Safe Drinking Water Act, Explained

In this installment of the People Places Planet Explained Series, host Dara Albrecht is joined by Robin Rotman, Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri, and Camille Pannu, Associate Professor at Columbia Law School and Director of the Environmental and Climate Justice Clinic, to break down the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)—the cornerstone law protecting America's drinking water. The conversation covers SDWA’s origins, its regulatory reach over public water systems, and the emerging challenges tied to small system compliance, contaminants like PFAS, and growing infrastructure needs. Rotman and Pannu explain key concepts such as maximum contaminant levels, variances, citizen suits, and the relationship between SDWA and the Clean Water Act. They also discuss notable cases like Des Moines Water Works and Flint, Michigan, and examine how funding limitations and legal battles shape drinking water protections today. Looking forward, they reflect on future developments in private well regulation, point-of-use treatment technologies, and technical assistance for vulnerable communities. This episode offers an essential primer for anyone interested in how public health, environmental law, and infrastructure converge at the tap. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this special episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht and ELI Senior Attorney Linda Breggin take us to Nashville for Food Waste Prevention Week, where local leaders across sectors are driving innovative efforts to reduce food waste. With nearly one-third of U.S. food going uneaten each year—impacting the environment, economy, and communities—this conversation showcases how one city is tackling the challenge head-on.Linda speaks with four inspiring guests whose work spans K-12 education, higher ed, hospitality, and professional sports:Todd Lawrence (04:28), Executive Director of Urban Green Lab, explains how training teachers and conducting school cafeteria waste audits are empowering the next generation to take action.David ter Kuile (18:32), Associate Vice Chancellor at Vanderbilt University, walks us through how campus dining hit its zero waste goals through composting, waste tracking, and student engagement.Tyler Lee (34:44), Executive Chef at 1 Hotel Nashville, shares how local sourcing, zero-waste cocktails, and creative kitchen strategies are changing the hospitality landscape.Haley Davidson (49:48), Chief of Staff for the Tennessee Titans, describes how Nashville’s NFL team is designing a new LEED Gold stadium with food waste reduction in mind—and how it’s already making a difference at Nissan Stadium.From teaching tools to technology to teamwork, this episode explores scalable strategies for reducing food waste and building more resilient communities. Whether you're in a school, university, restaurant, or stadium, there's something here for everyone. Related Links:ELI's Center for State and Local Governance, Food Waste InitiativeUrban Green Lab resources on food waste reductionFood Waste Warrior AuditJames Beard Foundation and Nashville Food Waste Initiative Food Scrap Cooking DemonstrationWaste Not Cooking Competition ★ Support this podcast ★

Nutritious food in schools is essential for student health, academic success, and a more sustainable future. In this episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht is joined by Linda Breggin, Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law Institute, along with Nancy Weiss, a chef and former Director of Food Services at Santa Barbara Unified School District, and Audrey Sanchez, Executive Director of Balanced, a nonprofit working to improve public health through healthier food environments. Together, they explore how thoughtful school food policies and plant-based menu innovations can improve student wellness while supporting environmental goals. The episode highlights local success stories, including how Santa Barbara became a national leader in integrating plant-based proteins, and discusses practical strategies—from menu analysis to procurement planning and student engagement—that schools can use to create healthier, more inclusive food programs. The conversation also touches on the importance of leadership, community involvement, and systemic support in advancing nutrition equity and sustainability in public schools. ★ Support this podcast ★

Each year, around one billion birds die from collisions with buildings in the United States—an alarming but preventable crisis driven by modern glass architecture. In this episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht is joined by Viveca Morris of Yale Law School, Dan Piselli of FXCollaborative Architects, and Christine Sheppard of the American Bird Conservancy to explore the scope of the problem and the innovative solutions taking flight. The conversation highlights how science, design, and public policy are coming together to reduce bird-building collisions, with a focus on local laws in cities like New York and San Francisco that are driving industry change. The episode also touches on practical considerations (including challenges) in implementing these policies and the creative ways architects and policymakers are working to make buildings safer for birds—without compromising aesthetics or functionality. Listeners will gain insight into how legal frameworks, community action, and industry innovation are transforming the built environment to better protect wildlife. ★ Support this podcast ★

Environmental defenders play a critical role in safeguarding natural resources and advocating for human rights, yet they face severe threats—including harassment, violence, and even murder. In this episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht is joined by ELI staff attorney, Kristine Perry, to discuss the challenges environmental defenders encounter worldwide. They explore the staggering risks defenders face, gaps in legal enforcement, and how intersecting identities and extractive industries heighten these dangers. The episode also introduces ELI’s new platform to track the prosecution and enforcement of crimes against environmental defenders. Kristine explains how the project—starting in Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico—aims to combat impunity and bring accountability to those responsible for attacks. Tune in to learn about the urgent need for protections and how these threats impact communities, ecosystem, and global environmental governance. Listener discretion is advised due to sensitive content regarding violence against environmental defenders.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture, yet their populations face mounting threats from climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide use. In this episode of People Places Planet, Rebecca Riley, Managing Director of Food and Agriculture at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Saff Killingsworth, an Endangered Species Conservation Biologist at the Xerces Society, join host Dara Albrecht to explore how legal frameworks and science intersect to address these challenges. They discuss legislative milestones like New York’s Birds and Bees Protection Act, the role of extinction risk assessments, and how scientific research on pollinator behavior and habitat can shape effective policies. This episode details the importance of science-informed legal frameworks in safeguarding pollinators and the ecosystems they support. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this special update episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht revisits the landmark youth-led climate case, Held v. State of Montana, after the Montana Supreme Court's ruling in December 2024. Building on the original September 2023 episode, ELI Senior Attorney and Director of the Climate Judiciary Project Helene Krasnoff joins returning ELI Staff Attorney Jarryd Page in conversation with Dara to discuss the Montana Supreme Court's recent decision affirming the trial court’s ruling in favor of the youth plaintiffs. The episode explores the legal significance of the ruling, how Montana agencies are beginning to incorporate climate considerations into environmental reviews, and the broader implications for climate litigation nationwide. Stay tuned after the update to hear the original episode featuring former host Sarah Backer, Jarryd Page, and Science and Policy Analyst John Doherty for foundational insights into the case.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) plays a crucial role in managing U.S.-Mexico border water resources, overseeing treaties that impact millions of people. In this episode of People Places Planet, Commissioner Maria Elena Giner, a civil engineer and veteran in border environmental issues, joins host Dara Albrecht to discuss the IBWC's efforts to address challenges like water scarcity, infrastructure needs, and binational cooperation. They explore groundbreaking agreements like Minute 331, which brings greater predictability to water deliveries from Mexico, and the IBWC's strategies for building climate resilience. This episode provides insight into how legal frameworks, technical expertise, and cross-border collaboration are driving solutions to complex water management challenges in border communities.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Data centers supporting artificial intelligence consume staggering amounts of electricity, with their energy demands projected to potentially account for up to 10% of total U.S. electricity consumption by 2030—posing both challenges and opportunities for clean energy goals. In this episode of People Places Planet, Jed Anderson, CEO and founder of EnviroAI, and Bob Sussman, a seasoned environmental lawyer and former senior EPA official, join host Dara Albrecht to explore the intersection of AI and the environment. They discuss how AI is transforming environmental protection, from enabling real-time regulatory improvements to empowering under-resourced communities. The conversation also examines the risks posed by AI's energy consumption and its role in climate change, as well as the potential for AI to revolutionize environmental law and sustainability efforts. ★ Support this podcast ★

More than 35 states have introduced or drafted environmental justice laws as of 2023, and 14 of those states have implemented at least 21 new laws focused on environmental justice. In this episode of People Places Planet, ELI's Environmental Justice Law Clerk, Juliette Stanley, joins host Dara Albrecht to discuss environmental justice policies on the state level, and how they might be impacting change nationwide. They review the current landscape of environmental justice on the national and state levels and explore how past events shape current actions of states on this issue.  ★ Support this podcast ★