Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. This week, we’re covering federal actions to advance renewable energy and protect consumers, and Trump and congressional Republicans’ attacks on our climate and our democracy.
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“Revolution Wind is adding affordable, reliable American-made energy to New England’s grid, helping to meet growing energy demand and lower consumer costs. By producing more power here at home, we reduce dependence on imports, create local jobs, and support long-term economic growth.”
— Amanda Dasch, chief development officer at offshore wind developer Ørsted, on the company’s offshore wind project Revolution Wind coming online.
“Trump took hundreds of millions from fossil fuel billionaires and is paying them back by driving electricity grids to expensive fossil fuel units instead of clean inexpensive renewables.”
— Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) on the Trump administration’s actions to shut down clean energy, including considering paying $1 billion to stop development on two offshore wind projects off New York and North Carolina and instead develop methane gas projects.
“The American people are tired and angry about the Donald Trump disastrous agenda, the failures of the Republican majority to improve their lives. And instead of facing the consequences of their actions and owning their record, they want to change the rules of our elections to avoid consequences from the voters.”
— Sen. Alex Padilla (CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, leading the Democrats’ opposition to the SAVE America Act which would disenfranchise millions of voters and undermine our democracy.
STATE GOVERNORS PUSH FOR LOWER BILLS AND MORE CLEAN ENERGY: In their 2026 State of the State addresses, eight governors from Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin outlined plans to reduce energy costs and expand clean energy infrastructure in their states. Their initiatives include energy bill relief for struggling families, accelerated development of renewable energy projects, and stricter regulations on data centers. Check out our State of the States memo for more information.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of State Policy and Advocacy Bill Holland said, “In stark contrast to Trump’s reckless war, bans on clean energy, and billions given away to big oil, eight key Governors painted a vision for the future that will lower energy bills for working families, build wind, solar, and battery storage, and hold big tech and big oil accountable. From Arizona to Wisconsin, Governors are doubling down on an alternative agenda pledging ratepayer relief, ensuring data centers pay their way, and speeding up clean energy development.”
MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR LAYS OUT PLAN TO INCREASE CLEAN ENERGY, LOWER BILLS: Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order to expand clean energy and optimize the electrical grid to help lower energy costs. The plan calls for four gigawatts of new in-state solar generation and five gigawatts of battery storage over the next 10 years, along with grid management techniques to achieve a 3.5 gigawatt reduction in electricity demand. These actions will help save Massachusetts residents and businesses an estimated $10 billion in their energy bills while improving grid reliability.
ELM TAKE: Environmental League of Massachusetts President Elizabeth Turnbull Henry said, “ELM applauds the continued efforts to bring affordable and reliable clean energy to Massachusetts. As we face escalating energy prices, it remains paramount that we maximize energy efficiency and available clean energy resources while reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuels. The result is a win-win-win for our economy, communities, and environment.”
MAINE LEGISLATORS ADVANCE LAW TO HELP PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM RISING ENERGY COSTS: Maine state legislators passed the Energy Fairness Act aimed at tackling high energy costs. It would require state energy regulators on the Public Utilities Commission to prioritize affordability for consumers in their decision-making and increase transparency around how customers are billed to help protect households struggling with rising energy costs.
MCV TAKE: Maine Conservation Voters Legislative Director Sarah Woodbury said, “Paying an electric bill should not be something that’s out of reach for working Maine families. We need increased transparency and accountability for our utility companies to ensure electricity is affordable for the hardworking people of our state. LD 1949 lays the groundwork for a fairer, more affordable energy system, officially establishing affordability as a key consideration for regulators and compelling utility companies to tell Maine people who gets their power shut off, when, and why.”
COLORADO COMMUNITIES CALL FOR PEOPLE-FIRST CLIMATE SOLUTIONS: Community members and leaders on Colorado’s Western Slope are calling for clean air, clean water, and a stronger voice in decisions impacting their communities — signaling a broader push for accountability and people-centered climate action.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE ENERGY BILLS RELIEF ACT: A coalition of 122 House Democrats led by Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Energy Bills Relief Act, a proposal aimed at reducing energy costs for homes and businesses by expanding access to low-cost, reliable sources of renewable energy and efficient technologies. The bill would reinstate clean energy tax credits that were slashed in Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, incentivize utility companies to help consumers save money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, crack down on price gouging and predatory utility companies, provide financial assistance to families so they can weatherize their homes and keep their power on, and ensure data centers are not driving up people’s costs. The Energy Bills Relief Act would ensure a “consumer-first” energy policy that would curb skyrocketing energy costs and cut planet-warming and health-harming emissions.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Sara Chieffo said, “We applaud Representatives Casten and Levin for leading the Energy Bills Relief Act, a huge step forward in addressing high energy costs and advancing affordable clean energy. Despite Trump and congressional Republicans promising to cut energy bills in half, our energy bills have gone up by 13%. At a time when we need more energy, not less, they gutted tax credits for clean energy with their Big Ugly Bill, blocked clean energy projects – the fastest and cheapest form of energy – from coming onto the grid, left families to shoulder the costs of data centers, and propped up expensive, polluting fossil fuels. This bill would get the country back on the right track by reversing these terrible, polluter-first policies and prioritizing affordable clean energy to bring down high energy costs, putting more money back in the pockets of everyday people, and cutting toxic pollution.”
SENATE DEMOCRATS RELEASE REPORT ON TRUMP AND CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS’ FAILED ENERGY POLICY: As part of their series on rising costs and the affordability crisis, Senate Democrats kicked off a two-week focus on energy affordability by releasing a report detailing Trump and congressional Republicans’ failed energy policy that has driven energy costs up 13% since the start of Trump’s second term.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Sara Chieffo said, “Senate Democrats are identifying exactly the correct causes of today’s energy affordability crisis. People are already struggling with higher prices for everything and simply cannot afford the Trump policies that are taking clean energy off the table when it is desperately needed to lower costs and meet rising demand. We need new energy for America, and it needs to be clean, affordable and fast. Trump’s focus on propping up outdated and expensive energy like coal while essentially banning clean energy and undermining solutions like efficiency efforts and electric vehicles have left people with fewer choices and an average 13% increase in their energy bills–far from the promise to cut bills in half that Trump made. We applaud Senate Democrats for making high energy costs a pillar of their affordability initiative. Today’s roundtable draws much-needed attention to the many ways Trump is raising energy costs by attacking wind and solar power, forcing coal plants to stay open, and gutting programs that would improve grid resilience. We look forward to addressing Trump’s energy crisis in a way that puts people over polluters and centers clean energy solutions that lower costs and build a stronger grid.”
NEW ENGLAND OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS HIT MAJOR MILESTONES: This week, Revolution Wind began sending power to the grid and Vineyard Wind completed construction. The offshore wind farms will provide clean, affordable energy to 750,000 homes and businesses, with Revolution Wind projected to save ratepayers $500 million a year and Vineyard Wind estimated to provide $1.4 billion in electricity bill savings in the first 20 years.
ELM TAKE: Environmental League of Massachusetts Senior Offshore Wind Director Katie Segal said, “As Revolution Wind begins delivering electricity to the New England grid, the region moves closer to a more reliable and diversified energy system. Investments in offshore wind help diversify the region’s energy supply, reduce exposure to fuel price volatility, and strengthen the long-term reliability of New England’s electric grid.”
SENATORS INTRODUCE BIG OIL WINDFALL PROFITS TAX: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) have reintroduced the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act amid rising gas prices resulting from Trump’s war with Iran. The proposed tax would require large oil companies that produce or import at least 300,000 barrels of oil per day and pay a per-barrel tax on any excess profits gained during price spikes. That revenue would then be returned directly to consumers through quarterly rebates that would amount to over $200 for individuals and over $300 for couples, helping to offset higher fuel costs at the gas pump.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Federal Advocacy Campaigns Director Leah Donahey said, “Let’s be crystal clear that when Trump said ‘when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money’, he was talking about billionaire Big Oil executives while ‘we the people’ are stuck paying higher costs. The Big Oil Wind Profits Tax Act led by Senator Whitehouse and Representative Khanna would make sure that when oil executives are raking in big profits, as they are right now, they are returned to the American consumers who are feeling the pain of Trump’s broken energy promises every day. A recent analysis estimates the oil industry could rake in over $60 billion in additional profits this year, which would all be paid by consumers struggling with higher energy costs. Congress should pass this bill as soon as possible to make sure they are putting people over oil CEO profits.”
NEW TOOL HELPS HOUSEHOLDS TRACK RISING UTILITY COSTS: A new calculator from the Energy and Policy Institute is helping individuals and families struggling with high energy bills to understand exactly where their money is going, and how much of their monthly payments may be going toward corporate profits. Available at UtilityProfitTracker.org, the tool allows customers to estimate the portion of their electricity bill that goes to utility companies, providing transparency about energy costs as people nationwide face rising energy costs and growing concerns about affordability.
TRUMP CONSIDERS PAYING DEVELOPER $1 BILLION TO CANCEL OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS: The Trump administration is contemplating paying a $1 billion settlement to French energy company TotalEnergies to cancel two offshore wind projects off the coasts of New York and North Carolina. The deal would also require TotalEnergies to invest in natural gas infrastructure in Texas as Trump continues to prioritize the development of fossil fuels over renewable energy. Documents uncovered about the proposed deal show that even if TotalEnergies declines the offer, the administration will still move to cancel the two projects.
EPA PROPOSES ROLLBACKS ON TOXIC EMISSIONS LIMITS: Trump’s EPA has proposed repealing a Biden-era safeguard that sets strict limits on ethylene oxide emissions from medical sterilization plants. Repealing the rule would allow plants to release almost eight more tons of ethylene oxide, a potent carcinogen, into local airsheds each year. There are currently 90 medical sterilization plants in operation, many of them located in neighborhoods and near schools, which would pose severe risks to public health if the limits are rolled back.
TRUMP SEEKS THREATENED SPECIES EXEMPTIONS FOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS: The Trump administration plans to convene a federal committee empowered to grant exemptions to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They could potentially allow Gulf of Mexico offshore oil and gas projects to bypass threatened species protections. The Department of the Interior also recently approved a $5 billion deepwater drilling project that would produce up to 80,000 barrels of oil a day and threaten vulnerable species including endangered sea turtles and whales.
TRUMP RESTARTS CALIFORNIA OFFSHORE OIL PIPELINE: The Trump administration has taken executive action to reopen an offshore California oil pipeline that has been offline since 2015, citing national security concerns amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. The move has been framed by the Department of Energy as necessary to reduce American dependence on oil imports through the Strait of Hormuz and to secure the West Coast for military operations. California argues the pipeline will not lower gas prices and will pose a significant threat to coastal ecosystems and the $51 billion state coastal economy.
ENVIROVOTERS TAKE: California Environmental Voters Federal Advocacy Coordinator Aaron McCall said, “This is an example of a president who is scrambling to make others pay for the consequences of his failures. We’re seeing surging prices for everything from groceries to gas because the Big Ugly Bill has not addressed the energy and affordability crises. Trump is starting fights abroad and now restarting a pipeline responsible for devastating oil spills. This is an act of desperation that will only result in more disaster relief spending, which still hasn’t been paid out for the LA fires. Doubling down on fossil fuels only keeps Californians vulnerable.”
WISCONSIN APPROVES PLAN TO COMBAT “FOREVER CHEMICALS”: Lawmakers in Wisconsin have approved a sweeping $133 million initiative to address groundwater contamination from PFAS. Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not break down in the environment and are linked to health risks like cancer and liver disease. While the initiative does grant some liability exceptions, businesses that own or operate facilities that currently or have used PFAS, or have spread industrial waste, could be held accountable for damages. The bipartisan legislation will head to Governor Tony Evers who is expected to sign it into law. The measure represents one of the most significant state-level efforts to tackle PFAS pollution, helped in part by the efforts of Wisconsin Conservation Voters as they worked to hold legislators accountable and get this initiative to pass.
WCV TAKE: Wisconsin Conservation Voters Government Affairs Manager Peter Burress said, “This is a monumental win for every Wisconsinite who believes that clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental right. For seven years, our members and partners in impacted communities like Campbell, Marinette, Peshtigo, Stella, and Wausau have refused to back down. Today, their persistence has secured $132 million in vital relief for our community water systems and private well owners. This victory is the direct result of a sustained, grassroots movement. It also reflects the importance of fair maps. Wisconsin Conservation Voters members, in partnership with over 60 stakeholders, sent thousands of emails, knocked on doors, and held legislators accountable to ensure this funding was not tied to ‘poison pills’ that would have protected polluters at the expense of public health. Thank you to Gov. Evers, the Department of Natural Resources, Rep. Mursau, and Sen. Wimberger for coming together to get this legislation to the finish line. Our members demanded substantive progress on safe drinking water, and they won. By securing nearly 90 percent of our $1 billion water infrastructure goal this session, we have proven that when we organize, we can overcome gridlock and protect our natural resources for generations to come. While there is more work to do to hold polluters fully accountable, today we celebrate a victory for the people and water of Wisconsin.”
VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELIVERS ON CLEAN ENERGY, AFFORDABILITY: The Virginia General Assembly adjourned after a productive legislative session with significant victories for clean energy and energy affordability. Virginia LCV advocated for 148 bills this session, two-thirds of which successfully passed. Laws passed this year will expand solar and battery energy storage, improve the reliability of the existing electrical grid, and direct the state to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. However, the General Assembly failed to pass a budget due to disagreement between both chambers over tax incentives for data centers that have led to the proliferation of the industry in Virginia. Lawmakers will return for a special session next month to finalize the budget.
VALCV TAKE: Virginia LCV Executive Director Michael Town said, “This has been a historic legislative session for clean energy as lawmakers passed dozens of bills to advance clean, affordable energy, reduce energy costs, and bolster our state’s goals to reach 100% clean energy. This is progress, and we are grateful, but it’s what’s left to get done that will determine the success of this year’s General Assembly. Following the defeat of a number of measures to hold this industry more accountable, Big Tech is no closer to ‘paying their fair share’ for their data centers’ impact on ratepayers and communities across the state. We urge our state leaders to pass a budget that requires data centers meet clean energy and environmental standards, and that actually lowers voters’ electric bills.”
MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEARS CHERISH ACT: Maryland LCV, Chispa Maryland, and partners held a rally to urge lawmakers to pass the CHERISH Our Communities Act which would set new requirements to consider the cumulative health impact on local communities and meaningfully engage those communities during the permitting process for polluting facilities. Advocates say the bill would help protect neighborhoods already facing heavy pollution burdens and give environmental justice communities more control over public health outcomes.
MDLCV TAKE: Maryland League of Conservation Voters said, “The CHERISH Act would address a critical gap in our environmental protection system. True environmental justice means putting community needs first, by considering factors like a community’s existing pollution load and community health data when weighing permit decisions. This legislation would create a fairer system – one where community voices are part of permitting decisions that affect their health and well-being. It would also catch Maryland up to environmental justice action happening in states like New Jersey, New York, and Minnesota. Workgroups, studies, and testimony have already affirmed the importance of cumulative impact analysis. No bill has crossed the finish line, despite strong support from advocates, health experts, and residents. In 2026, Maryland has an opportunity to show bold leadership and truly ‘leave no one behind.’ It’s a chance to align our values with real, actionable policy that protects vulnerable communities.”
SACRED ARIZONA TRIBAL LAND TRANSFERRED TO COPPER MINE: The U.S. Forest Service has transferred ownership of Oak Flat in Arizona to Resolution Copper, paving the way for a massive copper mine to break ground and begin operations on land sacred to the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The site holds an estimated $150 billion worth of copper, and accessing it will permanently destroy land that is of great religious significance to the San Carlos Apache and other tribes.
CHISPA AZ TAKE: Chispa Arizona federal organizer Dana Orozco said, “It’s definitely a huge setback. I think this is kind of the final decision. This has been a really long fight.”
UTAH INCHES CLOSER TO REMOVING PROP 4 REPEAL FROM BALLOT: Stewardship Utah reports over 8,000 voter signatures have been removed from a petition that would put a repeal of Utah’s Proposition 4 on the November ballot. Proposition 4 created an independent redistricting commission and banned gerrymandering to keep elections fair. If removed, it would allow lawmakers to redraw voter district maps any way they choose in 2028. The measure needs enough signatures from voters in 26 of the state’s 29 districts to qualify. It currently meets that threshold in exactly 26 districts. Stewardship Utah and organizational partners are continuing their outreach to voters to help them remove their signatures and preserve Proposition 4.
REPUBLICANS BRING THE SAVE ACT TO SENATE FLOOR: Senate Republicans have launched an extended floor debate over the so-called Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a bill that would require in-person display of physical proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, for voter registration, eliminate online voter registration, and eliminate most options for vote-by-mail. The bill would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who do not have a passport or who have taken their spouse’s name and do not have a birth certificate matching their legal name. The move was pushed by Trump as his main legislative priority and the debate is expected to stretch for days.
OUR TAKE: LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa said, “Trump has made it clear he wants to ‘take over’ our elections to ‘guarantee’ his party will win no matter what the voters decide. Now, he is trying to pressure extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress to enact the biggest federal voting rights rollback in the nation’s history. The SAVE America Act would block millions of American citizens from voting, force people to spend extra time and money chasing down documents just to exercise their rights, and cause chaos for underfunded local election offices. By requiring voters to provide only a passport or birth certificate to register to vote, this legislation would make voting nearly impossible for the 146 million Americans who don’t have a passport, 69 million married women whose names no longer match their birth certificates, and the millions more who can’t readily access either document. Free and fair elections are fundamental to our democracy. Congress must reject this sweeping anti-voter legislation in addition to any other blatant attempts by Republicans to attack our democracy and our freedom to vote.”
STATES SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO RESTORE ENDANGERMENT FINDING: A coalition of 24 states and several cities have filed a lawsuit against Trump’s EPA, challenging its decision to repeal the “endangerment finding,” which established that carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare. The suit argues the agency acted unlawfully by discarding the scientific and technical basis for regulating emissions without evidence and the federal government’s obligation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions should be restored and retained.
ELM TAKE: Environmental League of Massachusetts Vice President of Policy & Regulatory Affairs Amy Boyd Rabin said, “Eliminating the Endangerment Finding undermines critical environmental safeguards and disregards decades of scientific evidence. Massachusetts remains on the frontlines defending the landmark ruling of MA v. EPA from 2007. ELM is proud to support the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Campbell, alongside leaders across the US, to challenge the EPA’s unlawful rollback of protections that safeguard public health. Our communities and climate are at risk, and we will continue fighting to hold the federal government accountable.”
ON THE BLOG: Congressional Democrats’ are making big moves to address high energy costs. This week on The Power Source Blog, learn how Democrats’ Energy Bill Relief Act will help lower energy costs by expanding access to cheap and reliable clean energy and blocking Trump’s attempts to prop up fossil fuels.
ON OUR SOCIALS: On this week’s episode of Democracy in Crisis, Republicans are trying to strip millions of eligible voters of their voting rights with the SAVE Act 2.0 that would make it more difficult and expensive to vote. And, speaking of expensive, how about those energy bills? While Republicans work to drive them even higher, Democrats are making big moves to expand clean energy access, lower costs, and make sure Big Oil and Gas don’t make excessive profits at our expense.
WEEK OF 3/23: Second of two Senate energy affordability weeks.
MARCH 25: LCV Capital Dinner. RSVP to press@lcv.org.
MARCH 26: Senate Democrats’ roundtable on how climate change is driving up families’ costs.
APRIL 1: Passover begins at sundown.
APRIL 5: Easter.
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