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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 Earth Day celebrations, clean energy action across the country, and escalating federal attacks against environmental protections from Trump and Republicans.
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“We must ensure that Trump’s friends in the oil and gas industry aren’t taking advantage of the chaos to rake in record profits at the expense of hard-working American families.”
— Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) on the introduction of the Fair and Transparent Gas Prices Act which would protect consumers from fuel price-gouging from oil and gas companies.
“Republican leadership is badly out of step with the American people. They heard loud and clear this week that Americans will reject any legislation that leads to their wildlife disappearing forever. That is who we are as a country. We protect what we love, and we pass it on.”
— Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) on Republicans pulling the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act, which would have weakened protections for endangered species, from the House floor schedule.
“I’m pretty confident coal will lead the world in global electricity production when I die.”
— Energy Secretary Chris Wright during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Trump’s 2027 fiscal budget proposal, despite renewable energy surpassing coal as the world’s largest source of electricity in 2025.
MAYORS NATIONWIDE PUSH FOR LOWER BILLS AND MORE CLEAN ENERGY: This Earth Week, LCV partnered with Climate Mayors to highlight how city leaders nationwide are advancing clean energy to reduce utility bills and tackle the climate crisis. Their initiatives include home weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, low-income solar programs, and incentives for electrical vehicles. Check out the memo for more information.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of State Policy and Advocacy Bill Holland and Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright said, “Americans are feeling the impacts of the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis like never before. Energy affordability is reshaping how families experience the broader economy day to day, while rising utility bills and transportation are now one of the fastest drivers of inflation. The Trump Administration’s attempts to ban clean energy and the proliferation of big corporation tech data centers have increased energy prices for working families across the country. Clean energy is the quickest and cheapest way to bring new power to local communities. Climate Mayors are laser-focused on accelerating renewable energy growth at home to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy—faster. By implementing proven solutions—from efficiency upgrades and clean energy incentives to streamlined permitting and EV infrastructure—mayors are lowering energy costs and building healthier, more resilient cities.”
MAINE ADVANCES TOWARD CREATING CLIMATE SUPERFUND: Maine enacted legislation to create a comprehensive study assessing the financial damage the state has sustained from the worsening impacts of climate change. This information will allow Maine to establish a climate superfund program that will hold the oil and gas corporations financially responsible for these damages and generate millions in revenue for critical climate resilience and adaptation projects for communities.
MCV TAKE: Maine Conservation Voters Legislative Director Sarah Woodbury said, “While the world’s largest oil and gas companies make billions of dollars, Maine communities suffer the real-world consequences of climate change. Drought and supercharged storms have devastated our state, upending lives, destroying public infrastructure, imperiling livelihoods, and costing Maine taxpayers millions of dollars. The companies that made this mess should be the ones responsible for cleaning it up, not Maine people. This legislation makes a financially responsible investment in documenting the costs of climate change to our state, so we can send the bill to the people responsible. We’d like to thank Senator Stacy Brenner for her sponsorship and leadership on this bill.”
NEW YORK GOVERNOR INVESTS IN ENERGY AFFORDABILITY, WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $43 million investment to help local governments upgrade water and sewer infrastructure in their communities. Hochul also announced $125 million in available funds for upgrading affordable housing through the state’s new Affordable Multifamily Program Upstate initiative. The program provides energy efficiency and electrification improvements that will lower energy costs for families.
NYLCV TAKE: New York LCV said, “Great news! Governor Hochul has just announced $43 million to make local water infrastructure projects affordable across New York State. The funds will allow local governments to advance water and sewer projects that will improve quality of life – like replacing lead service lines – without the high costs for ratepayers. Additionally, Governor Hochul has also announced $125 million towards upgrading affordable multifamily housing in upstate New York, which includes cost-effective energy efficiency and electrification improvements as well as utility bill savings for residents. This represents a win for clean energy and builds off the governor’s movement of up to $150 million to support energy-efficient heat pumps for homeowners and small buildings across the state.”
SENATE DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REDUCE ENERGY COSTS: Senate Democrats reintroduced bills aimed at lowering energy costs by strengthening oversight of oil, gas and electricity markets. The Fair and Transparent Gas Prices Act would increase oversight to prevent price-gouging on fuel from oil and gas companies. The Energy Consumer Protection Act would grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority to ban traders who have manipulated electricity and natural gas markets.
TRUMP ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK MORE OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS: The Trump administration is reportedly in discussions with French utility company Engie to grant the company refunds for offshore wind project leases they hold in the U.S. The move comes after the Trump administration paid another French company, TotalEnergies, $1 billion of taxpayer money to abandon two offshore wind leases and instead invest in fossil fuel exports in Texas.
OUR TAKE: LCV Local Clean Energy Deployment Director Kathleen Meil said, “This would be yet another corrupt deal designed to advance the Trump administration’s agenda to ban clean energy. Energy prices are skyrocketing, working families are struggling, and we need more affordable clean energy to bring down costs. Yet this administration is willing to commit billions of taxpayer dollars NOT to build more. Congress should stop these deals and conduct real oversight for the administration’s energy policies. Everyday people are paying the price.”
HOUSE ELIMINATES ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL BUILDINGS: The House narrowly voted in favor of the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, a Republican-led effort to eliminate energy efficiency requirements for federal buildings. Prior to the vote, LCV sent a letter to members of the House urging them to oppose this bill, as well as two additional bills that would have undermined the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.
OUR TAKE: LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, undermines key progress towards cleaner federal buildings by rolling back requirements that phase down fossil fuel use for new and substantially renovated federal buildings. It also protects buildings from losing green building certifications solely on the basis of fossil fuel use, and voids the DOE’s existing regulations and directs the agency to rewrite its rules to match these weakened requirements in the bill. This bill will make it easier for federal buildings to continue their reliance on expensive and dirty fossil fuels and weaken the government’s ability to lead by example in advancing cleaner, more efficient infrastructure that reduces energy waste, driving up taxpayer-funded operating costs.”
TRUMP GIVES BILLIONS TO FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY: Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to channel billions of dollars into propping up the fossil fuel industry, accelerating the expansion of oil, gas, and coal, and grid infrastructure including pipelines, liquified natural gas facilities, export terminals and coal plants.
EPA ADVANCES PROPOSALS TO ROLL BACK AIR POLLUTION REGULATIONS: Trump’s EPA has sent two proposals to the White House that would scale back existing air pollution regulations. One aims to relax requirements on hydrofluorocarbons, a potent greenhouse gas widely used as a refrigerant, while the other could delay vehicle emissions standards for health-harming pollutants like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
SENATE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO ALLOW OIL INDUSTRY TO DODGE ACCOUNTABILITY: Senate Republicans introduced the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026. The bill would shield fossil fuel companies from climate lawsuits filed by state and local governments seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for accelerating the effects of climate change.
VIRGINIA VOTES TO RESTORE BALANCE TO 2026 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS: In response to partisan redistricting efforts in red states, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to temporarily redraw congressional districts which could give an advantage to the state’s House Democrats, shifting the ratio from 6-4 to 10-1.
VALCV TAKE: Virginia LCV Chief Program and Communications Officer Lee Francis said, “Virginia is the birthplace of American democracy, and today Virginia voters took a big step forward to defend it from MAGA attacks intended to pack Congress and continue to allow unchecked power on the most extreme, divisive and corrupt Presidential Administration in our nation’s history. We hope today’s outcome helps restore accountability and balance, and that brighter days are ahead for our country and our democracy.”
CALIFORNIA SENATE COMMITTEE VOTES TO ADVANCE AFFORDABLE INSURANCE AND RECOVERY ACT: California’s Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act to address California’s home insurance crisis as premiums are rising in areas prone to wildfires and flooding. The bill would allow the state to sue oil and gas companies for their role in climate-related damages, stabilize the insurance market, and help homeowners strengthen their properties against natural disasters.
ENVIROVOTERS TAKE: California Environmental Voters Chief Executive Officer Mary Creasman said, “Our legislators chose to stand with Californians instead of Big Oil today and the urgency of this moment can’t be overstated. We know 66% of voters across party lines are demanding that the billion-dollar corporations responsible for the climate crisis pay their share of increases in home insurance costs. Our communities are being battered by disasters while families face skyrocketing premiums and shrinking coverage options in real time. By voting to advance this bill, the Judiciary Committee and Senators Scott Wiener, Angelique Ashby, Ben Allen, Anna Caballero, Eloise Gómez Reyes, John Laird, Jerry McNerney, Akilah Weber Pierson, Henry Stern, and Tom Umberg send a clear message that Californians will not be left to carry the cost of Big Oil’s damage any longer. There is no way out of the insurance and affordability crises without Big Oil paying its fair share. We look forward to the Insurance Committee standing with Californians tomorrow.”
COLORADO TIGHTENS AIR POLLUTION REGULATIONS: The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission advanced Regulation 30, a long-term plan that will require oil and gas manufacturers to curb their emissions of five toxic air contaminants linked to serious health risks.
CONSERVATION COLORADO TAKE: Conservation Colorado Senior Environmental Justice Campaign Manager Tykee James said, “We will stay engaged with the next steps of this rulemaking to press for meaningful enforcement, stronger protections and holding big corporate polluters accountable. The Commission still has an opportunity to deliver real relief to the communities most harmed by air toxins.”
INDUSTRY LAWSUIT CHALLENGES OREGON CLIMATE PROGRAM: A coalition of fossil fuel utilities, trade associations and labor unions have filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s authority to enforce its Climate Protection Program, which aims to significantly cut emissions and use penalties to hold polluters accountable for failing to meet those limits.
OLCV TAKE: Oregon LCV Executive Director Lindsey Scholten said, “This is yet another example of big corporations refusing to follow the rules. Instead, these corporations want to continue polluting freely and padding their profits — at the expense of the health and prosperity of everyday Oregonians.”
PENNSYLVANIA FORCES COAL PLANTS TO REMAIN OPERATIONAL: Pennsylvania has reached a settlement with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC requiring two coal power plants, Conemaugh Station and Keystone Station, to remain operational. The plants were originally scheduled to shut down due to the high cost of upgrading them to meet federal pollution rules and limit toxic chemical discharges. Instead, they will continue to run through at least 2032, increasing toxic pollution in Pennsylvania communities and driving up already out-of-control energy costs.
CVPA TAKE: Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Executive Director Molly Parzen said, “It is deeply disappointing that during Earth Week — a week intended to celebrate our progress toward a cleaner, healthier future — we are instead seeing a commitment to extend the life of two of Pennsylvania’s largest sources of toxic pollution. While we appreciate the protections against water pollution in this agreement to limit the discharge of toxic metals like arsenic and mercury, these are the bare minimum standards for protecting our local watersheds. They do not change the fundamental reality: Doubling down on coal is the wrong direction for Pennsylvania’s energy future. If we want to lower energy rates in both the short and long term, the best path forward is to invest in homegrown, renewable energy like solar, wind, and battery storage. The transition to clean energy is an opportunity to create thousands of family-sustaining union jobs, stabilize our energy prices and protect the health of our children and families. And it’s an opportunity that Pennsylvania is missing out on. We urge Governor Shapiro to prioritize a 21st-century energy policy that accelerates our transition away from dirty fossil fuels rather than finding ways to artificially keep them on life support.”
MONTANA POLL FINDS MAJORITY SUPPORT LAND CONSERVATION: A new University of Montana Public Lands Poll shows nine-in-ten Montana residents say conservation issues are an important factor in choosing an election candidate, and a loss of access to public lands is at the top of the list of their concerns for the state.
MCV TAKE: Montana Conservation Voters Executive Director Ben Super said, “Montanans have made one thing unmistakably clear: Conservation isn’t a side issue, it’s a deciding factor. When 90% of voters say conservation matters when choosing candidates, that’s not just consensus, it’s a mandate. This poll confirms what we’re hearing across the state every day. People are deeply concerned about the real and growing threats facing our public lands and communities — from industrial-scale data centers straining our water and energy resources, to risky mining proposals at the headwaters of treasured rivers, to worsening drought and wildfire conditions made worse by inadequate federal investment and staffing. Montanans want leaders who will stand up for our public lands, protect our water, and invest in the people and resources needed to manage these landscapes responsibly. They want accountability from our federal delegation, not silence or inaction, especially as decisions are made about conservation funding, land management, and proposals that could permanently alter our public lands.”
SUPREME COURT REJECTS ATTEMPT TO MOVE MICHIGAN PIPELINE LAWSUIT TO FEDERAL COURT: The Supreme Court ruled that a lawsuit challenging Michigan’s Line 5 must proceed in state court. The Court’s ruling rejects Enbridge’s attempt to move the case to federal court and revives Michigan’s case challenging the continued operation of the aging Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, after Enbridge failed to comply with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 2021 shutdown order.
MLCV TAKE: Michigan LCV Federal Government Affairs Director Bentley Johnson said, “The Supreme Court’s ruling is a major victory in the fight to protect our Great Lakes from a catastrophic oil spill from Line 5, which is a ticking time bomb in the heart of our most treasured natural resources. Line 5 runs through the heart of our state and Great Lakes, representing the single greatest threat to our drinking water, economy, and way of life. We applaud Attorney General Nessel for standing firm and ensuring that decisions about Michigan’s future are made here at home, not in the halls of Washington.”
LCV CELEBRATES EARTH DAY, CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND THE PLANET: This Earth Day, LCV called on elected officials to prioritize clean, affordable energy. Under the Trump administration, our energy costs are skyrocketing while environmental protections and public health safeguards are being rolled back at an alarming rate. LCV is urging federal, state and local leaders to expand clean energy development to combat pollution and high energy costs to protect our communities and our planet.
OUR TAKE: LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “This Earth Day, the stakes couldn’t be clearer or more personal. While families across the country are struggling with higher costs, Trump is making it all worse and taking us backwards by propping up dirty, expensive fossil fuels, and has set in motion a global energy crisis that is driving costs even higher. Just this week he’s handing billions of dollars to coal and other polluting industries, using the emergency he created to justify it. Meanwhile Congressional Republicans are spending Earth Day weakening the Endangered Species Act and clean air protections. This Earth Day, we demand that elected officials at all levels of government stand up for our communities and the planet by supporting the deployment of clean, affordable energy that can help bring down skyrocketing energy costs and reduce the pollution that are making our families and the planet sick.”
HOUSE REPUBLICANS PULL ESA AMENDMENTS ACT FROM FLOOR SCHEDULE: The House has removed consideration of the Endangered Species Amendment Act from the House floor schedule. The proposed bill would introduce economic analyses to determine whether a species should be listed, limit attorneys’ fees in endangered species lawsuits, and reduce protections for species starting to recover. Earlier this week, LCV sent a letter to the House urging members to oppose the bill, as well as the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, the HEATS Act, and the FIRE Act which would weaken environmental conservation oversight, expand fossil fuel use, and increase pollution.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP CLEAN ENERGY ATTACKS: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s key policies that have slowed or paused the development of dozens of wind and solar projects nationwide. The ruling will allow development of these clean energy projects to resume.
ON THE BLOG: This Earth Day, we’re celebrating clean energy wins and progress being made by state and local leaders and representatives in Congress, and highlighting what you can do to join us in the fight for clean air and affordable energy.
ON OUR SOCIALS: While we’ve been celebrating clean energy wins this Earth Week, Trump and MAGA Republicans are busy cooking up new ways to destroy our planet by selling out our public lands to Big Oil and attacking renewable energy. But despite their best efforts, people are organizing pushing for a cleaner, more affordable future. This is our planet, and together, we can’t lose.
MAY 1: May Day, or International Workers’ Day.
MAY 5: Indiana statewide primary election.
MAY 5: Ohio statewide primary election.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters