PSR Monitor

Dangers of Gas Stoves

National PSR and PSR Arizona have joined a coalition educating the customers of Southwest Gas, a major gas utility in Arizona and Nevada, about the dangers of gas stoves. Burning gas (methane) in the home emits air pollutants that aggravate asthma and can increase the risk of cancer. Does Southwest Gas care? They are looking to expand their market in these states while also increasing prices; PSR is informing customers, regulators and policy makers about the truth about gas. Be on the lookout for our new series of infographics!

PSR Graduates its First "Next-Generation" Climate Ambassadors

PSR recently graduated our first "Next-Generation" Climate & Health Ambassadors. Next-Gen Ambassadors are young and emerging health professionals — medical, health and public health students and 35-and-under professionals — who join PSR to hone their knowledge and skills for climate advocacy. During their time as Ambassadors, these young health professionals participated in climate and health topical and skills trainings, local climate mitigation and adaptation projects, all-Ambassador meetings, and monthly PSR-directed advocacy actions. We are excited to see them continue their advocacy and are looking forward to welcoming our next cohort in January.

Texas, New Mexico Reports Coming on PFAS in Fracking

Worried about dangerous chemicals used in fracking? You should be – especially in light of the revelations PSR has been publishing about the use of PFAS chemicals in fracking operations in multiple states. PFAS can be carcinogenic, and they persist in the environment for so long, they are known as “forever” chemicals. Our report on PFAS use in Ohio flagged dangers from potentially contaminated fracking wastewater being leaked, spilled and pumped into disposal wells. Coming in January: New reports on PFAS use in Texas and New Mexico.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the World of Nuclear Weapons Abolition in the New Year

2023 is right around the corner, and PSR is here to give you a sneak peak at what to expect in January 2023. Keep reading to learn about what is sure to be an exciting month!

Don't Bank on the Bomb 2022 Report

PSR's partner organization ICAN has released their new Don't Bank on the Bomb report, "Risky Returns: Nuclear Weapon Producers and Their Financiers." The publication details how 306 financial institutions made over $746 billion available to 24 nuclear weapon producing companies from China, France, India, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. This report reaffirms that divestment is a useful strategy to undermine the economic underpinnings of the nuclear weapons industry. 

PSR Board Member, Natasha DeJarnett, PhD, Accepts White House Fellowship

We are thrilled to announce that PSR Board Member Natasha DeJarnett, PhD is joining the White House Council on Environmental Quality. There, Dr. DeJarnett will serve as the Deputy Director of Environmental Justice Data and Evaluation. This fellowship program is highly selective and supports the development and placement of emerging scientific and technical talent within high-impact roles across the federal government. While we are sad that Natasha will have to step down from PSR's 2023 board, we are excited to see all she accomplishes and eagerly await her return to the board in 2024.

Upcoming Events

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. Jan. 2, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EST
Greater Boston PSR’s monthly meeting – open to all. Please contact Anna Linakis at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.

Commemorative Event
Sat. Jan. 21, 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST
Pack Square Park, Asheville, NC
The Western North Carolina Chapter of PSR is holding an event to commemorate the entry into force of the The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. All are invited to attend. Bring signs. For further information contact: terryclarkpsych@gmail.com

In the news

Retailers may not inform consumers of gas stove health risks upon purchase: report
Changing America (The Hill) - Dec 14
Quotes PSR's Barbara Gottlieb

COGCC takes alternative approach to cumulative impacts petition
The Daily Sentinel - Dec 14
Mentions PSR Colorado

The Price of Flight
GBH News - Dec 13
Mentions Greater Boston PSR

Criticism grows on new Peabody peaker plant
Salem News - Dec 8
Quotes Greater Boston PSR Board Chair Brita Lundberg, MD

Buh-Bye, Gas! Come January, New Buildings In LA Will Have To Be Fully Electric
LAist - Dec 7
Quotes Maro Kakoussian, PSR Los Angeles Climate Justice Manager

Uranium Mine Gears Up Near Grand Canyon National Park
EarthJustice - Dec 7
Quotes David Spence, MD, PSR Arizona Board President

140 Public Interest Groups Urge USDA Against Inflation Reduction Act Funding Subsidizing Factory Farm Gas Industry
Animal Legal Defense Fund - Dec 7
Mentions San Francisco Bay PSR

100+ Groups Urge Congress to Back Sanders' Yemen War Powers Resolution
Common Dreams - Dec 7
Mentions PSR

The Elusive Quest for Environmental Justice at Hunters Point
Earth Island Journal - Dec 5
Quotes Robert Gould, MD, San Francisco Bay PSR President

Rutgers scientist find that even a very limited nuclear war could kill more than 2 billion people
NJ.com - Dec 2
Op-ed mentioning PSR

New Portland Police Oversight Board, Could be Strongest in the Nation and Create a National Model
CounterPunch - Dec 2
Mentions Oregon PSR

Fracking Company to Pay for Public Water System in Rural Pennsylvania Town
Inside Climate News - Nov 30
Cites PSR's fracking Compendium

30 Groups Demand Pause on Carbon Pipeline Approvals
Food and Water Watch - Nov 29
Press release on letter signed by PSR Iowa

It's All About the Bomb
Alfred Meyer, PSR Board Member, The Progressive - Nov 25

Garfield: Petition would prevent most oil, gas development in state
The Daily Sentinel - Nov 22
Mentions PSR Colorado

Environmental groups present Shell plant with list of demands
Pittsburgh Business Times - Nov 21
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

Massachusetts Utilities Hope Hydrogen and Biomethane Can Keep the State Cooking, and Heating, With Gas
Inside Climate News - Nov 18
Quotes Andee Kranser, Greater Boston PSR

New regulations to push WA homes away from fossil fuels in 2023
KUOW - Nov 18
Quotes Washington PSR President Mark Vossler, MD

Status of Orange County Groundwater Basin
Fullerton Observer - Nov 18
Cites PSR's fracking chemicals report

As Evidence Mounts, New Concerns About Fracking and Health
YaleEnvironment360 - Nov 17
Cites PSR's fracking Compendium

Bringing the World Back from the Brink
The Progressive - Nov 17
Interview with PSR's Ira Helfand, MD

Joint Letter Calling on Congress to Reevaluate US-Saudi Arabia Relations
Human Rights Watch - Nov 15
Letter signed by PSR Pennsylvania

Exchange on Fracking: Key takeaways from the Pennsylvania Senate debate between John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz
Walter Tsou, MD, MPH, PSR Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Inquirer - Oct 31

Unhealthy Fracking
Barbara W. Brandom, MD, PSR Climate Ambassador Post-Gazette - Oct 30

Now Is Not the Time to Playact Nuclear War
Matt Bivens, MD, PSR Board Member, The Nation - Oct 18