Energy and Environment: White House eyes plan to cut EPA staff by one-fifth, eliminating key programs

White House eyes plan to cut EPA staff by one-fifth, eliminating key programs; Senate votes to confirm former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary; The new interior secretary just rode into work on a horse; Here’s one part of the EPA that the agency’s new leader wants to protect; Former EPA scientists to Trump: ‘Evidence does not change when the administration changes’; Humans have caused an explosion of never-before-seen minerals all over the Earth; Antarctic ice has set an unexpected record, and scientists are struggling to figure out why; It’s not just corals — sharks and other big reef predators are also vanishing; Senate confirms Ryan Zinke as interior secretary; Members of Congress met to discuss the costs of climate change. They ended up debating its existence.; Trump directs rollback of Obama-era water rule he calls ‘destructive and horrible’; Flint residents must start paying for water they still can’t drink without a filter; Scientists just measured a rapid growth in acidity in the Arctic ocean, linked to climate change; Scientists have long been afraid of engaging in 'advocacy.' A new study says it may not hurt them; Climate change is already reducing flows in the Colorado River, scientists report; The U.S. Geological Survey hails an early spring — and ties it to climate change;   With Chris Mooney   White House eyes plan to cut EPA staff by one-fifth, eliminating key programs The Office of Management and Budget has suggested deep cuts to the EPA's spending, according to a document reviewed by The Washington Post. By Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis  •  Read more » Senate votes to confirm former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary The genial Republican drew less fire from Democrats during his confirmation process than other Trump nominees. By Steven Mufson  •  Read more »   The new interior secretary just rode into work on a horse Ryan Zinke rode U.S. Park Police mount Tonto downtown for his first day on the job. By Juliet Eilperin  •  Read more »   Here’s one part of the EPA that the agency’s new leader wants to protect Scott Pruitt says the agency's Superfund and brownfields programs are "absolutely essential." By Brady Dennis  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Former EPA scientists to Trump: ‘Evidence does not change when the administration changes’ Proposals to ease rules to protect the environment draw sharp responses. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   Humans have caused an explosion of never-before-seen minerals all over the Earth More proof we're living in the "Anthropocene." By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Antarctic ice has set an unexpected record, and scientists are struggling to figure out why Just a few years after reaching a record high, Antarctic sea ice is at a record low. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   It’s not just corals — sharks and other big reef predators are also vanishing Overfishing has made it nearly impossible to spot a shark or other predator at a reef in the Caribbean, a new study concludes. By Darryl Fears  •  Read more »   Senate confirms Ryan Zinke as interior secretary The Senate confirmed former congressman Ryan Zinke's nomination for interior secretary in a Wednesday morning vote. By Darryl Fears  •  Read more »   Members of Congress met to discuss the costs of climate change. They ended up debating its existence. The surfacing of climate doubts leaves uncertain the fate of a key metric to measure carbon's cost. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Trump directs rollback of Obama-era water rule he calls ‘destructive and horrible’ President Trump on Tuesday instructed the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to "review and reconsider" a 2015 rule known as the Waters of the United States rule, a move that could ultimately make it easier for agricultural and development interests to drain wetlands and small streams. By Juliet Eilperin and Abby Phillip  •  Read more »   Flint residents must start paying for water they still can’t drink without a filter In a city with one of the highest water rates in the country, many residents still rely on bottled water for drinking, cooking and bathing. By Brady Dennis  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Scientists just measured a rapid growth in acidity in the Arctic ocean, linked to climate change The Arctic Ocean is experiencing some of the world's most rapid climate change. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Scientists have long been afraid of engaging in 'advocacy.' A new study says it may not hurt them A new study probes the consequences of speaking out. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   Climate change is already reducing flows in the Colorado River, scientists report Even with recent rains, the new study makes a case for caution in future management of the Colorado River. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   The U.S. Geological Survey hails an early spring — and ties it to climate change While the balmy conditions this February may seem nice on the surface, an early spring can come with all kinds of downsides. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Recommended for you   To Your Health Health news and research, in your inbox weekly. Sign Up »         Share Energy and Environment:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Energy and Environment. 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