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People Places PlanetWelcome to People Places Planet, ELI's leading environmental podcast. Author: Environmental Law Institute
Welcome to People Places Planet, ELI's leading environmental podcast. We talk to leading experts across sectors who share their solutions to the world's most pressing environmental problems. Tune in for the latest environmental law, policy, and governance developments. Language: en Genres: Business, Education, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Celebrating Collaboration: ECOS and the Future of State-Level Environmental Policy
Episode 1
Wednesday, 27 August, 2025
In this special episode of People Places Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios speaks with Ben Grumbles, president of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), and state environmental leaders James Kenney (New Mexico Environment Department), Chris Wells (Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality), and Leah Feldon (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality). The conversation marks the recognition of ECOS and Ben as the recipients of the Environmental Law Institute’s 2025 Environmental Achievement Award, honoring their commitment to bipartisan collaboration and science-based environmental governance.Together, they explore how states are leading the way on today’s most pressing challenges—from ensuring safe drinking water and cleaning up Superfund sites to advancing policy on PFAS and wildfire impacts. The discussion examines what's at stake when federal funding for state environmental programs falls short, why strong federal-state partnerships are essential for local economies, the risks of underfunding science at EPA, and how states are working to balance efficiency with integrity when it comes to permitting. The episode celebrates ECOS' leadership in strengthening cooperative federalism, fostering innovative solutions, and providing stability across administrations, while also offering insights into the future of environmental protection nationwide. ★ Support this podcast ★
