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 states’ progress with clean energy and affordability, states’ defense of free and fair elections and Republicans in Congress doubling down on expensive, dirty energy.
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“It is essential for the future of our communities and our country to keep pushing leaders to be climate leaders. I want to be one of the best climate governors in the country, and that’s why I’m running.”
– Hannah Pingree, the democratic nominee for governor in Maine, on what climate leadership looks like.
“When Virginians have paid their debt to society, they deserve to regain their right to vote.”
— Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on the state’s advancement of voting rights restoration for incarcerated Virginians.
“They’re investing in dirty fossil fuels that cost more and harm our health rather than focusing on cheaper, cleaner forms of electricity like wind and solar.”
— Seth Hoffmeister, Wisconsin Conservation Voters Deputy Director, on why holding WE Energies accountable for their rate increases is so important.
WISCONSIN CONSERVATION VOTERS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TARGETING WE ENERGIES: Wisconsin Conservation Voters launched an $80,000 accountability campaign calling out WE Energies after the company filed a request for a 14% rate hike. If approved, this would be the company’s sixth rate increase since 2020, marking an overall 43.4% increase in monthly energy bills for families. The campaign includes digital ads urging ratepayers to send messages to the company’s CEO telling him to stop promoting dirty energy that is raising their bills.
WCV TAKE: Wisconsin Conservation Voters Deputy Director Seth Hoffmeister said, “From housing to healthcare to electric bills, the skyrocketing cost of living is out of control. WE Energies is raking in record profits while paying ZERO federal taxes and handing out million-dollar executive raises while demanding families pay more and more. And, they’re investing in dirty fossil fuels that cost more and harm our health rather than focusing on cheaper, cleaner forms of electricity like wind and solar.”
OHIO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION DENIES REQUEST TO WEAKEN ENERGY RELIABILITY: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio rejected FirstEnergy’s attempt to weaken the minimum standards for energy reliability. The Ohio Environmental Council intervened in the case and published a Grid Disparity Analysis Report last spring detailing how disadvantaged communities across the state are served by older, less efficient, and less reliable transmission infrastructure, which the Commission cited in its reasoning for maintaining the reliability standards. The decision is a win for ratepayer rights, utility accountability, and energy justice over corporate profit.
OEC TAKE: Ohio Environmental Council Senior Attorney for Clean Energy Karin Nordstrom said, “The Commission’s decision today affirms that utilities cannot use poor past performance to get looser reliability requirements, while simultaneously increasing rates and profits. The reliability experiences of all customers are relevant when setting the minimum standards a utility must meet. The OEC hopes this decision is the beginning of increased transparency for FirstEnergy’s customers and increased accountability for its failures to meet minimum reliability.”
WASHINGTON TO JOIN CALIFORNIA AND QUEBEC CARBON MARKET: Washington will join California and Quebec’s combined carbon market under a new agreement signed by the top climate officials from each government on Thursday. Once in effect, it will be the world’s largest sub-national carbon market and represent an equivalent of the world’s fourth-largest economy. Under a carbon market, the government sets a cap on carbon pollution and auctions off a set number of emission allowances that polluters are required to buy, generating important revenue for climate change mitigation efforts. The emissions cap and number of allowances is reduced over time, and the price for polluters increases, incentivizing clean energy and energy efficiency. A larger, joint carbon market will be more stable and affordable.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO SLASH CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS: House Republicans postponed a vote on their FY27 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill after Trump threw the chamber into chaos by attempting to force through the so-called SAVE America Act, a voter suppression bill. Ahead of the vote LCV sent a letter to members of the House urging them to oppose the appropriations bill, noting that if passed, the bill would slash investments in clean energy technologies and energy efficiency programs that reduce families’ costs, instead boosting expensive and dirty fossil fuels.
OUR TAKE: LCV Legislative Director David Shadburn said, “Families across the country have seen their energy bills go up 16% thanks to Congressional Republicans’ attacks on clean energy and Trump’s reckless war in Iran. This bill is an opportunity to help bring down skyrocketing costs through investments in clean energy and energy efficiency programs, but House Republicans have instead chosen to double down on dirty, expensive fossil fuels that make our communities sicker and our environment less safe. The House must reject this bill and prioritize the needs of our families and the environment over polluter profits.”
HOW STATES ARE DEFENDING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS: States have been navigating attacks on voting rights, democracy, and free and fair elections. From new voting rights acts and propositions in Maryland, Virginia, Utah, and Alaska, to blocking early voting restrictions, gerrymandering, and ICE interference with elections across Indiana, Georgia, New Mexico, Arizona, Maine, Vermont, South Carolina, and Idaho, states have been making exciting progress.
OUR TAKE: “That’s exactly why LCV and our state affiliates helped defend free and fair elections across the country. People are rallying to pass policies to protect our democracy. Just as we fight every day to lower energy costs, protect our clean air, clean water, and public lands, we know that protecting democracy is the foundation for any real progress. When voting rights erode, so does our power to protect everything else.”
MAINE’S HANNAH PINGREE WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR: Hannah Pingree, former Maine House Speaker, won the Democratic nomination for governor. Pingree was the Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund’s first-ever endorsement in a gubernatorial primary.
MCV TAKE: Maine Conservation Voters Executive Director Maureen Drouin said, “We congratulate Hannah on a well-earned victory. Hannah will make an outstanding governor, ensuring that Maine’s land, water, and wildlife are protected for generations to come.”
ON THE BLOG: Want to learn more about how Indiana Conservation Voters stopped Trump from rigging their state’s elections? We’ve got a blog for you!
ON OUR SOCIALS: With the 250th anniversary of our democracy looming, we’re finding the silver linings for you. While the administration and Republicans in Congress make our lives more expensive, we’ll keep fighting for people and the planet.
JULY 2: Comment period on USPS’ proposal to block mail in voting closes.
JULY 4: 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. (And one year since Republicans passed and enacted the Big Ugly Bill, driving up families’ costs.)
JULY 17-19: John Lewis Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters