EnviroPolitics Blog

Agriculture lobbyist to lead EPA’s Region 3

From Northcentral PA.com

A Bradford County, Pennsylvania farmer has been named the new EPA administrator for the Mid-Atlantic region.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced President Trump’s appointee for the Mid-Atlantic region administrator position, who will oversee the implementation of federal environmental laws and priorities in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and the Chesapeake Bay.

The new appointee is Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, a lifelong conservationist who grew up on a dairy farm in Bradford County. She brings experience with her family’s farm, work in the financial industry, and the intersections between business, environmental, and community needs.

“Amy’s experience and dedication to both agriculture and the environment make her a tremendous asset to the agency and the Mid-Atlantic Region,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “I am confident she is well equipped to carry out our mission and help deliver on our agenda to Power the Great American comeback.”

Van Blarcom-Lackey has a robust history of service. She was appointed the first Agricultural Ombudsman in Pennsylvania, addressing conflicts related to agriculture, land use, and environmental planning. She has over a decade of experience as a lobbyist for state and federal agricultural interests and over 20 years of experience in finance and business management.

“My commitment to sustainability traces back to over 30 years ago, when I founded a county-wide environmental group focused on watershed management and agricultural best practices. I’m excited to harness my passion for the environment to facilitate progress and support the Great American Comeback under the leadership of Administrator Zeldin and President Trump,” said Regional Administrator Van Blarcom-Lackey.

Read the full story here

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Dallas sues 3M, DuPont over ‘forever chemicals’ in water

The lawsuit aims to hold polluters responsible for cleaning up the contamination and covering water treatment costs.

*One of several sedimentation basins at the Bachman Water Treatment Plant*

By María Ramos Pacheco, Dallas Morning News

The city of Dallas is suing 3M, DuPont and other chemical companies, alleging they contaminated some of the area’s drinking water.

The lawsuit alleges 3M and other companies manufactured and sold PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals.” PFAS are known to be toxic, extremely persistent in the environment and capable of causing significant health risks.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in various consumer products, such as nonstick metal coatings for cookware, paper food packaging, facial creams and cosmetics. The chemicals were used in Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a foam commonly used by firefighters to suppress fires.

The city says the foam was released over the years into its water system and soil. Many residential locations with groundwater contaminated by PFAS are near military bases or airports where AFFF firefighting foam was regularly used.

The city’s attorney’s office and 3M declined to comment.

The lawsuit is part of a multidistrict litigation brought by multiple public water providers and individuals against the companies that manufactured and sold these products. The city sued in January and filed an updated version on Feb. 28 in a District Court in Charleston, South Carolina.

Gale Pearson, a senior partner with the Dallas-based Nachawati Law Group, has been part of the plaintiffs’ executive committee on AFFF litigation. “The cat is out of the bag,” and companies can no longer deny the harmful effects of these chemicals, Pearson said.

Read the full story here

Dallas sues 3M, DuPont over ‘forever chemicals’ in water Read More »

Jersey Pinelands fire continues to rage; arson suspect, 19, arrested

By Raven Santana, NJ Spotlight News Correspondent | April 24, 2025 |

As of Thursday afternoon, the Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County was 50% contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Officials announced that a 19-year-old man was arrested on arson charges related to the massive wildfire. Prosecutors say Joseph Kling of Waretown allegedly started a bonfire with wooden pallets in the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area but failed to fully extinguish the bonfire before he left. Kling is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a hearing.

The fire was fueled by drought, blustery winds and relatively low humidity. No homes were damaged and officials have not reported any injuries. One business in Lacey Township that backs up to the woods was destroyed along with several vehicles.

Robert Nosti, the president and co-owner of Liberty Door & Awning, says he’s still coming to terms with the damage from the Jones Road fire, which destroyed his family-run business. “The next morning, it’s surreal, complete devastation; your whole life flashes in front of you,” Nosti said.

Hot spots remained visible Thursday in the charred forest.

David Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist, says with the winds picking up, the air quality is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

“There’s a chance that our prolonged drought was part of the issue. The fact that we had a fire after ten days without any rain and dry conditions, windy days, warm days is recipe particularly in the spring for fire,” Robinson said. “Once the fire is extinguished, the air quality should improve rather quickly even at the local scale. What you really need is some rain to come down and clean out the atmosphere.”

Robinson says there’s rain in the forecast for the weekend, which will help firefighters to completely contain the wildfire.

Jersey Pinelands fire continues to rage; arson suspect, 19, arrested Read More »

NJDEP: We still have a lot to do to contain Jersey shore wildfire

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NJDEP: We still have a lot to do to contain Jersey shore wildfire Read More »

NJ Republican Senators call for action on forest fire prevention and energy costs

As New Jersey faces escalating challenges, state senators are intensifying their calls for urgent action on two critical fronts: forest fire prevention and energy cost reform.

By Frank Brill, EnviroPolitics Editor, April 23, 2025

In the wake of massive wildfires devastating New Jersey, Senators Parker Space (R-24) and Latham Tiver (R-8) are urging the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, where Democrats hold a majority, to convene a hearing with state and local officials to address forest management practices.

Despite their formal request in February, no hearing has been scheduled.

“Abnormally high winds and dry conditions have significantly increased the risk of wildfires,” said Sen. Space. “Our hearts go out to the thousands of residents forced to evacuate and the brave fire servicemembers battling the flames. These fires highlight the urgent need to reassess and strengthen our forest management strategies.”

A massive wildfire in Ocean County’s Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area has already consumed 12,500 acres, forcing evacuations under a state of emergency. Days earlier, another fire in Cumberland County’s Peaslee Wildlife Management Area burned over 1,300 acres.

Sen. Tiver emphasized the need for immediate action: “While discussions about food waste (the topic of discussion today in the state legislature’s joint environmental committees) are important, we cannot delay addressing an issue that is literally burning before our eyes. It’s time for the Legislature, the Governor, and the DEP to step up and confront this escalating threat head-on.”

Energy Costs: A Call for Accountability

Meanwhile, at today’s New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) hearing, the board approved a staff recommendation for public electric utility companies to propose measures to defer energy bill increases until after the election. Senators Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and Michael Testa (R-01) criticized the move as a political gimmick.

“It’s a five-alarm fire in the Democrat Party to contain the fallout of their costly, failing energy policies,” said Sen. Bucco. “This isn’t relief; it’s a smokescreen. New Jerseyans need accountability, transparency, and real reform—not more political theater.”

Sen. Testa echoed these sentiments, calling the BPU’s actions “dishonest and irresponsible.” He recently introduced legislation (S-4285) to abolish the NJBPU, arguing that the agency has failed to protect consumers. Senate Republicans have also proposed the “Energy Security and Affordability Act” (S-2839) to prioritize in-state energy sources and require economic impact analyses for energy projects.

NJ Republican Senators call for action on forest fire prevention and energy costs Read More »

Ecobat touts opening 3 lithium-ion battery recycling plants in a year

The company says the recycling facilities are capable of processing 10,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries annually, with plans to scale capacity to 25,000 tons.

Lithium-ion batteries form a battery pack utilized in electric vehicles. 3d render

By Chris Voloschuk, Associate Editor, Recycling Today

Ecobat, a Dallas-based battery recycler, has announced the successful commissioning of three lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling facilities within one year.

The facilities, located in Hettstedt, Germany; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Darlaston, England, are fully operational, the company says, and, together, are capable of processing up to 10,000 tons of LIBs per year, with plans to scale capacity to 25,000 tons.

Ecobat says the newly commissioned plants focus on the production of black mass material derived from recycled LIBs, which are rich in lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite content. Ecobat says black mass plays a crucial role in enabling the closed-loop production of batteries, reducing the need for new mining and supporting the development of sustainable battery supply chains.

The three facilities are strategically located to meet growing demand for sustainable solutions in key global markets, according to the company:

Commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Hettstedt facility processes a wide variety of battery chemistries, including electric vehicle (EV) packs, portable electronics, e-bikes and power tools. Ecobat says the facility serves major automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and collection programs across Europe.
Commissioned in April 2024, the Casa Grande facility works directly with automotive OEMs, battery manufacturers and electronic scrap recyclers to process batteries and recover black mass to serve both the North American and global markets.
Commissioned in November 2024, the Darlaston site serves as a “critical hub” for Ecobat’s operations across the United Kingdom and the wider European market, it says. The facility processes a range of LIB types and provides diagnostic services and supports sustainable material flows in the British supply chain.

Read the full story here

Ecobat touts opening 3 lithium-ion battery recycling plants in a year Read More »

Agriculture lobbyist to lead EPA’s Region 3

Dallas sues 3M, DuPont over ‘forever chemicals’ in water

The lawsuit aims to hold polluters responsible for cleaning up the contamination and covering water treatment costs.

Jersey Pinelands fire continues to rage; arson suspect, 19, arrested

NJDEP: We still have a lot to do to contain Jersey shore wildfire

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please do not take our word for it, try it free for a full month

NJ Republican Senators call for action on forest fire prevention and energy costs

As New Jersey faces escalating challenges, state senators are intensifying their calls for urgent action on two critical fronts: forest fire prevention and energy cost reform.

Ecobat touts opening 3 lithium-ion battery recycling plants in a year

The company says the recycling facilities are capable of processing 10,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries annually, with plans to scale capacity to 25,000 tons.

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