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 how people are fighting back amid an onslaught of climate and democracy attacks from Trump and congressional Republicans. 

Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“People tend to think, eh, democracy, rule of law, an independent judiciary, freedom of the press—that’s all abstract stuff because it’s not affecting the price of eggs. Well, you know what? It’s about to affect the price of eggs.”

— Former President Barack Obama in a talk at Hamilton College on the current political moment.

“Donald Trump is hell-bent on dragging the United States back to the 19th century, complete with robber barons, smokestacks, crippling tariffs, and measles.” 

— Rachael Hamby, policy director for the Center for Western Priorities, on Trump’s most recent trade and energy policies.

“Things don’t have to be like this.”

— Pete Maysmith, incoming LCV president, speaking at the Hands Off! rally in Washington, D.C. last weekend.

———————————————————————————————————————

TOP NEWS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

STATE NEWS

MARYLAND GOVERNOR ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING WORKING GROUP FOR TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued an executive order reaffirming his administration’s commitment to addressing climate change through implementing the state’s clean car and truck programs. Moore’s executive order came after a bill that would have delayed the programs was stopped and despite President Trump’s efforts to block clean energy progress. The order establishes a working group to study and make recommendations on how Maryland can successfully implement zero-emissions vehicle standards, it acknowledges the impacts of harmful federal policies, and it allows for more flexibility for model years 2027 and 2028.

MLCV TAKE: Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble said, “We thank Governor Moore for his leadership in advancing Maryland’s clean vehicle standards through a collaborative approach. With the establishment of this working group, the Administration demonstrates its commitment to addressing climate change while ensuring Maryland develops solutions that work best for our state, including our business sector. Communities across Maryland, particularly those historically overburdened by transportation pollution, will benefit from this thoughtful approach. This executive order ensures we continue moving forward with reducing harmful emissions from our transportation sector while creating a process that considers the needs of all Marylanders.”

CHISPA NV PUSHES FOR CLIMATE AND WORKER PROTECTIONS AT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LOBBY DAY: Chispa Nevada showed up strong for Environmental Justice Lobby Day, joining the Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition, members, and community partners in the fight for a healthier, safer, and more affordable Nevada. From championing clean energy and energy efficiency programs that lower household bills, to securing clean energy access through SB132 and AB458, and pushing for protections from extreme heat and wildfire smoke with AB414 and SB260, Chispa NV is centering the health and dignity of Latine frontline workers and families. Check out a recap of the lobby day here!

CHISPA NV TAKE: Chispa NV member Tollis said at the state capitol, “In 2022, when Southern Nevada was filled with wildfire smoke, my coworkers and I were still outside working. We were not provided the needed protective equipment. Using what we had was discouraged as it didn’t meet the company’s uniform code. Senate Bill 260 will ensure outdoor workers receive the protection they need when air quality gets bad due to wildfire smoke. [Senate Bill 260] will help businesses reduce medical costs, workers comp claims, and potential call-offs. Putting plans in place now can prevent lost productivity, not to mention improve workers’ health.” 

NATIONAL NEWS

MILLIONS GATHER TO PROTEST PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ELON MUSK: Millions of protestors gathered at over 1,400 planned rallies across the country to push back against President Trump’s attempts to undermine our democracy, roll back environmental protections, and make life harder and more expensive for everyday people. Incoming LCV President Pete Maysmith spoke at the flagship rally in Washington D.C. 

OUR TAKE: Incoming LCV President Pete Maysmith said during his remarks, “The simple fact is Donald Trump broke his promise and he is HURTING us. He PROMISED to lower costs. Instead he’s trying to ban cheaper clean energy and jacking up our energy bills. He PROMISED to give us the ‘cleanest air’ and ‘cleanest water.’ Under Donald Trump, pollution is making a comeback. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are setting us back decades and hurting us, our families, and our communities while their rich buddies make out just fine.Well, enough is enough. Trump is telling us we have to accept these hardships, this uncertainty that he has created. He has the audacity to say ‘tough luck I’ve made your life harder. Deal with it.’ WE won’t bow down to that cynicism. I’m here to say – things don’t have to be like this.”

SENATOR TINA SMITH INTRODUCES BILL TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT BOUNDARY WATERS: Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced a bill to permanently protect Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from toxic sulfide mining that would threaten the area’s diverse ecosystems.

OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick said, “LCV applauds Senator Smith for once again standing up to the Trump administration and making it clear that Minnesota’s Boundary Waters is for the people, not the mining industry. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is our nation’s most visited wilderness area and is home to diverse wildlife and ecosystems as well as abundant fresh water that would be devastated by Trump’s proposed sulfide mining. We will continue to fight alongside Senator Smith, Representative McCollum, and other champions in Congress for protections for the health and safety of our communities and our nation’s most cherished lands.”

FLORIDA MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SEEK TO BAN OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS: A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers, including Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), introduced a bill to permanently block oil and gas development and production off of Florida’s coasts. 

———————————————————————————————————————

CLIMATE ATTACKS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS

TRUMP ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK STATE CLIMATE ACTION: President Trump has signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to block the enforcement of state and local laws that address the climate crisis. State governments have been at the forefront of climate action, and this executive order would hinder their ability to continue progress. 

OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of State Policy and Advocacy Bill Holland said, “State elected leaders have the obligation to protect their constituents. President Trump’s extreme and unconstitutional executive order is yet another attempt to undermine local control and raise prices on everyday Americans to bailout big coal company CEOs. States across the country have used their authority to invest in clean energy because it’s the fastest, cheapest way to get more energy on the grid. It’s already lowering costs and creating tens of millions of jobs in every corner of the country. Donald Trump’s E.O. is another attempt to make Americans pay for the dirtiest, most expensive form of energy and to undermine states’ ability to hold polluters accountable for the impact of extreme weather fueled by climate change. Just ask the residents of Fort Meyers, Florida and Asheville, North Carolina if they think hurricanes and storms are getting worse. Ask someone from Lahaina, Hawaii or Talent, Oregon who lost their entire towns if they think fires are strengthened by climate change. State leaders understand, if the federal government won’t act, they must. LCV and our entire movement will be with them every step of the way.”

TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO BOLSTER COAL INDUSTRY: President Trump signed a series of executive orders promoting the coal industry, which stands to increase harmful pollution and utility bills and exacerbate the climate crisis. At a time when clean energy is less expensive to produce and safer for people and the planet, Trump has once again chosen polluters over people.

OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Federal Policy and former EPA scientist Matthew Davis said, “Trump’s 19th century energy policy is just as outdated as his 19th century economic policies, and just as disastrous. 

“After starting a global trade war that will mean higher prices on everything, Trump’s next move is to try to revive the expensive, dirty, and dangerous coal industry that peaked 20 years ago. Coal-fired power plants, which have long poisoned local communities and our climate, have been closing because there are cheaper and cleaner options like wind and solar power. 

“Betting on coal makes no sense. According to a recent analysis, 99 percent of existing U.S. coal plants are more expensive to run than replacement by local wind, solar, and energy storage resources. The pollution from coal plants has long been known to cause developmental delays in children, asthma, cancer, and premature death. Forcing more coal onto the public will only benefit a small group of polluting corporations while driving families’ energy and medical bills higher.”

REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS PASS PRO-POLLUTER BUDGET RESOLUTION: Late last Friday night, all but one Senate Republican voted to pass their dangerous, costly, partisan, and pro-polluter budget resolution over bipartisan opposition. 

OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “While Trump’s trade war is putting the economy in a tailspin, Senate Republicans are focused on increasing energy costs on hardworking people and cutting basic environmental protections — all just to cut taxes for billionaires and corporate polluters. Instead of protecting the health and safety of our communities, Trump’s allies in the Senate voted against efforts to ban the sell-off of our public lands to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, voted against supporting disaster relief efforts, and voted against protecting federal employees collective bargaining rights, among other critically important programs that help millions of people across the country.

“This fight is far from over — we will keep working to defeat this dangerous partisan attack that harms families, workers, and public lands, funds attacks on immigrant communities and communities of color, and pads the pockets of billionaires and Big Polluters at the expense of everyday people.”

Yesterday, Republicans in the House passed the same budget resolution, again over bipartisan opposition.

TAKE 2: LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis said, “This budget puts more money in the pockets of Big Polluter CEOs, increases families’ costs, and threatens the health and safety of communities across the country while doubling down on Trump’s dangerous and outdated economic and energy policies. Congressional Republicans should be fighting to protect our democracy and the health of our communities instead of fighting to destroy our economy and increase energy costs for families. This fight is far from over — we will keep working to defeat this dangerous partisan attack that harms families, workers, and public lands, funds attacks on immigrant communities and communities of color, and pads the pockets of billionaires and Big Polluters at the expense of everyday people.”

Prior to the vote in the Senate, LCV sent a letter to senators, urging them to oppose the resolution.

TAKE 3: LCV President Gene Karpinski said, “We urge you to oppose H. Con. Res. 14, the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution, which sets the path for a reconciliation bill that would increase costs for working families through higher energy bills, compromise the health of our communities by rolling back and cutting funding for critical environmental protections, and harm our global competitiveness in the race for a clean energy future, all to justify cutting taxes for the wealthiest individuals and corporations, and giving further handouts to polluters.”

———————————————————————————————————————

ICYMI: NATIONAL NEWS

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PASS VOTER SUPPRESSION BILL: House Republicans passed the so-called SAVE Act, a voter suppression bill that would make it more difficult for nearly every eligible voter to cast their vote in future elections.

OUR TAKE: LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa said, “Just days after millions of people across the country turned out to protest Trump and his administration’s unconstitutional actions, the House wants to take away the voices of millions of Americans and their right to vote in free and fair elections. Passage of the so-called SAVE Act would put financial burdens on voters and election offices, costing voters time and money to access their fundamental freedom to vote. Additionally, this anti-voter legislation would create unnecessary barriers on tens of millions of women and other eligible voters who have changed their names, elderly and rural voters, over a hundred million eligible voters who don’t have a passport, and millions of other eligible voters who deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box. 

“We’ll continue to fight for our democracy, and applaud the vast majority of House Democrats who voted against this bill in addition to Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats for their critical commitment to block this massive attack on the American people’s freedom to choose our own leaders. We now call on all Senators to reject it.”

CHISPA TAKE: Chispa LCV Legislative and Policy Manager Art Terrazas said, “After a week of economic chaos at the hands of our national leaders and millions of Americans protesting peacefully against this mayhem, the House is still deciding to mirror the disastrous and unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration. The House still insists on pushing the anti-voter SAVE Act, which is a transparent attempt to put up unnecessary barriers to voting for all eligible Americans by using prejudiced lies about immigrants. Tens of millions of American citizens don’t have the specific documents required under the SAVE Act – a passport or an original copy of their birth certificate when registering to vote or updating their voter registration in person. This will hurt military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, survivors of natural disasters, and tens of millions of married women in America who have changed their names. We urge Congress to reject the SAVE Act and focus instead on actions that will truly strengthen our elections and ensure that all eligible voters have access to vote instead of scapegoating immigrant communities.”

———————————————————————————————————————

NEW ON THE POWER SOURCE BLOG AND SOCIALS:

ON THE BLOG: We have to hand it to last Saturday’s Hands Off! protesters, you really turned out! We couldn’t let all of you (and your signs) go unnoticed, so we’re keeping the momentum going with a wrap up of the rallies that took place across the country and around the world, complete with a plethora of sign photos.

ON OUR SOCIALS: Did we mention there was a huge rally last weekend? Or that (no big deal) our incoming President Pete Maysmith was a featured speaker? Maybe we forgot to tell you that we’re going to keep fighting against Trump and Musk’s dangerous agenda, which includes making it harder for eligible voters to make their voices heard, bringing back dirty and expensive coal, opening up our national forests for logging, and (checks notes) running for a third term??? ———————————————————————————————————————

COMING UP:

APRIL 12: Passover begins at sundown.
APRIL 20: Easter.
APRIL 22: Earth Day.
APRIL 30: 100 days, 100 harms of the Trump administration.