Iowa PIRG Education Fund Home Page
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Transportation
Highway Boondoggles 5
Highway Boondoggles 5 finds nine new budget-eating highway projects slated to cost a total of $25 billion that will harm communities and the environment, while likely failing to achieve meaningful transportation goals
News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Transportation
New report exposes nine wasteful highway projects across the country
Highway projects are notorious for wasting taxpayer dollars. In the fifth edition of their Highway Boondoggles report, Iowa PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group identify nine new wasteful highway expansion projects across the country, slated to cost at least $25 billion collectively. Over five editions of the report, the groups have profiled 50 boondoggles.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Solid Waste
New report provides best practices for composting waste
Composting all organic waste -- including food scraps and yard trimmings -- could eliminate nearly one-third of all materials sent to landfills and trash incinerators across the United States. That's according to Composting in America, a new report released today by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research and Policy Center and Frontier Group. The study outlines best practices for composting programs, which are critical for mitigating the negative impact of waste on the climate and public health.
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Solid Waste
Composting in America
America throws out immense amounts or trash, most of which is dumped into landfills or burned in trash incinerators. This is a costly system that damages the environment and harms our health. Luckily, communities across the country are turning toward a common-sense and beneficial solution: composting. Composting programs divert organic material – such as food scraps, leaves, branches, grass clippings and other biodegradable material – away from landfills and incinerators and turn it into a valuable product.
Volkswagen Settlement State Scorecard
Every state, with the exception of Florida, has now published its plan to spend the money being received as part of the Volkswagen emissions violations settlement. This scorecard grades each state's plan on how well it is designed to take full advantage of the opportunity to invest in transportation electrification.
New report grades all 50 states on Volkswagen settlement spending plans
When it comes to clean transportation, most U.S. states are underutilizing funds from Volkswagen's nearly $3 billion settlement with federal authorities, according to a new report from Iowa PIRG Education Fund and Environment Iowa Research & Policy Center.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Transportation
Report: Roadmap for a stronger, more sustainable American infrastructure
Three years after candidates from both parties made infrastructure a key presidential campaign issue, it's finally the long-awaited "infrastructure week." Democratic congressional leaders and the White House announced two weeks ago that they would commit $2 trillion to the cause. But a new report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group cautions that before allocating that money, our elected officials need to determine which investments will alleviate the most dire problems America faces as a result of crumbling or outdated infrastructure -- climate change, pollution and threats to public safety.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection
Fisher-Price recalls nearly 5 million potentially deadly Rock n'Play sleepers
Fisher-Price recalled 4.7 million Rock n'Play baby sleepers on Friday. U.S. PIRG Consumer Watchdog Adam Garber issued a response: ""While we're pleased that Fisher-Price is finally recalling these dangerous sleepers, 30 deaths in 10 years is 30 deaths too many and 10 years too late."
Result | Tax
Closing Contractor Loopholes
Iowa PIRG, in federation with state PIRGs across the country, backed a new law to close that loophole and another law requiring contractors to pay back taxes before being awarded new contracts
Result | Democracy
Promoting Young Voter Participation
Two million more 18-24 year olds voted in 2008 than in the presidential election in 2004.
Result | Consumer Protection
Confronting Data Dealers on Identity Theft
In the wake of failures in data security on the part of data dealers and credit card companies, Iowa PIRG crafted model legislation that has been enacted in 40 states. We also helped pass a law that provides one free credit report each year.
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
Blueprint For Tomorrow
Infrastructure is at the heart of America's greatest challenges. The infrastructure investments made by generations past have contributed to improved health and welfare, and to the nation's unparalleled economic prosperity. But the infrastructure decisions of the past have also cast a long shadow, leaving America to deal with the burden of lead water pipes that jeopardize our children's health, fossil fuel pipelines that contribute to global warming, and transportation and solid waste infrastructure that no longer serve today's needs.
Report | Georgia PIRG Education Fund | Health Care
The Real Price of Medications
People living in the United States have access to some of the best medical care in the world, from life-saving drugs to cutting-edge surgical techniques. But our system is deeply flawed, with spiraling costs forcing many Americans to spend more on care and often receiving poor quality care for all the extra money spent.
#EEDay2018 - States Can Lead | Abe Scarr
The cheapest, cleanest energy is the energy we don't use in the first place. Whether you care about improving air quality, fending off the worst impacts of global warming, or simply saving money, energy efficiency and conservation are critical.
ID Theft & Privacy Checklists | Mike Litt
Today, we're releasing our revamped Identity Theft and Online Privacy resources.
Blog Post | Public Health
Toxic triclosan in toothpaste? | Dev Gowda
A recent article in the LA Times revealed that a new study found that the toxic compound triclosan, which is commonly found in toothpaste as well as other consumer products such as cosmetics, children's toys, and yoga mats, "could cause adverse effects on colonic inflammation and colon cancer."
Home remodeling shouldn't be a deadly project: Toxic paint removers being sold by Lowe's and other stores | Dev Gowda
No one should lose a loved one to deadly chemicals. But right now you can walk into Lowe's and other stores and buy paint removers containing highly toxic chemicals.
Why The Legal Dispute Over the Leadership of the CFPB Matters | Michael Landis
There's an important legal fight happening right now over the temporary leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And U.S. PIRG Education Fund, along with nine other consumer advocacy groups, just weighed in with a friend-of-the-court brief against the President and his pick. Find out why the Consumer Bureau needs to be independent in this blog entry about why the legal dispute over the CFPB matters.
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund
News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
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Trouble In Toyland
Our report highlights the toys that have been recently recalled, explains the hazards they pose, and shines a spotlight on those that may still be available for sale online.
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Why are health experts alarmed?
More than 93% of doctors are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms, yet factory farms still use up to 70% of all antibiotics sold in the U.S.
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Reclaim our democracy
Our democracy is based on the principle of one person, one vote, but our research shows the increasing dominance of big money in our elections.
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