New York s Legislature will take up several bills regarding forever chemicals. The bills would eliminate unnecessary per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS in household items such as cosmetics, menstrual products, and others. Legislation will also focus on removing PFAS from waterways as well. .
A regulatory hearing dealing with energy policy does not seem like a setting for most Minnesotans but a new coalition is recruiting voices who want affordable clean heating sources in homes and businesses to speak up on such decisions. Clean Heat Minnesota is backed by dozens of organizations representing a range of causes, including environmental, consumer advocacy, and racial justice. Brynn Kirsling, senior manager of advocacy campaigns for Fresh Energy, a key contributor to the coalition, said climate change and the link to fossil fuels is often thought of in global terms. .
Despite extensive opposition, the Virginia Reliability Project is moving forward. This month, the state s Marine Resources Commission issued a wetlands permit for the project, although 175 Virginia residents submitted comments, all in opposition. The Virginia Reliability Project calls for constructing compressor stations and expanding a gas line which has been operating since the 1950s with a larger-diameter pipeline. .
Advocates are applauding the Washington, D.C., Public Service Commission s decision to pause a Washington Gas infrastructure rebuild known as Project Pipes. The project began in 2014 as a 40-year plan to replace all the District s aging natural gas infrastructure, at a projected cost to ratepayers of $4.5 billion. The project is nearing the end of Phase 2 but last Tuesday the commission voted to put a Washington Gas request for a $57 million extension of the phase on hold. .
Public health, environmental, and faith groups are pressuring the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, WMATA, to replace diesel with electric buses.