Keep Food Safe from Glyphosate Act of 2019
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a permanent tolerance for the use of glyphosate on oats not to exceed 0.1 parts per million. The labeling for pesticides containing glyphosate must include specific wording, or shall be considered misbranded and subject to enforcement procedures.
H.R.535 - PFAS Action Act of 2019
This bill revises several environmental laws and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.
Protect Our Refuges Act of 2019
This bill prohibits the use of neonicotinoids (a class of neuroactive insecticides that are chemically similar to nicotine) within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Homegrown Organic Act of 2017
This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to modify several Department of Agriculture conservation programs to authorize additional assistance for farmers who are transitioning to organic farming. The bill modifies the Conservation Reserve Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Take Action Today: Tell EPA to Ban Atrazine
(Beyond Pesticides, March 2, 2020) Deadline today! Tell EPA to Ban Atrazine; Protect Children and Frogs from this Endocrine Disrupting Pesticide. Atrazine, the second most-used herbicide in the U.S., is an insidious poison. Atrazine is known for producing frogs with extra limbs. It also affects the endocrine system and reproductive biology of humans. In addition to its agricultural uses on corn, sorghum, and sugar cane, atrazine is also used on home lawns, school grounds, and parks, where exposure to children is common. Nontoxic alternatives are available for all of these uses. Act today, March 2. Sign the petition demanding that EPA ban atrazine and its cousins simazine and propazine. Act today! Beyond Pesticides will submit comments: Docket: EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0750 (FRL-10002-92) Petition to EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs: We have serious concerns with the proposed interim decisions on reregistration of three triazine pesticides: atrazine, simazine, and propazine. These triazines are highly mobile and persistent in the environment and have been linked to numerous adverse health and environmental effects which have motivated numerous public interest campaigns to ban their use in the U.S. as well as in Europe. The Draft Ecological Risk Assessments for the Registration Review of Atrazine, . . .
Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic Fracturing is the process by which pressurized liquids are used to crack underground rock formations for the purpose of releasing natural gases.
S. 2248: Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act of 2012
“A bill to clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within State boundaries” For more information, click here.
H.R.1482: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2015
“To repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other purposes.” For more information, click here.
New York State’s 2015 Prohibition on Hydraulic Fracturing
After 7 years of evaluation on the environmental and health impacts of hydraulic fracking, The NY Department of Environmental Conservation issued a 2015 Findings Statement that prohibited fracking in New York, stating that there are “no feasible or prudent alternatives that would adequately avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts and that address the scientific uncertainties and risks to public health from this activity”. For more information, click here.
Green Cleaning Products
States with green cleaning laws now include: New York, Connecticut, Nevada, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Maine, Vermont and Hawaii
State legislatures that have introduced green cleaning legislation include: New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, Utah, Alaska, South Dakota, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and Texas
NY State Finance Law §162 of 2014
Mandates that agencies purchase green cleaning products from preferred vendors. For more information, click here.
NY A02096 of 2012
“Relates to the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in nursing homes, residential care facilities, senior centers and adult homes; requires commissioner to establish certain guidelines and criteria for the use of such products.” For more information, click here.
Pollution
H.R.2783: Superfund Polluter Pays Act of 2015
“Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reinstate and extend through December 31, 2020, the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate and the corporate environmental income tax.” For more information, click here.]
Last updated 3-3-2020