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 new climate action bills at the state and federal levels, and a huge announcement from LCV!
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“The threats to our environment and democracy have never been more connected or more dire, and our nation’s biggest challenges – including the climate crisis – require political solutions.”
— Incoming LCV President Pete Maysmith on the importance of LCV’s work in this moment and moving forward.
“The whole suite of work, tools and resources that we as citizens depend on is not functioning because it’s slowly being dismantled, [they are] slowly getting rid of people. And the people who remain are working in fear.”
— Lisa Garcia, former regional EPA administrator, on the staffing and budget cuts at EPA.
“These are our lands. They’re more valuable to all of us than they are to individual corporations.”
— Amie Esteves, an Arizona resident who helped organize a protest of the Trump administration’s layoffs and threats to public lands, on his attempts to roll back protections for national monuments.
MARYLAND LCV HOSTS PRESSER OPPOSING PRO-FOSSIL FUEL LEGISLATION: Maryland LCV held a press event pushing back against a slate of pro-fossil fuel legislation that would weaken environmental protections and make achieving the state’s climate goals nearly impossible. LCV State Equity and Policy Director Lashelle Johnson joined Maryland LCV and spoke at the event.
MDLCV TAKE: Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble said, “States like Maryland with its commitment to both economic growth and equitable climate policy have consistently served as a firewall against federal environmental rollbacks. That’s why it’s extremely alarming to see several pieces of legislation moving through our general assembly that would undermine Maryland’s longstanding environmental leadership and protections, and rollback our clean energy commitments.”
OUR TAKE: LCV State Equity and Policy Director Lashelle Johnson said, “These bills ignore the voices of the people. They threaten to bypass crucial protections for Marylanders and take power away from the people who are impacted by these decisions. This is a massive backslide and communities are the ones who will shoulder the burden.”
ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL JOINS GOVERNOR PRITZKER, REPRESENTATIVE BUDZINKSKI FOR AGRICULTURE FUNDING ROUNDTABLE: Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling joined Governor JB Pritzker, Representative Nikki Budzinski, and agriculture leaders from across the state to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts on agricultural programs in Illinois.
OHIO SENATE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL: The Ohio Senate unanimously voted to pass a comprehensive energy bill that aims to reform the state energy sector and help reduce energy costs for Ohio consumers. Importantly, the legislation would remove coal subsidies that have already cost Ohio ratepayers over half a billion dollars since being enacted in 2019.
CHISPA NV KICKS OFF FIRST DIGITAL ORGANIZING BOOTCAMP: On Saturday, Chispa NV held their first-ever Digital Organizing Bootcamp, bringing together community members to build digital skills for advocacy. Participants learned the basics of digital organizing, including email and Zoom, micro-influencing, and using digital tools to advance climate justice. Attendees put their skills into action by creating creative, impactful videos on Utility Accountability and Clean Air & Transportation campaigns.
CONSERVATION COLORADO TRAINS THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLIMATE JUSTICE LEADERS: Conservación Colorado led a Climate Justice Leadership Academy session at the University of Colorado Denver, covering environmental justice, advocacy skills, and the long-term health impacts of environmental racism. Through their free leadership programs, they are preparing the next generation of climate justice leaders.
JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP’S ATTEMPT TO CLAW BACK $20 BILLION IN CLIMATE GRANTS… FOR NOW: U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that Trump’s EPA cannot rescind $20 billion in funds that had been deposited to Citibank and earmarked for climate programs. In her ruling, Judge Chutkan stated that EPA had “no legal justification” for terminating the contracts. The ruling does not, however, give the organizations set to receive the grants the ability to access the funds, with Judge Chukan postponing that decision to be determined by further court proceedings.
HOUSE LAWMAKERS REINTRODUCE BILL TO CUT DIESEL EMISSIONS: A bipartisan group of legislators led by Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) reintroduced a bill that would reauthorize an EPA program that provides grants to states, Tribes, and local governments to reduce diesel emissions that are harmful to public health and the environment. Efforts to reduce deadly diesel pollution have been stymied by the Trump administration’s EPA, which has illegally halted payments to school districts trying to provide clean buses to transport their students and other projects to replace dirty diesel vehicles.
DOE APPROVES MASSIVE LOUISIANA LNG EXPORT TERMINAL: Despite findings from DOE itself that unfettered LNG exports pose a risk to the environment and national security, Energy Secretary Chris Wright gave conditional approval for the massive CP2 LNG export terminal in Cameron Parrish, Louisiana. The project is waiting on a notice to proceed from FERC, which it is expected to receive.
LCV NAMES PETE MAYSMITH NEXT PRESIDENT, SUCCEEDING LONG TIME PRESIDENT GENE KARPINSKI: The boards of League of Conservation Voters and League of Conservation Voters Education Fund have named Pete Maysmith as the next President of both organizations, succeeding Gene Karpinski who announced he would be stepping down last September. Maysmith currently serves as the organizations’ Senior Vice President of Campaigns where he has overseen the largest electoral campaigns in the organization’s history. Read additional statements from our partners for more.
OUR TAKE: LCV Board Chair Carol M. Browner said, “We are facing unprecedented challenges to our democracy and our environment and Pete Maysmith is the leader to meet this moment. Pete’s been part of LCV’s leadership since 2017, he’s driven our political and campaign operations, and he’s helped build LCV into the premier advocacy organization it is today. His selection as president ensures steady continuity and vision for a more powerful future that LCV needs at this tumultuous time. The LCV boards are confident we have found the leader for this critical time. While we will miss Gene’s leadership and wish him well, we are also excited about the next chapter for LCV.”
TAKE 2: Incoming LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “LCV is a fantastic, smart, and powerful organization and I am so honored to succeed Gene Karpinski as President. The threats to our environment and democracy have never been more connected or more dire, and our nation’s biggest challenges – including the climate crisis – require political solutions. Together with our over 30 state affiliates in the broader Conservation Voter Movement, LCV is uniquely positioned to influence policy by working with and holding elected officials accountable, mobilizing, organizing, and building grassroots power in communities, and electing candidates who share our values. I can’t wait to get started.”
TAKE 3: LCV Union Chair Anne Bowersox said, “Gene’s long-standing legacy as a climate leader cannot be overstated, and his commitment has been invaluable to building a stronger organization and our movement to fight for people and the planet. As we move forward under a second Trump administration, our willpower and determination to fight for our environment, our rights, and our democracy is as strong as ever as Gene passes the torch to our next President, Pete Maysmith.
“Pete Maysmith’s leadership to protect and advocate for our democracy, public lands, clean air and water, and the health and safety of all communities is critical in this moment of unprecedented challenges. The LCV Union looks forward to working with our new President to support our staff and members and uphold LCV’s values as we work towards building a healthier and more just future.”
ON THE BLOG: New to calling members of Congress? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered with this simple how-to guide to making your voice heard on Capitol Hill!
ON OUR SOCIALS: Allow us to (re)introduce LCV next president, Pete Maysmith! Check out this message from Pete to learn more about his vision for LCV, which includes continuing to fight back against Donald Trump and his cronies so we don’t go back to this.
MARCH 31: Trans Day of Visibility.
APRIL 3: Media roundtable in DC with state affiliates in the Conservation Voters Movement
APRIL 5: Hands Off National Day of Action.
APRIL 12: Passover begins at sundown.
APRIL 20: Easter.
APRIL 22: Earth Day.
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