Podcasts about Environmental quality

The top IT leader at the Department of Transportation is resigning, FedScoop was the first to report last week. Pavan Pidugu, the DOT's chief digital and information officer, was sworn in February 2025 after serving as the CTO for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for nearly five years. His last day will be Sept. 4. Under Pidugu's leadership, the agency underwent a restructuring of its technology department. The agency also migrated to Google Workspace, becoming the first cabinet-level agency to fully transition using the General Services Administration's OneGov deal. A DOT spokesperson told FedScoop in May that the Federal Aviation Administration was gearing up to migrate later this year. In total, more than 50,000 employees across the agency will have access. Pidugu's resignation comes amid a wave of technology leader departures, including federal CIO Greg Barbaccia, whose last day will be at the end of August. Interior Department CIO Paul “Macca” McInerny left the agency last week. The Technology Modernization Fund is open for proposals and prioritizing faster permitting technology and artificial intelligence adoption projects, its acting director said Thursday. Jessie Posilkin said the TMF is “being explicit” about its desire for Council on Environmental Quality-supported projects to speed and scale permitting, and to advance USAi adoption in agencies facing capability and infrastructure gaps preventing responsible use. Posilkin said in a LinkedIn post: “TMF was made for moments like this, where agencies can't afford to wait on budget and procurement cycles. I'm excited we're still poised to help agencies meet a critical moment of opportunity – and a bipartisan one, at that!” Last month, Posilkin said the fund had $200 million left, pending potential reauthorization for fiscal 2027. But that might not stretch as far as it would have in the past, even with 100% of agencies repaying TMF loans, as the “scale and scope of government technology challenges are only going up” because of AI, Posilkin said at the time. The current version of the fiscal 2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill authorizes $5 million for the fund, but has not yet received a floor vote in either chamber. Agencies can submit a project proposal until July 24, but Posilkin encouraged them to move quickly so the small TMF team can review proposals expeditiously. She said: “This call is moving fast, partly out of necessity. We have a very narrow window between now and September 30, when our authorization to make new investments ends (absent congressional action, of course…). With more time, we could do even more — but we'll meet as much of the agency need as we can, while we can.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Photo: A loader prepares the Pinyon Plain Mine for uranium ore production on its lowest level more than 1,400 feet underground on Sept. 8, 2023. (Ryan Heinsius / KNAU) Arizona regulators approved a higher level of arsenic in groundwater under a uranium mine near the Grand Canyon. As KNAU's Chris Clements reports, it comes despite firm tribal opposition. In its decision allowing the higher levels, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality agreed with the owner of the Pinyon Plain Mine that the increase in arsenic is naturally occurring. That is despite two comments from groundwater scientists urging regulators to require more proof from Energy Fuels Resources, the mine owner. The scientists wrote that it is likely the mine is contributing to the higher levels, but an executive with Energy Fuels told KNAU in May that the higher arsenic levels are not the result of mining activity or discharge. The Havasupai Tribe condemned the regulators’ decision and said it would pursue every legal avenue it can to protect water in the Grand Canyon. A loader prepares the Pinyon Plain Mine for uranium ore production on its lowest level more than 1,400 feet underground on Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo: Ryan Heinsius / KNAU) More than 200 intertribal youth joined community elders and mentors at the Native Youth Generational Leadership Summit to learn traditional and contemporary skills to foster strength and resiliency. (Photo: Monica Sue Minyard) This year’s Native Youth Generational Leadership Summit in Port Angeles, Wash. brought young Native people from across the country together to build community, learn about substance use prevention, and practice everyday skills, as Isobel Charle reports. The summit was hosted by the Lower Elwha Klallam and Spokane Tribes with support from the American Indian Health Commission. Tia Skerbeck with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Council says the two-and-a-half-day summit included traditional practices that not all Native young people get to experience, like storytelling and talking circles. “We rely on those teachings and those practices to help carry through the prevention messages that we’re sharing with the youth and helping them develop some skills to become resilient. They’re not just little kids running around. They’re our future leaders.” Skerbeck adds the youth also shared what issues they would like to see their communities prioritize. She says while the summit was focused on youth, it was multi-generational and included elders who offered guidance and support. Audrey Gales is a 19-year-old Lower Elwha Klallam community member. Gales' auntie, Jacqueline Salyers, was killed by police in 2016. She says learning about issues related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and Women while calling for justice for her auntie and all Native victims of violence is close to her heart. She has been to a number of similar events over the years and encourages other young people to attend. “Especially if you’re Indigenous and it’s a Native summit, always attend. It’s always worth it. You learn so much, meet so many people.” She adds another highlight was learning how to make a salmon net out of stinging nettle and celebrating the return of fish populations to the Elwha River after her Tribe led the campaign to remove two dams there. The Ketchikan Indian Community launched a new community care package initiative for summer visitors and local residents. (Photo: Michael Fanelli / KRBD) The Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) has launched a new initiative that combines tourism with community service. The Community Care Package Initiative invites visitors and local residents to assemble care packages with items such as socks, toiletries, hygiene products, and snacks for people experiencing homelessness in Ketchikan. According to the tribe, proceeds from the program will support its Permanent Supportive Housing project, which is expected to open in August and provide housing and supportive services for 28 people. The initiative builds on KIC’s efforts to address homelessness, including operating Ketchikan’s only overnight cold weather shelter for the past two years. The tribe says it hopes the program encourages visitors to support the local community while visiting Southeast Alaska. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, July 8, 2026 – Trump administration escalates attack on Native American museum narratives

(Lander, WY) – The KOVE 1330 AM / 107.7 FM Today in the 10 interview series Coffee Time continued today with host Vince Tropea, who recently spoke with Hudson Mayor Sherry Oler, who stopped by to chat about the water and sewer utility rate increases that go into effect for the town starting today, July 1. The water and sewer rates will go up $5 each a month, $10 total, for Hudson residents. Mayor Oler said the town has struggled for years with complaints about the taste and quality of its drinking water, despite the water meeting safety standards. After taking office, Mayor Oler requested a Level 1 water study through the Wyoming Water Development Commission, which was completed in 2025. The study identified why Hudson’s water treatment system is expensive to operate and recommended several potential long-term solutions, including exploring a new water source and the possibility of regionalizing water service. A Level 2 study is now underway to look at those options and provide residents with information before any long-term decisions are made. At the same time, the town has faced serious wastewater infrastructure concerns, Mayor Oler explained, adding that Hudson narrowly avoided major failures at its sewer lift station in both 2023 and 2024, including one incident in which a pump nearly failed completely and forced the town to notify the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. The town has since secured a free pre-engineering report, presented during a public meeting in April, which estimates that approximately $5.8 million in wastewater system improvements are needed. With only about 277 utility customers, the cost of those projects presents a significant financial challenge, Mayor Oler said, adding that under Wyoming statute, municipal water and wastewater utilities must be self-supporting, meaning user rates must cover operating costs, maintenance, employee salaries, and future repairs in a reserve fund. Mayor Oler said demonstrating that Hudson is making progress toward financial sustainability is also critical to receiving state loans and grants, some of which are scored partly on a community’s willingness to invest in its own infrastructure. To help meet those requirements, the Hudson Town Council approved the rate increase, and the council also approved annual increases at the same level over the next four years, a strategy Mayor Oler said is intended to gradually build the utility funds rather than implementing the much steeper increases recommended by two independent rate studies. You can hear more about the next steps the town plans to take in the full Coffee Time interview with Mayor Oler below. Be sure to tune in to Today in the 10 and Coffee Time interviews every morning from 7:00 to 9:00 AM on KOVE 1330 AM / 107.7 FM, or stream it live right here.

In June 2024 the Greater Memphis, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce announced Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, would build its "Colossus" data center in an old Electrolux factory. Two years on, the story continues to expand alongside the company's growing footprint, with a second campus, Colossus II, across the state line in Southaven, Mississippi; a contested gray water recycling plant; an ever-rising count of gas turbines; multiple lawsuits; and communities in South Memphis still pressing for straight answers.Few people have tracked all of it more closely than Neil Strebig, a reporter with The Commercial Appeal in Memphis who has covered the xAI story daily from the beginning. He's attended community meetings and hearings, filed right-to-know requests, parsed the differing interpretations of the Clean Air Act by the EPA, the Shelby County Health Department and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, counted turbines, and spent time with residents living alongside the facilities. The result is a level of detail that few can match.In this conversation, Strebig brings us up to speed on the latest developments — including a newly updated lawsuit citing unpermitted turbines in Southaven, the implications of the SpaceX IPO and the impending IPOs of other AI firms, and the stalled water recycling plant Memphis leaders had counted on. And, he reflects on what it has been like to chase facts as the story spread across two states and a thicket of jurisdictions.

In this segment, For the People is connecting with the director of the state Council on Environmental Quality. The CEQ recently released its annual report to the Connecticut General Assembly, so we'll unpack a number of issues and sort out the good news from the not so good.

Today we'll lean into environmental conversations, and mix in a little about insurance as we open welcoming the Commissioner of the CT Insurance Department. First, we'll focus on rate increase requests from a number of health insurers doing business in our state health insurance marketplace, before we turn our attention to how the insurance industry is grappling with the effects of climate change.Then we'll chat with the director of the state Council on Environmental Quality. The CEQ recently released its annual report to the Connecticut General Assembly, so we'll unpack a number of issues and sort out the good news from the not so good.And we'll close replaying clips from a couple of recent interviews with DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, who announced her departure earlier this week. Dykes and her team have been an important resource to For the People during her term at the state's energy and environmental protection agency - so, we'll recap some of what she has shared over the past couple of years.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features a message for VTC members from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Written by Kati McCall, Water Supply Planner, Office of Water Supply, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality We are reaching out on behalf of DEQ's Water Supply Planning and Analysis team regarding the Virginia Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulation (9VAC25-200).1 This regulation requires users withdrawing groundwater or surface water in Virginia to report annual water withdrawals if withdrawals exceed 1 million gallons per month for crop irrigation purposes or 10,000 gallons per day for all other purposes (300,000 gallons per month). Users that fall below these thresholds or are otherwise exempted from the regulation are encouraged to report voluntarily. Water reporting data provided through the annual reporting process allows DEQ to better understand how water use throughout the Commonwealth impacts surface water and groundwater resources, evaluate whether current water sources can meet future needs, and protect beneficial uses. Water reporting data for 2026 is due to DEQ no later than January 31, 2027. In preparation for the 2026 reporting cycle, our team is conducting an initiative to increase registration of agricultural facilities across the Commonwealth through the distribution of targeted outreach materials. Water reporting data is considered in the development of regional water supply plans2 (required by 9VAC25-7803) and in the water withdrawal permitting process, which includes a simulation of total reported water use within the watershed. Increased availability of water reporting data from agricultural facilities may facilitate more accurate long-term planning of water resources by informing regional water demand projections for agriculture. Additionally, agricultural producers may benefit from reporting annual water withdrawals; a few potential benefits are: Increasing efficiency: comparing current withdrawals to reported withdrawals can provide insight into potential issues at the facility by identifying periods of unusual use (e.g., line breaks, leaks, and other water loss) Drought awareness: users who report withdrawals are notified when the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force4 establishes or expands drought advisories affecting their region, and as new drought-related tools developed by DEQ become available Documenting use: reporting annual water withdrawals is the best way to document use for the facility (e.g., when applying for a permit) Planning for the future: calculating and reporting annual water withdrawals may help users to predict and plan for future water needs (e.g., when expanding operations) We are hoping to partner with the Virginia Turfgrass Council, given your extensive network of agricultural producers, to increase awareness of the annual reporting process and potential benefits. Would you be willing to assist us with this initiative by sharing these targeted outreach materials with your network (e.g., through inclusion in an upcoming newsletter)? Outreach materials are available on DEQ's Agricultural Water Use Resource Center webpage5, including the Annual Water Withdrawal Reporting Agricultural Brochure6, the Water Estimation Tool for Agricultural Withdrawals7, and the Water Withdrawal Dashboard8. Folks may contact the water supply planner serving their region9 with any questions regarding the annual reporting process or associated outreach materials. Please let us know if you have any questions by calling (804) 350-4079. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. Visit www.theturfzone.com for more. The post A Message for VTC Members from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality appeared first on The Turf Zone.

A new lawsuit accused Sherwin-Williams of releasing “unreasonable noxious odors” from its coatings manufacturing facility in Rochester, Pennsylvania. The complaint alleges damages that exceed $5 million and demands a trial by jury.Court documents stated the facility makes coatings for packaging materials that it delivers to customers, distributors and blending sites. According to the EPA, coating formulation at plants like this generally involves four major steps, which include preassembly and premix, pigment grinding or milling, product finishing and product filling.The lawsuit acknowledged that the solvents used in these processes can emit hazardous air pollutants. However, it pointed to a condition in a Sherwin-Williams permit that limits the company's volatile organic compound emissions. The condition prohibits the malodors from being detectable beyond the property line.Sherwin-Williams reportedly received notices of violations (NOV) from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality regarding the odors in April 2022, April 2023, January 2026 and March 2026. The January NOV said the plant failed to install a thermal oxidizer and did not perform required stack testing on its scrubbers. One plaintiff complained that she could smell the fumes inside her home even with the windows closed, while another described the odor as a “sweet smell” that leaves an aftertaste. The lawsuit also reported symptoms from putative class members that included upset stomachs and headaches. One putative class member alleged that the odor issue did not exist when Valspar owned the facility. Sherwin-Williams acquired Valspar in 2017.Sherwin-Williams has not responded to IEN's request for comment.#manufacturing, #industrialnews, #sherwinwilliams, #airquality, #environment, #pollution, #chemicalindustry, #manufacturingnews, #factorynews, #environmentalcompliance, #sustainability, #industrialsafety, #esg, #communityimpact, #industrynews

Bike Walk Month in Lexington celebrates not only biking, but also walking for transportation, exercise and fun. Whether you're a cyclist, pedestrian, driver or all three, Bike Walk Month reminds Lexingtonians that streets are shared spaces for all. Dr. Greg talks with Seth Holbrook-Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works.

Jack has the occasion to give a regular guest, Nancy Albright a proper salute as she resigns the position of Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works. The Commissioner of Public Safety, Ken Armstrong will fill the bill on fourth Wednesdays! Jack also gets the opportunity to meet with director of E911, Jonelle Patton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 547 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Aurelia S. Giacometto - the 17th U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director during the first Trump administration. Presently, Aurelia is a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based Earth & Water Law.Prior to joining Earth & Law, she served as secretary of Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality and held various positions in the private sector. Tune in to learn more about Aurelia and her 20+ year career in energy, conservation, and agriculture. SHOW NOTESE&W Law: Aurelia S. Giacometto BiographySteamboat InstituteRamaco Compliments Aurelia S. Giacometto on Joining E&W LawUSFWS Director Page

Bob Babbage joins Kruser to talk about the first GOP debate in the Senate race and the firing of Lexington's Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works, and friend of WVLK, Nancy Albright.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3.11.2026 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Target Fast Ends. Justin J. Pearson Slams Musk xAI Gas Turbines. Florida Anti-DEI Bill A year-long national boycott of Target over its rollbacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives has ended. Until Freedom's Tamika Mallory will join us to discuss the success of the boycott. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has approved plans for 41 gas turbines at the xAI facility in Southaven. Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson will explain why this decision has drawn criticism from local activists and advocacy groups, who argue that the approval process ignored public concerns and violated environmental regulations. Mississippi's Incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith will face Democratic candidate Scott Colom, who won out over two primary opponents, in November. We'll talk to Colom about his victory. And Georgia's special election to replace former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia's 14th Congressional District is headed to an April runoff. In Florida, State House Republicans have passed an anti-DEI bill that includes criminal civil penalties for elected officials. Download the Black Star Network app at http://www.blackstarnetwork.com! We're on iOS, AppleTV, Android, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, XBox and SamsungTV. The #BlackStarNetwork is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Colorado River is getting smaller thanks to climate change, and the states that use it are facing a deadline of this Saturday to agree on new rules about how to share water in the future. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality says it's working with communities outside the city of Globe and the town of Star Valley on projects to address PFAS in drinking water. The Paradise Valley Unified School District has fired its superintendent. Plus the latest business, metro Phoenix, Fronteras Desk and politics news.

Director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Sonja Nowakowski, joins us to discuss environmental policies, nuclear and geothermal energy potential, critical minerals, and more. The post The DEQ Agenda – With Director Sonja Nowakowski first appeared on Voices of Montana.

In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation groups and co-chair of our Corporate Sustainability practice, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Marna McDermott, Director of Sustainability at Exelon, one of the nation's largest utility companies. Marna leads Exelon's sustainability strategy, advancing its mission to power a cleaner and brighter future for the communities it serves. Marna was the founding leader of the Conservation Litigation Project and previously served as Deputy General Counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company's ESG goals and practices.

Photo: An aerial view of the Verde River. (Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ) Monday is the deadline for the public to weigh in on a potential rule change by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that could impact which water bodies may be protected from pollution. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, tribes are among those asking for a 30-day extension to comment. The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) guides which resources fall under the federal Clean Water Act, but as written, the EPA rule would narrow the law's enforcement with estimates suggesting that 80% of the nation's wetlands could be at risk. Daniel Cordalis (Diné) runs the nonprofit Tribal Water Institute. “I think it's a big picture concern for everyone really. I think most tribes who want clean water – or the ability to make sure that water is usable, are probably going to write in opposition to kind of what the rule stands for.” While tribes can regulate waters on their reservations, they lack jurisdiction elsewhere. “Tribes can't look to the EPA anymore. And arguably, there's a duty on the federal government to protect these tribal resources, but who's going to do that?” Some states are stepping up, like Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Trevor Baggiore is the water quality division director at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. “We're coordinating with our neighbors, tribes or states or country on our southern border, to make sure that we each know what each other is doing. Hopefully, this new rule will add some clarity, as long as they are able to provide scientific tools to help us determine what's regulated and what's not.” Groups including the National Tribal Water Council, Association of Clean Water Administrators, and Environmental Council of the States are all asking for a 30-day extension to reply. Principal Brian Brown leads morning announcements as a part of his daily routine on December 17, 2025, at Norris Elementary School in Norris, S.D. (Photo: Meghan O'Brien / South Dakota Searchlight) Attendance at a school near the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations has nearly doubled in the past three years. School leaders say they are engaging one-on-one with students and families. They also are implementing Lakota language and cultural programming. South Dakota Searchlight's Meghan O'Brien reports. “I've been waiting all morning for you…” This is a typical morning at Norris Elementary, where most of the students are Native American. Principal Brian Brown walks the halls on December 17, 2025, and discusses a sign that celebrates Norris Elementary's attendance rate. (Photo: Meghan O'Brien / South Dakota Searchlight) Principal Brian Brown greets students and staff at the cafeteria tables as breakfast is served. Brown also asks teachers who is missing. It's a way of getting ahead of the problem, he says. When students are not at school, he makes phone calls and home visits. Just three years ago, barely half the students came to school regularly. Now, the school's attendance rate is above 90%. That is higher than the state average. It's a source of pride for Brown, who took over as principal in 2022. “I was very happy. I was very pleased, but more proud of the kids and the parents for their support and believing in Norris.” The leader of South Dakota's Education Department sees the success at Norris. The leadership and cultural engagement are important parts of that, says Joseph Graves. “So, now we want to see what kind of results this produces. We have the attendance. We have the drops in chronic absenteeism. Now we want to see what’s gonna happen with those proficiency rates and the graduation rates.” The school is on a gravel road about a half-hour from other schools in the White River School District. Its isolation makes it difficult to hire and recruit teachers. In a small community, it takes everyone to keep students involved, Brown says. Some teachers have multiple grade levels in one classroom. The school's head custodian and office administrator are also bus drivers. Brown steps in at lunchtime to help serve food. He also finds ways to make Lakota culture and language an important part of every student's day. Students sing every morning. Brown teaches Lakota studies to each grade once a week, and started the school's first drum group: the Black Pipe Singers. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts.

Michael Regan recently served as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Previously he was Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality where he secured the largest coal ash cleanup settlement in U.S. history. And he led negotiations on the cleanup of the Cape Fear River from PFAS contamination. Now he has taken a role at POLIS: Center for Politics at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.

Today, we're celebrating a champion of veteran hiring—the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Named our 2025 Government Entity of the Year, TCEQ is setting the standard for what it means to be a veteran-ready employer. In this podcast we hear from TCEQ employees about the work, the mission, and why veterans are an important part of TCEQ. Get TVC Employment Support TCEQ Job Openings

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality allows the operator of Smitty's to dump pollutants from its recent explosion deep into a Jefferson Parish landfill. Plus, NOLA Public Schools improves, getting a B from the state. [...] Read More... from An Oil Well in Reverse: Smitty's hopes to inject liquid waste into a landfill in Jefferson Parish The post An Oil Well in Reverse: Smitty's hopes to inject liquid waste into a landfill in Jefferson Parish appeared first on The Lens.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with James Starnes, research geologist for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, to uncover the deep prehistoric story hidden beneath our state.James explains how Mississippi was once covered by tropical seas filled with massive sea creatures, and how today's hills, creeks, and highways reveal an ancient world of mosasaurs, mammoths, and even whales. From 70-million-year-old oyster shells to a newly discovered mammoth tusk in Madison County, he shows how Mississippi's geology tells the story of the Earth itself.The conversation covers:• The work of the Mississippi Geological Survey and its history since 1850• Fossils from Starkville's “sea dragon” mosasaur and Mississippi's official fossil whale• Why the northeast corner of Mississippi holds the state's oldest rocks• How public fossil sites like the Franks Town site let kids find real fossils• New discoveries like mammoth teeth on the Gulf Coast• The science behind paleoclimate and how fossils preserve evidence of ancient environments• The Fossil Road Show and how everyday Mississippians help discover the past• It's an eye-opening look at the ancient world beneath our feet — and why Mississippi may be one of the best fossil-hunting states in the country.Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Energy efficiency and decarbonization have dominated the HVACR stage in recent years, but ASHRAE's 2025-26 president is determined to turn the spotlight on IEQ before building owners forget the lessons of the pandemic.

Nancy Albright Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works for the city of Lexington. joins Jack every month to taking calls and texts from the citizens addressing their concerns and issues with streets, roads and sanitation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10.17.2025 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Shutdown Showdown Drags On, 15K Attacks on Black Progress, MS Pollution Fight, Wake Forest Honor The shutdown showdown continues as the Senate fails for the eleventh time to pass the bill to reopen the government, leaving thousands in financial limbo. A new study reveals 15,000 documented attempts to erase, distort, or suppress Black Progress in America. The founder of Onyx Impact will explain their findings. Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality's permit board reversed its decision and unanimously approved a UK-based company to increase pollution from its wood pellet plant.We'll speak with a community organizer who promises to fight to keep Gloster's air clean.Wake Forest University names a residence hall in honor of two black distinguished alums with deep ties to the University and Winston-Salem. And we'll have highlights from the Chris Tucker Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament. #BlackStarNetwork partner: Fanbasehttps://www.startengine.com/offering/fanbaseThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. You should read the Offering Circular (https://bit.ly/3VDPKjD) and Risks (https://bit.ly/3ZQzHl0) related to this offering before investing.Download the Black Star Network app at http://www.blackstarnetwork.com! We're on iOS, AppleTV, Android, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, XBox and SamsungTV.The #BlackStarNetwork is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents of Gloster say a wood pellet plant operating in their community is the cause of many health issues.They're asking the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to continue denying the company's request to scale up production.Then, Mississippi adopts a new benchmark program to gauge the success of public schools.Plus, we talk with the producer of a documentary exploring the life and legacy of the nation's first African American Supreme Court justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live on day two of Wood Mackenzie's CCUS Conference in Houston, this episode of Interchange Recharged explores how carbon capture is advancing from state-level regulation to real-world innovation and global market trends.Host Sylvia Leyva Martinez begins with Lily Barkau, Groundwater Section Manager at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, who explains how Wyoming became one of the first states to secure Class VI primacy and why local leadership is key to building trust, speeding up permitting, and ensuring long-term stewardship of CO₂ storage.Next, Katherine Hough of GEVO connects policy with practice, describing how her team links biogenic CO₂, carbon sequestration, and sustainable aviation fuel to create a truly circular carbon economy. Her insights show how business models, not just technology, are making carbon management commercially viable.Finally, Sylvia sits down with Ed Crooks, Vice Chair, Americas at Wood Mackenzie and host of Energy Gang, for a wide-angle look at how policy clarity, AI-driven demand, and global energy dynamics are shaping the next phase of CCUS.From permitting to project finance to public perception, this on-the-ground episode captures the collaborative energy driving carbon capture forward—and marks a rare crossover between Wood Mackenzie's two flagship podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last year, an energy permitting reform bill sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso passed out of committee but failed to gain full support in the US Senate. Since then, rising energy costs and infrastructure backlogs have only heightened pressure on Congress to take another run at reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As a result, momentum behind permitting reform is building again. Several legislative efforts are underway, most notably the bipartisan SPEED Act, which would change NEPA requirements in order to streamline the permitting process. It would also set limits on judicial review.  So how likely is meaningful permitting reform, this time around? How would it enable timely development of energy infrastructure without jeopardizing environmental concerns? And what might make it feasible to supporters of fossil and renewable energy alike? This week, Bill Loveless speaks to Jim Connaughton about shifting motivations for permitting reform in DC, and whether policymakers can find enough common ground to push reforms forward. Jim is the CEO of JLC Strategies and the former chairman and CEO of Nautilus Data Technologies. During the George W. Bush administration, he served as chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and directed the White House Office of Environmental Policy.  Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

Nancy Albright Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works for the city of Lexington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is honored to be in conversation with Natasha DeJarnett, PhD, MPH, BCES, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine, and a researcher with UofL's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute (https://louisville.edu/envirome). Dr. DeJarnett's research interests include the cardiovascular health burden of extreme heat exposure, air quality, and environmental health disparities. In addition, Dr. DeJarnett is passionate about environmental health research that informs policies and empowering communities through research engagement. Tune in as we discuss climate impacts on human health, including air quality, extreme heat, extreme weather, precipitation extremes, and vectorborne disease; Health inequities and environmental justice; Her previous work in the Biden-Harris Administration at the White House Council on Environmental Quality around the Justice40 Initiative and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool; The current federal landscape; and her work co-editing a textbook on environmental health called “Environmental Health Foundations for Public Health.” We also bring you a preview of an exciting new series called “& Science” which kicks off this week on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 on the theme of Communication & Science, with a reception from 5:15-6pm and a panel discussion from 6-7:30pm, at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage (1701 W Muhammad Ali Blvd). This important discussion will cover how communicating scientific information raises public awareness, creates interest, and informs policy. UofL's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute is hosting a new quarterly health forum called “& Science". Our kickoff event will focus on Communication & Science, featuring communication professionals from a variety of backgrounds including journalism and academia. Much of the discussion will focus on the environment, including environmental justice. The “& Science” series will provide a community forum for conversations at the intersection of health, the environment & science. Future events will focus on Faith, History Art, & Science. Panelists: Tawana Andrew (WAVE 3) James Bruggers (Inside Climate News) Dr. Nick Paliewicz (University of Louisville) Dr. Wayne Tuckson (KET) Morgan Watkins (LPM) Moderator: Dr. Natasha DeJarnett (University of Louisville) Please RSVP and learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/communication-science-the-kickoff-to-the-science-forums-tickets-1632599171069?aff=oddtdtcreator As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Negotiators representing seven states, 30 tribes, and Mexico are running out of time to agree on new rules to guide sharing of Colorado River water before a federally mandated deadline next fall. Failure to do so would forfeit water allocation authority to the Bureau of Reclamation, and costly state and tribal litigation would be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.  Potable water supply for much of the West is not all that's at stake in managing demands on the river's supply. “Deadpool” levels in the reservoirs at Lake Powell and Lake Mead would result in inability of the Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams to generate hydropower. The establishment of new post-2026 operating guidelines among the river's competing stakeholders is a complex undertaking, consuming much of the region's attention and effort.  However, an analysis published last week by six leading scholars in the basin warns that immediate, substantial action to conserve water is needed. Their study suggests that if the coming year's patterns of water supply and use mirror past years, then by the time any hard-won new guidelines are in place, the basin may already be in serious trouble.  In this episode, study author Kathryn Sorensen and water policy expert Sarah Porter provide perspectives on the near-term science, human behavior, and potential solutions relating to conditions around the Colorado River.  Relevant articles and resources  “Analysis of Colorado River Basin Storage Suggests Need for Immediate Action” (Jack Schmidt, Anne Castle, John Fleck, Eric Kuhn, Kathryn Sorensen, Kathrine Tara, September 2025) “As the Colorado River slowly dries up, states angle for influence over future water rights” (The Conversation, August 2025)  “Inside the ‘revolutionary' new Colorado River proposal” (E&E News by Politico, July 2025)Colorado River Shortage: What This Means for Arizona & What Comes Next (Arizona Water Blueprint)  “The Colorado River needs some ‘shared pain' to break a deadlock, water experts say” (KUNC, May 2025)  “Floating Pools & Grand Bargains” (Kyl Center for Water Policy at Morrison Institute, April 2025)   Relevant Ten Across Conversations podcasts  Checking in on Tense Colorado River Negotiations with Anne Castle and John Fleck  Understanding Groundwater Risks in the Southwest with Jay Famiglietti  Experts Share Insights on the Ongoing Colorado River Negotiations  Why Everyone Should Care About the Colorado River with Rhett Larson  Getting Honest About the Colorado River Crisis with Anne Castle & John Fleck  The Future of Water is Here: Are We Ready?  CreditsHost: Duke ReiterProducer and editor: Taylor GriffithMusic by: Johan Glössner and Daniel GunnarssonResearch and support provided by: Kate Carefoot, Rae Ulrich, and Sabine Butler  About our guestsSarah Porter is the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University's Morrison Institute for Public Policy, and professor of practice in ASU's College of Global Futures. Sarah previously served as the Arizona state director of the National Audubon Society and led their Western Rivers Project. She also serves on Governor Katie Hobbs' Water Policy Council, the City of Phoenix's Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission, and several other community boards. In 2023, she was named to the Arizona Capitol Times Powerlist as an “Unsung Hero,” in recognition of her work on Arizona water policy.  Kathryn Sorensen is director of research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy and a Senior Global Futures Scientist at Arizona State University's Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. Kathryn is also a member of the Colorado River Research Group and board member on the Water & Health Advisory Council. Kathryn previously served as director of City of Phoenix Water Services and director of the Water Resources Department at the City of Mesa.

What happens when an architect's skillset is applied not just to buildings, but to the complex systems that shape our cities, policies, and climate? This week, Evelyn is joined by co-host Larry Fabbroni and his longtime friend and Carnegie Mellon classmate, Mark Chambers, an environmental policy leader and architect who has taken his training from design studios to city halls and the White House.This rich conversation explores Mark's remarkable career arc, from practicing architect to the Sustainability Director for Washington D.C. and New York City, and later, the first Senior Director for Building Emissions and Community Resilience in the Biden White House. Mark explains how he views his architectural training as the discipline of a "three-dimensional problem solver," a skill that allows him to deconstruct and reassemble complex policy challenges just as he would a building. He argues that this skillset is a strategic advantage, especially in interdisciplinary rooms where the architectural perspective is unique and highly valued.The discussion goes beyond resumes to tackle the big questions facing the profession and society. When asked how architects can secure more value for their work, Mark challenges the premise of fighting for a bigger piece of the existing pie."I'm questioning the whole pie. I'm questioning the way in which the pie was set up. It's like, I don't want a bigger slice. I want a different pie." - Mark ChambersThis episode concludes with a masterclass in optimistic disruption, as Mark advocates for a fundamental reimagining of the architect's role - from a service provider to an owner, a caretaker, and a shaper of systems. He offers advice for professionals at any stage on how to build a personal narrative, take calculated chances, find their audience, and use their unique skills to drive collective action and build the future they want to see.GuestMark Chambers is an architect, environmental policy leader, and social impact designer focused on the intersection of climate action, community, and the built environment. His career has been dedicated to public service, having served as the Director of Sustainability for both New York City and Washington D.C., and as the Senior Director for Building Emissions and Community Resilience for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Mark uses his architectural training to solve complex systemic problems and advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future.Larry Fabbroni is an architect with over two decades in practice. He formerly led master planning projects at Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects and Strada Architecture, working on some of the largest development projects in the U.S. Today, he serves as a consultant specializing in strategic pre-development services and as CIO for the Practice of Architecture. Larry earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he focused on entrepreneurship and strategy.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if:✅ You are curious about career paths for architects in public policy, climate action, and government. ✅ You want to understand how an architectural skillset can be a strategic advantage in non-traditional roles. ✅ You feel frustrated by the existing systems and are looking for inspiration to challenge the status quo. ✅ You are seeking an optimistic framework for staying hopeful and effective in a time of uncertainty. ✅ You want advice on how to build a career narrative, take chances, and find your voice to make an impact.

Since 1989, the National Wetlands Awards have honored leaders who protect, restore, and steward America's wetlands. In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios sits down with the 2025 awardees: Simone Maloz, campaign director of Restore the Mississippi River Delta (00:59); Mike Rolband, Director of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (17:16); and Wyatt Penfold, a fourth-generation farmer from Idaho's Teton Valley (32:24). Together, they share stories of coastal restoration in Louisiana, advances in wetland regulation and permitting in Virginia, and collaborative water management in Idaho. Their work highlights how wetlands preserve culture, protect communities, and provide ecological resilience—and why ensuring their survival requires broad commitment and sustained care across sectors and communities. ★ Support this podcast ★

 Stella-Jones, a Canadian wood products company, recently pleaded guilty to exceeding legal limits of pentachlorophenol in water discharged from its plant near Sheridan, Oregon. The chemical is used to protect wood from insects and fungi and poses a number of health concerns, including an increased risk of cancer.    According to a recent investigation from the journalism nonprofit InvestigateWest, regulators have known about Stella-Jones’s history of pollution for years. On Sep. 8, after InvestigateWest reported on this issue, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued a $1 million civil penalty against Stella-Jones for “numerous violations of environmental regulations” at their wood treating facility.  Kaylee Tornay is a reporter for InvestigateWest. Aspen Ford is a reporter and the Roy W. Howard Fellow at the outlet. They join us with more details on their reporting. Ruth Hyde, Western Region Administrator at the DEQ, also joins us to explain the agency’s response to Stella-Jones’s release of contaminated stormwater into the South Yamhill River.

In this special episode of People Places Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios speaks with Ben Grumbles, president of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), and state environmental leaders James Kenney (New Mexico Environment Department), Chris Wells (Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality), and Leah Feldon (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality). The conversation marks the recognition of ECOS and Ben as the recipients of the Environmental Law Institute's 2025 Environmental Achievement Award, honoring their commitment to bipartisan collaboration and science-based environmental governance.Together, they explore how states are leading the way on today's most pressing challenges—from ensuring safe drinking water and cleaning up Superfund sites to advancing policy on PFAS and wildfire impacts. The discussion examines what's at stake when federal funding for state environmental programs falls short, why strong federal-state partnerships are essential for local economies, the risks of underfunding science at EPA, and how states are working to balance efficiency with integrity when it comes to permitting. The episode celebrates ECOS' leadership in strengthening cooperative federalism, fostering innovative solutions, and providing stability across administrations, while also offering insights into the future of environmental protection nationwide. ★ Support this podcast ★

“I think my role and where I'm most comfortable is focusing on the economic harms that the choices this administration is making will limit access to affordable, clean energy. Affordable energy overall, and that they will wind up harming the American people. EDF is standing up and fighting the Trump administration in court every single day. We believe, based on the facts and the law, that we have very good cases and expect to see more wins than not. When the government sets aside all of the things they need to do to land appropriately and just say, "We don't care. This is what Donald Trump wants," there is recourse to step in, intervene, and challenge that. They were sloppy the first time he was president. They're even more brazen now.”David Kieve has been on the front lines of some of the most critical environmental debates of our time. Before becoming president of EDF Action, the advocacy and political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, he was in the White House as the director of public engagement at the Council on Environmental Quality. But his journey to the West Wing started on the campaign trail, where he was tasked with a unique role: convincing a broad coalition of voters that Joe Biden was the candidate to tackle the climate crisis. He is a strategist who understands not just the science of climate change but what it takes to implement those policies. We talk about connecting climate policy to everyday costs and the political will required to confront climate change.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I think my role and where I'm most comfortable is focusing on the economic harms that the choices this administration is making will limit access to affordable, clean energy. Affordable energy overall, and that they will wind up harming the American people. EDF is standing up and fighting the Trump administration in court every single day. We believe, based on the facts and the law, that we have very good cases and expect to see more wins than not. When the government sets aside all of the things they need to do to land appropriately and just say, "We don't care. This is what Donald Trump wants," there is recourse to step in, intervene, and challenge that. They were sloppy the first time he was president. They're even more brazen now.”David Kieve has been on the front lines of some of the most critical environmental debates of our time. Before becoming president of EDF Action, the advocacy and political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, he was in the White House as the director of public engagement at the Council on Environmental Quality. But his journey to the West Wing started on the campaign trail, where he was tasked with a unique role: convincing a broad coalition of voters that Joe Biden was the candidate to tackle the climate crisis. He is a strategist who understands not just the science of climate change but what it takes to implement those policies. We talk about connecting climate policy to everyday costs and the political will required to confront climate change.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I think my role and where I'm most comfortable is focusing on the economic harms that the choices this administration is making will limit access to affordable, clean energy. Affordable energy overall, and that they will wind up harming the American people. EDF is standing up and fighting the Trump administration in court every single day. We believe, based on the facts and the law, that we have very good cases and expect to see more wins than not. When the government sets aside all of the things they need to do to land appropriately and just say, "We don't care. This is what Donald Trump wants," there is recourse to step in, intervene, and challenge that. They were sloppy the first time he was president. They're even more brazen now.”David Kieve has been on the front lines of some of the most critical environmental debates of our time. Before becoming president of EDF Action, the advocacy and political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, he was in the White House as the director of public engagement at the Council on Environmental Quality. But his journey to the West Wing started on the campaign trail, where he was tasked with a unique role: convincing a broad coalition of voters that Joe Biden was the candidate to tackle the climate crisis. He is a strategist who understands not just the science of climate change but what it takes to implement those policies. We talk about connecting climate policy to everyday costs and the political will required to confront climate change.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I think my role and where I'm most comfortable is focusing on the economic harms that the choices this administration is making will limit access to affordable, clean energy. Affordable energy overall, and that they will wind up harming the American people. EDF is standing up and fighting the Trump administration in court every single day. We believe, based on the facts and the law, that we have very good cases and expect to see more wins than not. When the government sets aside all of the things they need to do to land appropriately and just say, "We don't care. This is what Donald Trump wants," there is recourse to step in, intervene, and challenge that. They were sloppy the first time he was president. They're even more brazen now.”David Kieve has been on the front lines of some of the most critical environmental debates of our time. Before becoming president of EDF Action, the advocacy and political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, he was in the White House as the director of public engagement at the Council on Environmental Quality. But his journey to the West Wing started on the campaign trail, where he was tasked with a unique role: convincing a broad coalition of voters that Joe Biden was the candidate to tackle the climate crisis. He is a strategist who understands not just the science of climate change but what it takes to implement those policies. We talk about connecting climate policy to everyday costs and the political will required to confront climate change.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

In episode 318 of Brown Water Banter, we sit down with Wyatt Dunaway, Coastal Monitoring Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Oregon recently launched a recycling program that aims to hold businesses accountable for the packaging waste they create. The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) charges producers of paper, packaging and food serviceware for the products they distribute in Oregon. The goal is to fund recycling services in small communities through the fees that businesses pay into the program.   The RMA was the first law of its kind to pass in 2021 and was followed by similar legislation in California, Colorado and a handful of other states. It’s currently facing a lawsuit from a trade group that claims the law is illegal and unfairly impacts its members.   Nicole Portley is a program plan lead for the RMA at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. She joins us with more details on how the new program is working.  

Lexington's Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works, Nancy Albright joins Jack in studio to take your calls and questions about our beautiful city's infrastructure on #LEX. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack talks to Nancy Albright, Commissioner of Environmental Quality and Public Works for the city of Lexington. "The Commish" takes phone calls from folks with concerns and issues they'd like the city to address.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new lawsuit claims the Montana Department of Environmental Quality failed to assess how nutrient pollution from septic systems near the town of Big Sky will harm the Gallatin River.

Join me as I chat live with Evans Bailey, Oklahoma Bigfoot Researcher! If you want to see the pics we discuss in this episode, head on over to my Youtube!   Evans Bailey was born and raised in McAlester, OK. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1985 with a BA in Parks and Recreation Administration. He has worked in natural resources management across the state for city, county and state agencies. Evans has served as a Park Ranger, Park Naturalist, Park Manager and Environmental Programs Manager during his 36-year career. He retired from the Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality in January 2023.     Evans and his wife, Susan, have been married for 44 years. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law and three grandchildren. Evans volunteers at his church, Baptist Disaster Relief and a local nature center. Growing up in southeastern Oklahoma, he has had a life-long interest in the bigfoot creatures. He joined the North Canadian River Project in 2015 and has been a volunteer Field Investigator for the Native Oklahoma Bigfoot Research Organization for seven years.   Be a LEGEND! Like Follow Subscribe!

The Senate Finance Committee released its portion of the GOP's megabill this week, softening House lawmakers' cuts to the nation's clean energy tax credits. The proposal likely will spark weeks of debate within the party and could jeopardize the Senate's self-imposed deadline for passing the bill. POLITICO's Josh Siegel and Kelsey Tamborrino break down what the Senate proposed, how it compares to the House's version and what's next in the megabill battle. Plus, President Donald Trump nominated Katherine Scarlett to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode SummaryThe latest episode of the “The Stream by AASHTO” podcast features Ted Boling, a partner with Perkins Coie, with over 30 years of public service – who discusses recent changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and the removal of regulations by the Council on Environmental Quality, or CEQ.Episode NotesThis podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management technical service program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee.In February 2025, the CEQ announced an Interim Final Rule that removes its longstanding NEPA implementing regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations. This shift places the responsibility for NEPA compliance directly on individual federal agencies, allowing them to follow their own procedures rather than a centralized set of rules.In this podcast episode, Boling delves into how, if NEPA is revoked, it removes a “universal framework” that will prevent federal agencies working in tandem on environmental reviews.Boling also outlines the potential impact of mass layoffs within the federal government, especially among senior leadership and recent hires, and how that could slow down decision-making regarding environmental reviews for infrastructure projects.

Oregon lawmakers are considering HB 3018, which would require thousands of Oregon businesses – from hospitals to restaurants to food producers – to compost their food waste. Nationwide, an estimated 15% of methane gas pollution is created by food and other organic waste decomposing in landfills. The bill would also try to reduce the amount of food being tossed out in the first place by requiring foods sold in Oregon to be more clear about when a product is safe to eat. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality has estimated that 70% of the food thrown away could be safely eaten. We get two perspectives on the proposals: Charlie Fisher is the state director of Oregon State Public Interest Research Group and helped write the bill. Jason Brandt is the president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant And Lodging Association and has concerns about the bill.

In energy policy circles, the word “resilience” often refers to future-proof systems or infrastructure designed for the transition away from fossil fuels. But resilience means something different to the communities that have been built on those conventional energy sources.  Without a policy strategy, communities whose economies are dependent on fossil fuels aren't well positioned to thrive in – or perhaps even survive – a clean energy transition.  So how can economic resilience improve livelihoods in fossil fuel dependent communities? Are the near-term risks and economic impacts these communities face underappreciated? And what does this all mean in today's political environment?  This week host Bill Loveless talks to Emily Grubert and Noah Kaufman, two scholars at the Resilient Energy Economies initiative, a collaboration between the Bezos Earth Fund, Resources for the Future, and the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA. Emily is a civil engineer and environmental sociologist. She is an associate professor of sustainable energy policy in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. She also worked in the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the Department of Energy under the Biden administration. Noah is an economist who has worked on energy and climate change policy. He is a research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy. He also served as a senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisers under President Biden and as the deputy associate director of energy and climate change at the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Erin Hardick, Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive producer.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of synthetic chemicals that have been used since the 1940s to manufacture a wide range of products, from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam, clothes and electronics. PFAS have also been described as “forever chemicals” because they easily disperse and persist in the environment, where they’ve been found in drinking water, soil, air and even the food supply. This week, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality opened public comment on its proposed rulemaking to regulate six types of PFAS compounds, adding them to the list of more than 800 hazardous substances the agency already regulates. Exposure to certain levels of PFAS may increase the risk for some types of cancer, lead to developmental delays in children, among other adverse health effects, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Last April, the EPA designated two PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances and created the first-ever, national drinking water standard for six PFAS chemicals. Sarah Van Glubt is a cleanup project manager for the Oregon DEQ. She joins us to share what the proposed PFAS regulations would allow for, including testing and cleanup 

Wildfires like those hitting southern California take an enormous social and psychological toll on victims and observers alike. We hear how people and communities can heal from the “climate trauma” brought by wildfires and other disasters linked to the climate crisis. Also, President-elect Trump's stated plans to again remove the U.S. from the Paris Accord would be just the latest whiplash in a decades-long trend of U.S. inconsistency on the climate. What's ahead for global and domestic climate policy over the next four years. And the Carter Presidency left a legacy of environmental action, ranging from major habitat protection to trying to address the then largely unrecognized threat of fossil fuels to climate stability. Gus Speth chaired the White House Council on Environmental Quality under Jimmy Carter and joins us to recall pivotal moments and ponder what might have been if the solar-panel-loving President had won a second term. This episode of Living on Earth is sponsored in part by AirDoctor – the air purifier that is designed to filter out 99.99 percent of dangerous contaminants so your lungs don't have to – including allergens, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores – even bacteria and viruses – To get your AirDoctor, go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code EARTH  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices