Thought Leadership
The National Governors Association and AAAS EPI Center: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Drinking Water
The American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues (EPI Center) and the National Governors Association (NGA) hosted two webinars in a series on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and drinking water for NGA members. In the first webinar, scientific researchers joined experts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide a high-level overview of the scientific evidence related to PFAS in drinking water, human health impacts, and federal policies addressing PFAS in drinking water. In the second webinar, state researchers joined an environmental justice advocate to discuss how the science on PFAS is used by state decision-makers and the impact of PFAS contamination on different communities.
Additional information for state and local leaders can be found in our Addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Drinking Water: Guides for Local and State Leaders.
La'Meshia Whittington's presentation starts at: 58:30min
Black Issues Forum
A decision on redistricting maps means some wins but more work to do, Black representation in public office sparks a conversation on what it takes to run and a video depicting police racial bias against teens goes viral.
Representative Robert Reives, Senator Natalie Murdock, Professor La’Meshia Whittington and Michael Stewart-Isaacs of I Am Brilliant join the discussion.
Advocates call EPA ‘forever chemical’ testing announcement insufficient
“For decades, our communities have suffered silently from PFAS contaminated water. All the while, polluting corporations have continued to profit from our pain,” said La’Meshia Whittington, of the NC Black Alliance.
Our dedicated team of community advocates, legal counsel, and scientists have provided EPA with the tools to clearly and swiftly act to save our communities. We are deeply disappointed that the Biden EPA chose not to use these tools in its response to our petition,” Whittington added."
Environment & Energy
Five Key Experiences Likely to Inform Policies of Biden EPA Pick
As DEQ secretary, Regan also grew familiar with the problems that certain “forever chemicals” have caused state residents, according to Whittington.
That experience is likely to come in handy given Biden’s vows to use the federal Superfund law and the Safe Drinking Water Act to intensify oversight of the chemicals. Under Regan’s watch, the agency tightened controls of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, released into the air and water.
Redistricting & Voting Rights
Communities of color need to play bigger role in NC redistricting, advocates say
RALEIGH, N.C. — More than a dozen advocacy groups called Thursday for communities of color across North Carolina to become more involved in the process of redrawing congressional and legislative voting districts.
Lawmakers are expected to draw the new district maps next month, using updated population data from the 2020 census.