LCV staff and members gathered at the Capitol to urge members of Congress to reject Republicans’ terrible reconciliation bill.
To put it delicately, the last month has been tough. President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress have attempted to reverse decades of climate progress through their reconciliation bill and illegitimate Congressional Review Act votes. Despite their barrage of attacks, climate action has found a way. In this difficult moment, it is more important than ever to recognize and celebrate the incredible work being done to advance climate goals across the country.
Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) joins LCV outside the Capitol prior to the House vote on Republicans’ reconciliation bill. Photo credit: Jessie Cohen, LCV
Climate champions on the Hill are working overtime to counteract the terrible, anti-environmental legislation being pushed by Republicans in Congress by introducing bills of their own.
Just this week, Representatives Joe Neguse (CO-02), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced two bills to reinstate fired National Park and Forest Service employees who steward our parks and public lands. The bills, the Protect Our Parks and Save Our Forests Acts, would help curb the fallout from the Trump administration’s dangerous policies that seek to decimate these treasured landscapes.
Additionally, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) recently reintroduced the Arctic Refuge Protection Act. If passed, this bill would end new oil and gas development and restore critical protections to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Gwich’in people have stewarded this region for generations, and passing this legislation would ensure this sacred land is protected from harmful development for generations to come.
Over the past month, several states have made exciting strides in the fight against climate change by advancing legislation and investments aimed at lowering emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
Ohio: Governor Mike DeWine signed into law a bill eliminating coal subsidies that have cost Ohio ratepayers over half a billion dollars since being enacted in 2019 and prolonged the life of two coal plants in the state. The comprehensive energy bill also reforms the ratemaking process in the state to lower energy costs and promotes energy efficiency and grid enhancing technologies.
Connecticut: The Connecticut House passed a bill that would require the state to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. If enacted, the legislation would establish a Clean Economy Council charged with developing strategies to meet the new emissions targets, and create incentives for clean energy and energy efficiency. Connecticut LCV served a vital role in the passage of this bill.
Maine: Governor Janet Mills signed a bill allocating $15 million for grants to allow homeowners to make weather resilient upgrades to their homes. The program will help ensure Maine residents’ safety in the face of increasing severe weather in the state.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania is investing $22.5 million in solar projects at over 70 K-12 schools. Each school will receive $500,000 to install solar panels that will generate clean power to reduce emissions and save schools millions of dollars in utility costs over the lifespan of the panels.
North Carolina: The rural, low-wealth community of Enfield, North Carolina has launched plans to invest in solar energy and build a weatherization resource center and resiliency hub. These investments have the potential to drastically lower energy costs and improve public health for Enfield’s majority Black residents.
Michigan: Michigan launched a statewide home energy rebate program that aims to lower energy bills for its residents. The program will benefit up to 15,000 Michigan households, with each household eligible for up to $34,000 in rebates.
Follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, and X (formerly Twitter) for weekly Good Climate News updates. We’ll be back on The Power Source blog next month with another roundup of highlights.
In this fraught political moment, it is more important than ever to make your voice heard to protect people and the planet. One of the most effective ways to get involved in making positive change is by calling your members of Congress. If you’ve never called before, or you just need a refresher, check out our post on how to call your members of Congress in 3 easy steps!
To get involved in bringing about even more good climate news, join us at lcv.org/get-involved/.
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