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Obama Calls Dirty Energy Clean in State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica had the following response to President Obama’s comments about energy policy in tonight’s State of the Union address as prepared for delivery. Read More
The State of the Union: What to Watch For
President Obama will deliver the State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, January 25. The speech will provide important indications about the President’s priorities for the next year, and should signal to environmentalists the extent to which he plans to stand up to corporate polluter lobbyists and support a pro-environment agenda. Here’s Friends of the Earth’s view of what the President should say about energy and the environment, and what he shouldn’t say. Read More
EPA Approves High Ethanol Fuel for More Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Friends of the Earth joined a diverse coalition of business, environmental, budget watchdog and public interest groups in condemning today’s decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the use of gasoline blends containing 15 percent ethanol, referred to as “E15,” in cars, SUVs, and light trucks from model years 2001 and newer. Read More
Massive tar sands oil pipeline no longer sure bet for Big Oil; pivotal Obama administration decision nears
Once thought a shoo-in for Obama administration approval, a proposed tar sands oil pipeline emerged as a controversial flashpoint in the fight over our nation’s energy future in 2010. The Keystone XL project, proposed by TransCanada, would pump extremely polluting tar sands oil from Canada through six U.S. states to refineries near Houston, endangering people and ecosystems along its route. Read More
Firm plans to pursue experimental nuclear reactors without required licenses
Columbia, SC -- Documents obtained by Friends of the Earth under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that a private contractor plans to pursue experimental nuclear reactors without licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, even though such licensing is required by law. Read More
Environmental groups urge U.S. Ex-Im Bank to vote no on financing massive coal plant in South Africa
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Environmental and social justice groups demonstrated in front of the U.S. Export-Import Bank today, urging Ex-Im’s board of directors to vote against a proposal to finance the construction of a 4,800 megawatt coal plant in South Africa. Read More
State Department Refuses to Release Information on Tar Sands Oil Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. State Department notified environmental groups last week that it has denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for correspondence between the agency and a former presidential campaign staffer of Hillary Clinton’s who in his new role as oil industry lobbyist is seeking Secretary of State Clinton’s approval for the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline. Read More
Oil Spill Commission Report Indicates Drilling Risk Remains; Congressional Action Is Urgently Needed
Washington, D.C.—A presidential panel charged with investigating the causes of last year’s Gulf oil spill released its conclusions today. Friends of the Earth’s president, Erich Pica, had the following response, Read More
Tax Package Rewards Corn Ethanol Industry, Other Polluters
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Late last night, the House of Representatives passed a tax package that extends subsidies for dirty fuels such as corn ethanol and liquid coal. The $860 billion package also extends the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and establishes a low estate tax rate. Read More
Groups Criticize Presidential Commission’s Recommendations on Synthetic Biology
We need stronger, more transparent regulation for synthetic biology, not less. Read More