Search
EPA reverses decision to allow four new feedstocks into the Renewable Fuel Standard in response to environmental objections
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency today withdrew a previous direct and final rule to amend the Renewable Fuel Standard after environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, submitted comments about the agency’s failure to address land use change and greenhouse gas and invasive species impacts in its analysis… Read More
TransCanada employs piecemeal gimmick to resurrect Keystone XL; administration caves to ploy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — TransCanada today announced a scheme to circumvent President Obama's rejection of the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline by splitting the project into two segments to be reviewed through separate regulatory processes. In an alarming about-face, the Obama administration welcomed the announcement, stating that it will take every step to expedite the federal permitting process. Read More
Polar protection on ice
London, U.K. — The polar waters of the Arctic and Antarctic are in jeopardy as a result of substantial delays to the development of environmental protection rules which will reduce the impact of shipping on these delicate regions. Last week the International Maritime Organization[1] shelved the development of environmental protection… Read More
State Department sued for not disclosing Keystone XL pipeline lobbyists communications
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Environmental group Friends of the Earth sued the State Department today to gain access to communications between the department and a broad web of lobbyists promoting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Read More
New investor brief exposes China National Petroleum Corporations lack of mechanism for addressing environmental and social risks
Friends of the Earth today released Crude beginnings, a new investor brief on the environmental and social risks associated with China National Petroleum Corporation, one of the world’s biggest oil companies. CNPC, China’s leading oil and gas producer and supplier, is rapidly increasing its global footprint, and operates in… Read More
Feds approve unsafe new nuclear reactors requiring billions of taxpayer dollars
Washington, D.C. — Despite the opposition of its chair, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last Thursday approved the first new construction of a new design of nuclear reactor since the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster in 1979. Friends of the Earth stated today that the decision to give the green light to building two nuclear reactors at Vogtle, Georgia raises fundamental safety and economic concerns. Read More
Investigation reveals flaws in State Departments Keystone XL review process, raises fresh concerns
Department’s Office of Inspector General recommends reforms after finding procedural lapses and previously undisclosed financial relationship between TransCanada and Cardno Entrix, as well as insufficient scientific expertise within department WASHINGTON, D.C. — Multiple flaws in the State Department’s review of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline were revealed… Read More
update: FOIA request for Cardno Entrix contracts re-opened
5 p.m. update, Thursday, February 10, 2012: Friends of the Earth received an email from the State Department this afternoon indicating that our FOIA request for the contract with Cardno Entrix has been reopened and that the department is reviewing a document that may be released to us. We’ll keep… Read More
Radioactive release from California reactor indicates nuclear power is neither dependable nor safe
San Francisco — Friends of the Earth called the radioactive release of steam today from the San Onofre nuclear plant near San Diego a sharp reminder that a Fukushima could happen here. The organization has called on California Governor Jerry Brown to develop a plan for dependable, clean energy that… Read More
Nuclear cancellation in Florida is warning to Iowa legislators
Florida utility seeks to cancel nuclear construction plans while leaving customers on the hook for hundreds of millions as Iowa legislators consider allowing a similar swindle IOWA — News that Florida utility Progress Energy plans to cancel the construction contract for its proposed nuclear reactors in Levy County —… Read More