Farmers cheered this week when Donald Trump, visiting politically pivotal Iowa, touted his administration’s plan to increase sales of corn-based ethanol blends at the gas pump. But despite the Agriculture Department’s efforts to paint ethanol as a renewable fuel with big climate benefits, the science leaves that notion in doubt. Georgina Gustin explores the issue in depth.
In Maine, Sabrina Shankman takes a detailed first-person look at South Portland’s distress as fumes from petroleum plants in the port city drive residents into deep worry. Why weren’t the city’s citizens and leaders kept informed about apparent violations?
“There is no doubt in my mind that under the current administration the EPA is retreating from its historic mission to protect our environment and the health of the public from environmental hazards.”
