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 rising energy costs, clean energy wins in our states, and the Trump administration’s latest attacks on our climate and public lands.
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“We are demanding a real plan. Not silence, not delay, not vague promises or half-measures. We will not be satisfied with small or symbolic action. We are asking for solutions bold enough to actually solve the problem because our rights cannot wait any longer.”
— LCV Senior Director of Judiciary and Democracy Doug Lindner calling on Congress to take bold action to make our democracy and courts work for the people following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, in which the MAGA Justices demolished what was left of the Voting Rights Act, the most important civil rights law in the nation’s history.
“The American people deserve a Department of Justice that fights for us, and it’s a tremendous shame that Trump’s DOJ would rather sell us out to Big Oil.”
— Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Trump’s DOJ filing a lawsuit to block Minnesota’s effort to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for contributing to climate change.
“Renewable energy provides strong benefits across our communities, but our systems and programs need to be updated regularly, making sure we’re delivering benefits to all, not just some. This legislation takes a detailed view of our solar outlook and makes significant adjustments preserving current programs and extending their availability and opportunities further across the state.”
— Connecticut State Senator Norm Needleman (CT-33) on state lawmakers passing House Bill 5340 that will extend and expand state solar programs to increase access to affordable, renewable energy, especially for low-income households.
MICHIGAN UTILITIES SPENT HEAVILY IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS: An analysis from Michigan LCV found that Consumers Energy and DTE Energy contributed more than $156,000 to Michigan lawmakers’ campaigns in the first four months of the year. These political donations have enabled utility companies to sidestep criticism and accountability over rising energy costs. Michigan LCV is advocating to pass a Ratepayer Bill of Rights as well as to ban utility companies from contributing to political campaigns to ensure they are held accountable for their role in driving up people’s costs.
MLCV TAKE: Michigan LCV Energy Accountability Manager Alex Kellogg said, “The latest campaign finance figures show yet again that it’s long past time to get utility money out of politics. While DTE and Consumers make billions of dollars in profits, we pay higher and higher energy bills. Our bills are too damn high, and it’s time state leaders step up to rein in corporate utility greed. Working Michigan families need a Ratepayer Bill of Rights to protect consumers from rising prices, poor service, unfair outage compensation practices, and excessive utility CEO compensation and perks.”
CONNECTICUT PASSES SOLAR ENERGY BILL: On the last day of the legislative session, Connecticut lawmakers approved a bill authorizing balcony solar, extending state solar programs and incentives, improving residential solar permitting, increasing solar access for low-income households, and more.
CTLCV TAKE: Connecticut LCV Deputy Director Connor Yakaitis said, “We applaud final action on HB 5340, a measure that demonstrates legislative commitment to stabilizing costs and expanding renewable and reliable energy for our state’s ratepayers. We are proud to support their efforts in promoting locally generated power that will help pave the way for a cleaner and more affordable energy future for our residents and businesses across Connecticut. Thank you to State and House Leadership, as well as Energy & Technology Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Steinberg and Sen. Needleman for shining sunlight on this critical legislation.”
CALIFORNIA REGULATORS DENY UTILITY PERMISSION TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR PIPELINE: The California Public Utilities Commission has denied Southern California Gas permission to charge utility customers $266 million for a proposed hydrogen pipeline project. Regulators deemed it unreasonable to pass the high costs to ratepayers before the project demonstrates clear benefits.
GAS REACHES HIGHEST PRICE SINCE 2022: New data shows the average price of gas nationwide reached over $4.50 a gallon this week, the highest average price since July 2022, as Trump’s war with Iran and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt global oil markets. In California, there are growing concerns that gas could rise another $2/gallon on top of prices already over $6/gallon in some areas, impacting daily commutes and upcoming summer travel plans. Diesel prices have also risen to near record levels. The average cost of diesel has reached $5.66 a gallon, disrupting industries nationwide, raising costs on everyday goods like food and clothing, and contributing to high energy bills.
DOJ SUES MINNESOTA TO BLOCK CLIMATE LAWSUIT: Trump’s Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Minnesota’s efforts to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for damages related to climate change. Minnesota’s case is one of many nationwide aiming to hold the fossil fuel industry liable for contributing to climate change.
PENTAGON BLOCKS RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRESS: Trump’s Department of Defense is delaying the approval of 160 wind energy projects nationwide, according to the American Clean Power Association. This is part of Trump’s ongoing attack on affordable clean energy that could bring down costs, and planet-warming and health-harming pollution. The Trump administration is currently blocking projects that are worth $54 billion in clean energy investments and have the potential to power 8.5 million homes combined.
SOIL FROM WHITE HOUSE DEMOLITION CONTAMINATED WITH TOXINS: Preliminary tests show soil from the White House East Wing demolition dumped at the East Potomac Golf Links, public land managed by the National Park Service, contains elevated levels of hazardous chemicals including lead and arsenic. Such high levels of toxins pose a potential threat to public health and environmental contamination.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT GIVES AWAY FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS TO ALASKA: Trump’s Interior Department has given away 1.4 million acres of federal public lands to Alaska, leaving the lands vulnerable to being sold off to fossil fuel and mining corporations. The transfer advances the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle federal protections of public lands and sell them off to fossil fuel CEOs and other billionaires. The Trump administration has also pushed forward the sale of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
ICYMI: STATE NEWS
VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT BLOCKS REDISTRICTING MEASURE: The Virginia Supreme Court blocked a recently approved redistricting ballot measure that would have redrawn the Commonwealth’s Congressional districts map ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Virginia’s successful ballot measure aimed to counter President Trump’s efforts to force mid-decade redistricting in multiple states to create more safe Republican seats. The ruling is a major blow to the fight to preserve free and fair elections and representative democracy.
OEC ENDORSED CANDIDATES WIN PRIMARY ELECTIONS: The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund has announced 33 of their endorsed candidates have won their primary elections and will be on the ballot for the November elections. The candidates have promised to put the fight for clean energy, energy affordability, and protecting public lands at the forefront of their agendas.
OEC TAKE: Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund Vice President of Government Affairs Spencer Dirrig said, “Ohioans are tired of paying higher energy bills while polluters get a pass. Ohioans are tired of our clean water being used as a bargaining chip. Ohioans made their voices heard on Tuesday, advancing 33 environmental champions through their primaries. Our endorsed candidates are running on common sense solutions to the issues facing Ohio families. These candidates will fight to lower energy bills, protect clean drinking water, and oppose degradation of our public lands. Ohio is at a crossroads, and we are proud of these victories and excited to finish the job in November.”
ENVIROVOTERS RALLY TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA FORESTS: California Environmental Voters hosted a rally on Thursday to protect millions of acres of California forests as the Trump administration moves to dismantle the Roadless Area Conservation Rule which bans construction and logging in 60 million acres of undeveloped national forests.
ENVIROVOTERS TAKE: California Environmental Voters said in a post advertising the event, “4.4 million acres of irreplaceable old growth forests in California are all protected by the Roadless Rule. For more than 20 years, the Roadless Rule has protected forests across the country with a simple decree: If there weren’t already roads through the forest, you can’t build new ones for land development. Now, the Trump administration is trying to open these forests up for mining and logging as a giveaway to Trump’s corporate polluter friends.”
LICENSE APPROVED FOR CONTROVERSIAL NEW JERSEY PIPELINE: The New Jersey Tidelands Resource Council approved a key license for the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline despite efforts from advocacy organizations like New Jersey LCV and local elected officials who fought to stop the pipeline. The project has faced years of opposition over concerns it would pollute water and pose a risk to public health.
NJLCV TAKE: New Jersey LCV Interim Executive Director Allison McLeod said, “We are extremely disappointed that the Tidelands Resource Council has allowed the unnecessary and dangerous NESE pipeline to move forward. This is a step backward for New Jersey. This project will result in dirtier air and polluted water in the Raritan Bay, with no benefits to our state. We know that the best way to lower energy costs and protect our environment is through clean, renewable energy — not by doubling down on dirty fossil fuel infrastructure that won’t even serve New Jersey ratepayers. This project moves us away from our objective of a cleaner, cheaper New Jersey and ignores the clear scientific and economic evidence that gas pipelines are a bad deal for our state. In response to this decision, it is even more essential that Governor Sherrill double down on clean energy projects that will truly lower costs for New Jersey families. This fight is far from over. We will continue to challenge this permit through the courts to protect our communities.”
TRIBES SUE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT SACRED SITE: Nine Native American tribes in South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska have sued the federal government to block an exploratory graphite drilling project near a sacred site in the Black Hills. The lawsuit states the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture violated environmental and historical preservation laws by approving the project without tribal consultation.
IOWA ATTEMPTS TO RESTRICT CLIMATE LAWSUITS: Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa signed legislation to shield polluters from lawsuits seeking to hold them accountable for their contributions to climate change that is driving up costs for families and businesses for insurance, food, energy, and other goods. Iowa is the fourth state to pass legislation restricting lawsuits against the fossil fuel industry.
COLORADO LAWMAKERS CONSIDER KEEPING COAL PLANT OPEN: Colorado lawmakers are pushing to keep the Ray Nixon Power Plant, which was originally scheduled to be closed by the end of 2029, open until 2032. While the legislators’ proposal requires the utility company operating the plant to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2040, keeping the coal plant open could raise energy rates for consumers and increase emissions in the short term.
LCV AND ENVIROVOTERS JOIN REPS. KAMLAGER DOVE AND CHU TO UNVEIL MURAL ADVOCATING TO PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS: California Environmental Voters and LCV were joined by Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Culver City Mayor Freddy Puza to unveil a new mural dedicated to celebrating and calling for the protection of California’s public lands. Dozens of community members came to the Ima Members Lounge, where the mural is displayed alongside Ballona Creek bikepath, to celebrate local art and California’s iconic public lands.
OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick said, “California is leading in protecting public lands like the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. It is home to more national monuments than any other state. And that’s all thanks to incredible leadership by public lands champions like Congresswomen Chu and Kamlager-Dove. We must fight to ensure they endure for generations to come.”
ENVIROVOTERS TAKE: California Environmental Voters Federal Advocacy Coordinator Aaron McCall said, “Right now, Republicans in Congress are doing everything they can to either sell off our public lands or cut funding for programs that make them safe and available for all of us. We want this mural to inspire people to celebrate and fight for our public lands.”
CONSERVATION CHAMPION TED TURNER DIES AT 87: Lifelong conservationist and founder of CNN Ted Turner has passed away at 87. Turner was a dedicated environmentalist who helped found LCV’s network of over 30 state affiliates and was the recipient of LCV’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2019. We are committed to living and preserving his conservation legacy.
REPRESENTATIVE INTRODUCES BILL ELEVATING YOUTH VOICES IN CLIMATE POLICY: Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10) has reintroduced the Youth Climate Leadership Act, aiming to create and formalize youth advisory councils within key federal agencies to shape environmental policy and engage young people in the policy making process.
OUR TAKE: LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis said, “We appreciate Rep. Frost’s leadership introducing legislation to make sure young people have a seat at the table in federal environmental decisions that will affect their future. We will continue fighting alongside climate champions like the Congressman to reinforce our democratic processes and safeguard a livable climate.”
SENATE DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC LANDS INTEGRITY ACT: A group of Senate Democrats led by Senators Michael Bennet (CO), Martin Heinrich (NM), Jeff Merkley (OR), and Ron Wyden (OR) have introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act to prevent the sale of federal lands through fast-tracked budget bills. The legislation would bar the inclusion of public lands in budget reconciliation bills and protect them from being sold off to fund budget spending.
ON THE BLOG: LCV joined California Environmental Voters and Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Culver City Mayor Freddy Puza to unveil a new mural celebrating California’s public lands and calling for action to protect them. And, we’re getting to the bottom of why our gas prices are so high, and highlighting what you can do to help.
ON OUR SOCIALS: We’re celebrating the life and legacy of Ted Turner, a lifelong champion of environmental activism and a cofounder of our network of state affiliates. His vision helped shape the fight for a healthier planet. With Trump paying billions to kill clean energy, selling off our protected public lands to Big Oil as they poison our communities, and making our gas prices soar to fuel Big Oil profits, we’re reminded of how urgent this fight is. We’re inspired to carry on Turner’s bold commitment to protecting our planet for generations to come.
MAY 10: Mother’s Day.
MAY 12: Nebraska state primary election.
MAY 12: West Virginia state primary election.
MAY 25: Memorial Day.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters