environmental integrity project

Environmentalists say a long-awaited federal rule governing disposal of the toxic waste left over after burning coal is "too little and too late" -- and that when the next disaster inevitably occurs the White House will share the blame.

A new report from environmental groups documents widespread disregard for the Clean Water Act by electric utilities -- and an effort by the White House Office of Management and Budget to dilute proposed EPA rules trying to curb the industry's water pollution problem.

After proposing a rule to clean up toxic pollution from coal-fired power plants, the EPA holds a single public hearing -- but dramatically limits its scope. Environmentalists cry foul.

Dec. 22 marks four years since a coal ash impoundment collapsed at a TVA power plant in Tennessee, inundating a community and two rivers. As EPA drags its feet over issuing federal coal ash rules, politicians backed by industry interests are maneuvering to block the agency's ability to protect people and the environment -- even though their states have been adversely affected by poor regulation.

A citizen lawsuit under the Clean Air Act seeks to force the Environmental Protection Agency to impose stricter limits on hazardous air pollution from oil refineries, which has been linked to cancer and other serious health problems.

An analysis of Chinese names on a petition urging the Obama administration to oppose strict regulations for toxic coal ash reveals hundreds of bogus monikers including "Big Steamed Bun" and "Come to China Donkey." Who's behind the petition, and what big energy interests are they fronting for?

The amount of toxic coal ash that's being dumped at power plants in the region and nationwide is growing -- at the same time some members of Congress are trying to block strict regulation of such disposal.