Print this page
Email this page
Issues
Air contains elements that are vital to life on Earth. We breathe air in, absorb some of the oxygen, and then breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide, absorb it to build their tissue, and breathe out oxygen. When contaminants enter the picture, however, nature's cycle is disrupted and public health and agriculture can be harmed.
California prides itself on being the nation’s breadbasket, the supplier of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other agricultural products to the country and the world. But the San Joaquin Valley, where many of these crops are grown, has the worst air pollution of any comparable area in the country. Western Press Secretary Brian Smith recounts how a unique coalition came together to fight for cleaner air.
Learn more about the Central Valley struggle
State authorities in Kansas reject a permit for two coal-fired power plants which would have polluted the state while exporting the power.
The Florida Public Service Commission refuses to approve a permit for a huge new coal-fired power plant near the Everglades.
An industry attempt to overturn tough ozone regulations is rejected by the DC Court of Appeals.
A federal judge rules that an attempt to classify some incinerators as boilers is illegal.
The high court says that carbon dioxide is a pollutant and that EPA has authority to regulate tailpipe emissions.
Brick and clay manufacturers produce some of the worst air pollution in our nation. Now the EPA must follow the law and make this industry clean up its act.
Decision ensures dirty power plants and other facilities must update old equipment with cleaner technologies
Federal court decision could also lead to stronger protections against air pollution from power plants nationwide
Placing energy plants across the border with Mexico, to serve the US electricity grid, does not waive U.S. clean air requirements
Environmental and disaster review of airport irradiator project necessary, NRC licensing board agrees
California prides itself on being the nation’s breadbasket, the supplier of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other agricultural products to the country and the world. But the San Joaquin Valley, where many of these crops are grown, has the worst air pollution of any comparable area in the country. Western Press Secretary Brian Smith recounts how a unique coalition came together to fight for cleaner air.
David Baron is an attorney in Washington, DC, who spends much of his time battling to force the federal government to obey laws enacted to clean up (and keep clean) the air and water we all depend on.
EPA will have to reclassify the air pollution status of the Imperial Valley as a result of Supreme Court decision.
Earthjustice helps protect valuable and fragile ecosystems from the noise and noxious emissions of snowmobiles.
Court settlement requires stronger anti-smog measures for Portland area.
Earthjustice teamed with Alaskan Native groups and a political party to succesfully challenge a new Alaska state law that inhibited public access to courts.
A DC court ruled for the third time in two years that the EPA illegally delayed adequate clean air requirements for the DC area.
EPA forced to rewrite air pollution standards for small municipal waste combustors.
Earthjustice forces EPA to end 13-year delay in raising clean air standards above nation's most prized national parks.
The Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, has suspended a controversial EPA plan to weaken rules that apply to old power plants, refineries, and other facilities.
Snowmobile use restricted in Yellowstone as damaging to park life and visitors.
The Environmental Protection Agency, facing a lawsuit, agrees to regulate diesel pumps in the San Joaquin Valley.
EPA agrees to review national standards for soot and smog pollution levels and strengthen them if appropriate.
Settles lawsuit with environmental and public health groups. Standards five years overdue.
Tentative agreement is reached to clean up polluted air in California's San Joaquin Valley.
Threatened with lawsuits from Earthjustice and clean-air advocates, in October 2001, the EPA redesignated the San Joaquin Valley a "severe" ozone region, a change in status from "serious" that reflects the smog problem as well as the lack of progress in solving it.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the EPA's designation of Cincinnati as a clean-air city is premature and does not comply with the Clean Air Act.
In a major victory for clean air and public health, the Supreme Court rejected industry attacks on strengthened air quality standards for soot and smog.
In March 2001, the EPA announced that it will require the Bay Area air quality agencies to develop a more aggressive clean air plan to comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone.
In January 2001, a settlement was reached with the EPA to ensure that the agency sets standards for large cargo ships by 2003.
The wild, remote, rugged, and beautiful Kaiparowits Plateau in southern Utah was slated to become an industrial zone with coal mine and power plant. Instead it is now a national monument.
