CLIMATE CHANGE
▸ Science groups seek meeting with EPA chief Leaders of 16 scientific societies have invited EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to discuss the science of climate change. A July 31 letter from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union, and other organizations was a response to reports that Pruitt is planning an attack on climate change research. He wants to create a “red team/blue team” military-style critique of vulnerabilities in major scientific ideas about climate change. The societies point out that peer review already serves this purpose in science by constantly challenging research findings and forcing scientists to reevaluate their assumptions and conclusions. But they worry that normal scientific disagreements about data or methods are being misinterpreted. “The integrity of the scientific process cannot thrive when policymakers—regardless of party affiliation—use policy disagreements as a pretext to challenge scientific conclusions,” the letter states. The organizations have offered to meet with Pruitt to find out more about his plans and to discuss climate science. The American Chemical Society, which publishes C&EN, did not sign the letter because it wanted to allow the EPA process to run its course, according to spokesperson Glenn Ruskin. “The society will be closely monitoring the situation and will take action moving forward as appropriate,” he says.—ANDREA WIDENER
POLLUTION
C R E D I T: N . RA BA LA I S /LS U/LU MCO N
▸ U.S. lawmakers want military to act on perfluorocarbon contamination A bipartisan group of lawmakers are asking President Donald J. Trump to hasten the U.S. military’s response to drinking water it contaminated with perfluorinated compounds. Groundwater near many current and former military bases across the U.S. is contaminated with perfluorinated substances that were in aqueous film-forming foams used in firefighting at those bases. For more than a year, members of Congress have asked the Defense Department to speed up in-
POLLUTION
Gulf of Mexico dead zone is largest ever The 2017 dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico was the largest ever measured, scientists reported on Aug. 2. In late July, scientists from Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium found the area of low or no oxygen in deep waters off the coast of Louisiana and northeast Texas reached 22,730 km2. That’s the largest found since researchers started measuring it in 1985, the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration says. The previous record of 22,007 km2 was set in 2002, NOAA adds. Each spring, the Mississippi River carries nitrogen and Red and orange show areas of low oxygen levels phosphorus from farm that constitute the 2017 dead zone in Gulf of Mexico waters off the coast of Louisiana and fields and urban areas Texas, the largest ever measured. within its massive watershed into the Gulf. There, algae consume the nutrients and reproduce rapidly. Eventually, the microorganisms die and drift to bottom waters, where decomposers polish them off, using up dissolved oxygen in the process. Low oxygen levels can decrease reproduction of some fish, reduce the average size of shrimp, and kill bottom-dwelling organisms that can’t move to other areas.—CHERYL HOGUE
vestigation of perfluorinated compound pollution on its sites and provide clean drinking water to areas with contaminated supplies, says a letter from 14 House of Representatives legislators. The military “has been slow” to do so, the lawmakers’ Aug. 1 letter to Trump says. They say the pollution is endangering the health of service members, their families, and communities near bases. “We must assure them that they, and their families, have access to safe drinking water,” the letter says.—CHERYL HOGUE
GREENHOUSE GASES
▸ EPA ordered to implement methane restrictions A federal court has again directed EPA to implement Obama Administration regulations limiting methane emissions
from new oil and natural gas drilling and production operations. The court’s July 31 order reaffirms one it issued in early July. However, the court signaled it would consider new petitions from states, the oil and gas industry, environmental activists, and EPA seeking to support or challenge the earlier order. The controversial regulations curb emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from new or modified oil and gas operations. It does not affect the hundreds of thousands of currently operating oil and gas drilling and production operations. In June, at industry’s urging, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the rules would be put on hold for two years while EPA developed a new regulatory approach. Several environmental groups and states challenged that decision and appeared to win after the court ordered EPA to forge ahead with the Obama regulations while it begins to develop new ones. EPA has been quiet about the matter, saying that it does not comment on pending litigation.—JEFF
JOHNSON, special to C&EN AUGUST 7, 2017 | CEN.ACS.ORG | C&EN
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