- Reversed inaction on power plant and factory emissions: starting in March 2010, large power plants and factories must report on emissions and use best available control technologies for GHG. The EPA plans to set GHG performance standards for power plants, oil refineries, and cement manufacturers in 2010.
- The "Livability Partnership" dovetails the work of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the EPA so that smart growth principles are employed when making transportation and housing development decisions.
- The EPA's proposed science-based rule on implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard includes full lifecycle accounting for the GHG emissions of various biofuels (it's being fought by special interests).
Protecting Air, Water and Food
The EPA changed course on Bush policies by subjecting many of them to scientific reviews and implementing necessary environmental protections.
- Issued regulations to sharply reduce air toxins and soot pollution from power plants, such as coal- and oil-burning plants, by November 2011. The Bush EPA had declared such controls unnecessary.
- Proposed a rule to reduce smog and soot pollution from large ships by over 80% starting in 2015. Ships within 200 miles of the U.S. coast will have to use cleaner fuels and emission controls.
- $6 billion from the Recovery Act to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure, including water/ energy efficiency and green infrastructure.
- The Chesapeake Bay Executive Order commits federal agencies to collaboratively restore the Bay and its watershed. Obama's federal sustainability executive order issued in October also commits federal agencies to stringent standards for controlling stormwater pollution from all development and redevelopment projects.
- Regulation of perchlorate in drinking water and potential regulation of Atrazinem, a dangerous herbicide that's pervasive in Midwest surface and groundwater. The Bush Administration removed regulations for altrazinem and refused to regulate perchlorate.
- After 30 years, the EPA is addressing chemicals of concern by reforming and strengthening the Toxic Substance Control Act and developing Chemical Action Plans for a number of toxic substances.
Protecting Oceans, Wildlife, Wildlands
Although most decisions point to dramatic differences on natural resource protection, the Obama administration has continued some of the unfortunate policies of the Bush administration: so far refusing to protect endangered wolves and grizzly bears; has yet to stop mountaintop mining; and proposed USDA appointees that are cozy with GMO lobbyists.
- In a Presidential Memorandum (June 2009), Obama called for a national oceans policy that protects and restores ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. His Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force is set to report recommendations in February.
- The Navy's use of sonar injures and kills whales and causes widespread disruption in whale, dolphin, and porpoise species. This practice is under review as well as protecting habitats from sonar.
- Proposed increased protections for polar bears under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which would strengthen international regulation of polar bear trophy hunting and ban commercial trade in polar bear parts.
- The Interior Department canceled the sale of 77 oil and gas leases in wilderness quality lands in Utah, and canceled lease sales and Wyoming, which were proposed by the Bush administration.
- Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved decisions to restore the nationwide Roadless Rule, which protects large, roadless areas of the National Forest System from development.
- Some steps to curtail destructive mountaintop removal for coal operations, which the Bush administration facilitated through policy changes and lax enforcement.
