Parts Per Billion - podcast cover

Parts Per Billion

Parts Per Billion is Bloomberg Law's environmental policy podcast. We cover everything from air pollution, to toxic chemicals, to corporate sustainability, and climate change. The reporters from our environment desk offer an inside look at what's happening at Congress, in the courts, and at the federal agencies, and help explain the scientific and policy debates shaping environmental laws and regulations. Host: David Schultz

Episodes

'Tiger King,' Virus Make Wildlife a Bipartisan Issue

A strange confluence of events involving a hit Netflix TV show and a global pandemic originating from the animal trade has all of a sudden turned wildlife trafficking into a prime time topic on Capitol Hill. On this episode of Parts Per Billion , reporter Dean Scott explains why both Republicans and Democrats now view a crack down on the sale of wildlife as a winning political issue heading into this fall's elections. Read more reporting on this issue here . Learn more about your ad-choices at h...

Apr 29, 202015 min

Toxic Cleanup Slowdown Hits Low Income Areas Hardest

The EPA took action earlier this month to allow cleanup work at some toxic Superfund sites to slow down or even stop during the coronavirus pandemic. The agency did this to protect the workers cleaning up these sites, who may not be able to social distance on the job or to even find the necessary protective gear. But the move also negatively affects the neighborhoods near Superfund sites, many of which contain a disproportionate amount of public housing. On this week's episode of Parts Per Billi...

Apr 22, 202013 min

Why Interior's Post-Virus Plan is Lots of Hunting

The Department of the Interior wants Americans to celebrate the (presumptive) end of the coronavirus pandemic this fall by going out to federal lands and hunting some animals. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, reporter Bobby Magill explains why the department wants to open up millions of acres of public wildlife refuges for hunting and what this could mean for the environment. Click here to read more of Bobby's reporting on this issue. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpo...

Apr 15, 202012 min

Pandemic's Effects on Environment Are Good, Bad, Weird

The massive scope of the coronavirus pandemic is having some strange effects on the environment. For example, some sewer operators are reporting an increased rate of blockages caused by a pile up of those "flushable" sanitizing wipes everyone is using. On this episode of Parts Per Billion , we speak with California correspondent Emily C. Dooley about some of the strange environmental trends that have popped up in her state and elsewhere as a result of the pandemic and its economic aftermath. Lea...

Apr 08, 202014 min

Virus Strains Waste Industry, Regulators Weigh Relief

The waste management industry is about to get a deluge of medical waste as the coronavirus pandemic ramps up in the U.S. This deluge is also coming at a time when many of its employees will likely be getting sick. On today's episode of Parts Per Billion , reporter Sylvia Carignan talks about how the industry is asking for some leniency from environmental regulators and about how that leniency could affect the environment. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com S...

Apr 01, 202014 min

Judges Struggle With Environmental Cases Amid Pandemic

Environmental problems persist, so federal judges hearing environmental cases are struggling to make sure this litigation doesn't grind to a halt. On today's episode of Parts Per Billion, legal reporter Ellen M. Gilmer talks about the many virus-related delays in these cases and about one case over the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline in which a judge decided a hearing must go on. (Note: After the recording of this episode, the judge in the Dakota pipeline case issued a ruling. Visit news.bl...

Mar 25, 202017 min

EPA Grudgingly Embraces Telecommuting Amid Pandemic

The EPA under the Trump administration has frowned upon allowing its own employees to work from home—that is, until a global pandemic suddenly changed the agency's mind. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, reporter Stephen Lee talks about the EPA's approach toward telework, how the coronavirus has altered that approach, and about the Trump administration's attempt to bring private-sector management philosophies into the government. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastn...

Mar 18, 202014 min

Gun Toting Ranchers May Win With Trump Grazing Policy

A group of heavily armed ranchers made headlines a few years ago by getting into a tense standoff with law enforcement during their protest of federal grazing policies. Though those Obama-era protests more or less fizzled out, Bloomberg Environment's Bobby Magill says now the Trump administration may be poised to give the angry ranchers nearly everything they wanted. Magill joins our podcast, Parts Per Billion, to talk about the proposal to change grazing rules on federal lands and what its envi...

Mar 11, 202012 min

Honey Bees Get Attention, But Native Bees Need Help

Problems with honey bees have grabbed headlines, but scientists say we should really be tracking the health of native bee species. That's one of many topics discussed at a recent annual conference in Seattle for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS. Bloomberg Environment's Adam Allington was at the conference and held a live taping of our special six-part podcast series, Business of Bees . Host: David Schultz. Producers: Jessica Coomes, Marissa Horn, Josh Block. Learn...

Feb 28, 202026 min

Dominion, Duke Hike to Supreme Court in Trail Dispute

Two energy companies, Dominion and Duke, want to build a pipeline underneath the famed Appalachian Trail, but environmentalists want them to go take a hike. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, we head out to the trail with Bloomberg Environment's Ellen M. Gilmer and find out what this dispute is about and why it's heading all the way to the Supreme Court. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Josh Block. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omny...

Feb 18, 202016 min

Introducing Downballot Counts

This week, we're sharing an episode of the newest weekly podcast from Bloomberg Industry Group, Downballot Counts. It's a podcast about the 2020 U.S. House and Senate elections and the fight to control Congress. The series is hosted by Bloomberg Government Senior Elections Reporter Greg Giroux and Elections Team Leader Kyle Trygstad. Subscribe to Downballot Counts wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener ...

Feb 10, 202022 min

FDA, EPA in Turf War Over Toxic Medical Device Gas

There's a particular chemical gas that the medical device industry uses to sterilize its instruments and, unfortunately, that gas happens to be extremely toxic. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, reporters Amena H. Saiyid and Ayanna Alexander explain how the FDA and the EPA are at a loss for how to deal with this gas and they lay out the stakes of new environmental regulations for the healthcare industry. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Jessica Coomes and Anna Yukhananov. Learn more about your ...

Jan 31, 202012 min

We Track PFAS Litigation So You Don’t Have To

There are dozens upon dozens of lawsuits out there over the potentially toxic substances known as “Forever Chemicals.” On this episode of Parts Per Billion, we bring in Bloomberg Environment’s best PFAS reporters and have a roundtable discussion about the suits that could have the biggest impact on the legal landscape in 2020. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Jessica Coomes and Anna Yukhananov. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Jan 10, 202018 min

While You Were Merry, Christmas Tree Farmers Worried

An ongoing environmental issue may make it harder to acquire your annual holiday conifer. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, agriculture reporter Adam Allington tells us about how the move to ban a powerful pesticide may make life harder for Christmas Tree farmers. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 27, 201912 min

Pipelines, Tolls, and Franz Kafka in Federal Court

One of the most senior judges in the U.S. says a federal agency's pipeline approval process is a bureaucratic nightmare straight out of a Kafka novel. Bloomberg Environment's Ellen Gilmer joins Parts Per Billion, to talk about this process and about how a lawsuit challenging it could make it much easier for environmental groups to block the construction of these interstate pipelines. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ih...

Dec 13, 201912 min

The Global Stakes of Saving the Alaskan Rainforest

There's a fight going on right now over saving the rainforest, but it might not be the rainforest you're thinking of. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, Bloomberg Environment's Bobby Magill talks about the Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska and how its future could affect the environment not just locally but literally across the entire planet. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See...

Dec 06, 201912 min

Years-Long Fight Against PFAS Coming to a Theater Near You

Reporter David Schultz sits down with lawyer Rob Bilott, who is portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in the new film, “Dark Waters,” to talk about his crusade to hold DuPont Co. accountable for chemical contamination that a West Virginia farmer believed was killing his cattle. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 20, 20197 min

The Farmer Who Got Punished for Reporting Pollution

On this episode of Parts Per Billion, Bloomberg Environment's Pat Rizzuto tells us about what happens when people discover their land has been polluted with PFAS chemicals and why there are strong incentives for them to stay quiet. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 05, 201917 min

Toxic Waste Case at SCOTUS Affects Big Business, Small Town

On this episode of Parts Per Billion, we do a super-deep dive into a case that the Supreme Court will be hearing in its upcoming term. The case questions how far big businesses must go to clean up their pollution, and we hear from residents of the tiny Montana town where the lawsuit originated. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 30, 201917 min

Fighting the War Against Military Pollution

Waging war—and keeping the peace—can be a dirty business. On this episode of Parts Per Billion, we speak with Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), the congressman in charge of the Pentagon's environmental cleanup, about how the military is doing on this difficult issue and about negotiations over what could be a landmark bill to address PFAS contamination. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnyst...

Sep 20, 201910 min

Congress Lurches from "Must Pass" to "Must Pass"

Congress is back in town and, just this month, it will be facing several bills that all carry the unofficial designation of "must pass." Bloomberg Environment's Capitol Hill reporter Dean Scott joins Parts Per Billion to talk about what this "must pass" tag means and whether any environmental bills will hitch a ride on these quick-moving pieces of legislation. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com S...

Sep 09, 201914 min

New Federal Lands Manager Wants to Sell Federal Land

The new acting head of the Bureau of Land Management, Bill Pendley, has some strong views about how federal lands should be managed: he'd like to see them all sold off On this episode of Parts Per Billion, Bloomberg Environment's Bobby Magill talks about how Pendley's appointment indicates the Trump administration is taking an uncompromising approach to long-simmering tensions over land use in the West. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choic...

Aug 07, 20199 min

Alaska Swelters as Scientists Sweat Funding Cuts

Alaska is sweltering through a record heat wave that many are attributing to climate change, but climate scientists at the state's largest university may see their funding cut in the near future. Bloomberg Environment's Maya Goldman talks about why Alaska's governor is cutting this funding and about the tough fiscal choices climate change is forcing lawmakers to make. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn & Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnet...

Jul 12, 20199 min

California an Unusual Underdog in Fight With Feds

California doesn't usually find itself in the underdog role, but that's exactly where it is in its ongoing legal battles with the Trump Administration over the rollback of environmental protections. Emily Dooley, Bloomberg Environment's California correspondent, joins Parts Per Billion, to discuss how the Golden State's political leaders are struggling to stay aggressive in the courtroom against their much larger and more powerful foes. Host: David Schultz Editors: Marissa Horn & Jessica Coo...

Jun 25, 201910 min

As Climate Heats Up, So Do Shareholder Meetings

Big oil and gas companies like Chevron and Exxon Mobil are facing off more frequently with activist shareholders who want to force these companies to address climate change. Kevin Crowley, an energy reporter with Bloomberg News, joins Parts Per Billion to talk about what these activists are trying to do and how they may be losing some battles, but winning the overall war. Host: David Schultz. Producers: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas...

Jun 19, 20195 min

Kids Climate Suit Could Be 'Trial of the Century'

The eyes of many in the legal world are glued to a lawsuit from a group of children who are suing the federal government over climate change. But as climate reporter Abby Smith tells us, these kids have a long way to go before they get their day in court. Host: David Schultz. Producers: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 06, 20199 min

Bees Are Big Business, Believe It or Not

Bees are a symbol of industriousness, but they've also been the cause of no small amount of panic in recent years amid reports that the flying honey makers may be going extinct. We took a deep dive into these issues with our new special podcast series, Business of Bees, and its producers join Parts Per Billion to talk about what they’ve learned. Host: David Schultz. Producers: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio...

May 17, 201913 min

Action on Climate in House, But Not Enough for Some

The House passed its first major climate change bill in a decade last week, but few environmentalists are cheering. Bloomberg Environment's Tiffany Stecker joins Parts Per Billion to talk about where Congress is at on climate change and where it may be heading in the months and years to come. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Jessica Coomes, Marissa Horn. Listen and subscribe to Parts Per Billion from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Overcast | Via Stitcher | Via Spotify Learn more about...

May 08, 201911 min

Forget Carbon Neutral, Let's Go Carbon Negative

Scientists have developed ways to suck greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere. So climate change is solved then, right? Bloomberg Environment's Abby Smith tells us why this technology isn't yet ready for widespread use and why the government's policies toward what some call "carbon capture" aren't totally coherent right now. Host: David Schultz Editors: Jessica Coomes, Marissa Horn Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Apr 22, 201910 min