Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Donald Trump turns environmental activists from government friends to foes
Environmental activists have gone from being the government's closest allies to being nonstop litigants in just four months, filing lawsuits on a weekly basis challenging virtually every move the Trump administration has made in its deregulatory push. Published May 17, 2017
EPA reaches settlement with Pebble mine company; stalled Alaska project could go forward
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday announced a legal settlement that could allow a highly controversial Alaska mine project to move forward. Published May 12, 2017
Scott Pruitt: Obama was no ‘environmental savior,’ past administration accomplished nothing
Former President Obama is widely revered by activists and progressive Democrats for his actions on climate change, but Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt on Thursday challenged those credentials and said the former commander in chief was no "environmental savior." Published May 11, 2017
Environmentalists celebrate surprise victory as Senate upholds Obama-era methane rule
Sen. John McCain on Wednesday handed Republican leadership and President Trump a stinging legislative defeat as he cast a surprise deciding vote to maintain an Obama-era regulation limiting methane emissions from oil and gas wells. Published May 10, 2017
Monument review could open up 2.7 million acres to coal mining, oil drilling: Report
An area larger than Yellowstone National Park could be opened up for fossil fuel development as a result of the Trump administration's ongoing review of national monuments, according to a study from environmentalists who deeply oppose such energy exploration. Published May 10, 2017
Ryan Zinke, interior secretary, admires monuments before review to revoke designations
Based on the beautiful pictures and effusive praise he has posted to Twitter this week from one of the nation's newest national monuments, you might never guess that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke could set into motion the process to erase it from the map. Published May 9, 2017
Ethanol proponents urge Canada to raise renewable-fuel levels for gasoline
Faced with an uncertain future in the U.S., ethanol proponents have mounted a public push north of the border, urging Canada to raise its own renewable-fuel levels for gasoline. Published May 8, 2017
EPA under fire for cleaning house at scientific review board; 9 members’ terms not renewed
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt came under fire Monday after he began cleaning house at a key scientific review board, with critics charging the agency once again is prioritizing politics over science. Published May 8, 2017
Ryan Zinke promises to hear out protesters of rescinding national monuments
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Sunday launched a "listening tour" across Utah designed to quell an uproar over his department's controversial review of national monuments. Published May 7, 2017
Interior Dept names 26 monuments under review
Following through on an executive order signed by President Trump last week, the Interior Department on Friday released a list of the 21 national monuments and five marine monuments now under federal review. Published May 5, 2017
Environmentalist groups file lawsuit against drilling plan
A coalition of the nation's most powerful environmental groups filed a lawsuit Wednesday to stop President Trump's plan to open up new areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans to offshore drilling. Published May 3, 2017
Paris climate deal in jeopardy as Trump’s decision looms
With President Trump's decision just days away, the Paris climate accord appears to be in jeopardy as officials inside the White House and powerful conservatives outside government capture momentum by seizing on thorny legal questions that would arise from keeping the deal while the administration simultaneously guts the regulations needed to help the U.S. meet its promise. Published May 3, 2017
Oil and gas group says U.S. can cut emissions without Paris climate deal, urges withdrawal
A prominent oil and gas industry group said Monday the U.S. has dramatically reduced greenhouse-gas emissions without burdensome regulations and international deals, urging President Trump to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement and allow market forces to drive energy policy. Published May 1, 2017
Congress reaches deal on retired coal miners’ health care, punts on pensions
Congress this week will vote on legislation to offer permanent health care benefits to more than 22,000 retired coal miners, ending a lengthy standoff on Capitol Hill that had left the retirees unsure about their future coverage. Published May 1, 2017
Court halts case on Clean Power Plan, paves way for dismantling of carbon emissions rule
In a major victory for the White House, the D.C. Court of Appeals on Friday suspended a case on the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, paving the way for the administration to dismantle the rule without interference from the courts. Published April 28, 2017
Donald Trump signs order to expand offshore drilling
Reversing yet another of his predecessor's actions on energy and the environment, President Trump on Friday signed an executive order that paves the way for a massive increase in offshore oil-and-gas drilling. Published April 28, 2017
Donald Trump moves to reverse Obama limits on offshore drilling
President Trump on Friday will begin to reverse his predecessor's limits on new offshore drilling, potentially opening up vast new areas in the Outer Continental Shelf for oil-and-gas exploration. Published April 27, 2017
Donald Trump’s first 100 days have been devastating to environment, say green activists
Leading green activists say President Trump has already done a full term's worth of damage, rolling back Obama-era regulations and installing one of their chief critics as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Published April 27, 2017
Nine GOP lawmakers urge Trump to rework, not exit, Paris climate deal
A group of Republican lawmakers on Thursday urged President Trump to keep the U.S. in the landmark Paris climate agreement but to rework America's commitment so that it "does no harm to the economy." Published April 27, 2017
Donald Trump lauds Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s weight loss
President Trump seems to have an unusual interest in overweight governors. Published April 26, 2017
