EDITORIAL NOTE: On April 29th, the 100th day of Donald Trump’s administration, the League of Conservation Voters will join thousands of people at the People’s Climate March to send a strong message that we will not stand by as Trump and his Republican allies attack our public health, clean air and water, climate science and our lands. We stand with the people of this country who overwhelming support environmental and health protections. For details, visit the event page here.

 Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook and Twitter.

100 DAYS, AN “UNMITIGATED DISASTER”: In honor of the upcoming celebration of Earth Day and the People’s Climate March, LCV released a timeline of anti-environmental actions by the Trump administration and Congress and highlighting the ways that we and our members are working with Congressional champions to fight back. Check it out here.
ICYMI – LCV Resource Page Tracks Trump Administration’s Statements on Health, Climate, Air, Water, Energy and Conservation Issue. Here are some of the greatest hits:
QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

 “We’re going to stand strong, not just to protect recent progress but our bedrock environmental laws. Trump’s first 100 days show how much a strong, green Congress is needed more than ever. We’ll be using all the tools we have to fight back in the next 100 days just as we have in the first 100.”  –  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on President Trump’s anti-environmental actions during his first 100 days.

“As the Attorney General for Massachusetts, my message is simple – the environment and science are under assault by the Trump administration, and our state, and states in general, are not going to sit by to let this administration endanger our citizens and jeopardize our planet.” – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on President Trump’s anti-environmental actions during his first 100 days.

“In just three months in office, Donald Trump has already unleashed a breathtaking assault on our climate progress. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement or renouncing our commitments to reduce carbon emissions would take us even further in the wrong direction, putting global health at risk and jeopardizing our country’s standing in the world. The people of this country strongly support climate action and oppose rolling back protections for our air, water, and lands, and we will continue to go to the mat to defend them.”  – LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld on the (canceled) meeting to discuss the Paris Climate Agreement at the White House

LCV IN THE NEWS:

USA Today: The President Trump effect? Democrats see early fundraising surge

InsideClimate News: Climate Activists Plot How to Turn Anti-Trump Rage Into Anti-Trump Votes

E&E News: Greens ready to ‘go to the mat’ on pact

THIS WEEK

MARCHING ON – LCV to Pause Annual Conference to Join March for Science

Tomorrow, thousands of people across the world will stand up for science in the March for Science, and LCV is joining. LCV staff and state affiliates will pause their annual conference on Saturday to participate in the Philadelphia satellite march. With marches planned at more than 600 locations across the world, the March for Science will be the first time that people around the world are coming together to stand up for sound, evidence-based science that helps everyone—policymakers, parents, CEOs, doctors, students—make better decisions that improve lives.

“UNMITIGATED DISASTER”: LCV Joined By Senate Minority Leader Schumer, Attorney General Healey and Carol Browner to Criticize Trump’s first 100 days

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, and Carol M. Browner, Former EPA Administrator, joined  LCV to call out the attacks on public health and the environment by the Trump administration during its first 100 days. LCV also revealed an interactive timeline that highlights the unprecedented attacks on the environmentby the Trump administration, as well as the key moments of resistance against the administration.

Get on the (Clean) Bus: Clean Buses for Healthy Niños

This week Chispa Maryland launched Clean Buses for Healthy Niños, a campaign calling on Governor Larry Hogan and decision makers to put the health of Maryland’s youth and communities first by using the state’s $71 million Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust funds for clean energy, zero-emission school buses. They join Chispa Nevada and Arizona who have launched similar campaigns recent.

 DRAIN FILL UP THE SWAMP: Trump’s Inauguration Bankrolled by Energy Industry

While the attendance numbers for President Trump’s inauguration were low, the funds raised for the event were not. Fossil fuel companies were among the largest donors in the group of over 1,500 companies that contributed to Trump’s celebrations.  Chevron donated $525,000 while Exxon, BP and Citgo Petroleum each donated $500,000 and the Ohio-based coal company Murray Energy contributed $300,000.

STRIKE OUT: Pruitt Visits Chicago, Watches Baseball, Does Not Visit Regional EPA Office

While EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt visited Chicago, a leaked report indicated that Pruitt planned on closing the EPA regional office  based in Chicago, consolidating it with the Kansas office. The reported plan is part of the proposed and ongoing cuts and rollbacks the Trump administration is making to the EPA, which Mayor Rahm Emanuel called “concerning.” Pruitt denied the report and assured Chicago that the EPA would continue to work in the city. However, Pruitt did not visit the Chicago EPA office, attending a Cubs game instead. His presence was marked by large protests.

BUSINESS CLIMATE: American Companies Want Action on Climate Change

While Trump and his administration continue their attempt to unravel all of the progress made under President Obama on climate change, corporate America is uniting and calling for strong climate change policies. Consumer brands and industrial giants have increased vocal support for government action on climate change while the biggest  U.S. energy companies are now dropping their resistance to a global climate deal, urging Trump away from his campaign promise to pull out of the Paris Agreement.

FISH OUT OF WATER: Pruitt and EPA roll back water protections

Continuing to cozy up to the coal industry at the cost of the American people, Pruitt and the EPA paused an Obama-era regulation that limited the dumping of toxic metals such as arsenic and mercury by the nation’s power plants into public waterways. Pruitt cited the objections to the rule by some of the “nation’s largest job producers,” primarily coal power plants. Environmental groups condemned the move, insisting that the administration concentrated solely on the costs of the rule while ignoring the benefits and that this move was a gift to the coal industry.

MEANWHILE: American Lung Association Air Quality Report Warns Trump on Clean Air Act 

The American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report found that while overall air quality has improved, there have been an increase in particulate matter spikes in numerous cities. This report shows how President Trump and his polluter allies in Congress’ efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act are a threat to our public health.

COMING UP

ANYTIME – Offshore Drilling

President Trump is preparing to issue an executive order that will attempt to reverse President Obama’s regulations limiting drilling offshore. The order is expected to push the Department of the Interior to dramatically expand offshore drilling to places like the Atlantic, Arctic, and possibly even the Pacific Ocean. LCV preemptively criticized the move for putting the interests of oil companies over coastal economies, ways of life, and our climate. Interior Secretary Zinke was met with several hundred protestors in Santa Barbara this week concerned about the administration’s plans to expand risky offshore drilling.

SATURDAY – People’s Climate March

One week from Saturday, on Trump’s 100th day in office, people across the United States will march in support of strong climate change action as part of the People’s Climate March. LCV is proud to work with the organizers of the march for action on climate, jobs, and justice.

SUNDAY – Run To Win Candidate Training

On April 30, the day immediately after the People’s Climate March, LCV will host the Run to Win 101 Environmental Candidate Training alongside EMILY’s List and other environmental organizations. The free training is for pro-environment women who want to run for office and will give them the tools they need to succeed.