Miranda Willson
@mirandawrites.bsky.social
Journalist reporting on water and the environment at E&E News, part of Politico.
Reach me: mwillson@eenews.net or on Signal @mirandawillson.99
Reach me: mwillson@eenews.net or on Signal @mirandawillson.99
Reposted by Miranda Willson
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
November 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
Recently, I started to look into how PFAS chemicals came to be a Pennsylvania town's drinking water. I had heard the PFAS might have come from a surprising source: an EPA-approved cleanup plan at a Superfund site.
Now, EPA has found that the use of sewage sludge during cleanup was a likely factor.
Now, EPA has found that the use of sewage sludge during cleanup was a likely factor.
EPA: Superfund cleanup ‘likely’ fouled Pennsylvania town’s water
Municipal sewage sludge was used as fertilizer in the project that began decades ago in Palmerton, where PFAS now taint soil and water.
www.eenews.net
October 31, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Recently, I started to look into how PFAS chemicals came to be a Pennsylvania town's drinking water. I had heard the PFAS might have come from a surprising source: an EPA-approved cleanup plan at a Superfund site.
Now, EPA has found that the use of sewage sludge during cleanup was a likely factor.
Now, EPA has found that the use of sewage sludge during cleanup was a likely factor.
Reposted by Miranda Willson
EPA still has a "walking around money" left over in fy 2026. But it's choosing to furlough some people while others remain on the job and drawing a paycheck. It appears to be keeping those working on deregulation and other priorities. @ellieborst.bsky.social and I: www.eenews.net/articles/epa...
EPA flush with cash for ‘priority’ staff
The agency is taking an unprecedented approach to furloughs during this latest government shutdown.
www.eenews.net
October 29, 2025 at 8:22 PM
EPA still has a "walking around money" left over in fy 2026. But it's choosing to furlough some people while others remain on the job and drawing a paycheck. It appears to be keeping those working on deregulation and other priorities. @ellieborst.bsky.social and I: www.eenews.net/articles/epa...
You may have read about Kipnuk, an Alaska village devastated by a typhoon months after EPA nixed $$ for climate resilience projects.
Huslia, in interior Alaska, similarly lost a $20 million EPA grant to help protect itself.
"We don’t want the history of our village to keep getting flushed away."
Huslia, in interior Alaska, similarly lost a $20 million EPA grant to help protect itself.
"We don’t want the history of our village to keep getting flushed away."
E&E News: This Alaska village had a $20M life preserver. EPA yanked it away.
Federal cash would have built water infrastructure in Huslia and moved its homes away from a rapidly eroding riverbank.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
You may have read about Kipnuk, an Alaska village devastated by a typhoon months after EPA nixed $$ for climate resilience projects.
Huslia, in interior Alaska, similarly lost a $20 million EPA grant to help protect itself.
"We don’t want the history of our village to keep getting flushed away."
Huslia, in interior Alaska, similarly lost a $20 million EPA grant to help protect itself.
"We don’t want the history of our village to keep getting flushed away."
Reposted by Miranda Willson
SCOOP from me:
I uncovered that the Interior Department just quietly defunded *two* multimillion dollar research programs studying how whales move and behave near U.S. wind farms actively being built.
Trump blames wind turbines for whale deaths, then cuts vital research on the topic. 🧵
I uncovered that the Interior Department just quietly defunded *two* multimillion dollar research programs studying how whales move and behave near U.S. wind farms actively being built.
Trump blames wind turbines for whale deaths, then cuts vital research on the topic. 🧵
Trump claims ‘wind mills’ kill whales but quietly torpedoes the…
The Interior Department defunds two vital research programs that track North Atlantic right whales near active offshore wind construction sites.
www.canarymedia.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:11 PM
SCOOP from me:
I uncovered that the Interior Department just quietly defunded *two* multimillion dollar research programs studying how whales move and behave near U.S. wind farms actively being built.
Trump blames wind turbines for whale deaths, then cuts vital research on the topic. 🧵
I uncovered that the Interior Department just quietly defunded *two* multimillion dollar research programs studying how whales move and behave near U.S. wind farms actively being built.
Trump blames wind turbines for whale deaths, then cuts vital research on the topic. 🧵
EPA "keeps saying it will come soon, and we keep waiting, and now we’re in a shutdown," one environmental advocate said of the funding delay.
E&E News: Lead pipe projects face delays amid EPA funding holdup
The agency said that billions to replace lead pipes will be allotted to states soon, but health advocates said the delay is highly unusual.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
EPA "keeps saying it will come soon, and we keep waiting, and now we’re in a shutdown," one environmental advocate said of the funding delay.
Reposted by Miranda Willson
Trump & his Cabinet say wind & solar are making electricity more expensive.
Federal data say the opposite.
Our analysis showed states w/ > avg wind/solar generation & > avg acceleration of wind/solar since ‘21 were likelier to have < avg power prices.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Federal data say the opposite.
Our analysis showed states w/ > avg wind/solar generation & > avg acceleration of wind/solar since ‘21 were likelier to have < avg power prices.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
The government’s own data rebuts Trump’s claims about wind and solar prices
The Trump administration has targeted renewable energy for driving up electricity prices, but POLITICO’s analysis shows states that are growing their wind and solar power typically have lower power co...
www.politico.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Trump & his Cabinet say wind & solar are making electricity more expensive.
Federal data say the opposite.
Our analysis showed states w/ > avg wind/solar generation & > avg acceleration of wind/solar since ‘21 were likelier to have < avg power prices.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Federal data say the opposite.
Our analysis showed states w/ > avg wind/solar generation & > avg acceleration of wind/solar since ‘21 were likelier to have < avg power prices.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
The Trump administration has ended a longstanding partnership between EPA and a national nonprofit that supports state wetland programs.
The agreement was a major source of funding for the National Association of Wetland Managers, which is now having to cut four of its nine staff positions.
The agreement was a major source of funding for the National Association of Wetland Managers, which is now having to cut four of its nine staff positions.
E&E News: State wetland managers lose EPA funding
The nonpartisan group that backs state and tribal wetland programs has been forced to reduce staffing and move out of its headquarters.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The Trump administration has ended a longstanding partnership between EPA and a national nonprofit that supports state wetland programs.
The agreement was a major source of funding for the National Association of Wetland Managers, which is now having to cut four of its nine staff positions.
The agreement was a major source of funding for the National Association of Wetland Managers, which is now having to cut four of its nine staff positions.
Will allowing coal plants to continue with outdated water pollution controls actually save Americans' money, as the Trump administration has said? Maybe not, according to the agency's own cost-benefit analysis.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: Why Trump’s bid to save coal might raise your water bill
EPA says delaying wastewater curbs at coal plants will lower electricity prices, but it could spur higher costs for cleaning up drinking water.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Will allowing coal plants to continue with outdated water pollution controls actually save Americans' money, as the Trump administration has said? Maybe not, according to the agency's own cost-benefit analysis.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Reposted by Miranda Willson
For at least two days last month, federal workers could not clean up the black oily goop in this Louisianan town beca of funding issues and a legitimate threat of gun violence.
My latest:
My latest:
For Black Louisianans, health fears mount as federal crews face delays, threats, and funding shortfalls at the oil disaster site.
An Explosion Left a Black Town Contaminated. Politics Are Stunting the Cleanup.
For Black Louisianans, health fears mount as federal crews face delays, threats, and funding shortfalls at the oil disaster site.
capitalbnews.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
For at least two days last month, federal workers could not clean up the black oily goop in this Louisianan town beca of funding issues and a legitimate threat of gun violence.
My latest:
My latest:
Studies on future "nonstructural" flood control projects are paused at the Army Corps of Engineers. Rather than hold back floodwaters through things like levees & seawalls, these projects aim to reduce flood harms, by elevating homes, flood-proofing properties & offering people buyouts.
E&E News: Army Corps halts some large-scale flood studies
The agency intends to reevaluate whether nonstructural projects, such as home elevations, are a good use of its resources.
subscriber.politicopro.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Studies on future "nonstructural" flood control projects are paused at the Army Corps of Engineers. Rather than hold back floodwaters through things like levees & seawalls, these projects aim to reduce flood harms, by elevating homes, flood-proofing properties & offering people buyouts.
Reposted by Miranda Willson
Katrina inspired a $3B wetlands rebuilding project. Louisiana just killed it.
Katrina inspired a $3B wetlands rebuilding project. Louisiana just killed it.
A pillar of the state's coastal restoration plan is dead. Its backers say it would have offered the most effective, natural storm protection.
www.politico.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Katrina inspired a $3B wetlands rebuilding project. Louisiana just killed it.
EPA has proposed a regulation under the Clean Water Act that could eliminate protections for many wetlands and small streams. I obtained slides from a presentation given to agency staff yesterday with details on the rule, which is currently being reviewed by the White House.
EPA plans to dramatically reduce wetland protection
A proposal shared with staffers Wednesday would shrink the reach of Clean Water Act permitting and oversight.
www.eenews.net
August 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
EPA has proposed a regulation under the Clean Water Act that could eliminate protections for many wetlands and small streams. I obtained slides from a presentation given to agency staff yesterday with details on the rule, which is currently being reviewed by the White House.
Reposted by Miranda Willson
@politico.com’s E&E News first reported on the March EPA meeting back in April, and today, @mirandawrites.bsky.social posted an update about the meeting citing the new @nsarchive.bsky.social docs. Read her piece here:
www.eenews.net/articles/ghg...
www.eenews.net/articles/ghg...
GHG booster to Zeldin: Beware ‘public health harms’ of regulations
Documents show that fossil energy promoter Alex Epstein asked the EPA administrator to stop using a scientific model to project climate impacts.
www.eenews.net
August 4, 2025 at 6:52 PM
@politico.com’s E&E News first reported on the March EPA meeting back in April, and today, @mirandawrites.bsky.social posted an update about the meeting citing the new @nsarchive.bsky.social docs. Read her piece here:
www.eenews.net/articles/ghg...
www.eenews.net/articles/ghg...
Reposted by Miranda Willson
July 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
“If we're not going to see this kind of funding from the EPA, where is it going to show up?” Preisendanz said. “PFAS research is so expensive. You can fund the student, but if that student doesn't have money for sample analysis or sample collection, it's not very helpful."
E&E News: Trump 1.0 funded her PFAS study. Trump 2.0 revoked it.
A research project on "forever chemicals" was abruptly canceled by EPA in April. The agency still wanted the report, though.
subscriber.politicopro.com
July 30, 2025 at 5:51 PM
“If we're not going to see this kind of funding from the EPA, where is it going to show up?” Preisendanz said. “PFAS research is so expensive. You can fund the student, but if that student doesn't have money for sample analysis or sample collection, it's not very helpful."
EPA ordered a member of its drinking water advisory council to “cease all work” for the agency after she signed a letter criticizing Administrator Lee Zeldin’s policies. She is now being investigated by EPA.
E&E News: EPA bars Trump admin critic from expert panel
The move sets a “dangerous precedent,” said the engineer and consultant who is a member of the agency's National Drinking Water Advisory Council.
subscriber.politicopro.com
July 28, 2025 at 8:50 PM
EPA ordered a member of its drinking water advisory council to “cease all work” for the agency after she signed a letter criticizing Administrator Lee Zeldin’s policies. She is now being investigated by EPA.
Reposted by Miranda Willson
A looming global water crisis may be under appreciated as climate change takes hold. Today I report on a new study that finds the planet is quickly drying, with mega-regions of water loss now stretching across continents. www.propublica.org/article/wate...
“Staggering” Water Loss Driven by Groundwater Mining Poses Global Threat
A new study finds that freshwater resources are rapidly disappearing, creating arid “mega” regions and causing sea levels to rise.
www.propublica.org
July 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A looming global water crisis may be under appreciated as climate change takes hold. Today I report on a new study that finds the planet is quickly drying, with mega-regions of water loss now stretching across continents. www.propublica.org/article/wate...
A coalition of North Carolina fishing guides, wildlife biologists & environmentalists say the colossal FEMA-funded cleanup after Hurricane Helene has left rural stretches of rivers less healthy than they were after the storm and caused more damage to endangered species than the storm itself.
E&E News: Critics blast damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene cleanup
“We’re scratching our heads and thinking the recovery activities were actually more damaging than the storm itself," said a North Carolina official.
subscriber.politicopro.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A coalition of North Carolina fishing guides, wildlife biologists & environmentalists say the colossal FEMA-funded cleanup after Hurricane Helene has left rural stretches of rivers less healthy than they were after the storm and caused more damage to endangered species than the storm itself.
The Trump administration reached an agreement with Mexico to work toward resolving a sewage pollution crisis at the San Diego-Tijuana border. Experts welcomed the news, while noting that there's no silver bullet & that the Mexican Congress still needs to agree to fund infrastructure improvements.
E&E News: Trump admin inks deal with Mexico over sewage crisis
Experts described it as a first step toward cleaning up the Tijuana River Valley, if both countries uphold their ends of the pact.
subscriber.politicopro.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The Trump administration reached an agreement with Mexico to work toward resolving a sewage pollution crisis at the San Diego-Tijuana border. Experts welcomed the news, while noting that there's no silver bullet & that the Mexican Congress still needs to agree to fund infrastructure improvements.
A 24,960-acre site in the Everglades teeming with wildlife will soon house a "temporary" migrant jail. Gov. DeSantis is citing an emergency order on immigration to move forward quickly. Unclear if environmental permits are needed, but 96% of the site is covered in wetlands, one group says.
E&E News: Florida proposes Everglades tract for migrant detention
"If people get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons," state Attorney General James Uthmeier said.
subscriber.politicopro.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:41 PM
A 24,960-acre site in the Everglades teeming with wildlife will soon house a "temporary" migrant jail. Gov. DeSantis is citing an emergency order on immigration to move forward quickly. Unclear if environmental permits are needed, but 96% of the site is covered in wetlands, one group says.
PFAS manufacturers are making the case that they’re essential to winning the AI race & making semiconductors in the U.S. — a priority under both Trump and Biden. Now, two major chemical plants are seeking to ramp up production, spurring fresh concerns about pollution from the man-made substances.
‘Forever chemicals’ industry aims to capitalize on AI boom
Semiconductor production is impossible without PFAS, spurring fresh concerns about increased contamination tied to the toxic substances.
www.eenews.net
June 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
PFAS manufacturers are making the case that they’re essential to winning the AI race & making semiconductors in the U.S. — a priority under both Trump and Biden. Now, two major chemical plants are seeking to ramp up production, spurring fresh concerns about pollution from the man-made substances.
When EPA announced a crackdown on a West Virginia chemical plant in 2023, it was hailed as the first federal action to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for polluting water. But the plant continues to violate its permit limits for PFAS, which experts say are not very protective to begin with.
Infamous PFAS polluter still spewing ‘forever chemicals’
Water utilities far down the Ohio River from Chemours’ West Virginia plant are alarmed by its PFAS discharges. Will EPA step up?
www.eenews.net
May 19, 2025 at 7:20 PM
When EPA announced a crackdown on a West Virginia chemical plant in 2023, it was hailed as the first federal action to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for polluting water. But the plant continues to violate its permit limits for PFAS, which experts say are not very protective to begin with.
EPA is dissolving its dedicated research & science team in the Office of Water and dispersing its staff across different departments. The change affects the team that develops standards for industrial pollutants, including toxic PFAS, to prevent them from getting into rivers, lakes and streams.
E&E News: EPA restructuring spurs questions on ‘forever chemicals’ plans
The agency says limits on PFAS pollution are coming. But it's also eliminating the office that works on them.
subscriber.politicopro.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
EPA is dissolving its dedicated research & science team in the Office of Water and dispersing its staff across different departments. The change affects the team that develops standards for industrial pollutants, including toxic PFAS, to prevent them from getting into rivers, lakes and streams.