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 climate progress in the states and attacks from the Trump administration on clean energy.
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“Turns out, none of [the science] really matters while the [fossil fuel] operation is controlling things in Congress. I could take facts from colleagues’ home states right to them, and it would make no difference because of this enormous, multibillion-dollar political club that can [punish] anyone who crosses them.”
— Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) on the influence of Big Polluters and fossil fuel industries on Congress in his 300th “Time to Wake Up” climate speech to the U.S. Senate.
“I think it’s time to refuse to accept defeat, to rededicate ourselves to this ongoing struggle, and recognize that we will not remain the land of the free unless we are indeed the home of the brave at this difficult time.”
— Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) on next steps for the environmental movement in the wake of attacks on clean energy from Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill and devastating extreme weather in Texas.
“It takes a lot of money, expertise and time to eliminate risk and make sure that agencies are prepared to respond when a flood situation like in Texas happens. And if you eliminate those preparedness efforts, if you fire the people who do that work, then the response will not be effective.”
— Professor of Emergency Management at Massachusetts Maritime Academy Samantha Montano on impacts of Trump’s cuts to federal agencies on disaster response.
CONNECTICUT PASSES CLIMATE RESILIENCE LEGISLATION: The Connecticut state legislature passed climate resiliency and energy bills to protect communities against extreme weather and rising energy costs. The bills include a 65% emissions reductions goal by 2040, funding for climate planning and resilience development, and mapping protocols for communities to plan for natural disasters.
CTLCV TAKE: Connecticut LCV said, ‘Today, HB5004 and SB9, key climate and energy bills, were officially signed into law. This is a huge step toward a more sustainable, resilient future for our state. Thank you to all the advocates, lawmakers, and community members who made this possible. The work continues — but today, we celebrate.”
REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE MOVES TO FURTHER REDUCE POWER PLANT EMISSIONS: Members of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) — a climate cooperative of 11 east coast states — agreed to new emissions targets that require power plants to reduce their carbon emissions. These new targets were passed with the goal of lowering utility bills, providing funds for state clean energy programs, and fighting the climate crisis.
LCV JOINS LAWMAKERS AND ACTIVISTS TO DISCUSS WHAT’S NEXT AFTER PASSAGE OF BIG UGLY BILL: LCV and partner organizations were joined by Senators Ed Markey (MA) andBrian Schatz (HI), and Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) to discuss Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, the most anti-environmental bill in history, and what comes next for the movement.
SEN. MARKEY TAKE: Senator Ed Markey (MA) said, “Every clean megawatt this Big Ugly Bill wipes off the grid takes money out of your pocket, and puts dirty air in your lungs. Time and time again, we see the rich get richer and the sick get sicker […] Now is not the time to stop [speaking up]. It isn’t the time to agonize. We have to organize. We have to push back on Republicans to reverse these cuts.”
TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ATTEMPTING TO BAN CLEAN ENERGY TAX CREDITS: President Trump signed an executive order attempting to accelerate the ban on clean energy tax credits laid out in Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. Banning these clean energy tax credits will raise costs for consumers, kill energy jobs, and harm our environment with dirty energy.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo said, “On the heels of the passage of the Big Ugly Bill, which includes a massive Republican Rate Hike for working families and will kill good-paying jobs across the country, Trump’s executive order once again prioritizes Big Oil and Big Polluters over the health and well being of our families and communities. Banning clean energy is not only unpopular, but will also skyrocket utility bills for hardworking families and businesses across the country. At a time when energy demand is increasing, we should be focused on getting the most affordable and quickest to deploy energy –clean energy– onto the grid, not trying to ban it. Targeting clean energy sources like wind and solar, while handing polluters massive giveaways pads the profits of billionaire oil and gas executives while the rest of us pay the price.”
TEXAS EXPERIENCES DEVASTATING FLOODING: Texas experienced devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River last weekend that left over 100 people dead. As climate change intensifies, communities around the world are facing devastating natural disasters that are increasing in intensity and frequency. Despite the immediate threat of natural disasters worsened by climate change, the Trump administration has proposed billions of dollars in cuts to agencies that provide vital disaster support, including the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
ON THE BLOG: In our new post-reconciliation era, here’s everything you need to know about the Republican Rate Hike and how it will affect our communities and climate.
ON OUR SOCIALS: One thing about us (and Leader Jeffries)? We’re going to press on. We will never stop fighting to protect people and the planet from Donald Trump and the devastating effects of climate change.
JULY 17: Good Trouble Lives On John Lewis Day of Action.
JULY 18: Deadline for Congress to Pass a Rescissions Package.
JULY 24: Chispa Nevada and Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition Legislative Recap in Las Vegas, Nevada.
JULY 30: Chispa Nevada and Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition Legislative Recap in Reno, Nevada.
AUGUST: August Congressional Recess.
AUGUST 6: 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
SEPTEMBER 6: Chispa Nevada Organizing Summit in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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