A major research initiative from Virginia Tech is setting a new precedent for how water utilities can confront PFAS contamination—a persistent, complex issue affecting drinking water systems across the U.S. The project is centered on Northern Virginia’s Occoquan Reservoir, a vital source of drinking water for nearly one million residents in the Washington, D.C. metro area....
How Will an International Visitor Surcharge Benefit Our National Parks?
Approximately 14.6 million travelers from other countries visit America’s national parks annually. Now, the U.S. Department of the Interior is proposing a surcharge so that these visitors pay a little extra for park entrance fees.
Turning Crop Waste Into Textiles: A Cleaner Cellulose Source
A new approach developed at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden could reshape how cellulose textiles are produced. Instead of relying on resource-intensive cotton or chemically processed wood pulp, researchers have demonstrated that common agricultural residues—like wheat straw and oat husks—can serve as effective raw materials for dissolving pulp, the base for cellulose fibers. The...
Colorado River ‘water market’ could bring security to farmers, fish and families: Study
Applying a market-based approach to Colorado River management could ensure more robust and reliable supplies for farmers, communities and the environment, a new study has found. Without considerable cutbacks in basin-wide water consumption, fish populations could face dire consequences for at least one month of the irrigation season, scientists warned in the study, published Friday...
Why Buying Thrifted Clothes Is Getting More Appealing
Shoppers around the world are quickly adding more used shoes, accessories and clothes to their closets. Last year, they spent $227 billion on secondhand apparel, accounting for nearly 10% of all global spending on clothes, according to a new report from online resale marketplace ThredUp Inc. The trend is set to accelerate, particularly in the US...
Americans Are Rushing to Get Off the Grid
For years, Americans have been blanketing their homes with scads of solar panels. Now, they’re adding a growing number of batteries to store that electricity and protect against blackouts. Battery storage in US homes surged by 64% in 2024 compared to the previous year, outpacing increases in commercial and utility installations, according to new data from Wood...
The Rise of DIY Innovation: Off-Grid Energy Experiments in American Backyards
The rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) innovations across America is improving economic and environmental outcomes. Rather than waiting for the next federal initiative, everyday Americans are leading the way in innovation.
States Challenge Federal Rollback of California’s Vehicle Emissions Waivers
In a federal lawsuit filed June 12, 2025, California and ten other states are challenging the legality of three Congressional resolutions signed by President Trump that disapprove key EPA waivers. The waivers, granted between 2023 and early 2025, allow California to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Omnibus Low NOx regulations—rules...
Rhode Island Passes Textile Waste Recycling and Education Bill
The Rhode Island Senate has officially passed legislation to enhance textile waste recyclingand public education efforts, reinforcing the state’s commitment to sustainable waste management. With landfill capacity dwindling and textiles accounting for a substantial portion of waste, this initiative aims to increase awareness, improve recycling infrastructure, and enforce reporting requirements among industry stakeholders. Key Provisions Expanding Public...
American Energy Dominance Is Imperative
This week, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, members of Congress, representatives from OpenAI, NVIDIA, and other energy and technology leaders will gather in Washington to tackle the United States’ energy challenge: How can we quickly and cheaply deploy the energy America needs to support our economy and win the AI race with China? Hosted by American Affairs,...








