Our Stories

The Latest by Jared Saylor

Campaign Director

May 26, 2009

Mercury: It's What's For Dinner

By Jared Saylor

Have you been following our Name That Fish contest? As part of our Cleaning Up Mercury, Protecting Our Health campaign, we just rechristened the Bluefin Tuna as “Blue Infection Tuna.” The timing couldn’t be more perfect… a new Federal study was just released this month on the alarming mercury levels in tuna and other fish …

May 21, 2009

Sad Day for Appalachia: Mountaintop Removal Approved

By Jared Saylor

Appalachia’s mountains never seem to get a break. First, back in 2007, a district court judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit we brought on behalf of some West Virginia groups that stopped five mountaintop removal mining permits from going forward because of the permanent destruction they would have done to Appalachian streams and headwaters. …

May 8, 2009

Bloggers Unite over Fight to Clean Up Cement Kilns

By Jared Saylor

People around the Web and across the country are talking about our Cleaning Up Mercury, Protecting Our Health campaign to raise awareness about the serious health risks of mercury poisoning and to support the recent EPA proposal for cutting mercury pollution. Here are some of the comments making the rounds: Jack E. urged: Should you …

May 1, 2009

USGS Study Links Mercury, Fish

By Jared Saylor

We’ve told you about the dangers of eating mercury-contaminated fish. Today, the US Geological Survey released a comprehensive study linking the mercury emissions from smokestacks here in the US and abroad, and the contamination of fish like tuna and other marine life in the Pacific Ocean. According to the NY Times and Greenwire: The study …

April 29, 2009

Bloggers Take Notice of Cement Kiln Mercury

By Jared Saylor

We’ve been seeing some great coverage of the EPA’s plan to cut mercury from cement kilns. Lots of bloggers have taken notice. Here are a few posts about our mercury campaign from around the blogosphere: Treehugger wrote: I doubt if any other nation regulates mercury emissions from cement kilns the way USA is about to. …

April 21, 2009

Breaking News: EPA Says Cement Kiln Mercury Must Go

By Jared Saylor

The EPA just proposed to cut mercury from cement kilns! I’ve been talking to you about cement kiln pollution since we started this blog, and Earthjustice has been focused on this issue for nearly a decade. Check out our updated campaign page to find out how you can help. The EPA is asking for public …

April 8, 2009

Cleaning Up Your Dry Cleaning

By Jared Saylor

Question: When is dry cleaning actually dry? Answer: Never.  When you send your dry-clean-only clothes to the local dry cleaner (and believe me, I’m the first to admit I’m a stickler for nicely pressed shirts and pants) they use special machines and a toxic solvent called perchloroethylene to get your clothes clean. That sickly sweet …

March 31, 2009

Part 3: TVA Has Its Say At Coal Ash Hearing

By Jared Saylor

In the final witness panel, Tom Kilgore, president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, said that they have posted information on their website. But as mentioned earlier by Harriman resident Sarah McCoin, many of the residents simply don’t have ready access to the internet and to TVA’s website. Much like if a tree falls …

March 31, 2009

Part 2: Report From Coal Ash Hearing in Congress

By Jared Saylor

After a break…the hearing resumed with testimony from Renee Victoria Hoyos, executive director of the Tennessee Clean Water Network, and from Dr. Avner Vengosh, professor of earth and ocean sciences at Duke University. During questions from members of the committee (specifically Rep. Johnson), regarding particulate matter pollution, Dr. Vengosh said: "Inhalation of ash would definitely …

March 31, 2009

Report on Today's Congress Hearing on Coal Ash Spill

By Jared Saylor

Today’s congressional hearing on the Tennessee Valley Authority coal ash spill from last December in Harriman, TN, started out with opening remarks from Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) who said that it’s been "nearly a decade" since this committee held oversight hearings on the Tennessee Valley Authority. She also said the committee maybe plans to …