‘Chaotic’ USDA funding freeze stalls rural renewable projects
Thousands of farmers and a dozen rural electric cooperatives wait for news about billions in funds under Trump administration ‘review’
Latest
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’
‘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
CO2 pipeline company draws $2.4M fine for menacing federal inspectors
Workers were manufacturing pipeline to replace a ruptured section of carbon dioxide line that sent 45 people to the hospital in Mississippi
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.
Utilities to spend billions to power AI. Are they jumping the gun?
Chinese AI tech DeepSeek is forcing a second look at proposals to build a record number of new fossil fuel power plants
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
ExxonMobil sues, doubling down on advanced plastics recycling
In a new lawsuit, the oil giant alleges the California attorney general and environmental groups defamed the company
Coal was on its way out. But surging electricity demand is keeping it alive — costing customers and the planet
U.S. coal plant use is dropping, but utilities are delaying their retirement and running them — even when they cost more than renewable sources.
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
Federal gas export study not the final word on US LNG projects
A new analysis shows super-chilled methane harms the climate — but falls short of recommending a halt to the booming industry
Developers eye Louisiana, Texas coasts for offshore carbon storage
Is the Gulf of Mexico the ‘single best opportunity’ to store climate-warming gas — or an existential threat to wildlife and people?
Massages and country clubs: Your electric bill may be funding lavish perks
Utility customers sometimes foot the bill for lobbying, advertising and luxurious living, new report shows
Report: LNG operators in Louisiana offered $21.1 billion in tax breaks
If all 15 liquefied natural gas plants in Texas and Louisiana open, reductions in overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions would slow
North Carolina town sues Duke Energy for climate ‘deception’
Carrboro, N.C., accuses Duke of knowingly fueling the climate crisis for decades with harmful emissions, deception, delay and ‘greenwashing’
Venture Global’s ‘carbon bomb’ LNG plant on hold — for now
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission set aside its approval of the massive CP2 facility until further studies are done on air pollution
Carbon Capture
Removing carbon from the air — a climate cure or waste of money?
The incoming Trump administration will have a say in whether federally backed direct air capture projects in Louisiana move forward
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
Insurance
Climate change drives up insurance costs — and missed mortgage payments
New study finds a $500 insurance hike boosts mortgage delinquencies by 20%, stressing housing impact of changing climate.
Power Play
Ex-Florida senator guilty in election case sentenced to 60 days in jail
Frank Artiles was found guilty on three election-related counts after running a no-party spoiler candidate in a 2020 Florida Senate race.
Gulf Coast
Huge gas plant eyed to power mystery $5B Louisiana data center
Entergy proposes a new $3.2 billion natural gas plant to run a ‘game changing’ data center in northeast Louisiana; critics question the move
Gulf Coast
Experts warn oil and gas can’t save Louisiana’s economy — even under Trump
As state lawmakers consider even more tax breaks for fossil fuels, a new report says the state can no longer rely on the industry for growth
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
LNG
A fossil fuel group is working with US tribes to boost LNG exports
Liquefied natural gas exports are among the worst fossil fuels for the planet, according to a new peer-reviewed study
Gulf Coast
Louisiana could be out billions of dollars if controversial coastal restoration stalls
The feds threaten to withhold $2.2 billion from the massive effort to save and restore the state’s diminishing coastline if leaders don’t act soon.
Utilities
Big utility PACs favor GOP in high-stakes 2024 races
While Republicans are the main beneficiaries, in the narrowly divided Senate, power companies hedged their bets with donations to some Dems
Polluting Democracy
Private calls and campaign cash: Louisiana regulators’ ties to the utilities they oversee
The state is tied for dead last in renewable energy adoption. Little surprise, with so much fossil fuel money flowing to its commissioners.
Polluting Democracy
Utility regulators take millions from industries they oversee. What could go wrong?
The clean energy transition, for one, a Floodlight analysis of campaign finance data reveals.
Fueling Disinformation
‘Weird’ newspaper shows up in North Dakota mailboxes attacking Dakota Access protests as Greenpeace trial looms
The Koch-linked paper appears in Morton County as residents are set to vote — and to hear the case brought by pipeline owner Energy Transfer
Inflation Reduction Act
‘Renewable energy growth is truly a 50-state story now’: New report shows big jump in solar, wind, EVs
A coalition of environmental groups finds U.S. renewable energy development has tripled in the past decade
Gulf Coast
California calls plastics recycling tech a ‘stunt’; to Louisiana it’s economic development
ExxonMobil wants millions in tax breaks for a Baton Rouge project that would create no jobs, pollute the environment and recycle few plastics
Inflation Reduction Act
EV myths: Are they keeping people from getting rid of their gas guzzlers?
Advocates say oil and gas interests are fearmongering to keep people from transitioning to electric-powered vehicles