Dec 23 Environment Jefferson County Not Meeting Soot Standards The Environmental Protection Agency has declared several counties in Kentucky and Indiana to be out of compliance with federal standards for fine particle air pollution, or soot. Jefferson is one of those counties. By Kristin Espeland Dec 23 Environment Jefferson County Not Meeting Soot Standards Kristin Espeland
Dec 22 Environment Enviros Sue Over Mining/Stream Buffer Rule A coalition of environmental groups is suing the Environmental Protection Agency in federal court over a recently approved mountaintop removal mining rule change. The old rule required mining companies to keep debris at least a hundred feet away from valley streams. But because of different interpretations of the rule, many miles of streams have already been covered with debris. By Kristin Espeland Dec 22 Environment Enviros Sue Over Mining/Stream Buffer Rule Kristin Espeland
Dec 19 Environment Memo to Next EPA Press Sec'y: Read Up There's no debate, it's been over for quite some time. Global warming is happening, we're causing it, and it's getting worse, fast. So, I hope you'll study up on the copious amount of science out there on the problem. By Kristin Espeland Dec 19 Environment Memo to Next EPA Press Sec'y: Read Up Kristin Espeland
Dec 10 Environment EPA Seeks "Most Wanted" Fugitives The Environmental Protection Agency has unveiled a new web site aimed at capturing environmental criminals. The new “Most Wanted” site lists 23 fugitives with mug shots and descriptions of alleged crimes. By Kristin Espeland Dec 10 Environment EPA Seeks "Most Wanted" Fugitives Kristin Espeland
Dec 3 Environment EPA Signs Off On Mountaintop Removal Rule The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has signed off on a controversial rule concerning mountaintop removal mining. The new rule would allow mining companies to place mining debris in streams. By Kristin Espeland Dec 3 Environment EPA Signs Off On Mountaintop Removal Rule Kristin Espeland
Nov 25 Environment For National Parks, Pollution, Confusion The skies over Mammoth Cave National Park are already so hazy, it’s hard to see more than a few miles. Now, a confusing whirl of pending regulations and law suits is putting the future of air quality in all national parks at stake. WFPL’s Kristin Espeland reports. By Kristin Espeland Nov 25 Environment For National Parks, Pollution, Confusion Kristin Espeland
Nov 4 Local News EPA to Revise Power Plant Pollution Rules The Environmental Protection Agency may be close to finalizing a rule that would allow coal-fired power plants to forgo pollution controls if they expand their operations. By Kristin Espeland Nov 4 Local News EPA to Revise Power Plant Pollution Rules Kristin Espeland
Oct 27 Local News Group Sues EPA Over PVC Plant Emissions A nonprofit group says it wants the Environmental Protection Agency to get moving on efforts to tighten pollution standards for PVC manufacturing plants. By Kristin Espeland Oct 27 Local News Group Sues EPA Over PVC Plant Emissions Kristin Espeland
Oct 21 Local News Schools, Businesses Join Kilowatt Crackdown Louisville businesses and schools are entering a competition to increase their building’s energy efficiency. It’s called Kilowatt Crackdown. All 150 Jefferson County Public Schools are in the competition, and about thirty businesses have joined so far. Leslie Cook with the EPA’s EnergySTAR program says Louisville is leading the way with this initiative. “We really see […] By Stephanie Crosby Oct 21 Local News Schools, Businesses Join Kilowatt Crackdown Stephanie Crosby
Sep 4 Local News Court Finds EPA Wrong to Approve KY Water Laws A federal appeals court has sided with the Kentucky Waterways Alliance and other groups against the EPA over Kentucky water quality laws. By Kristin Espeland Sep 4 Local News Court Finds EPA Wrong to Approve KY Water Laws Kristin Espeland
Sep 2 Environment Measuring Up Louisville's Recycling Program Louisville metro recently completed a new five-year plan for managing trash. The plan calls for Louisville to recycle 25% of that waste—a goal the city hasn’t changed in years. WFPL’s Kristin Espeland investigates whether the city is reaching that goal, and where it’s falling short. By Kristin Espeland Sep 2 Environment Measuring Up Louisville's Recycling Program Kristin Espeland
Aug 28 Local News EPA to Allow Self-Reporting of Violations The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will allow companies it regulates nationwide to self-report, online, any violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act. By Kristin Espeland Aug 28 Local News EPA to Allow Self-Reporting of Violations Kristin Espeland
Aug 20 Local News Floyd, Clark Counties Don't Meet Soot Standards The EPA says 19 Indiana counties an townships are not meeting federal soot standards; Indiana says it should be only 5. By Kristin Espeland Aug 20 Local News Floyd, Clark Counties Don't Meet Soot Standards Kristin Espeland
Jul 17 Local News New Studies Show Pollutant Can Harm Lungs The Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the latest studies of the health impacts of short-term exposure to nitrogen oxides, or NOx. Those impacts can include respiratory trouble and trips to the emergency room. Children and asthmatics are particularly vulnerable. By Kristin Espeland Jul 17 Local News New Studies Show Pollutant Can Harm Lungs Kristin Espeland