As the United States restarts fitfully following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, one source of controversy — and of numerous local or regional environmental stories — is what to do at the nation’s park system. The latest TipSheet explains why public access to these national treasures is so contentious, then provides numerous story ideas and reporting resources.
"The Trump administration is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the government to keep certain endangered species records out of the public eye."
"As restaurants and other businesses have closed during the coronavirus pandemic, rats may become more aggressive as they hunt for new sources of food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned."
"The plan for a large proposed gold and copper mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay has changed to include a two-lane, 82-mile access road along the northern shore of Lake Iliamna, alarming environmental opponents who say they weren’t informed of the change until late in the permitting process."
"Deer, bobcats and black bears are gathering around parts of Yosemite national park typically teeming with visitors".
"EPA has begun the slow process of reopening offices despite its employees' worries about potential exposure to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus."
The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on….everything. Right when the public needs accurate information the most, journalism has been hit particularly hard. Yet environmental journalism remains essential, especially since the pandemic continues as we enter hurricane, cyclone and wildfire season, and an atmosphere of deregulation persists. Yet impacts on publications are translating to staffing cuts, furloughs and slashed freelance budgets. Here’s a brief update on all SEJ is doing to stay ahead of the impacts, from SEJ President Meera Subramanian.
"Ohio yesterday [Thursday] unanimously approved the Icebreaker wind farm, North America's first offshore freshwater project, planned for just off the Cleveland shore in Lake Erie."
"Despite the pandemic environment, states and fleets push forward on electric tractors." "With 1.3 million electric vehicles on the road in 2020, and with lawmakers pushing for more adoption, fleets have been looking at Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles carefully — kicking the tires and doing the math."
"The oil and natural gas capital of the world is going all-in on solar power. Houston will begin a new five-year contract in July with NRG Energy Inc. to power all of its city-owned properties, from fire stations to airports, with renewable energy."
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