Laws & Regulations

Congressional Research Service Reports of Use to Environmental Journos

The reports aren't released to the taxpayers who funded them but the Federation of American Scientists' Government Secrecy Project publishes leaked copies. Here are 17 of the latest, from air to water, food to fuel, and much more.

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Maine Law Hid Threats to Public from Oil Trains

Maine passed a law in 2015 that allowed railroads to keep oil-train routing information from the public — over the governor's veto. In the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting's Pine Tree Watchdog, Dave Sherwood reports how the provision was a bait-and-switch.

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Failure to Disclose Lead Threats in Drinking Water: Widespread Problem

Bad as it is, the Flint drinking water disaster is hardly uncommon. Even though the law requires authorities to tell the public of dangerous levels of lead in drinking water, they often don't.

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Maryland To Fight Dominion Plan To Release Coal-Ash Water Into VA Creek

"Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh’s office said Monday that it plans to fight a plan by the Dominion Virginia Power company to release about 215 million gallons of treated coal-ash water into a creek that connects to the Potomac River."

Source: Wash Post, 02/16/2016

"Gov. Scott Walker Orders Agencies Not To Prepare For Clean Power Plan"

"Citing last week's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Monday ordered state agencies not to do any work to prepare for federal climate change regulations that would require Wisconsin utilities to cut carbon emissions from power plants."

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/16/2016

"Michigan Legionnaires' Deaths Were Preventable, Official Says"

"Residents of Flint, Michigan, began getting gravely ill and in some cases dying in summer 2014 in one of the worst outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in U.S. history, and a county health director says attempts to find the source were hampered when the state wouldn't request federal assistance."

Source: CNN, 02/15/2016

"Supreme Court Nomination Process Sure To Be An Epic Debate"

"White House officials began sifting through their pool of potential nominees for the newly vacant seat on the nation’s highest court Sunday, girding for battle with Republicans who are insisting that President Obama leave the choice of a new justice to his successor."

Source: Wash Post, 02/15/2016

Obama Creates 3 New Calif. Desert Monuments, Protects 1.8 Million Acres

"President Obama designated three new national monuments in the California desert Thursday, expanding federal protection to 1.8 million acres of landscapes that have retained their natural beauty despite decades of heavy mining, cattle ranching and off-roading."

Source: LA Times, 02/12/2016

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