Art installation in front of Mt. Hood, Oregon as part of LCV's Protect Our Public Lands campaign.
To benefit their corporate allies, the Trump administration continues to attack affordable clean energy, clean air and water protections, and our public lands. But many states continue to push forward. States are finding creative ways to expand clean energy and lower electricity costs. They are protecting more land for recreation and conservation. And, they are standing up to corporate polluters that threaten communities’ health. In this month’s good climate news, we’re celebrating state victories that put people over Big Polluters.
To meet demand and lower energy costs, states are expanding clean energy in innovative ways:
Maine’s utility commission approved five new renewable energy projects on PFAS-contaminated land. These projects will repurpose polluted land that can no longer be used for agriculture. The projects will generate a combined 261 megawatts of power, increasing energy supply to help lower costs for surrounding communities.
An all-electric, solar-powered high school will be built in Lexington, Massachusetts. The school will have a 2 megawatt solar battery, 20 electric vehicle chargers, and energy-efficient heat pumps. These systems will save the town approximately $90 million over 30 years.
The New York and New Jersey Port Authority made all-electric upgrades to Building One, the first U.S. air passenger terminal. The upgrades include zero-emissions heat pumps, an energy recycling system, 29 new electric vehicle charging stations, and more. The update has already cut energy use by 25%.
People across the country overwhelmingly support keeping public lands in public hands. Despite this, Republicans continue to bend the knee to Big Polluters. Meanwhile, these states are working to expand protected lands:
Washington state will protect 77,000 acres of critical “legacy forests.” These forests store carbon, provide habitats, and maintain biodiversity.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved an agreement to protect over 50,000 acres of land. The agreement more than doubles protected lands in the area for recreation, conservation, and wildlife habitat.
Tennessee added thousands of acres to its public lands network. The expansion will include a new park, a new wildlife management area, and more space for hunting, fishing and recreation.
Bonus: LCV also held a summer tour to protect public lands featuring events in Oregon, Arizona and more!
The Trump administration is making it harder to track and prevent pollution. In contrast, these communities are working to protect their natural resources and keep people healthy:
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation to phase out PFAS chemicals in the manufacturing of a variety of products. This move will help protect communities from toxins and reduce drinking water contamination.
A Wisconsin court upheld rules requiring large farms to get permits that help prevent water pollution from manure spills and runoff.
In Texas the Corpus Christi City Council rejected construction of a billion dollar desalination plant. The plant would have consumed large amounts of water and destroyed nearby ecosystems. LCV affiliate Chispa Texas was instrumental in this win. The Chispa team gathered nearly 400 signatures and messages from across Texas.
Bonus: Learn more about Chispa’s recent wins and how we’re celebrating Latine Heritage Month!
Follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, and X for weekly Good Climate News updates. We’ll be back on The Power Source blog next month with another roundup of highlights.
In this challenging political moment, it is more important than ever to raise your voice to protect people and the planet. One of the most effective ways to get involved is to call your members of Congress. If you’ve never called before, or you need a refresher, learn how to call your members of Congress in 3 easy steps!
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