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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 4h

Nobody wins when the government is shut down – but we all lose when President Trump and his enablers accelerate their efforts to consolidate power and fire federal workers and scientists who protect our health and safety.

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 4h

As more details emerge, UCS will be closely following the harms and impacts that result from this latest assault on our democracy.

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 4h

Early reports indicate that layoffs primarily target EPA and the Interior, Energy and Commerce departments, along with Homeland Security, Education, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development.

Trump administration begins 'substantial' federal worker layoffs amid government shutdown

Affected agencies include the departments of Homeland Security, Education, Energy and Health and Human Services, among others, according to an administration official.

www.nbcnews.com

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 4h

President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Vought are weaponizing the government shutdown and have begun implementing potentially unlawful mass firings at federal agencies.

Trump officials say "substantial" federal worker layoffs have begun

Russell Vought announced the cuts Friday.

www.axios.com

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

10/ There have already been at least 152 hazardous chemical incidents in 2025. This is unacceptable. The people who live and work in and near these facilities are hurt first & worst when disasters happen, and they remain in harm’s way when the federal gov rolls back the rules meant to protect them.

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

9/ If the EPA won’t do its job, we will. The Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters recently updated its Chemical Incident Tracker, a data tool and map that allows users to view recent disasters across the country.

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Chemical Incident Tracker

The Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters has been tracking incidents involving hazardous chemicals since...

www.preventchemicaldisasters.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

8/ Full compliance with the 2024 rule wouldn’t have been required until 2027, but now, we may never have the chance to see these protections in place. The administration is bending to the will of the chemical and fossil fuel industries, and this is harming real people.

Before A Steel Plant Exploded, Trump’s EPA Hid Risks From The Public

The Pittsburgh plant that exploded on Monday had a history of chemical accidents — and the Trump administration made that secret.

www.levernews.com

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

7/ Now, EPA is moving to roll back critical regulations to protect communities and workers from chemical disasters. These regulations were updated in 2024 after years of advocacy, broad public input, and countless comments.

EPA Finalizes Critical Chemical Disaster Prevention Rules

In a major step forward, the long-awaited new regulations require some 12,000 US industrial facilities that use or store hazardous substances to develop Risk Management Plans that identify prevention ...

blog.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

6/ This week’s events exemplify why we need the CSB. Impacted communities and workers, government agencies, and facility operators in TX, CA, and TN need the CSB to deploy their response teams to investigate these deadly and harmful explosions.

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

5/ Over the summer, the White House proposed to eliminate the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) – the only independent federal agency that investigates chemical disasters and makes recommendations to prevent them from happening again.

Coalition urges members of Congress to preserve Chemical Safety Board

July 17, 2025 Members of the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters sent a letter urging members of Congress to...

preventchemicaldisasters.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

4/ This is happening while the Trump admin is ending federal regulations & measures to prevent chemical disasters (all amidst a government shutdown). In April, EPA removed a 2024 public data tool that helped communities access chemical facility info, and brought it back last month with less info.

Chemical Incident Tracker updated after EPA deletes data

Thursday, September 18, 2025 Media contact: Deidre Nelms, Communications Director, Coming Clean,...

preventchemicaldisasters.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

3/ And as we write this, there have been a series of deadly explosions at a military munitions plant in Tennessee. This is all in one week.

Blast at Tennessee military explosives plant leaves multiple people dead or missing

Number of people dead unknown as secondary blasts initially kept first responders from entering site

www.theguardian.com

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

2/ They follow a massive fire at a Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, California. There was a similar incident at the facility in 2017.

Large fire erupts at Los Angeles-area Chevron refinery in El Segundo

Officials say a large fire at a Chevron refinery in El Segundo, in Los Angeles County, has been contained and there are no reports of injuries.

www.cbsnews.com

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 5h

1/ This week, there have been at least three dangerous chemical releases at industrial facilities in Texas, including an explosion at a plant in Mount Belvieu that injured three plant workers.

Three people hurt in Mont Belvieu explosion, plant fire, officials say

A plant explosion sent 3 people to the hospital in Mont Belvieu and caused extensive damage.

www.khou.com

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 6h

Today is the cinematic release of A #HouseFfDynamite, a film that, according to our analyst Jennifer Knox, is required viewing for anyone who wants to understand the systemic risks of the nuclear weapons complex.

🔗Here are 5 things you should know before watching the movie: act.ucsusa.org/3KL9RK3

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Reposted by Union of Concerned Scientists

UCS Climate & Accountability Campaigns @ucsclimate.bsky.social · 1d

"Despite his relevant expertise and career experience, Dr. Jacobs has already demonstrated he’s willing to undermine science and his employees for political purposes as he did during the infamous ‘Sharpiegate’ scandal."

We Watched Neil Jacobs’ Confirmation Hearing for NOAA Administrator and Are Concerned About What We Heard

Either he supports NOAA research or he supports budget cuts. He can´t do both.

blog.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 9h

GOOD NEWS: This week, New England’s last coal plant—Merrimack Station—closed! 🔥🙌Our analyst John Rogers breaks down what this milestone means for clean energy and what’s next in the region’s transformation. Read more on his blog:

New England Closes the Door on Coal. Cheaper Renewables Can Take Its Place.

But it wasn’t age, per se, that led to the plant’s demise. It was economics.

blog.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 10h

Next Saturday Oct 18, millions of people across America will join together to send a clear message: We the people have the power. Find your local event today and raise your voice for the science, facts, and truth we need to counter the authoritarian overreach of President Trump and his enablers.

No Kings

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.

www.nokings.org

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Reposted by Union of Concerned Scientists

UCS Climate & Accountability Campaigns @ucsclimate.bsky.social · 10h

When oil and gas companies claim to be "part of the solution" in addressing climate change.

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 1d

¿Te perdiste la primera parte de El Crimen del Siglo? 🎧🔥 Escúchala ya antes de sumergirte en el segundo episodio.

El crimen del siglo

UCS tiene un nuevo informe que revela, con pruebas documentadas, lo que podría llamarse… el crimen del siglo.

es.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 1d

🔥🌍¿Recuerdas la primera vez que escuchaste que el planeta se está calentando por la acción humana? ¿O recién te estás enterando? Las compañías de combustibles fósiles lo supieron hace 70 años… e hicieron lo posible para evitar que tú lo supieras.

Conoce más en el 2do episodio de el #CrimenDelSiglo

El crimen del siglo-2ª parte

Un explosivo informe de UCS llamado "Décadas de engaños" revela pruebas documentadas de lo que podría llamarse…el crimen del siglo.

es.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 1d

¿Te perdiste la primera parte de El Crimen del Siglo? 🎧🔥Escúchala ya antes de sumergirte en el segundo episodio.

El crimen del siglo

UCS tiene un nuevo informe que revela, con pruebas documentadas, lo que podría llamarse… el crimen del siglo.

es.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 1d

The book argues that "in many situations, government should simply get out of the way. Meanwhile, the warping, smothering influence of corporate money and power lurks on every page unacknowledged, like a monster Klein and Thompson refuse to see." Read UCS's David Watkins' take on #Abundance.

An Abundant Blindspot

The warping, smothering influence of corporate money and power lurks on every page unacknowledged, a monster Klein and Thompson refuse to see.

blog.ucs.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 1d

“If you’re trying to roll back drinking water standards, you probably don’t want to release information that makes the case for why those standards are necessary.”—UCS's @dminovi.bsky.social

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

NEW: PFNA can be found in drinking water systems that serve about 26 million people.

The EPA’s toxicity report on the forever chemical has sat in limbo for months, raising concerns that the Trump administration might change it or not release it at all.

Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.

The report was completed in mid-April, scientists familiar with the document told ProPublica, but the Trump administration has yet to release it.

www.propublica.org

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 2d

Wondering how the government shutdown will affect pending federal rulemakings and enforcement? This resource from @sensiblesafeguards.bsky.social has some answers:

Government Shutdown Memo: Impact on Pending Rulemakings and Enforcement

Government Shutdown Memo: Impact on Pending Rulemakings and Enforcement October 6, 2025 | Download PDF The current federal government shutdown began at midnight September 30, 2025. This is the first s...

sensiblesafeguards.org

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