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.

Untapped Potential: The Carbon Reductions Left Out of EPA's Clean Power Plan

Untapped Potential: The Carbon Reductions Left Out of EPA's Clean Power Plan, CPR Paper 1607, by CPR Member Scholars Alice Kaswan and Kirsten Engel, October 2016.

Type: Reports (Oct. 27, 2016)
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Author(s): Alice Kaswan, Kirsten Engel
Changing Landscape for Bay Restoration

In recognition of the role that Maryland is playing as a case study for the rest of the nation on stormwater pollution abatement, CPR analyzed stormwater pollution control plans for Maryland’s 11 MS4 permit holders.

Type: Reports (Sept. 29, 2016)
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As Court Weighs Clean Power Plan, Rule's Approach Could Reduce Carbon Emissions, Improve Public Health

As Court Weighs Clean Power Plan, Rule's Approach Could Reduce Carbon Emissions, Improve Public Health, op-ed by Alice Kaswan

Type: Op-Eds (Sept. 26, 2016)
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Author(s): Alice Kaswan
Barack Obama's Path to Progress in 2015-16: Thirteen Essential Regulatory Actions [UPDATED]

In 2014, the Center for Progressive Reform issued a report identifying 13 key regulatory actions that the Obama administration should be certain to finish before June of 2016, in order to ensure that the rules would 1) make it out of the regulatory pipeline during Obama's tenure, and 2) be finalized in time to be safe from repeal by the successor administration. In 2016, CPR followed up to see whether the Obama administration had adopted the necessary sense of urgency. (Read the online version of this report for the 2016 updates.)

Type: Reports (Aug. 1, 2016)
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Author(s): Rena Steinzor, James Goodwin, Matt Shudtz, Anne Havemann
Robert Glicksman's testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight

Robert Glicksman's June 7, 2016 testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight

Type: Legislative Testimony (June 7, 2016)
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Author(s): Robert Glicksman
William Buzbee's testimony before the House Environment & Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water & Wildlife on the Waters of the United States rule

William Buzbee's May 24, 2016 testimony before the House Environment & Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water & Wildlife on the Waters of the United States rule.

Type: Legislative Testimony (May 24, 2016)
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Author(s): William Buzbee
Time for Environmental Crimes

Time for Environmental Crimes, op-ed by Rena Steinzor

Type: Op-Eds (May 19, 2016)
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Author(s): Rena Steinzor
Dangerous Bedfellows: The stalemate on criminal justice reform.

Writing for The American Prospect, Rena Steinzor takes note of the unusual roll call of supporters for criminal justice reform legislation, and efforts by conservatives to use the bill to weaken enforcement of white-collar crime laws.

Type: Op-Eds (May 11, 2016)
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Author(s): Rena Steinzor
Pollution Police Off the Beat

Pollution Police Off the Beat, op-ed by Rena Steinzor and Evan Isaacson

Type: Op-Eds (May 6, 2016)
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Author(s): Rena Steinzor
Coalition letter to Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Grumbles and Attorney General Frosh re enforcement trends

Coalition letter to Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Grumbles and Attorney General Frosh re downward trends in enforcement proceedings in Maryland.

Type: Letters to Agencies (May 5, 2016)
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Author(s): Rena Steinzor

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