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 Trump administration’s latest attacks on our climate and health, major state legislation wins, and new polling data about energy affordability.
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“Representative Ottinger was a prolific public servant who believed in making New York a better state for all. A prominent environmental advocate throughout his time in Congress and into retirement, Representative Ottinger led by example, fighting for a more sustainable and environmentally sound New York.”
— Gov. Kathy Hochl (NY) on the death of Richard L. Ottinger, a former congressman and environmental champion who passed away at 97.
“The administration is seeking to undermine our position in the world, undermine our economic growth, take away jobs, raise energy prices and break the law. They’re not going to get away with it.”
— Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on the Trump administration’s unlawful cancellation of billions in funding for affordable renewable energy projects.
“Electricity bills are eating up more and more of household budgets across the country, and that’s got to stop.”
— Gov. J.B. Pritzker (IL) on tackling rising energy costs, for which he blames President Trump’s tariffs and the elimination of renewable energy tax credits.
NY LAWMAKERS RALLY FOR ASAP ACT: New York State Senator Pete Harckham hosted a press conference in support of the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, which would increase the state’s solar energy distribution goals from 10 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts by 2035. The bill also proposes reforms to electric grid infrastructure and would save New Yorkers $1 billion on electricity costs annually, as well as require 35% of solar program investments to benefit low-to-moderate income communities.
NYLCV TAKE: New York LCV Policy Director Pat McClellan said, “Solar energy has been one of New York’s greatest clean energy success stories, but with federal support under threat, we must double down at the state level to keep moving forward. The ASAP Act is a critical step that would set ambitious new targets and call on the Public Service Commission to restore the NY-Sun program and adopt smart reforms that make it easier and more affordable to connect solar to the grid. We’re grateful to Senator Harckham for leading the charge, and we call on the State senate and Assembly to pass this legislation before the end of the session.”
COMMUNITY MEMBERS URGE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION TO REJECT ENERGY RATE HIKE: Chispa Arizona mobilized residents and coalition partners to testify before the Arizona Corporation Commission in opposition to the local utility company’s proposed rate increase. Speakers emphasized how higher electricity costs would disproportionately burden working families and communities already facing rising costs of living. The action highlighted the role of community advocacy in ensuring utility regulators prioritize affordability, transparency, and accountability in their decisions.
LCV, CLIMATE POWER RELEASE POLLING DATA SHOWING ENERGY AFFORDABILITY IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR VOTERS: A new poll commissioned by LCV and Climate Power finds that rising utility costs have joined groceries as a top affordability concern for voters. Research conducted by Workbench and Hart indicates utility companies receive much of the blame for high bills, and Democrats have an opportunity to gain political traction by standing up to utilities and siding with consumers. Poll respondents also expressed strong opposition to Trump and Republican lawmakers rolling back affordable clean energy, believing such moves would make affordability problems worse. Read the full report here.
THIRTEEN STATES SUE TRUMP OVER CLEAN ENERGY CUTS: A coalition of 13 states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to overturn the administration’s cancellation of billions in funding for renewable energy projects that would expand clean energy access across the country and lower energy costs.
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKE: California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “The President is cherry-picking this funding at the expense of hardworking Americans and stifling innovation and the economy for the sake of partisan retribution.”
EPA PROPOSES ROLLING BACK RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: EPA has proposed weakening safety protections and accident prevention measures for facilities using extremely hazardous chemicals under the Risk Management Program. This program requires chemical facilities to account for climate-change-related risks such as flooding. and to share chemical hazard data directly with nearby residents. It also requires oil refineries that use dangerous compounds like hydrofluoric acid to study and eventually implement safer alternatives. This proposal is just the latest in a slew of rollbacks from Trump’s EPA that are endangering millions of lives for the sake of polluter profits.
OUR TAKE: LCV Government Affairs Advocate for Healthy Communities Lizzy Duncan said, “With this proposal, Trump’s EPA is actively endangering people’s lives. They are abandoning over 177 million people who live near and work in facilities using extremely hazardous chemicals by weakening safety protections and accident prevention measures. Removing the Risk Management Program’s requirements for safer technologies and community notifications after a chemical disaster is another giveaway to corporate polluters and chemical industry lobbyists, at the expense of the health and safety of our communities, workers, and first responders. We urge Trump’s EPA to stop prioritizing polluters over people and abandon this reckless proposal that will inevitably lead to more illness and death caused by chemical disasters.”
EPA ROLLS BACK MERCURY AND AIR TOXICS STANDARDS: Trump’s EPA repealed the updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) that limit hazardous air pollution from coal power plants. These standards aim to reduce soot pollution, mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin, and other hazardous metals emitted by coal plants that harm human health. This marks yet another attempt by the Trump administration to bolster the coal industry while disregarding the health of people and our climate.
OUR TAKE: Ahead of the announcement, LCV Vice President of Federal Policy and former EPA scientist Matthew Davis said, “With this rumored action, Trump is risking our lives and the future of the next generation by pushing dirty, expensive coal that contributes to toxic air pollution and waste – all to benefit his fossil fuel cronies. Weakening critical clean air safeguards will harm public health- especially for children, older adults, low income communities, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by soot pollution and toxic mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals emitted from coal-fired power plants. This will contribute to thousands of additional deaths, asthma attacks, and learning disabilities, none of which will be considered in the cost of this decision because the Trump administration has valued human lives and other health impacts at $0. We will continue to push back on the Trump administration prioritizing polluters over people and call on them to abandon this reckless proposal that will make our air dirtier and people sicker – all while the costs of energy and healthcare continue to skyrocket.”
NEW MEXICO LEGISLATORS REJECT CLEAR HORIZONS ACT: Lawmakers in New Mexico have rejected the Clear Horizons Act, which would have codified the state’s goal of gradually reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It would have also accelerated the use of renewable energy in homes and businesses, drastically cutting air pollution and creating jobs, while creating climate-disaster resilient communities.
CVNM TAKE: Conservation Voters New Mexico CEO Demis Foster said, “Recent polling shows that 77% of New Mexicans support government action to reduce climate pollution. New Mexicans want leadership that plans ahead, protects families from rising costs, and holds major polluters accountable. Today’s vote does not change that reality. Instead, legislators chose to side with a fear-based disinformation campaign led by the state’s polluting industries. We stand with the New Mexican families impacted by wildfires, floods, heat, and rising utility costs in pushing for a better future.”
NEW MEXICO SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATIVE SALARIES RESOLUTION: For the first time over 30 years, New Mexican residents will have the opportunity to vote to amend the state constitution to allow state legislators to be paid a full salary. New Mexico is the last state in the country with a fully-volunteer legislature, which has been a financial barrier for community members who want to represent their communities in office.
CVNM TAKE: Conservation Voters of New Mexico Political Director John Martinez said, “Our democracy is richest when people from all walks of life can engage in it fully and equitably. Communities most impacted by policy decisions deserve a seat at the table shaping our laws. However, the ability to afford to be away from work and family for one to two months at a time is a huge barrier for many in running for office. Professionalizing our legislature evens the playing field, creating the conditions for an elected body that is truly representative of the state. New Mexicans deserve elected leaders that are able to serve their communities full time year around. An annual salary allows leaders to serve their constituents in between interim committees, and take the time needed to more fully understand the complexities of the issues our communities face. We applaud the legislature for passing HJR 5, and look forward to seeing the outcome of the 2026 ballot initiative.”
NEW MEXICO VOTES TO PROTECT MIDTERM ELECTIONS: The New Mexico legislature passed the Election Rights and Troops at Elections bill, which will make election interference by ICE officials or the federal government through a military directive a fourth-degree felony. This comes in response to recent statements by Trump, who has indicated his intent to send military or ICE agents to polling locations during the 2026 midterm election.
CVMN TAKE: Conservation Voters of New Mexico Chief Executive Officer Demis Foster said, “Today, New Mexico reinforced our standing as the state with the strongest elections in the country. We do not stand idly by when threats are made to suppress and intimidate our communities and our democracy. When Trump’s inner circle threatens to directly undermine the safety and security of our democratic process, we should listen and do all that we can to uphold the integrity of our elections. Today, New Mexico leaders said loud and clear: you can not come for our elections, and you can not intimidate our people. We believe in the tenets of our democracy, and will fight to keep our elections safe, fair, and equitable. We applaud the legislature for acting swiftly by responding to these threats with conviction.”
COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHUT OUT OF AZ HEARING ON BILL THREATENING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS: In Arizona, the Republican controlled legislature is considering a bill that would force counties to deploy ICE agents at polling locations, ballot drop boxes, and early voting sites. Chispa Arizona, along with partner organizations, plan to testify against the bill, which would intimidate and deter eligible voters from casting their ballots in the state. However, several community members who also attempted to attend and testify during the hearing on the bill were not allowed to enter the capitol building and given a written notice that they would be arrested for trespassing if they attempted to enter the legislature for the remainder of the legislative session.
MARYLAND LEADS COMMUNITY LOBBY DAY IN SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION: Chispa Maryland convened promotoras, community leaders, and youth advocates for a lobby day focused on advancing environmental legislation that directly benefits Maryland communities. Participants met with lawmakers to advocate for policies that protect public health, expand access to clean air and water, and ensure that historically underserved communities have a voice in decision-making.
MARYLAND BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR CHERISH ACT TOWN HALL: Chispa Maryland hosted a CHERISH Act town hall that brought together residents committed to advancing environmental justice in Maryland. The event highlighted the power of informed, organized communities to shape policies that protect clean air, clean water, and equitable access to resources.
COLORADO STUDENTS ADVOCATE FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS AT STATE CAPITOL: Conservation Colorado supported students from five high schools in engaging directly with lawmakers at the State Capitol as part of their first advocacy experience. Through structured training programs, students developed the skills and confidence to research environmental issues, understand the legislative process, and effectively communicate their communities’ priorities. The event highlighted the importance of investing in youth leadership and ensuring the next generation plays an active role in advancing climate solutions across Colorado.
CLIMATE CHAMPION RICHARD OTTINGER DIES AT 97: Richard L. Ottinger, a longtime Democratic congressman who made environmental protection the cornerstone of his work, has died at 97. During his 16 years in the House, Ottinger helped shape the modern environmentalism movement we continue to fight for today. In Congress, he championed efforts to clean up the Hudson River, pushing for tighter pollution laws, and helped to form a bipartisan group that would become the nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Upon leaving Congress in 1985, he founded the Pace Energy and Climate Center at Pace University’s law school, continuing to advocate for renewable energy. He remained committed to environmental causes after his retirement, never losing his passion for protecting our environment.
STATES THREATEN TO SUE EPA OVER WATER POLLUTION PERMITS: A coalition of 16 Democratic-led states is threatening to sue the EPA over a proposed rule that would limit states’ power to review pollution that energy projects discharge into water. Led by Washington Attorney General Nicholas Brown and New York Attorney General Letitia James, the states argue the proposal violates the Clean Water Act as it blocks federal agencies from approving energy projects such as gas pipelines and coal plants unless the affected states have issued a water quality certification.
ON THE BLOG: Stay tuned for exciting new content coming to The Power Source Blog!
ON OUR SOCIALS: We know Valentine’s day was a week ago, but much like that (literally) toxic ex-situationship, coal just keeps popping back up. They won’t stop harassing us, but have done nothing but make our lives harder, our communities sicker, and drive up our costs. Coal, we’ve moved on, get over it.
FEBRUARY 24: State of the Union.
FEBRUARY 26: 2025 LCV National Environment Scorecard release.
MARCH 2: Purim begins.
MARCH 8: Daylight Saving Time begins.
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