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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Commentators Push Unfounded Claims About Ohio Train Derailment

Commentators Push Unfounded Claims About Ohio Train Derailment

The derailment of a freight train carrying toxic chemicals in eastern Ohio has sparked a slew of unfounded claims by conservative commentators. There’s no indication that this incident will rise to the level of a “domestic Chernobyl”; it has been covered steadily by the media; federal and state agencies are monitoring air and water quality and its impact on people and animals.

Biden Stretches Industry Support for Fuel Standards

Biden Stretches Industry Support for Fuel Standards

Joe Biden distorted the facts when he asserted that the auto industry thought the Obama administration’s fuel standards were “a good idea” and that automakers “didn’t even agree” with President Donald Trump’s proposal to roll them back.

Did the EPA Just Approve Use of Asbestos in the U.S.?

Did the EPA Just Approve Use of Asbestos in the U.S.?

Q. Did the Environmental Protection Agency change its rules to allow companies to use asbestos in manufacturing?

A. No. Asbestos is already allowed in numerous products. A proposed EPA rule would prohibit the use of asbestos in certain products unless granted EPA approval.

Debate Over EPA’s ‘Transparency’ Rule

Debate Over EPA’s ‘Transparency’ Rule

The EPA proposed a rule to only use scientific studies with “publicly available” data when it develops regulations. This has sparked a debate in Congress on whether the proposal would prevent the EPA from considering studies that analyze private health information.

Pruitt’s Tall Tale on Toxic Cleanups

Pruitt’s Tall Tale on Toxic Cleanups

In recent interviews, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt made two false claims about his agency’s record on removing toxic sites from the Superfund National Priorities List.

Obama’s Record on Toxic Cleanups

Obama’s Record on Toxic Cleanups

Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt criticized former President Barack Obama for leaving “us with more Superfund sites than when he came in.” This is misleading for multiple reasons.

Did Air Quality Improve Under Obama?

Did Air Quality Improve Under Obama?

EPA head Scott Pruitt criticized former President Barack Obama for leaving 40 percent of Americans with air quality that doesn’t meet EPA standards. But a report Pruitt’s office cited as evidence said there had been a “major improvement” in air quality under Obama.

The Facts on Chlorpyrifos

The Facts on Chlorpyrifos

Both the EPA and its critics say science is on their side in the debate over whether the agricultural insecticide should be banned.

The Facts on Fracking Chemical Disclosure

The Facts on Fracking Chemical Disclosure

Q: Are the chemicals in fracking solution protected from being made public by a law passed while Dick Cheney was vice president?
A: Yes. A 2005 law bans the federal government from requiring companies to disclose fracking chemicals. But 28 states do require disclosure of some fracking fluids.

The Santorum File (Take Two)

The Santorum File (Take Two)

Rick Santorum, the second-place finisher in the 2012 Republican presidential primary, is making it official that he will run again for the presidency.