Environment

Tourists and residents walk on catwalks during a sea tide of around 97 centimeters (38.18 inches) to cross a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, northern Italy, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, where recently installed glass barriers prevent seawater from flooding the 900-year-old iconic St Mark's Basilica, left. St. Mark's Square is the lowest-laying city area and frequently ends up underwater during extreme weather. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

AP PHOTOS: Glass barriers keep Venice’s iconic basilica dry

VENICE, Italy (AP) — It’s a simple solution, but one that may keep the marble columns and valuable mosaics of Venice’s iconic St.

A house sits in Rock Creek after floodwaters washed away a road and a bridge in Red Lodge, Mont., Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

AP PHOTOS: Nature’s forces on display in Yellowstone flood

FILE - Cruise ships float at PortMiami, on April 7, 2020, in Miami. The trade group representing the cruise ship industry unsuccessfully pushed international authorities to water down new environmental regulations despite members' commitments to addressing climate change, ocean air pollution experts have warned. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Cruise liners try to rewrite climate rules despite vows

FILE - People fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta's Elk Slough near Courtland, Calif., Tuesday, March 24, 2020. A proposal in the California state Senate aims to keep more water in California's rivers and streams to benefit endangered species of fish. Under the plan the state would spend up to $1.5 billion to buy up "senior water rights" that farmers use to take water from the state's rivers and streams to grow their crops. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California lawmakers mull buying out farmers to save water

Boats rest on the Blackstone River, in Central Falls, R.I., Sunday, June 5, 2022. Environmental officials are urging residents to avoid a stretch of the Blackstone River after finding that sewage was leaking into the river from the Woonsocket Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility on Sunday. Residents are being advised to avoid swimming, boating or fishing in the river from Cumberland Hill Road, in Woonsocket, R.I., to the Slater Mill Dam, in Pawtucket, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Partly treated sewage found running into Blackstone River

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Environmental groups challenge EU support for gas projects

Environmental groups have started legal action against the European Commission to challenge the inclusion of 30 gas projects in a list of priority operations considered as beneficial to the bloc’s energy market.

Conference about Maine, NH beaches back after 3-year hiatus

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine (AP) — A conference about the health of the Maine and New Hampshire coasts is coming back after a three-year hiatus.

Court upholds ‘terrorism’ sentencing of pipeline saboteur

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court on Monday upheld an eight-year prison sentence for an environmental activist who tried to sabotage the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Mountain Valley Pipeline seeks new panel for challenges

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — A company building a natural gas pipeline in Virginia and West Virginia is seeking a new panel of judges to hear the next round in its legal battle with environmentalists.

Chesapeake Bay watershed earns a C+ on latest ‘report card’

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Chesapeake Bay watershed received an overall grade of C+ on its latest report card, released Monday by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

Tennessee unveils trail made out of tires

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials say one of the longest rubber-bearing trails in the U.S. have opened at T.O. Fuller State Park.

FILE - The sun sets over water lilies and cypress trees along the remote Red Trail wilderness water trail of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in Fargo, Ga. The refuge is one of the world's largest intact freshwater ecosystems and averages 300,000 visitors a year and 4,000 visitors permitted for overnight camping along trails such as this. According to a government memo, Friday, June 3, 2022, a federal agency has delivered a big setback to a company's controversial plan to mine at the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp's vast wildlife refuge. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, File)

Agency ruling delivers big setback to Okefenokee mining plan

A federal agency has delivered a big setback to a company’s controversial plan to mine at the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp’s vast wildlife refuge.

Algae blooms prompt advisories for two bodies of water

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — State officials are warning of potentially dangerous algae blooms at two bodies of water with popular recreation areas.

FILE - An ethanol refinery is shown on July 22, 2021, in Chancellor, S.D. The Biden administration set new requirements Friday, June 3, 2022, that increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation's gasoline supply but reduce previous ethanol-blending requirements due to a plunge in fuel demand during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves, File)

EPA raises amount of ethanol that must be blended with gas

The Biden administration has set new requirements that increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply.

A climate activist tied herself to the net during the semifinal match between Croatia's Marin Cilic and Norway's Casper Ruud at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Friday, June 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

French Open match interrupted by environmental activist

PARIS (AP) — An environmental activist wearing a T-shirt with the message “We have 1028 days left” interrupted the French Open men’s semifinal between Casper Ruud and 2014 U.S.

Groups file new lawsuit to stop Idaho gold mine drilling

Two groups say the U.S. Forest Service violated environmental laws in approving exploratory drilling by a Canadian company hoping to build a gold mine in Idaho west of Yellowstone National Park.

FILE - The Greenidge Generation bitcoin mining facility, in a former coal plant by Seneca Lake in Dresden, New York, is shown in this photo from Nov. 29, 2021. A milestone measure that would tap the brakes on the spread of cryptocurrency mining operations burning fossil fuels in New York has passed the state Legislature. The bill approved early Friday, June 3, 2022, by the state Senate would establish a two-year moratorium on new and renewed air permits for fossil fuel power plants used for energy-intensive “proof-of-work” cryptomining. The plant also produces power for the state's electricity grid. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Landmark bill to limit cryptomining passes NY Legislature

The New York Legislature has approved a milestone environmental measure designed to tap the brakes on the spread of cryptocurrency mining operations that burn fossil fuels.

FILE - Crowds of emperor penguins on the ice in Antarctica on Dec. 21, 2005. Officials on Friday, June 3, 2022 say China has blocked efforts to step up protection of emperor penguins that are increasingly threatened by the effects global warming is having on their natural habitat in Antarctica. Dozens of countries had backed giving the world’s largest penguins special protection status at a 10-day meeting of parties to the Antarctic Treaty, which was forged in 1959 to ensure the continent remains the preserve of science and free of arms. (Zhang Zongtang/Xinhua via AP, file)

China blocks moves to step up protection of emperor penguins

Officials say China has blocked efforts to step up protection of emperor penguins that are increasingly threatened by the effects global warming is having on their natural habitat in Antarctica.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott vetoes land conservation bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Gov. Phil Scott has vetoed a land conservation bill that supporters say intended to protect biodiversity and improve climate resilience.

Flooding threatens influential environmentalist’s property

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Flooding in northern Minnesota is threatening a renowned environmentalist’s retreat.

Henry Horton State Park opens restaurant, visitors center

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials have opened a new restaurant and visitors center at Henry Horton State Park.

Goal is to shrink Gulf dead zone, but that’s not happening

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Decades of work haven’t shrunk the oxygen-depleted “dead zone” that forms each year in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana and Texas.

This photo provided by the Trust for Public Land shows the L Bar Ranch on Dec. 9, 2021 near Mount Taylor, adjacent to the Marquez State Wildlife Area, N.M. A national conservation group has acquired the sprawling ranch near a New Mexico mountain peak held sacred by Native American tribes. The Trust for Public Land announced Thursday, June 2, 2022 that land managers will be able create New Mexico's largest state-owned recreation property, near Mount Taylor. (Dave Cox/Mountain Media via AP)

Volcanic cones near peak sacred to tribes gain protection

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A years-long effort to protect land around a New Mexico mountain peak held sacred by many Native American tribes got a major boost Thursday with the announcement that dozens of additional square miles will be set aside for wildlife, cultural preservation and recreation.

NC bill seeks “forever chemical” standards, reimbursements

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state regulators would set maximum acceptable levels of “forever chemicals” — like those discharged for decades into the Cape Fear River — for drinking water in legislation considered Thursday by a state House committee.

FILE - Indigenous leaders and "water protectors" march through swamp land to the boardwalk leading to an Enbridge pipeline construction site, June 7, 2021, in Clearwater County, Minn. The Biden administration on Thursday, June 2, 2022, proposed undoing a Trump-era rule that limited the power of states and Native American tribes to block energy projects like natural gas pipelines based on their potential to pollute rivers and streams. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP, File)

EPA moves to give states, tribes more power to protect water

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed handing more power to states and tribes to block major energy projects based on water quality concerns.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee walks past a sign asking visitors to complete a health screening as he steps outside to talk to reporters, Thursday, June 2, 2022, at a Dept. of Ecology office in Richland, Wash. On May 25, 2022, Inslee's office said the Governor had tested positive for COVID-19. Inslee, who has recently criticized the slow pace of cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state, was speaking ahead of a scheduled tour of the nuclear weapons production site and repeated his message that more federal money is needed to finish the job. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Inslee: Feds need to increase nuclear waste cleanup funds

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who has recently criticized the slow pace of cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, toured the former nuclear weapons production site on Thursday and said more federal money is needed to finish the job.

FILE - This Jan. 11, 2022 file photo, shows part of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority plant in Newark N.J. A proposed backup power plant for the facility is drawing strenuous opposition from residents who say their neighborhood is already overburdened with polluting facilities, including two other power plants. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday, June 2, 2022, they hope to have rules spelling out the details of the law approved by Dec. 31, which would mark the point where the law was fully implemented. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

NJ aims to implement environmental justice law by Dec. 31

New Jersey environmental protection officials said Thursday they hope to have a law that guards communities from overbearing pollution in full effect by the end of this year.

FILE — People protest against seismic surveys off the South African coastline at Muizenberg beach in Cape Town, South Africa, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. A South African court is to rule on efforts to stop British oil giant Shell from conducting any further seismic surveys in the country's Indian Ocean waters to explore for offshore oil and gas deposits. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht/File)

South Africa court to rule on Shell offshore oil exploration

A South African court is to rule on efforts to stop British oil giant Shell from conducting any further seismic surveys in the country’s Indian Ocean waters to explore for offshore oil and gas deposits.

A flare burns at Venture Global LNG in Cameron, La., on Friday, April 21, 2022. The new facility, which exports liquefied natural gas, is one of several like it along the Gulf Coast — and there are proposals for several more in Louisiana and Texas. Natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas and other areas is sent by pipeline to the export facilities. It is then cooled and liquefied, making it possible to send much greater quantities by ship to Asia, Europe and other places that are hungry for natural gas. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine)

As natural gas expands in Gulf, residents fear rising damage

There are neighborhoods in Southwest Louisiana that have endured seven federally declared disasters in just two years.

Hawaii youth sue state over transportation climate harms

HONOLULU (AP) — Fourteen Hawaii children and teenagers filed a lawsuit Wednesday, alleging the state is violating the state constitution by operating a transportation system that harms the climate and infringes upon the plaintiffs’ right to a clean and healthy environment.

Britain, Netherlands approve new North Sea gas projects

BERLIN (AP) — British regulators gave final approval Wednesday to develop a new North Sea gas field, while the Dutch government announced that it has issued permits for a joint gas exploration project with Germany.

FILE - Snorkelers and kayakers interact with an aggregation of manatees gathered at the entrance to the Three Sisters Springs during a cold morning Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Crystal River, Fla. Rob Hale, a co-owner of the Boston Celtics, is donating $2 million toward protecting the Florida manatees and their habitat following two seasons of record-breaking manatee mortalities in the state. Fox Rock Foundation, a family charity overseen by Hale and his wife, Karen, will give $1 million each to the nonprofits Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Save the Manatee Club, the groups announced Tuesday, May 17. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson, File)

US agrees to update critical habitat for Florida manatees

U.S. wildlife officials have agreed to revise the critical habitat designation for Florida manatees, which have been dying in record numbers because water pollution is killing a main food source.

In this still photo provided by Ethereal Films, Brenda Hampton attends the National PFAS Conference, in Boston, in June 2019. Hampton, a mother and grandmother, who believes tainted water led to her kidney problems, found that PFAS seemed to be in everything, including fast food packaging. Concerned that her children were ingesting the chemicals as they ate french fries and burgers, she joined the fight to get it banned from McDonald's. (Elijah Yetter-Bowman/Ethereal Films via AP)

Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers

BOSTON (AP) — Brenda Hampton first came across the toxic industrial compound PFAS after finding it was part of the cocktail of contaminants that tainted the drinking water in her North Alabama community.

Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, right, welcomes UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Stockholm, Sweden on Wednesday June 1, 2022, ahead of their meeting. (Soren Andersson/TT via AP)

UN chief worries Ukraine war overshadowing climate fight

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the war in Ukraine is diverting attention away from climate change, while at the same time showcasing the world’s “suicidal” dependence on fossil fuels.

Tennessee State Parks to host National Trails Day hikes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will celebrate National Trails Day by offering free guided hikes at all 56 state parks starting this weekend.