Together we got rid of single-use plastic bags. Now it’s time to phase out foam takeout cups and containers. Polystyrene foam can’t be recycled, breaks apart easily, and takes hundreds of years to fully degrade.
Together we got rid of single-use plastic bags. Now it’s time to phase out foam takeout cups and containers. Polystyrene foam can’t be recycled, breaks apart easily, and takes hundreds of years to fully degrade.
Transportation
EPA announces $5 billion for electric school buses
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $5 billion Clean School Bus Program to help school districts replace polluting diesel buses with clean electric ones. Currently, most of the nation’s 450,000 school buses run on diesel fuel, even though diesel exhaust has been linked to respiratory illness, cancer and other serious health risks.
Solid Waste
Biden administration commits to removing single-use plastic from national parks
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has issued an order to phase out single-use plastic products from our country’s national parks and other public lands by 2032, after PIRG and over 20,000 of our supporters urged the administration to take this critical step beyond plastic.
Report: Methane Gas Leaks
Gas leaks and pipeline incidents are common and put public health and safety at risk.
Health Care
Victory: Medical debt to be scrubbed from consumers' credit reports
One in 5 American households report having medical debt. Now, new credit industry policies will help keep that debt from hurting their credit.
We can't do it without you.
OSPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
News Release | U.S. PIRG
WASHINGTON – The Inflation Reduction Act just passed by the U.S. Senate provides powerful tools for the government to address high drug prices. Federal legislators identified ways to address drug costs that will save close to $240 billion over 10 years and also relieve the burden of the high cost of medications for many Americans. Next, the U.S. House of Representatives must pass the bill for it to become law.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
WASHINGTON – Midway through a summer full of brutally hot weather, flash floods and worsening drought, the U.S. Senate passed the largest-ever package of climate and clean energy investments. The Inflation Reduction Act includes roughly $369 billion in climate spending, designed to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and put the United States’ Paris Climate Accord goals within reach. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Friday, August 12.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
The United States Senate passed the PACT Act with bipartisan support, expanding health care benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals while serving in the military.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
According to the Wall Street Journal, Equifax sent to lenders millions of incorrect credit scores for consumers applying for auto loans, mortgages and credit cards.
Blog Post
Methane gas is a fossil fuel that pollutes our air and poses risks to public health. But you wouldn’t know it from the way the gas industry portrays it.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.