©2025 League of Conservation Voters
Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok.
“It is important that the Court show the public that it is not in the pocket of billionaire benefactors.”
— Representative Hank Johnson on Justice Neil Gorsuch’s decision to recuse himself from an upcoming Supreme Court environmental case amid conflict of interest allegations.
“What he is saying is flat-out wrong.”
— Jim Kossin, climate scientist and contributor to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, responds to Secretary of Energy nominee Chris Wright’s misuse of scientific studies to deny the climate crisis.
“We’re not turning back on a clean transportation future.”
— California Governor Gavin Newsom on his efforts to secure the future of EVs in his state in the face of an adversarial Trump administration.
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION APPROACHES 80% ALLOCATION OF IRA FUNDING: The Biden-Harris administration is on track to award over $100 billion in grants under the IRA, which will accelerate clean energy expansion before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The administration has allocated over 80% of the grant funding, the obligation that makes it contractually protected. The IRA includes decade-long tax incentives for clean energy projects, which would require congressional action to terminate.
MAJOR MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT ACHIEVES FINAL FEDERAL APPROVAL: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced its approval of the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the Maryland Offshore Wind project. This milestone represents the final federal approval needed for the project, which will generate over 2 gigawatts of offshore wind energy—enough to power over 718,000 homes—and support almost 2,680 jobs annually over seven years. To date, federal agencies, under the Biden-Harris administration’s leadership, have approved more than 15 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, enough to power 5.25 million homes. This exciting milestone is the halfway point to achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Government Affairs Advocate David Shadburn said, “The Biden-Harris administration continues to build their climate legacy until the very last day. Clean energy remains the fastest least expensive way to get more energy onto the grid. This project is critical to keep costs low and maintain reliability for consumers while we meet rising demand. We look forward to the Biden-Harris administration continuing to push forward in the final weeks to approve win-win projects that create the clean energy jobs we know communities need.”
MDLCV TAKE: Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble said, “Across Maryland, residents are seeing the benefits of a growing clean energy economy that reduces harmful air pollution and creates thousands of good paying jobs across the state. This project is the result of years of collaboration among federal agencies, environmental advocates, unions, local business, and state leaders. Maryland’s offshore wind development will add clean energy to our grid and build climate resilience as we see electricity demand increase and help keep Maryland a national leader on climate solutions.”
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE MIDWEST: Under the Biden-Harris administrations Investing in America agenda, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $4.9 billion to support the Grain Belt Express Project, a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. The planned line would extend 578 miles from Ford County, Kansas, to Callaway County, Missouri. The project aims to enhance grid resilience and facilitate renewable energy transmission across the central U.S. by connecting three regional grids.
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ADVANCES EV GOALS WITH EV MANUFACTURING PLANT: The DOE announced a conditional commitment for a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to construct an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Georgia. The facility could produce up to 400,000 vehicles annually and create 7,500 jobs. The loan, part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, is meant to increase U.S. EV production and aligns with the administration’s goal for zero-emission vehicles to comprise half of all new car sales by 2030.
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE EV PLANS WITH EV BATTERY PLANTS: The DOE conditionally approved a $7.5 billion loan to StarPlus Energy to construct two EV battery plants in Indiana. The facilities are expected to produce batteries for 670,000 EVs annually and aim to create 3,200 construction jobs and 2,800 permanent positions, with production starting in 2025. The loan reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s push to strengthen domestic EV manufacturing.
LCV RELEASES CLEAN ENERGY FOR ALL: CLEAN ENERGY SUCCESS IN THE STATES REPORT: The report details how 31 states made exciting clean energy progress in 2024, led by our affiliated organizations in the Conservation Voters Movement. In 2024, states expanded access to solar power, made critical investments in the electricity grid, held utilities accountable to keep costs down for consumers, protected communities from fossil fuel pollution, and utilized transformative federal investments from the Inflation Reduction Act. Read the full 2024 Clean Energy Success in the States report.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of State Policy and Advocacy Bill Holland said, “State leaders understand what’s at stake with a new Trump administration. They know their leadership is the only thing standing against unprecedented attacks on our health and giveaways to big polluters. Clean energy is the fastest cheapest way to meet our energy needs. 2024 state clean energy victories demonstrate that governors and state legislators are ready to stand up to Trump’s fossil fuel industry giveaways, drive state climate leadership and ensure clean and affordable energy for state residents nationwide.”
TRUMP CHOOSES BROOKE ROLLINS TO HEAD USDA: President-elect Donald Trump has stated that he will nominate Brooke Rollins to be his administration’s U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary. Rollins has a history of denying climate science, dismissing the fact that carbon dioxide is a pollutant.
OUR TAKE: LCV Healthy Communities Program Director Madeleine Foote said, “Trump’s decision to nominate Brooke Rollins to head USDA shows that he is determined to fill his cabinet with loyalists who will do whatever he says. Rollins has a long history of attacking the science of climate change and climate policy before, during and after her tenure in the first Trump administration. We need a Secretary of Agriculture who will look out for the needs of our farmers and families by supporting robust conservation programs that ensure farmers are part of the climate solution and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”
TRUMP TAPS RUSSELL VOUGHT TO LEAD THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET: President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025, to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Project 2025 has faced significant criticism for its efforts to undermine climate change efforts.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Federal Policy and former EPA scientist Matthew Davis said, “In case there was any doubt, Trump’s selection of a key co-author of Project 2025 makes crystal clear once again that he wasn’t serious about distancing himself from it. Vought has promised to traumatize civil servants and to ‘shut down’ agency funding to carry out his dangerous Project 2025 agenda, but we will fight him at every step and stand with these public servants who are dedicated to protecting our health, safety, environment, and the communities these agencies serve.”
LCV ACTION FUND CANDIDATES VICTORIOUS IN CALIFORNIA: Pro-climate, pro-democracy candidates have emerged victorious in California. LCV congratulates these candidates on their wins.
OUR TAKE: LCV President Gene Karpinski said, “Californians voted to protect public lands and take bold climate action. We are thrilled to continue working with California’s leaders to not only continue to preserve the Golden State’s natural treasurers and access to clean air and water, but also to build a clean energy economy that lowers costs and protects our future.”
LCV RESPONDS TO CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT FINAL RULE: The Department of Treasury announced the final section 48 Investment Tax Credit rules clarifying details about clean energy tax credits. The final rules address the following aspects: eligibility for offshore wind equipment, geothermal heat pumps, biogas systems, co-located energy storage, and hydrogen storage. The updates and clarifications are meant to reduce utility costs, enhance energy security, and create jobs.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis said, “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for continuing to deliver on their promise of a clean energy transition that benefits communities around the country and provides cheaper energy for consumers across the board. This rule makes it easier for consumers and companies to reap the benefits of tax credits and will also increase the accessibility of clean energy for families across the country. Despite these benefits, Republicans are threatening to revoke these federal investments that lower costs, create high-paying jobs, and protect the environment. We are prepared to fight back at every turn to ensure that these clean energy initiatives are safeguarded from MAGA extremist threats to our families, communities and environment.”
LCV RESPONDS TO GRIJALVA’S HISTORIC LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Representative Raúl Grijalva announced that he will not seek reelection as ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. As a member and later chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, Grijalva prioritized climate action, environmental justice, and Indigenous affairs. Key accomplishments include passing the Great American Outdoors Act, advancing the Environmental Justice For All Act, and historic hearings on tribal issues.
OUR TAKE: LCV President Gene Karpinski said, “Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva has spent his entire career in public service as a stalwart champion for protecting sacred and public lands, expanding equitable access to the outdoors, defending clean air and water, and advancing tribal sovereignty – especially for communities of low-wealth and communities of color most impacted by the climate crisis and environmental injustice. His 97% lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard only begins to describe his decades of leadership and commitment to defend communities that need it the most. Not only did he secure countless legislative achievements, including supporting the tribal-led campaign to secure the historic designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, he also transformed the Natural Resources Committee to be more intentional and holistic in addressing the compounding impacts of the climate, biodiversity, and conservation crises facing our communities. The culmination of this leadership was the ground-breaking, years-long, and community-based process Rep. Grijalva led with the late Rep. Donald McEachin to draft the Environmental Justice for All Act, a marquee vehicle confronting the legacy of environmental racism that disproportionately impacts communities of color and low wealth. We are grateful for his years-long historic leadership and look forward to continuing to work together in the 119th Congress.”
REMEMBERING GARY A. SOUCIE: We were sad to learn that environmental leader Gary A. Soucie, who helped cofound Friends of the Earth and served as LCV’s vice chair and on our steering committee, has passed away. Our thoughts are with Gary’s family and friends, and we are grateful for the role he played in launching LCV and ensuring the continued success of our organization.
NEW DUKE ENERGY PLAN APPROVED, WITH WINS FOR CLEAN ENERGY: Utility regulators in South Carolina approved Duke Energy’s long-term energy plan, which invests significantly in solar, wind, and battery storage, although it also allows for new natural gas projects. Despite disappointment over the inclusion of new gas, the plan avoids delays in coal plant retirements and setbacks for clean energy, which are considered significant wins. The Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates electric utilities, also included recommendations from environmental groups like Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) in the final plan, such as expanding energy efficiency programs, improving transmission planning, and supporting customer-sited renewable generation.
CVSC TAKE: Conservation Voters of South Carolina Energy Project Manager Jalen Brooks-Knepfle said, “On one hand, we’re disappointed to see Duke’s plans for polluting, expensive gas mega-projects go unchallenged by regulators. However, this plan also avoids major setbacks for clean energy in our state. During the hearing, some Commissioners seemed in favor of slowing both coal retirement and solar development, and even stopping wind development altogether. The plan ultimately approved by the PSC avoids these massive pitfalls—and that’s great news!”
CHISPA MARYLAND LEADERS TESTIFY IN SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES: Tamara Zamora, a dedicated leader of the Wheaton Committee in Montgomery County, took a stand this past week, testifying before the County Board of Education to advocate for the adoption of electric school buses.
Her leadership highlights a bold step toward cleaner air and healthier futures for our students and communities. View photos here.
ON THE BLOG: We all need some good news. Luckily, we have just the thing with the November roundup of Good Climate News on The Power Source Blog!
ON OUR SOCIALS: This week, we’re holding space for Biden’s judicial nominees, translating some Trump-isms, and uplifting this year’s incredible climate progress in the states and the release of the 2024 Clean Energy for All report.
DECEMBER 16: 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
DECEMBER 20: Government funding expires.
DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve / Noche Buena.
DECEMBER 25: Christmas Day.
DECEMBER 25: Hanukkah begins.
DECEMBER 26: Kwanzaa begins.
JANUARY 1: New Year’s Day.
JANUARY 3: 118th Congress ends and 119th Congress begins.
JANUARY 20: Inauguration Day 2025.
©2025 League of Conservation Voters