In October, the Bureau of Land Management finalized a new resource management plan for Colorado’s Western Slope that will determine how 2 million acres of public land are managed for the next 15-20 years.

The plan includes some conservation wins; it sets aside land designated as critical habitat, for example, and institutes extra protections for big game. But it also permits continued leasing in areas that have moderate and high potential for oil and gas development — with a particular focus on places with the unique geological conditions necessary for helium production.

Helium is a noble gas, meaning it is chemically inert and doesn’t react with other substances. These qualities mean that it’s in high demand for a variety of critical uses in medical technology, diving and national defense; diagnostic procedures like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for example, and nuclear …

Timeline: The Georgia Public Service Commission’s key decisions

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| Pollution

This is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising electricity bills to developing renewable energy.

The Georgia Public Service Commission, or PSC, votes on energy issues multiple times a year, making decisions for the state on everything from rate hikes and solar metering to Georgia Power bill increases and nuclear plant construction.

Here’s a timeline of the past 15 years of major events and elections so you have the information you need to understand what the PSC does and how it affects you. (Curious how to get in front of the PSC or submit written comments? We have a guide here.)

November 2024: No PSC elections on the ballot

Commissioner Tricia Pridemore’s term expires at the end …

Cross-border CO2 transport decreases public acceptance of carbon capture and storage

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| Climate

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 21 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02023-0

Carbon removal using carbon capture and storage (CCS) remains controversial. This study finds that cross-border CO2 transport would hinder public acceptance of CCS, associated with the perceived unfairness.
Nature Climate Change…

Susan Graff Feature from Georgia Tech School of Public Policy

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| Recycling

Distinguished Alumni: Susan Graff

Susan Graff is a Principal and Vice President of Global Corporate Sustainability for RRS. Susan Graff was the 2023 Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient!

For over 30 years, Susan has provided individual and collaborative sustainability and materials management solutions to both industrial and government clients focused on reducing material and energy consumption while increasing recycling value capture. She led the development of The Sustainability Scorecard®, an RRS analytic tool used by manufacturers to re-imagine business strategy, metrics, and employee training to achieve better sustainability profiles.

Below, explore Susan Graff’s feature from Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy featured people gallery.

Empowering Sustainability: Insights from an Interdisciplinary Journey

What do you do?

I lead interdisciplinary teams on sustainability projects, including engineers, scientists, communications, economists, and sales/marketing people. I typically work shoulder-to-shoulder with …

Research on public support for climate policy instruments must broaden its scope

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| Climate

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 26 January 2023; doi:10.1038/s41558-022-01593-1

The transition to net-zero emissions will be contested and could lead to political polarization and social unrest. To contribute to a transition that is accepted as legitimate while remaining effective, research on public support must evolve rapidly along several dimensions.
Nature Climate Change…

Shorebirds threatened by disc-golf course on dune habitat without public consultation

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| Wildlife

“The importance of urban nature has never been greater. During the last year and a half of the epidemic, city dwellers all across the world have sought out and loved urban nature more than ever… Now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to green space design and protection.” —Toronto Mayor John Tory, in a […]

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