TOP STORIES
Welcome to Mariah Ashley, the new National Tribal Air Association Program Coordinator!
After a thorough search, Ms. Ashley comes to NTAA after working for ITEP’s Climate Change Program. Previous to that, she had more than three years of progressive experience as the Operations Manager for the Black Mesa Water Coalition. BMWC is an indigenous-led, grassroots organization that focuses on food sovereignty, cultural and Indigenous knowledge, as well as empowering Diné youth through organizing. As a member of the Navajo Nation, Ms. Ashley has also worked for the Navajo Nation’s Division of Natural Resources in the Water Management Office as an intern. Ms. Ashley holds an Associate Degree of Applied Science from Diné College and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Science with a Geology Emphasis from Northern Arizona University. Ms. Ashley joins the NTAA staff to support the NTAA Executive Committee, NTAA member Tribes, and Tribal air programs across Indian Country on May 4th. Please join us in welcoming Mariah to NTAA! You can reach her at Mariah.ashley@nau.edu.
TAMS Steering Committee Nomination
The TAMS Steering Committee is composed of a rotating roster of tribal environmental professionals and ex officio members who meet regularly to discuss tribal air quality monitoring and other air quality technical support needs. Nomination is open until May 31, 2020. Nominate a recipient here.
HEADLINES
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
Department of the Interior – White House Re-Establishes Council on Native American Affairs to Support Continued Inter-Agency Coordination with Indian Country
ABC News – Tribes urge Treasury to disburse coronavirus relief funding
BBC – How air pollution exacerbates Covid-19
The Guardian – Coronavirus detected on particles of air pollution
Bloomberg News – Virus Prompts California to Study Air Pollution, Public Health
Grist – The world is on lockdown. So where are all the carbon emissions coming from?
EPA – Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Recognized as EPA WasteWise National Tribal Partner of the Year
Desert Sun – Environmental groups sue EPA over smog, air quality rules in Imperial County
E&E News – Study: Agency sat on $16M in enforcement funds
Yes! Magazine – What We Can Learn About Resilience from Indigenous Leaders
Indian Country Today – ‘Indian Country is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19’
USA Today – Native American tribes have been hit hard by coronavirus, and they’re battling red tape to get help
National Association of Clean Air Agencies – Washington Update
Climate Change/Energy
Indian Country Today – Court ruling puts pipeline projects across the country on hold
Indian Country Today – Tribes’ billion dollar oil industry…and now?
The Week – How to bail out the oil industry without destroying the planet
E&E News – Here’s what an oil bailout could mean for emissions
Huffpost – Falling Oil Prices Breathe New Life into an Old Idea: Nationalize the Industry
NPR – It’s Hard To Think About Climate Change During A Pandemic. Here’s how to stay Engaged.
Colorlines – Earth Day: Deadly Impact of Climate Change and COVID-19 Collide in Low-Wage Earning Communities
High Country News – How climate research continues during stay-at-home orders
ENN – Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Artificial Intelligence
NY Times – Here’s How Coronavirus Could Raise Cities’ Risk for Climate Disasters
Toxics/Mobile Sources
Cleveland Scene – Failure to Support Vehicle Pollution Standards Hurts GM in Customer Survey
Air Quality News – New database for car buyers reveals vehicle pollution levels
Indoor Air Quality
Salt Lake Tribune – Wyoming tribes face unique challenges in coronavirus fight
WISC News – Chemists look for ways to assess and improve indoor air quality
Be sure to subscribe to EPA’s IAQ Bulletins
