Environment & Energy

Our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, threatening ecosystems, species, coastal communities, and all too often, human life itself. Heading the list of threats is climate change, with its promise of drastic environmental, economic, and cultural upheaval. But we also face persistent problems of air and water pollution, toxic wastes, cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and other Great Waters, and protecting natural resources and wildlife.

Central to the environmental health of the nation and the planet is decreasing our dependence on energy derived from burning fossil fuels. Our continued reliance on these sources is literally endangering the planet's ability to sustain life as we know it. Yet many policymakers, with the financial and rhetorical support of energy companies bent on making a profit at the cost of the planet's health, continue to resist desperately needed reforms. Read about CPR’s work protecting the environment in reports, testimony, op-eds and more. Use the search box to narrow the list.

The rise and quick fall of the West tragedy's EPA rule

The rise and quick fall of the West tragedy's EPA rule, by Thomas McGarity, December 7, 2019, in The Waco Tribune

Type: Op-Eds (Dec. 7, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Thomas McGarity
The Port Neches disaster shows the risk of Trump rolling back environmental regulations

The Port Neches disaster shows the risk of Trump rolling back environmental regulations, by Thomas McGarity, December 5, 2019, The Dallas Morning News

Type: Op-Eds (Dec. 5, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Thomas McGarity
The Trump Administration's Insult to West, Texas

The Trump Administration's Insult to West, Texas, by Thomas McGarity, December 1, 2019, The Austin American-Statesman

Type: Op-Eds (Dec. 1, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Thomas McGarity
With Port Neches burning, do we really think gutting the EPA is wise

With Port Neches burning, do we really think gutting the EPA is wise?, by Thomas McGarity, November 29, 2019, The Houston Chronicle

Type: Op-Eds (Nov. 29, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Thomas McGarity
Eventually, Paris withdrawal will overshadow impeachment

In an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel, CPR's Joel Mintz writes that President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accords will be seen by historians as a greater disgrace than his impeachment.

Type: Op-Eds (Nov. 26, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Joel Mintz
Climate Justice: State Courts and the Fight for Equity

Given the scope of the damage from climate change, individuals, organizations, and specific jurisdictions have turned to litigation to hold industry accountable for past and continuing behavior. Such litigation is the only way those who have suffered climate-related damage can seek recourse for loss of homes, livelihoods, health, and the death and injury of loved ones. It could also have an important impact on climate change policy in the United States. Read CPR's November 2019 report on the trend toward state-based litigation.

Type: Reports (Nov. 12, 2019)
Read PDF Read Online
Author(s): Karen Sokol, Thomas McGarity, Sidney Shapiro, David Flores
New Report: State Court Lawsuits Hold Promise of Climate Accountability and Compensation

State courts are an emerging venue for victims of climate-change-induced harms to hold corporate polluters accountable. Read the news release over CPR's November 2019 Climate Justice report.

Type: News Releases (Nov. 12, 2019)
Read PDF Read Online
Justices to consider reach of Clean Water Act's permitting requirement

Lisa Heinzerling previews arguments in County of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, a key Clean Water Act case before the Supreme Court in its 2019-2020 term.

Type: Op-Eds (Nov. 4, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Lisa Heinzerling
Trump’s Decision to Hamstring California’s Climate Authority Is Illogical and Uninformed

Trump’s Decision to Hamstring California’s Climate Authority Is Illogical and Uninformed, by Alejandro Camacho and Robert Glicksman, October 4, 2019, The Revelator

Type: Op-Eds (Oct. 4, 2019)
Read PDF
Author(s): Alejandro Camacho, Robert Glicksman
Regulation as Social Justice: A Crowdsourced Blueprint for Building a Progressive Regulatory System

On June 5, 2019, the Center for Progressive Reform hosted a first-of-its-kind, one-day convening that brought together a diverse group of more than 60 progressive activists and academics. Our purpose was to begin the process of developing a progressive vision of the U.S. regulatory system – one that is not only robust and responsive enough to meet the immediate challenge of protecting people and the environment against unacceptable risks, but that also is institutionally designed to promote the broader social goals of justice and equity. CPR's James Goodwin synthesized the ideas into a report.

Type: Reports (Sept. 25, 2019)
Read PDF Read Online
Author(s): James Goodwin

Advanced Search Filters

Reset Filters