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 the fight to protect public lands, climate protections, and democracy.
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“EPA’s disregard for the dangers of greenhouse gases defies science, law, and common sense.”
— Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on EPA’s plans to rescind the endangerment finding.
“At a time when energy costs and demand are both rapidly increasing, it is concerning that your agency is considering an action that may violate federal law — Congress has already appropriated the funding — and would increase household energy costs for millions of Americans while jeopardizing thousands of jobs across a wide cross section of states.”
— Democrats in North Carolina’s congressional delegation in a letter to EPA condemning the Trump administration’s cancellation of the Solar for All program.
“This facility is not only a threat to one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in the country. It is also a glaring example of how far the State of Florida will go to criminalize immigrants and ignore the long-term health of our natural resources.”
— Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani on Trump’s immigration detention center that has paused construction by order of a judge.
MICHIGAN FIGHTS BACK AGAINST TRUMP COAL PLANT: Michigan LCV joined community members in protesting the Trump administration’s continued support of a coal plant in Ottawa County that was set to close in May this year. The plant has been forced to remain open by the Trump administration, who declared an unnecessary energy emergency to keep the plant operational despite widespread support for its retirement. The plan to retire the plant has been set since 2021, and its closure is expected to save ratepayers $600 million by 2040 and protect communities from coal pollution.
MILCV TAKE: Michigan LCV West Michigan Regional Coordinator Jayce Bylenga said, “This is a clear example of how the Trump administration is making our energy costs more expensive and locking us into outdated, expensive fossil fuel infrastructure when we should be moving as quickly as possible to cleaner, more affordable energy options.”
LCV JOINS STATES IN MOBILIZATION TO PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS: LCV, in partnership with state affiliates in the Conservation Voters Movement (CVM), announced a nationwide tour calling attention to the Trump administration’s threats to public lands. Events on the tour will take place across the country through August recess, and will be organized alongside local communities and elected officials. The tour kicked off in Colorado, where the U.S. House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02) joined Conservation Colorado, LCV, and other local leaders for a solidarity hike through the Flatirons and spoke about the unique threats posed to his district and the state at large.
OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick said, “From day one, the Trump administration launched countless attacks on our public lands and waters. Trump and his extreme allies have gutted our land management agencies, opened up millions of acres of our lands to drilling and logging, and allowed corporate polluters off the hook after they poison our lands and waters. We are all-in to fight back against the Trump administration’s sell-off of public lands to Big Polluters and corporate interests.”
CONSERVATION COLORADO TAKE: Conservation Colorado Public Lands Campaign Manager Brien Webster said, “In Colorado, public lands aren’t just scenic backdrops. They’re essential to supporting our families, teaching our kids the value of nature, and finding solace in a world full of distractions. These lands support our watersheds, our wildlife and our well-being. Treating them like a commodity to be sold off is not only shortsighted, it’s deeply wrong. We’re standing up for a simple truth: these lands should remain in public hands for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. “
REP. NEGUSE TAKE: Representative Joe Neguse said, “In Colorado, access to the outdoors — and the preservation of our public lands — is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and a core part of our state’s identity and way of life. That’s why, at every turn, I’ve fought back against Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ efforts to sell off these treasured public lands and dismantle the agencies that protect them. And it’s also why I’m proud to join LCV this August in getting outside and highlighting the lands and waters we’re so lucky to have in our backyards.”
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO CANCEL SOLAR FOR ALL: Last week the Trump administration announced its plans to end the Solar For All program, which provides funding for organizations to build community solar installations that help lower energy bills for low-income households. Nevada’s Solar for All program now faces obstacles to building out solar capacity expected to provide clean, affordable energy to at least 50,000 Nevadans and lower household energy bills by at least 20%.
CHISPA NV TAKE: Chispa Nevada Senior Organizer Juan Carlos Guardado said, “Solar For All helps Nevadans who are struggling with the rising costs of utilities and urgently need relief. The program was designed to guarantee 20% lower electricity bills for low-income Americans, regardless of whether or not they own a home or can afford rooftop solar panels. Many Latine families were looking forward to signing up and are now deeply concerned by this news. We need Solar For All to reduce burdens on households already facing high energy costs.”
TRUMP ORDERS FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF DC: The Trump administration took control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department from D.C.’s elected leaders and deployed the National Guard in the District, despite the fact that violent crime in D.C. last year was at a thirty year low. This egregious abuse of power comes on the heels of recent decisions to gut public safety programs and the D.C. budget.
OUR TAKE: LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “Deploying the National Guard and taking over the police force in the nation’s capital is a direct attack on our freedoms and the safety of our communities, especially the Black and brown communities who have been historically targeted by force. Instead of making our communities safer, this administration is instituting a political power grab that could harm our families and communities. The military should not be used to intimidate our communities and undermine local authority in order to help fulfill Trump’s extreme and inhumane immigration policies and harm our civil rights — especially given the recent deployment of armed forces in Los Angeles and today’s threat by Trump to expand this to other cities.
“Just one month after gutting critical funding from programs that would have actually protected the health and safety of people across the country and after cutting $1 billion from D.C.’s budget, Trump is wasting our federal and local resources and is using military members against their own communities. The Trump administration’s extreme and politicized Justice Department cannot be trusted with good faith law enforcement — they must get their hands off of D.C., and Congress must immediately grant D.C. its long-overdue statehood.”
LCVAF ENDORSES CHRIS PAPPAS FOR SENATE: LCV Action Fund (LCVAF) announced the endorsement of Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. With a lifetime score of 97% on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard, Pappas is an environmental champion with a demonstrated commitment to protecting public health and the environment.
LCVAF TAKE: LCV Action Fund Vice President of Political Affairs Craig Auster said, “Representative Chris Pappas’s strong leadership in the U.S. House to help protect the health and safety of communities demonstrates how he will continue to fight for Granite Staters and our environment in the U.S. Senate. We need more champions in Congress like Representative Pappas who will safeguard our rights and help build a more affordable, more resilient clean energy future, and LCV Action Fund is proud to support his campaign for the Senate.”
LCVAF NH TAKE: LCVAF New Hampshire State Director Rob Werner said, “During his time in Congress, Representative Chris Pappas has had a proven track record fighting for people and protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. As we continue to experience the impacts of extreme weather, the climate crisis, and pollution across New Hampshire, we need strong leaders to represent our communities in the U.S. Senate, and we’re proud to support Representative Pappas’ campaign.”
ON THE BLOG: It’s peak August recess and LCV and our state affiliates are showing up and showing out all across the country to keep public lands in public hands. Learn more about the nationwide mobilization to protect our public lands from the Trump administration’s escalating attacks in the newest article on The Power Source Blog!
ON OUR SOCIALS: Oh, did you say you wanted more public lands content? Have we got news for you: two new public lands videos dropped this week (here and here)! And if you like protecting public lands, you’ll LOVE protecting democracy by becoming a poll worker!
AUGUST 16: Oppose the Trump Takeover in Texas National Day of Action.
AUGUST 18: Chispa Arizona helps host solar education night.
AUGUST 20: Protect our Public Lands event in South Portland, Maine.
SEPTEMBER 1: Labor Day.
SEPTEMBER 6: Chispa Texas Organizing Summit in Corpus Christi, Texas.
SEPTEMBER 30: Government Funding Deadline.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters