State air board OKs Southern California smog plan at Riverside meeting

[Source: The Press Enterprise] The California Air Resources Board voted to approve Southern California’s smog clean-up plan during their meeting in Riverside on Thursday, March 23. Board officials said that low- and zero-polluting trucks are essential if the plan is to succeed. The Environmental Protection Agency needs to work expeditiously to develop standards for much Read More…

California to fight if EPA eases emissions rule

[Source: San Francisco Chronicle] The Trump administration is expected to start rolling back tough limits on carbon pollution from cars and trucks this week, and may be considering a plan to revoke California’s authority to set its own pollution standards for vehicles, a linchpin of the state’s effort to battle climate change. Environmental Protection Agency Read More…

EPA science under scrutiny by Trump political staff

[Source: Associated Press] The Trump administration is mandating that any studies or data from scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency undergo review by political appointees before they can be released to the public. The communications director for President Donald Trump’s transition team at EPA, Doug Ericksen, said Wednesday the review also extends to content on Read More…

Trump admin orders EPA contract freeze and media blackout

[Source: Associated Press] The Trump administration has instituted what it described as a temporary media blackout at the Environmental Protection Agency and barred staff from awarding any new contracts or grants. Emails sent to EPA staff since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday and reviewed by The Associated Press detailed specific prohibitions banning press releases, Read More…