public Health by Reducing Harmful Diesel Emissions, sponsored by Senator Hart (Boston) and Representative Coakley-Rivera (Springfield), passed out of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture today. If signed into law, the bill would make Massachusetts a national leader in reducing harmful pollution from diesel engines.
Scientists, Health Professionals, Residents and Elected Officials Urge EPA to Strengthen Health Standards for Deadly Ozone Smog Pollution, Protect Public Health	8/30/2007
At a public hearing in Los Angeles today, scientists, public health professionals, local residents, environmental advocates and elected officials all called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen its proposed air quality standards for deadly ozone smog pollution.
New Report Shows Need to Reduce Particulate Matter Pollution from Power Plants	6/29/2007
Maryland power plants are emitting unsafe levels of fine particles, and the state’s system for regulating emissions is inadequate, according to a new report by Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center.
Proposed Mercury Rules Don’t Go Far Enough to Protect Public Health	5/24/2007
Public health, environmental, and river protection groups are urging Georgians to speak out against proposed mercury pollution rules that are significantly weaker than those originally proposed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
State Issues Permit for Giant Coal Plant	5/15/2007
The state issued a final permit today for a 1200 MW coal plant in Early County, Georgia. The proposed 1200 MW plant is larger than most US plants, and would be powered by dirty, last-generation technologies that would do little to secure Georgia’s energy future.
EPA Cracks Down on Diesel Pollution, Garners Rare Applause from Public Interest Groups	5/10/2004
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will finalize a major rule on Tuesday to cut diesel air pollution from construction, farm, and industrial equipment by more than 90 percent.
Maryland's General Assembly Approves Clean Cars Act	4/5/2007
The Maryland House of Delegates took the final vote today to send the Clean Cars Act to the desk of Gov. Martin O’Malley, approving the measure 124-16. The Senate approved the final version of the bill yesterday by a vote of 38-9.
Supreme Court Blocks LA from Cleaning Up Dirty Cars	4/28/2004
We are disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that Los Angeles cannot protect its citizens from harmful smog pollution by requiring public and private fleet operators to purchase and lease clean vehicles.
Senate Environment Committee Narrowly Approves Clean Air Foe As Top EPA Air Official	4/26/2006
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today voted 10-8 along party lines to confirm William Wehrum as Assistant Administrator for Air & Radiation at EPA, despite his clear record of working to weaken clean air protections at EPA and as a former lawyer representing electric utilities and other industries regulated under the Clean Air Act.
Public Health Prevails In First-Ever Vote On ‘Clear Skies’ Bill	3/9/2005
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today cast the first ever vote on the Bush administration’s “Clear Skies” bill (S.131), rejecting the measure on a 9-9 tie.
EPA Proposes Promising Standards to Reduce Diesel Pollution	3/2/2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed new standards to reduce diesel pollution from the nation’s trains, boats, and ships, which are large, long-overlooked pollution sources. Diesel pollution contributes to lung cancer, heat attacks, asthma attacks, strokes, and premature deaths.
Court Rejects Bush Administration Plan To Gut Key Clean Air Act Safeguard	3/17/2006
A federal court today killed a Bush administration rule that would have sabotaged a key provision of the Clean Air Act.
New NRC Report Affirms the Role of the States in Setting Clean Air Standards	3/16/2006
A coalition of health and environmental organizations today commended the National Research Council for resisting pressure from special interests to erode the ability of states to protect their citizens from air pollution and global warming.
Environment America denounces EPA's smog and Clean Air Act announcements	2008-03-12
Washington, DC—The Bush EPA this evening announced a flawed new national air quality standard for ozone “smog” and called for sweeping changes to the Clean Air Act that threaten to fundamentally weaken one of the nation’s most important environmental laws, according to Environment America.
New Report: Increased Air Pollution Exposure During Daily Commutes	2/28/2007
Diesel exhaust from trucks, buses, construction equipment and other vehicles pose a major health risk to North Carolina commuters, according to a new report released today by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Carolinas Clean Energy Coalition, American Lung Association of North Carolina and Environment North Carolina.
TXU's Plan to Drop 8 Plants Great News, But 11 Plants Still in Works for Texas	2/26/2007
Environment Texas today applauded the cancellation of plans by TXU to build eight coal-fired power plants, but also expressed concern that three new coal-fired plants remained on the drawing board in Texas, and as many as 140 other plants across the country.
Every Maryland County Exceeds Cancer Risk Threshold from Vehicle Pollution	12/27/2006
Marylanders breathe air with dangerous levels of benzene and other toxic substances, according to a new report released today. Data from the U.S. EPA shows that every Maryland county has levels of airborne toxics that are more than ten times higher than the federal cancer risk standard.
Groups Oppose Huge Coal Plant Near Everglades	12/22/2006
Today, Florida Power & Light (FPL) filed paperwork with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection asking for formal approval of plans to construct a huge coal-fired power plant near Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. In response, clean energy and environmental advocates joined forces to send a clear message to FPL and Florida decision makers that the proposal will be met with stiff opposition.
State Board Adopts Historic Cuts In Mercury Pollution	11/2/2006
In a major victory for children's health and the environment, the Illinois Pollution Control Board voted unanimously today to reduce coal-fired power plants' toxic mercury pollution by up to 90 percent.
Clean Car Standards Clear Final Regulatory Hurdle	11/2/2006
The state's Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) voted 4-1 today to approve implementation of the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program, which will bring cleaner cars to Pennsylvania.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Case Against Duke Energy	11/1/2006
On behalf of Environment North Carolina, NC Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense; the Southern Environmental Law Center argued before the Supreme Court today in a case against Duke Energy that could lead to the drastic clean up of power plant pollution across the Eastern United States.
One of Nation’s Largest Air Polluters Agrees to Cleanup Its Act in Major Court Settlement	10/9/2007
Washington, DC—U.S. PIRG and a coalition of states and citizen groups today announced a landmark court settlement with American Electric Power (AEP) that will substantially reduce air pollution from the company’s fleet of aging coal-fired power plants.
Study Shows Global Warming Will Lead to Tougher Fight against Smog in Central Valley	10/30/2007
Fresno is poised to face a tougher fight against smog pollution, according to a new report, Hot and Smoggy: The Ozone-Hot Weather Connection in Eight California Cities, released today by Environment California Research & Policy Center.
Pennsylvania Moves Closer to Adopting Mercury Pollution Standards for Power Plants	10/17/2006
The state Environmental Quality Board (EQB) today voted overwhelmingly to approve implementation of the Rendell administration’s plan to require Pennsylvania’s power plants to reduce mercury pollution by 90 percent by 2015.
Legislators Vote to Derail Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program	10/17/2006
In a disappointing turn of events for Pennsylvania’s environment and public health, the state House Transportation Committee voted today in support of Senate Bill 1025.
Environmental Groups Sue Shell Oil for Clean Air Act Violations at Deer Park Refinery and Chemical Plant	1/7/2008
HOUSTON – Sierra Club and Environment Texas filed a lawsuit today in federal district court against Shell Oil Company and several affiliates.
Alternatives to Coal Plants Tops Environmentalists' Legislative Agenda	1/4/2007
A coalition of environmental, religious, sportsmen and parents groups announced their agenda on Thursday for the upcoming legislative session. Topping the list was a push to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy as alternatives to the construction of 19 additional coal-fired power plants.
Coal Ash Found In Dust at Homes Near Gambrills Dump	1/3/2008
Gambrills, Maryland – Laboratory technicians found toxic ash residue everywhere they looked as part of a study on exposure to airborne fly ash near a coal ash disposal facility in Anne Arundel County. The report released today by Environment Maryland documents the presence of fly ash in dust samples taken in and around homes near the BBSS ash dump.

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