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.

Burying Our Head in the Sand on Climate Change No Longer an Option

Burying Our Head in the Sand on Climate Change No Longer an Option, op-ed by Victor Flatt and Rob Verchick

Type: Op-Eds (Sept. 29, 2017)
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Author(s): Victor Flatt, Robert Verchick
Joint letter to EPA, Army Corps of Engineers from 21 CPR Member Scholars on Waters of the United States rewrite

Joint letter to EPA, Army Corps of Engineers from 21 CPR Member Scholars on Waters of the United States rewrite, February 25, 2017.

Type: Letters to Agencies (Sept. 25, 2017)
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Joint Letter re nomination of Michael Dourson to EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, September 19, 2017.

Joint Letter from several CPR Member Scholars to Sens. Barrasso and Carper re nomination of Michael Dourson for Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, September 19, 2017.

Type: Legislative Testimony (Sept. 19, 2017)
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Author(s): Alejandro Camacho, David Driesen, Carmen Gonzalez, Alice Kaswan, Mary Lyndon, Martha McCluskey, Thomas McGarity, Joel Mintz, Sidney Shapiro, Karen Sokol, Rena Steinzor
United States marine national monuments are a world legacy
United States marine national monuments are a world legacy, op-ed by Robin Kundis-Craig
Type: Op-Eds (Aug. 31, 2017)
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If EPA is Prevented from Enforcing Clean Water Laws, States Must Step Up

If EPA is Prevented from Enforcing Clean Water Laws, States Must Step Up, op-ed by Evan Isaacson and Jacqueline Guild

Type: Op-Eds (Aug. 23, 2017)
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Holding Polluters Accountable

The Chesapeake Bay is an ecosystem in peril. Pollutants from animal farms, urban and suburban development, sewage treatment plants, and coal-fired power plants are deposited into the Bay causing algae blooms that consume the dissolved oxygen and cause dead zones that cannot support aquatic life. To restore this environmental treasure and economic engine, all contributors to the Bay’s pollution problems must be held accountable. CPR works to ensure that state governments and the EPA are being vigilant, transparent, and equitable in holding polluters responsible for their share of the pollution.

Type: Reports (Aug. 1, 2017)
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Author(s): Evan Isaacson
EPA Scientists said 'ban pesticide chlorpyrifos'; Scott Pruitt said 'no'

EPA Scientists said ban pesticide chlorpyrifos. Scott Pruitt said 'no,' by Carl Cranor

Type: Op-Eds (June 7, 2017)
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Author(s): Carl Cranor
Congressional Review Act Targets

In the first few months of the Trump administration, Congress invoked a rarely used, little-known law called the Congressional Review Act to repeal a host of health, safety, and environmental regulations adopted during the Obama administration after years of consideration and public input. CPR tracked the congressional assault on our safeguards. See our chart from May 2017 detailing the damage.

Type: Reports (May 25, 2017)
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Author(s): Katie Tracy, James Goodwin
Without Public Protections, Florida Will Suffer

Without Public Protections, Florida Will Suffer, op-ed by Alyson Flournoy and Mary Jane Angelo

Type: Op-Eds (May 17, 2017)
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Author(s): Alyson Flournoy, Mary Jane Angelo
Regulatory Targets: Congressional GOP Takes Aim at Safeguards

In the first four months of his presidency, Donald Trump and his congressional allies used the Congressional Review Act to repeal 14 Obama era health, safety, labor, financial, education, energy, environmental rules. The law allows Congress to block "major" rules within 60 legislative days of adoption, with a joint resolution (not subject to the Senate's normal 60-vote requirement) and president's signature. CPR tracked the damage.

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Author(s): Katie Tracy, James Goodwin

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