Latest news with #publiccomment
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Experts push to uphold credible climate science findings as Trump administration spreads doubt
Veteran climate scientists are organizing a coordinated public comment to a US Department of Energy (DOE) report which cast doubt on the scientific consensus on the climate crisis. The report, published late last month, claimed concerns about planet-warming fossil fuels are overblown, sparking widespread concern from scientists who said it was full of climate misinformation. It came as an attempt to support a proposal from the the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to undo the 'endangerment finding', which forms the legal basis of virtually all US climate regulations. 'A public comment from experts can be useful because it injects expert analysis into a decision-making process that might otherwise be dominated by political, economic, or ideological considerations,' said Andrew Dessler, a climate researcher at Texas A&M University who is organizing the response to the report. 'Experts can identify technical errors, highlight overlooked data, and clarify uncertainties in ways that improve the accuracy and robustness of the final policy or report.' The response comes as part of a broader wave of experts' attempts to uphold established climate science as the Trump administration promotes contrarian and unproven viewpoints. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), the country's top group of scientific advisers, has launched a 'fast-track' review of the latest evidence on how greenhouse gases threaten human health and wellbeing – a move announced following the proposed endangerment finding rollback. NASEM, which advises the EPA and other federal agencies, plans to release their findings in September, in time to inform the EPA's decision on the endangerment finding. The initiative will be self-funded by the organization – a highly unusual practice from the congressionally chartered group, which usually responds to federal bodies' calls for advice. 'It is critical that federal policymaking is informed by the best available scientific evidence,' said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences, in a statement. Trump administration efforts to block access to data have also inspired pushback. This month, the president ousted the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after baselessly saying the data it publishes is 'RIGGED'. In earlier weeks, federal officials have also deleted key climate data and reports such as the national climate assessments and the US Global Change Research Program from government websites. The administration has changed 70% more of the information on official environmental websites during its first 100 days than the first Trump administration did, according to a report the research group Environmental Data and Governance Initiative published last week. In light of these actions, research organizations such as the Public Environmental Data Project and Cornerstone Sustainability Data Initiative have worked to safeguard and publicize data that the federal government is hiding from the public. 'Attacks on science are dangerous because they erode one of society's most effective tools for understanding the world and making decisions in the public interest,' said Dessler. 'When political or ideological forces undermine scientific institutions or discredit experts, they weaken our ability to harness this powerful tool.' Asked for comment about the NASEM review, an EPA spokesperson repeated a comment offered earlier this month: 'Congress never explicitly gave EPA authority to impose greenhouse gas regulations for cars and trucks.' The Clean Air Act authorizes the EPA to set emission standards for cars if the EPA administrator determines that their emissions endanger public health or welfare. That includes greenhouse gas emissions, due to the endangerment finding. Asked for comment on the DOE report supporting the EPA's position, Department of Energy spokesperson Ben Dietderich also repeated an earlier comment. 'This report critically assesses many areas of ongoing scientific inquiry that are frequently assigned high levels of confidence – not by the scientists themselves but by the political bodies involved, such as the United Nations or previous Presidential administrations,' he said. The UN and the US have regularly convened top scientists to produce scientific climate reports, which warn that urgent action to curb emissions is needed. Dietderich also said officials 'look forward to engaging with substantive comments' on the report. However, 'the real question is whether they'll listen to us,' said Dessler.
E&E News
04-08-2025
- Business
- E&E News
USDA bends to pressure, opens public comment on reorg plan
The Agriculture Department gave way to pressure and announced it will take public comment on its abruptly announced plan to relocate most of its national capital region staff and close some facilities. Although a public comment period wasn't initially part of the changes announced July 24, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Friday that the agency wants feedback from the public, farm groups and lawmakers. The comment period will close Aug. 26. 'We value your perspective as we work to ensure that USDA is best positioned to serve America's farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities,' Rollins said in a news release. Advertisement The plan includes relocating about 2,600 of USDA's 4,600 Washington area staff to five hub locations across the country, cities selected without consultation with Congress or farm organizations — although Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said locations were picked for lower costs of living and proximity to other USDA offices, among other objectives.
Reuters
12-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US initiates first step for potential mineral lease sale near American Samoa
WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department said on Thursday it was publishing a request for information and interest to explore the potential for seabed mineral leasing offshore American Samoa. The step will launch a 30-day public comment period and mark the first formal action toward what could be the first mineral lease sale in federal waters in over 30 years, the department said.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tensions boil over at Jefferson County meeting as public comment turns confrontational
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. — A Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting held by some justices on Monday evening ended in chaos after a public commenter was tased and removed by sheriff's deputies. The disruption began shortly after 5:30 p.m. during a scheduled quorum court session originally called by the Jefferson County Judge. Jefferson County Justices of the Peace stage walkout, overrule judge's veto to pass 2025 budget Tensions flared when eight of the thirteen justices of the peace walked out, breaking quorum and halting official business. That's when County Judge Gerald Robinson adjourned the meeting. About 20 minutes later, the same eight returned, reconvened as a special meeting with the clerk present and resumed proceedings under the leadership of Justice of the Peace District 1. Alfred Carroll was voted to chair the meeting. The group overrode a veto from County Judge Gerald Robinson regarding the 2025 budget and approved bonuses for unpaid employees. But before that during the public comment portion of the meeting, things escalated quickly. Garland Trice approached the microphone, requested a copy of the meeting agenda, and remained silent while reviewing it. Carroll urged him to state his name and use his time productively. What followed was a heated verbal exchange between Trice and several justices, including Reginald Johnson and Carroll, prompting calls for decorum. When Trice refused to return to his seat and continued speaking beyond his allotted time, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office physically removed him from the courtroom. But outside the chambers, the confrontation intensified. Jefferson County Justices of the Peace pass 2025 budget in special meeting According to a statement from Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr., the following occurred: 'On June 9, 2025, during a regularly scheduled Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting at the Jefferson County Circuit Courthouse, Garland Trice, Sr. disrupted proceedings by refusing to yield the floor after his allotted public comment time had expired. Despite multiple warnings to comply with the presiding officer's directive and return to his seat, Mr. Trice became more boisterous, while continuing his refusal, ultimately requiring deputies to physically remove him from the meeting room. His passive resistance necessitated the use of less-lethal force, including taser deployment, to ensure compliance and restore order. This incident was entirely preventable had Mr. Trice adhered to the established rules of conduct. His repeated disruptive behavior at public forums appears intended to provoke reactions and advance personal political grievances. While parliamentary procedures govern meeting decorum, the authority of the presiding officer and law enforcement extends beyond these rules to maintain public order and safety. Disruptions by members of the public that impede official business or threaten security cannot and will not be tolerated. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to safeguarding the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and free speech, while ensuring the safety and integrity of public meetings.' He was taken to the hospital and held overnight for observation. As of Tuesday evening, he had not been booked into jail and was still at the area hospital. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect But not everyone agreed with how the situation was handled. In a statement, County Judge Gerald Robinson criticized both the arrest and the use of force: 'Concerning the incident which occurred after the regularly scheduled June 9th, 2025 Quorum Court meeting, where eight justices—Reginald Johnson, Melanie Dumas, Reginald Adams, Margarette Williams, Alfred Carrol, Cedric Jackson, Richard Victorino, Brenda Bishop Gaddy—all walked out in protest, leaving the regular scheduled meeting without enough members to have a quorum to continue county business. Upon the adjournment of the meeting and approximately twenty minutes later, the eight reconvened and started another special meeting. Mr. Garland Trice was arrested during a public comment section. From all indications, in my opinion, it was a violation of his constitutional rights. Viewing the video footage from a number of social media sources, I fail to see the probable cause for an arrest and the excessive force displayed by the Sheriff and deputies of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. I'm also puzzled as to why the Sheriff even got involved, because he has verbally stated in the public and through social media sources that he is not the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Quorum Court. He has also shown that he would not perform these duties in open court when asked by this Judge to escort people from the meeting when they were being unruly, one being former Justice Lloyd Franklin Jr. and best friend of the Sheriff. In my opinion, he (the Sheriff) has clearly demonstrated that he is not an officer of the Quorum Court and his involvement was unwarranted!' Justices remain divided on how to handle Trice's behavior going forward. Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll (District 1) acknowledged the disruption but said banning Trice outright may go too far: 'If he shows up, he is going to do what he can to be disruptive. Do I think that he should be banned from the meetings? I do not think so. Even though he is very disruptive, uncooperative, and prevents a lot of business from being conducted, he is still a taxpayer. Unless he comes back and continues down this road of not following protocol, I think he should be allowed. He is a citizen, he has political aspirations, and likes to be involved.' But Justice Reginald Johnson (District 3) believes stronger measures are warranted: 'Well, I think that Mr. Trice should not be allowed to come to our meetings by the judge.' 'I hate that this has happened to him due to his age — he is an older gentleman — and I just wish that if he is going to come, he would simply have respect. Because you don't tell justices of the peace to simply shut up in a meeting. That's just wrong and it's disrespectful.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
04-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Wall St watchdog to consider rules on US-traded foreign firms
June 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday is due to take the first steps toward producing new rules on which foreign firms qualify for less stringent investor disclosure requirements, according to a public notice. The public meeting, set for 1 p.m. in Washington, comes a year after a Republican Commissioner Mark Uyeda called for a public comment process on changing the definition of publicly traded foreign firms. He singled out Chinese companies as enjoying easier reporting requirements even when they are solely traded on U.S. stock markets. The commission is due to consider whether to issue a call for public comment on possible new rules, the substance of which the SEC has not yet made public. Spokespeople for the agency and for Uyeda declined to comment. In an address at Harvard last year, Uyeda said companies primarily owned and administered abroad qualified as "foreign private issuers" -- meaning they were only required to file annual reports and occasional market updates, even if they were solely traded on a U.S. stock exchange. A 2024 congressional study indicated nearly 90% of the 265 Chinese firms publicly traded in the U.S. were not listed on stock exchanges elsewhere, according to Uyeda. On the other hand, U.S. firms trading on the same stock exchanges fall under the full scope of American securities laws, including quarterly financial reporting, proxy solicitation rules and prompt disclosure of "material events" such as mergers and the departures of board members, he said at the time. "This issue deserves attention, and the SEC should consider evaluating whether foreign private issuers should be limited to companies whose securities are also listed on a foreign stock exchange," Uyeda said.
