Environmental Politics

"Two years ago, Massachusetts regulators created a framework for phasing out the use of natural gas in buildings — a groundbreaking move for the state’s decarbonization efforts. Today, however, momentum has slowed as gas companies clash with lawmakers, regulators, and advocates on a fundamental question: Are utilities legally obligated to provide gas service to any consumer who wants it?"

"The Trump administration said on Tuesday that it had received an application for seabed mining exploration in international waters, the first in its effort to encourage the controversial industry."

"The Trump administration is considering giving nearly 800 acres of land in a federal wildlife refuge in Texas to SpaceX, the rocket and satellite maker run by Elon Musk, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times."

"Experts say the cuts to the federal workforce and climate science funding could cause decades of loss in human knowledge and discovery."

"Senate Democrats say they will walk away from talks about legislation to speed up energy and infrastructure construction unless the Trump administration reverses its latest attack on wind power."

"U.S. Forces Japan has denied Okinawa prefecture’s requests to test for so-called “forever chemicals” at three U.S. military bases, citing insufficient evidence that the facilities are sources of contamination."

"The Interior Department confirmed Friday that Leslie Beyer, who has led the agency’s energy programs on public lands and waters since her Senate confirmation in September, has left the agency."

"A Memphis state lawmaker who rose to national prominence protesting against gun violence is hoping to elevate that battle — and his environmental justice fights — to the U.S. House."

"The Trump administration is planning on making more acres of public land available for energy and mineral development in eight Western states, a move worrying environmentalists watching for the declining population of greater sage-grouse."

"The Interior Department announced Monday it is pausing leases for all five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in America, citing unspecified issues of national security."