EPA Referrals for Criminal Prosecution Lowest Since 1988: Report
From: The Hill
“Former members of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division told the AP that the reason for the decreased caseload stemmed not from a lack of leads, but rather a lack…
News Clips
Following are recent press clips from national publications that relate to PEER issues, campaigns and news releases.
EPA Criminal Action Against Polluters Hits 30-year Low
From: Associated Press
“You don’t get closer to the core of EPA’s mission than enforcing the law,” Jeff Ruch, PEER’s executive director, told The Associated Press. “We’re reaching levels…
McCracken: Cougars Are Not to Blame for Low Elk Numbers
From: La Grande Observer
“In order to keep both elk hunters and ranchers happy, ODFW has shifted the blame for low elk numbers onto cougar predation rather than agency mismanagement.…
To Address Toxic Algae, Florida Governor Announces Sweeping Environmental Plan
From: Governing
“The environment became a central issue in the heated election after algae blooms covered most of the 730-square-mile lake and coincided with a red tide in the Gulf…
Florida Governor Announces Sweeping Changes in Water Policy
From: Trade Only Today
“Two days after taking office, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has released a proposal to clean up Florida’s waters. The action items include more aggressive policies…
Bernhardt Must Renew 'Acting' Heads by Month's End
From: E&E News
“Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt must soon decide whether to maintain eight temporary agency directors, as the Trump administration presses into its third year…
Idled Federal Workers Called Back To Wildlife Refuges So People Can Hunt
From: Huffington Post
“Jeff Ruch, president of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, told The Hill that the FWS decision appears to violate the terms of its own shutdown…
US Congress Allows Oil Spill Tax to Expire
From: Argus Media
“A US government trust fund used to clean up oil spills is losing out on millions of dollars in revenue after lawmakers allowed a 9¢/bl excise tax on refiners, importers…
Refuge Reinforcements Ride In, But Is It a Rescue?
From: E&E News
“Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, declared today that the FWS refuge reinforcements could compound risks for wildlife…
Interior Restaffs Some Wildlife Refuges During Shutdown
From: WFAE 90.7
“Just days after announcing that some furloughed staff will be returning to clean up trash-riddled national parks during the government shutdown, the Trump administration…