Environmental News

Illinois Sues Company over Lead Found in Drinking Water

Illinois alleges that a company that provides water to a Chicago suburb made changes without permission from state regulators that caused lead to contaminate the village’s drinking water. Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against Aqua Illinois, the company …

Idaho Tribe Sues Mining Company Over Pollution

The Nez Perce Tribe has filed a lawsuit to force a Canadian company to clean up an idle central Idaho mining area – which the company says it plans to do if it gets approval from U.S. officials to restart …

California Vineyard Hit with $3.7M Fine for Bulldozing Wetland

California regulators say a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur and winemaker has agreed to pay $3.76 million in penalties after his company bulldozed a protected wetland and filled in a stream bed to build a vineyard in Mendocino County. The Santa …

Moody’s Acquisition Could Signal Shift in Pricing of Climate Risk: Viewpoint

The acquisition of California-based Four Twenty Seven, Inc., by Moody’s Corporation could signify the beginning of a major shift in how markets price risks related to climate change. Up until now, these risks largely have been absent from investors’ models, …

EPA Official: Montana Site Suited for Superfund Status

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official says a Montana area emitting toxic vapors is a candidate to become a federal Superfund site. The Billings Gazette reports contaminants from old dry cleaning solvents are evaporating at several spots in an 855-acre …

Wyoming Refinery Sued over Environmental Violations

The Wyoming attorney general’s office has sued an oil refinery, claiming it exceeded emission limits for a number of air pollutants. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that the state filed the lawsuit last week against HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, alleging 17 …

California Regulators Say Chevron Not Doing Enough to Stop Oil Spill

California regulators say Chevron has not done enough to stop a massive oil spill that dumped about 800,000 gallons of crude oil and water into a Kern County canyon, and they want the company to take further action to halt …

Global Mining Firms Reveal Safety Plans for Tailings Dams After Deadly Brazil Disasters

Global miners BHP Group, Anglo American Plc and Glencore Plc revealed details on tailings dams, months after ethical investors sought the information following a second deadly dam disaster in Brazil. BHP, which operates 67 tailings facilities, said on Friday it …

Exxon Mobil Settling Montana Oil Spill for $1M

A judge has approved an agreement for Exxon Mobil Corp. to pay $1.05 million to settle federal pollution violations over a 2011 pipeline break that sent oil into Montana’s Yellowstone River. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters accepted the deal this …

Alaska City Votes to Adopt Climate Action Plan

The Anchorage Assembly has adopted a climate action plan setting goals for the Alaska city. Alaska Public Media reported that the city officials voted this week to adopt the 100-page document outlining aims such as reducing carbon emissions by 80 …