Consumer

Virginia Tells Richmond Airport To Reduce Its Use Of ‘Forever Chemicals’

"The Richmond airport is renewing its stormwater discharge permit, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) added general requirements for the airport to monitor and lower its discharge of PFAS. Some stakeholders say that’s not enough and are asking for specific reduction targets."

Source: Bay Journal, 09/15/2026

Judge Weighs “Fairness” Of $7.25B Roundup Settlement For Cancer Victims

"Opposing teams of attorneys spent hours on Monday battling over a proposed $7.25 billion settlement of the US Roundup cancer litigation that, if approved, would allow Bayer to keep selling its controversial glyphosate weed killers while providing roughly $10,000 to $165,000 for individuals suffering from cancer they blame on Roundup use."

Source: The New Lede, 09/15/2026

Trump Administration Blocks $25 Million In Funding For National Parks

"The Trump administration has blocked more than 130 projects in national parks across the country worth at least $25 million, according to internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post — funding that had already been secured for some of the most visited parks for work such as fire preparedness in California, prehistoric mound protection in Iowa and sled dog care in Alaska."

Source: Washington Post, 09/15/2026

EPA Kills Rule That Limits Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Power Plants

"The Environmental Protection Agency said Monday it is repealing rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas and announced it is taking a separate but related step to prevent future administrations from regulating climate pollution from power plants."

Source: AP, 09/15/2026

Farm Bill Stuck in the Mud?

The Farm Bill — omnibus legislation that affects the food supply of millions of Americans, as well as their air, water and soil — is bogged down in hyperpartisan division. But as Backgrounder outlines, environmental journalists would be wise to track how Congress ultimately uses it to address matters like land and water conservation, rural water supply and pollution, pesticides and more.

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Electric Shadyland — the Riddle of Rising Energy Bills

While the Iran war has certainly brought on soaring oil prices, the rise in residential electricity costs may stem as much from the actions of a labyrinthine complex of federal and state utility regulators, writes the latest TipSheet. Start unraveling the factors here, with the backstory, and more than a dozen questions to ask and resources to tap.

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Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Have Doubled In Recent Decades: What To Know

"The number of cancer deaths estimated to be attributable to alcohol in the United States doubled from 1990 to 2023, particularly among men and people aged 55 years and older, according to a University of Miami study published this month, adding to the body of recent research underscoring the health risks of alcohol consumption."

Source: Washington Post, 09/14/2026

Court Strikes Down Trump Order to Keep Aging Coal-Burning Plant Running

"A federal appeals court on Friday struck down an order from the Trump administration that forced a coal plant in Michigan to stay open past its scheduled retirement date — dealing a blow to President Trump’s efforts to promote the coal industry."

Source: New York Times, 09/14/2026

Rabies Cases Increased 17 Percent In July And August, CDC Says

"Rabies cases in the United States from July to August increased 17 percent compared to the same period last year, following several “high-profile rabies outbreaks” and exposure events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday."

Source: Washington Post, 09/11/2026

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