The first state ban on styrofoam food containers makes this a good time to see how things stand with styrofoam in your area, as the controversial plastic draws negative attention for overflowing landfills, causing litter and polluting waters. More, plus story ideas and reporting resources, in this week’s TipSheet.
"President Trump is heading to Texas tomorrow to sign two executive orders aimed at boosting an oil and gas sector he's long touted as an ally. Whether that move will pay off for the industry in terms of substantial regulatory relief, or for Trump's 2020 prospects, is unclear."
"Donald Trump is preparing a novel campaign strategy for a president who’s pulling the U.S. from the international Paris accord on climate change, cheer-leading for coal, one of the dirtiest source of power, and suggesting that wind turbines cause cancer. He’s going to tout his environmental credentials."
"Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will introduce today bipartisan legislation to provide permanent, full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, his office confirmed last night."
"The Keystone XL pipeline. A power line crossing the James River. A big transmission project in Nebraska. These high-profile energy projects are all potential beneficiaries of President Trump's "energy dominance" agenda."
"In February, the White House devised a plan to challenge the scientific consensus that the burning of fossil fuels is a main driver of climate change and poses increasingly serious economic and health threats to the United States and the world. But so far, the rest of the federal government hasn’t helped the Trump administration in its quest."
"The top watchdog overseeing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rare 'management alert' Monday warning that the agency’s public data on toxic substance releases are not accurate."
"The House and Senate both approved a seven-state agreement Monday night designed to reduce use of water from the parched Colorado River by drought-stricken Western states."
"The rise of Candida auris embodies a serious and growing public health threat: drug-resistant germs."
"EV sales are rising, and an eclectic mix of companies are getting into the charging game. Utilities like Duke see a revenue opportunity that could slip away."
