This Earth Day, Environment Virginia applauded a year of new clean air protections from the Obama administration that represented major steps forward for public health and our environment. From new standards to protect children from mercury to proposed cuts in industrial carbon pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had a landmark year in curbing dangerous air pollution.
Environment Virginia was joined by Charlottesville Councilwoman Dede Smith, Dr. Greg Gelburd, and Whitney Byrd with the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition to celebrate the fifth “birthday” of Massachusetts vs. EPA , the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set public health standards for carbon dioxide and other pollutants. The birthday-party themed event included cake and balloons.
Industrial facilities dumped over 18 million pounds of toxic chemicals into Virginia’s waterways, the second-most in the nation, according to a new report released today by Environment Virginia. Wasting Our Waterways: Industrial Toxic Pollution and the Unfulfilled Promise of the Clean Water Act also reports that 226 million pounds of toxic chemicals were discharged into 1,400 waterways across the country.
WASHINGTON, DC -- Virginia families could save $503.88 every year on their electricity bills by 2030 if the government invests in the energy efficiency of our buildings today, according to a new report by Environment Virginia. Saving energy in our buildings would also help fight against global warming, reducing global warming pollution from buildings by 31 percent―the equivalent of taking over 9.2 million cars off the road.
Richmond, Virginia—After a year that saw many parts of the country hit by scorching heat, devastating wildfires, severe storms and record flooding, a new Environment Virginia report documents how global warming could lead to certain extreme weather events becoming even more common or more severe in the future. The report found that, already, 9 out of 10 Virginians live in counties affected by federally declared weather-related disasters since 2006.
Environment Virginia Research and Policy Center is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change.