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Friends of the Earth hires communications director
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Friends of the Earth welcomes EA Dyson today, who will serve as director of communications, based in Washington, DC. In this role, he will the lead the organization’s strategic, national communications in support of its public policy, visibility and issue outreach. “We are pleased to have EA… Read More
Citing new information, groups ask Whatcom County to reverse its prior decision not to study regional transportation risks of crude by rail to local refineries
BELLINGHAM, WA –In a letter submitted Wednesday, January 22, three local and one national organization asked Whatcom County officials to withdraw prior administrative determinations that allowed infrastructure projects to expand shipments of highly volatile Bakken crude by rail to Cherry Point refineries without full environmental review. Together, BP and… Read More
IMOs Polar Code ignores environmental dangers of increased Arctic and Antarctic shipping
Washington, D.C. – Last week a sub-committee of the International Maritime Organization reached a preliminary agreement, known as the “Polar Code,” on mandatory environmental and safety measures governing shipping operations in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Unfortunately, the Polar Code neglects to address the looming danger of allowing non ice-strengthened and… Read More
Another Vogtle debacle? Cost overruns, delays and construction woes bedevil V.C. Summer reactor project in S.C.
Six rate increases already imposed on S.C. consumers, project now eating up estimated 11 percent of utility bills COLUMBIA, S.C. – The $1 billion cost overrun, lengthening project delays and construction problems at Southern Company’s troubled Vogtle nuclear reactor project may get all the national headlines, but South Carolina Electric… Read More
9 groups react to retrograde fossil fuel support in Omnibus Appropriations legislation
Washington, D.C. — Polluter-funded politicians are attempting to use Omnibus Appropriations legislation to increase taxpayer support for building coal plants overseas. This would undermine President Obama’s new climate policy, which stops many of these dirty subsidies through U.S. development and trade finance agencies — the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import… Read More
Baucus and Camp introduce legislation to rush trade deals past Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Representative Dave Camp (R-Mich.), introduced “Fast Track” or trade promotion authority legislation today. If approved, Fast Track could expedite congressional approval of two massive trade deals without amendment or proper consideration. The Trans Atlantic and Trans Pacific trade agreements, both of which are… Read More
Vogtle nuclear loan guarantee drags into fifth round of delays
WASHINGTON, D.C. – According to a report by Platts today, the deadline to finalize the Department of Energy loan guarantee to the Plant Vogtle Nuclear Generating Station has been extended from December 31, 2013 to January 31, 2014. This new one-month extension marks the fourth year in a row… Read More
Statement on Washington, D.C., round of transatlantic trade negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the United States and the European Union concluded the third round of negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a trade deal intended to facilitate economic deregulation between the two regions. The negotiations were held behind closed doors, and the negotiating text is secret to… Read More
Friends of the Earth statement on Sen. Baucus proposed energy tax reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the Finance Committee Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) released his draft discussion plan for energy tax reform. In response to the proposal, Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica issued the following statement: “I welcome Senator Baucus’ proposal to reform energy taxes by decarbonizing the tax… Read More
New revelations show Keystone XL contractors ties to oil booster groups
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Politico reports this morning that Environmental Resources Management, the London-based firm hired by the State Department to do key parts of the environmental review of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, is a member of five oil industry booster groups that have advocated for the approval of the… Read More