After a dozen years and four lawsuits the EPA has finally set rules limiting how much
mercury and other toxins cement plants can release. Given that cement plants are among the top three biggest contributers to methylmercury emissions this a big deal development!
We talk with the attorney who led those lawsuits, Jim Pew, with Earthjustice.
EarthJustice VP of Policy and Legislation Marty Hayden muses on Bush’s big speech this week: "I think he sought to avoid Katrina, both in the context of climate change and social justice." LISTEN (11 min)
EarthJustice Attorney Jim Pew has won two court orders from the EPA to act to protect us from cement-industry created Mercury pollution, but hasn’t seen any results yet: "If we knew more about how much mercury they’re putting out, the picture would be even bleaker." LISTEN (8 min)
Tim Preso, attorney for EarthJustice— "because the Earth needs a good lawyer"– tells Betsy how the US National Forest Service has decided to do away with all environmental review for projects– road paving and logging included– in our National Forests. "What we’ve seen over and over again is that this White House is very hostile to the process of environmental review and disclosure. This is just the latest in a series." LISTEN (11 min)
Marty Hayden, VP of Policy and Legislation at Earthjustice, offers a nuanced and insightful view of what the recent mid-terms will and will not bring our good green Earth. "I think we’ll see the President veto more than one bill, for starters." LISTEN (8 min)
David Baron, Managing Attorney in Earthjustice Washington DC’s office talks about the case that will be heard by the Supreme Court at the end of November about the responsibility of the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases from motor vehicles.
LISTEN (7:50 min)
This is a rerun of our May 13 program.
Demian Schane, Staff Attorney with Earthjustice – Juneau office explains how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authorized the giant Coeur d’Alene Mine corporation to operate the Kensington Project and dump millions of tons of gold mine tailings directly into
pristine Lower Slate Lake. LISTEN (8 min)
Paul
Achitof is Managing Attorney for Earthjustice’s Hawai’i office. He gives us an update on
efforts to ensure oversight of biopharmaceutical developments, growing
drugs in food crops. LISTEN (7 min)
Demian Schane, Staff Attorney with Earthjustice – Juneau office explains how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authorized the giant Coeur d’Alene Mine corporation to operate the Kensington Project and dump millions of tons of gold mine tailings directly into
pristine Lower Slate Lake. LISTEN (8 min)
Kristen Boyles, Staff Attorney for Earthjustice explains the most recent judicial decision concerning the Klamath River. The Klamath that runs in Southern Oregon and California used to be the third largest salmon producer. Due to excessive irrigation and obsolete dams the flow has become to small and the water too warm for the fish. The court has now set a minimal flow level. Meanwhile the Federal government is urged to close salmon fishing along 700 hundred miles of coastline in Oregon and California.
LISTEN (7:50 min)