Sustainable Building
US warming up to geothermal: ‘It’s hot everywhere underground’
But even at one of the largest US geothermal projects, located near Austin, Texas, the upfront cost can be a barrier, making it ‘a tough sale.’
Terry L. Jones/Floodlight
Terry is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana native and has lived and worked there for the last decade. Before joining Floodlight, he was the City Hall reporter for The Advocate.
Gulf Coast
Tulane scientist resigns, citing ‘gag order’ on environmental justice research
Emails show a racial disparities study angered elected Louisiana officials and potential donors to a $600 million university-led redevelopment project
Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental groups sue over Louisiana’s ban on community air monitoring
Meanwhile, a state task force’s call for beefed up air monitoring in areas affected by industrial pollution appears to be falling on deaf ears.
Coal
Trump’s 2-year reprieve gives coal plants ‘a free pass to pollute’
A former EPA official warns exemption for some coal-fired power plants could be the first step toward gutting pollution rules for all plants
Carbon Capture
GOP support of carbon capture fractures in Louisiana, nationally
Fossil fuel interests like carbon capture — it helps them drill more oil and emit less greenhouse gas. Homeowners say, ‘Not in my backyard’
Rising Tide
Flood risks getting worse along US coastlines, new analysis shows
Researchers predict rising seas will increase severe flood risks for about 2.5 million Americans by 2050.
Environmental Protection Agency
As EPA pulls back, schoolchildren could face the steepest risks
Communities living and learning near petrochemical plants will face more pollution and less federal protection under Trump’s new policies.
Inflation Reduction Act
Criminal targeting of environmental groups ‘scary,’ advocates say
Groups now worry about FBI probes as they struggle to rebound from federal spending freeze enacted under President Donald Trump
Solar
EPA says it has unfrozen billions in funds for climate-related projects
The statement by an agency spokesperson comes after two judges ordered the environmental agency to pay contracts signed under Biden
Inflation Reduction Act
Most in US worry about global warming — but their votes tell a different story
Researchers say environmental issues are not top of mind for many voters because these days, ‘people have a lot of different worries’
Gulf Coast
‘Superfund’ laws aim to make Big Oil pay for climate damage
News laws to hold oil and gas responsible for costs associated with climate change provide ‘hope’ for activists — and a legal target for the industry
Solar
Trump’s funding pause clouds future of Solar For All Program
Before Donald Trump took office, solar advocates were optimistic the feds would keep their funding commitments. Now, they’re not so sure.
Gulf Coast
Uncertainty looms over plan to save coastal Louisiana
Federal leaders and Gov. Jeff Landry clash over the state’s projected spending for the $3 billion project
Inflation Reduction Act
Solar for All likely protected from Trump’s roll back of Biden’s IRA
The program is set to install solar panels to power nearly a million low-income households over the next five years
Gulf Coast
Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ advocates take fight abroad to plastic treaty talks
Representatives of grassroots groups are in South Korea pushing for a cut in worldwide plastics production and pollution
Gulf Coast
Louisiana second in the nation when it comes to EV charger growth
But the state still lags behind most others in its rollout of federally-funded chargers along the interstate highway system