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4 July 2025. Our annual summer reading list, 2025 edition –

Welcome to summer, everyone! Each 4th of July, our staff share a memorable book that they’ve recently read, and this year, like every year, has produced an eclectic, thought-provoking mix. We hope our picks inspire some new additions to your own lists.

Each review links out to the book through Bookshop.org, which works to connect readers with independent booksellers. Happy reading!

María Paula Rubiano — Frankenstein

By Mary Shelley I know that a 19th-century novel about the archetypal monster seems like the least summery reading out there. But hear me out: Frankenstein might be the perfect read for our current political times. It's a novel about the blind pursuit of knowledge and the responsibility creators have towards their creations (ring the AI bell, anyone?). It’s also a novel about what happens to the soul in times of profound isolation, and a novel about taking action — however misguided — in the face of injustice. Finally, Frankenstein is a novel about outsiders. About the misplaced fears of a society towards those who are deemed foreign and, therefore, monstrous. Reading it has made my heart ache — for the monster, for its creator, and for ourselves.

Autumn Spanne — The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson

Even if you don’t make it through the entire 576 pages of Kim Stanley Robinson’s ambitious cli-fi novel, read the first chapter. It’s surely one of the most gripping, powerful accounts of climate catastrophe ever attempted. Part of its power comes from the grim knowledge that any given summer could produce the kind of horrific event that Robinson describes in such excruciating detail. In a sense, this is a novel that opens with the climax and spends another several hundred pages considering whether and how a devastating mass casualty event might finally spur the world to take decisive action.

I’m in awe of Robinson’s attempt to shape such a comprehensive survey of international climate policy into a readable narrative. I especially appreciated the compassion and thoughtfulness with which Robinson considers the emotional trauma of climate change and climate inaction. I was impressed by how he threads so many climate challenges and solutions and even if that tapestry only partly succeeded for me, he manages to steer us away from complete despair and toward a place of hope in the end.

Kristina Marusic — On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy D. Snyder

It’s a heavy topic for a beach read, but this pleasantly tiny book by a historian of 20th-century Europe inspires hope and can be read in a single sitting. It was published in 2017 in response to rising authoritarianism in the United States, and focuses on the lessons Americans can learn from European countries that lost their democracies to fascism, communism, and Nazism.

Snyder’s 20 lessons include specific directives like “Believe in truth,” “Defend institutions,” and “Remember professional ethics.” Each lesson is explained with stories about how past failures in these realms empowered totalitarian regimes, and suggestions for how America can avoid the same fate. I found it comforting to be reminded that we’re not the first country to face these challenges, and that we can learn from the mistakes of the past to avoid repeating history and hold the line against encroaching tyranny.

Katherine McMahon — Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death, by Susana Monsó

Susana Monsó, a professor of philosophy in Madrid, makes her publishing debut with a thoughtful and often surprising journey into the minds of nonhuman animals and their relationship to the concept — and reality — of death. Drawing on behavioral science and the study of animal cognition, Monsó dismantles the notion that awareness of mortality is a uniquely human trait.Monsó takes time to explore well-known and obscure stories of grief in the animal kingdom, highlighting the diversity in how different species perceive the loss of life, and how their responses may in some ways mirror — or challenge — our own.

As someone who has always been fascinated by animal behavior, I sometimes find myself wondering where the boundary exists between being perceptive to emotional and social patterns in animals, and projecting an idea of those behaviors based on our own internal experiences and biases. Monsó is meticulous in considering preconceptions about animals’ emotional capacities without ever falling into an anthropomorphic mindset, and in doing so, she presents an intriguing reminder that even in death, humans may not be so unique after all.

Lorna Scribner — Sociopath, A Memoir, by Patric Gagne

I have always been intrigued by behavior, both animal and human. As I have dug into my own brain, I have become increasingly curious about how other people’s brains work as well. Sociopath is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration into the complex world of people who exhibit sociopathic tendencies. She challenges readers to reconsider what they know about these individuals, providing a nuanced view that encourages both empathy and caution. It was fascinating to hear such an open and honest experience from Gagne. It was also fascinating to learn how society’s perception of and role in mental health research and stigmatization of sociopathy have played a big part in how it is understood and in its overall diagnosis.

Far from just an academic study, this book is a compelling narrative that holds the reader’s attention through real-life examples and case studies. The author offers an insightful and chilling perspective on the psychology behind sociopathy, delving deep into the traits, behaviors, and manipulations that define this personality disorder.

The combination of thorough research and storytelling makes Sociopath an essential read for anyone interested in psychology, criminology, or human behavior. It is sure to leave a lasting impact.

Educated, by Tara Westover

What most struck me about this book was how well it highlights the transformative power of education, showing how it can serve as a path to self-liberation. Westover’s story of growing up in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho is both heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring. Her experience will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their upbringing or grappled with the tension between loyalty to family and the desire to forge one’s own path.

Westovers’s journey from isolation and ignorance to the pursuit of knowledge, ultimately earning a PhD from the University of Cambridge, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The writing is beautifully honest and emotionally resonant, allowing readers to deeply connect with her struggles, triumphs, and moments of self-discovery.

Whether you're drawn to stories of personal transformation, family dynamics, or the importance of education, Educated is a thought-provoking read that will leave you reflecting on the value of knowledge and the courage it takes to seek it.

Note: I think these two memoirs were even more impactful because I listened to the authors tell their own stories, creating a deeper connection.

Matt Kayhoe — The Order of Time, by Carlo Ravelli

There’s something comforting to me in learning that the future doesn’t happen after the present, that everything I think is real is a subjective illusion, that a rock is an event, not a thing, and that when I go to the beach, time literally does move more slowly there. And this is all science-based, not psychedelics. Carlo Ravelli is a theoretical physicist, named one of the world’s 100 most influential global thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine, and sometimes called the successor to Stephen Hawking. He writes wonderfully.

The Girl Beneath the Sea, by Andrew Mayne

This is the first in a series which chronicles the life and adventures of a Florida police diver, Sloan McPherson, a likeable, almost normal police officer who is also a single mom with a family background of treasure hunters and smugglers. She’s always in a little bit of trouble, but is always just a little bit smarter or luckier than her criminal or personal nemesis.. The series lightly touches on the stupidity of much of human bureaucracy, and throws in a dash of science now and then. It provides a bit of simple good triumphing over evil, which is a wonderful escape in these times we are living through.

Kate Mallek — Gaslight, The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America’s Energy Future, by Jonathan Mingle

In the early 2010s, Dominion Energy first proposed routes across North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project. A very early route would have encroached on the family farm where I grew up, where my children and I live today. It got our attention. When the route shifted to a different mountain range crossing in a county just south of ours, threatening different families, homesteads, small businesses, and lives, we still felt the same. The pipeline galvanized an amazing group of people to work together. This was indeed a David vs. Goliath battle.

Gaslight is the story of this fight in Virginia, and the individuals who banded together to stop the pipeline. People from all walks of life, backgrounds, professions, and political perspectives stood together, researched together, fought back with information, and would not back away from the truths that existed behind the corporate greed and misinformation. The demise of the ACP was a great success for advocates, environmentalists, every regular person in its greater blast zone, surrounding communities, and for our climate.

In 2023, however, Congress took the unprecedented step, led by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin just prior to his retirement, of passing a debt ceiling bill that automatically greenlit the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a new pipeline with similar environmental concerns, with its construction fueled by the very same misinformation and greed. The MVP has been operating now for a year and still deals with lawsuits from residents whose drinking water and properties have been adversely affected by its construction and operation.

Megan McLaughlin — Vesper Flights, by Helen Macdonald

Helen Macdonald’s collection of naturalist essays served as an excellent antidote to my tendency to doomscroll. In the introduction, the author notes, “What science does is what I would like more literature to do too: show us that we are living in an exquisitely complicated world that is not all about us.” This resonated with me, pushing back against the human tendency to center everything around our own experiences, encouraging both humility and curiosity.

Macdonald, a writer, poet, illustrator, and naturalist, mixes stories from her own life with facts about history and nature. In a series of 41 bite-sized essays, the author contemplates topics like migration, belonging, and fragility through the lens of birds and other animals. Her writing is clear and beautiful, making you think about big ideas like home, change, and feeling fragile.

Sarah Howard — Brave the Wild River: The untold story of two women who mapped the botany of the Grand Canyon, by Melissa L. Sevigny

An adventure story of Dr. Elzada Clover and her graduate student Lois Jotter, the first two women who survived running the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1938. But more importantly, they were the first to survey and map the botany of the canyon. By diving into the lives of these botanists at the University of Michigan, the book gives an interesting overview of academic life at the time and the societal challenges women faced in both academia and while conducting scientific field work.

Jim Germond — Is A River Alive? by Robert Mcfarlane

Much of children’s literature is replete with a living, breathing natural world in which trees and creatures talk, rivers sing, and often, nature steps in to save the day. Upon becoming adults, we are advised to “put away childish things,” and abandon quaint notions such as the idea of a living planet deserving of legal protections. Our western democracy grants legal standing and “personhood” to corporations, including the right to sue their perceived opponents into submission — and sometimes ruin — yet perversely, rivers that have flowed for thousands of years have had, for the most part, no such rights.

With that, the writer pays homage to the birth and ongoing efforts of the modern-day Rights of Nature movement, which has gained some traction in the past 50-something years, while further reminding us that nature — as a nurturer and provider to be revered and respected — has been woven into the fabric of Indigenous cultures throughout millennia.

In the spirit of John McPhee, drives his ideas and concerns home by taking to the field to immerse his writing in three of the world’s great river systems. Macfarlane advises that, should we have difficulty imagining what makes a living river, we should instead look to what constitutes a dying river — rivers that never reach their intended destination; rivers choked in plastic and the refuse of modern culture; rivers that stink of pollution, toxic algal blooms, and all manner of bloated, rotting, carcasses.

Is A River Alive? is at times heartbreaking, often frustrating, and yet not without hope. As I enter my 17th year as a curator of environmental news, I also know that human civilization has pushed our planetary boundaries to the breaking point and beyond. The planet will survive, but at what cost? What will be the ultimate price of our willful ignorance — our frivolity? Water is life, we are reminded. Each and every one of us is a living, breathing, waterbody.

3 July 2025. Major climate change reports vanish from US federal websites, raising transparency concerns –

Federal climate reports that help communities plan for extreme weather and rising seas have quietly disappeared from public websites, with little explanation from the Trump administration.

Seth Borenstein reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

National Climate Assessments and other key data have been removed from their official websites, with no clear explanation or replacement links, despite being required by law.
NASA is reportedly taking over the data hosting, but searches on its websites turn up nothing, and federal agencies have not responded to inquiries.
Climate scientists warn the missing reports hinder local governments’ ability to prepare for climate risks like flooding, wildfires, and health threats.

Key quote:

“It’s a sad day for the United States if it is true that the National Climate Assessment is no longer available.”

— Kathy Jacobs, climate scientist, University of Arizona

Why this matters:

Local governments rely on federally published climate data to prepare for worsening storms, heat waves, droughts, and rising sea levels. The National Climate Assessment — compiled by multiple federal agencies and reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences — provides county-level insights that influence decisions like where to build, how to protect vulnerable infrastructure, and how to safeguard public health. Pulling this information offline not only disrupts emergency preparedness but also weakens public understanding of climate change impacts, especially in communities already at greater risk. Scientists see it as part of a broader rollback of environmental transparency and say it could cost lives. Without access to the best available science, cities and states are left guessing as they face an increasingly unpredictable climate.

3 July 2025. UN official calls for criminal penalties for fossil fuel disinformation and lobbying bans –

The United Nations’ top climate and human rights expert urged governments to criminalize fossil fuel disinformation, ban industry lobbying and ads, and phase out oil, gas, and coal by 2030 to meet their legal obligations under international law.

Nina Lakhani reports for The Guardian.

In short:

UN special rapporteur Elisa Morgera called on wealthy nations including the United States, UK, and Canada to stop all fossil fuel subsidies, end exploration and flaring, and compensate affected communities for human rights violations linked to climate change.
Her report argues that fossil fuel companies have knowingly obstructed climate action for decades through misinformation, lobbying, and legal manipulation, while reaping trillions in profits.
Morgera proposes a full economic “defossilization,” including criminalizing greenwashing, dismantling industry influence in politics and media, and funding climate justice through taxes and penalties on polluters.

Key quote:

“The fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades.”

— Elisa Morgera, UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change

Why this matters:

Fossil fuel production remains a top driver of climate change, threatening public health, biodiversity, and basic human rights. Burning oil, gas, and coal pollutes the air, heats the planet, and intensifies extreme weather — putting vulnerable populations, especially in the Global South, at risk of displacement, disease, and food insecurity. These impacts are magnified by industry practices like gas flaring, petrochemical waste, and plastic production, which contaminate soil, water, and air. At the same time, fossil fuel companies continue to wield major political and financial power, often blocking efforts to reduce emissions.

Learn more: Falsehoods about climate change slow action and deepen the crisis, global report warns

3 July 2025. EPA staffer’s offhand remark on climate funds fuels political firestorm after secret video sting –

A midlevel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employee was secretly recorded on a Tinder date by a Project Veritas operative, triggering political attacks and agency rollbacks based on a misrepresented comment about clean energy funding.

Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Brent Efron, an EPA employee, was recorded without his knowledge by a Project Veritas operative during what he thought was a casual date, where he described Biden-era climate investments as “gold bars” being tossed from a sinking ship.
The phrase was used by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to justify halting $20 billion in grants meant for low-income and tribal communities under the Biden administration’s climate initiatives.
Although federal investigators found no wrongdoing, Efron faced harassment, a federal probe, and career setbacks after the video was shared widely online, including by Elon Musk and conservative media.

Key quote:

“It’s been used to justify actions that I view as terrible, in terms of trying to cancel grants and claw back funding, and I want to set the record straight.”

— Brent Efron, former EPA employee

Why this matters:

Climate funding decisions increasingly sit at the intersection of science, policy, and politics. The Biden administration’s $20 billion in clean energy grants targeted underserved communities, aiming to reduce emissions, promote public health, and prepare for climate impacts such as extreme heat and wildfires. The abrupt cancellation of those programs under a new EPA administration — based on political rhetoric rather than evidence — could delay urgently needed upgrades to public infrastructure, harm frontline communities, and undermine trust in government programs. Meanwhile, the targeting of civil servants via covert recordings raises broader concerns about chilling scientific discourse and public service in an already polarized climate policy landscape.

3 July 2025. Coal use drives sharp rise in U.S. power plant emissions amid summer heat –

U.S. power plant emissions have surged to a three-year high, driven by a spike in coal use as utilities scramble to meet rising electricity demand during record summer heat and elevated natural gas prices.

Gavin Maguire reports for Reuters.

In short:

U.S. power sector emissions rose 5% in the first five months of 2025, reaching 640 million metric tons, mainly due to a 20% increase in coal pollution as utilities shifted away from more expensive natural gas.
Natural gas prices jumped more than 60% compared to early 2024, prompting a 4.2% drop in gas-fired electricity generation and a 14% rise in coal-fired generation through June.
Power demand is expected to remain high through the summer due to widespread heat waves, further boosting fossil fuel use and emissions despite record solar power output.

Why this matters:

Coal remains one of the dirtiest sources of energy, and its resurgence in the U.S. power mix is pushing carbon emissions to troubling levels just as the country braces for more extreme summer heat. When electricity demand spikes, especially at night when solar power goes offline, utilities lean heavily on fossil fuels, exacerbating the very climate pressures driving heat waves. These emissions not only heat the planet further but also worsen air quality, affecting respiratory health, especially among children, the elderly, and people living near power plants. With gas prices high and renewable sources still not meeting total demand, the return to coal is setting back progress on both climate and public health fronts.

3 July 2025. Cities are quietly outpacing nations in climate progress –

Cities worldwide are cutting emissions, greening streets, and adapting to climate threats faster than national governments, according to a new international report.

Matt Simon reports for Grist.

In short:

A report from the Global Covenant of Mayors and C40 shows 75% of major cities in the network are reducing per capita emissions more quickly than their national governments, with an average drop of 7.5% from 2015 to 2024.
Urban leaders are responding directly to rising local impacts of climate change — heat, flooding, and sea-level rise — by planting trees, electrifying transit, and improving walkability and energy efficiency.
Despite growing efforts, cities face major funding gaps: The report estimates they need $4.5 trillion annually by 2030 to meet climate goals, far above the current $179 billion invested in 2024.

Key quote:

“I think they’re going above and beyond in some respects, about planning for the future, as well as actually implementing some of the things that the federal governments have signed on to.”

— Dan Jasper, senior policy advisor at the climate solutions group Project Drawdown

Why this matters:

Urban areas house over half the world’s population. Their concrete-heavy landscapes absorb and retain heat, turning heatwaves deadly. Aging sewer systems buckle under increasingly intense storms, while sea-level rise threatens coastal infrastructure. As cities expand, these risks grow. Yet cities are also nimble: Mayors can act faster than national leaders and often enjoy more public support for visible improvements. But without enough funding, even the most ambitious cities will struggle to protect their people from what’s coming.

3 July 2025. California residents challenge methane policy they say pollutes under the guise of clean energy –

Residents in California’s Central Valley are pushing back against a state-backed program that incentivizes methane digesters at industrial dairies, arguing it locks in pollution and worsens environmental health in Latino communities.

Ray Levy Uyeda reports for Prism.

In short:

California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) subsidizes methane digesters at large dairies, but critics say the policy encourages dairy expansion and entrenches fossil fuel infrastructure.
Lawsuits and community advocates argue the program ignores local pollution and fails to meet environmental review standards, while benefiting corporations like Chevron and BP.
Residents in towns like Planada, where many are undocumented Latino farmworkers, say they’re being treated as expendable in the state’s climate strategy.

Key quote:

“Many of us have witnessed this transition from an innovative regulation into a swag bag for venture capitalists, big oil, big agriculture, and big gas, increasingly coming at the expense of low- and moderate-income Californians.”

— James Duffy, former California Air Resources Board employee

Why this matters:

Methane digesters are promoted as a climate solution, but their deployment raises red flags for public health and environmental equity. These facilities concentrate pollution in rural, low-income communities already burdened by industrial agriculture. The Central Valley, a hub of dairy production, suffers from some of the worst air quality in the nation, with ammonia and nitrate pollution contaminating water and air. While digesters capture methane, they do not address emissions from cow burps or the fossil-fuel-intensive feed system. Worse, they may encourage larger herds and more waste. Critics warn the state's market-based approach favors industry profits over real emissions cuts.

3 July 2025. New Mexico groups take oil pollution case to state Supreme Court –

A coalition of environmental, youth, and Indigenous groups is asking the New Mexico Supreme Court to revive a lawsuit claiming the state has failed its constitutional duty to protect residents from oil and gas pollution.

Kevin Hendricks reports for Santa Fe Reporter.

In short:

Plaintiffs argue the state has ignored Article 20, Section 21 of its constitution, which requires the protection of air, water, and natural resources, particularly amid the oil boom in the San Juan and Permian Basins.
The New Mexico Court of Appeals dismissed the case last month, prompting plaintiffs to appeal directly to the state’s highest court, citing environmental harm and unequal protection.
Oil and gas production in the state has grown tenfold since 2010, using billions of gallons of fresh water for fracking and contributing significantly to climate pollution.

Key quote:

“Oil and gas pollution continues to harm our communities, poison our water and air, and threaten our sacred places. The state has a constitutional obligation to control pollution and we’re calling on our highest court to uphold that duty.”

— Julia Bernal, executive director of Pueblo Action Alliance

Why this matters:

New Mexico is one of the country’s biggest oil producers, yet large parts of its fossil fuel industry remain shielded from full environmental oversight due to outdated exemptions. Fracking operations draw heavily on scarce freshwater reserves, accelerating stress in a state already battling severe drought and aridification from climate change. Airborne pollutants and toxic wastewater from fossil fuel extraction endanger frontline communities, many of them Indigenous, who face higher exposure to environmental hazards and fewer legal protections. With the state’s constitution promising clean air and water, the outcome of this case could test how far those rights extend.

3 July 2025. Clean energy power line project faces legal challenge in Missouri –

An 804-mile wind energy transmission line slated to cross four states is now under investigation by Missouri’s attorney general, threatening to derail one of the country’s biggest clean energy infrastructure projects.

David Gelles reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched an investigation into the Grain Belt Express project, claiming developers exaggerated job creation, misrepresented cost savings, and misled landowners.
The $11 billion line, backed by Invenergy, aims to move wind-generated electricity from Kansas to Indiana but faces strong opposition from landowners, local officials, and Senator Josh Hawley.
Though the project had secured permits in four states and federal support, Bailey is pushing to revoke Missouri’s approval, citing eminent domain abuse and private profit motives.

Key quote:

“This so-called renewable energy project is nothing more than a government-sponsored land grab disguised as environmentalism.”

— Andrew Bailey, Missouri attorney general

Why this matters:

The U.S. power grid is old, fragmented, and ill-equipped for the growing demands of modern life, including surging electricity use from AI data centers and a national push toward renewable energy. Projects like Grain Belt Express are designed to connect clean energy sources in rural areas to population centers hundreds of miles away, but they often collide with local resistance and complex permitting hurdles. Farmers and landowners worry about losing control over their property, especially when for-profit companies wield eminent domain. Meanwhile, delays in building new transmission lines slow the shift away from fossil fuels and threaten grid reliability.

3 July 2025. Brazil shifts from asbestos to rare earths amid global mineral race –

Minaçu, a Brazilian city built on asbestos mining, is betting its future on rare earth elements as global demand surges and geopolitical tensions strain China’s dominance over supply chains.

Isabel Seta reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Minaçu, once home to the Americas’ only asbestos mine, is now producing rare earth minerals critical for electric vehicles and wind turbines, aiming to become a key player outside Asia.
Although the Serra Verde mine promises safer, water-based extraction, residents report environmental concerns including water pollution and cattle miscarriages, with little company response.
Despite mining royalties, the city has seen persistent poverty, and past mining booms failed to deliver broad economic benefits, raising doubts about rare earths repeating the pattern.

Key quote:

“The fact that more than 20% of the population remains socially vulnerable shows that the profits from asbestos mining do not result in quality of life for the local population.”

— Ricardo Gonçalves, geography professor at the State University of Goiás

Why this matters:

Rare earth elements are essential for modern technology — from smartphones to renewable energy to missile systems — but their extraction is often dirty, dangerous, and politically fraught. China has long dominated this market, but tensions with the U.S. are prompting new investments in alternatives like Brazil, which holds the world’s second-largest reserves. Yet mining communities such as Minaçu face a dilemma: while rare earths promise economic renewal, they may repeat the extractive harm of asbestos, a mineral that killed thousands and left environmental scars. Without safeguards, Brazil risks trading one toxic legacy for another. As the energy transition accelerates, ensuring it doesn't replicate old injustices is a challenge for both health and the environment.

3 July 2025. New Jersey diverts climate funds to transit system as budget shortfall grows –

New Jersey lawmakers have redirected $190 million from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to cover transit and budget gaps, marking the second-largest such transfer in the fund’s history.

Rambo Talabong reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

The Clean Energy Fund, financed by utility ratepayers to support renewable energy and emissions-reduction programs, lost $190 million — $140 million to New Jersey Transit and $50 million to the general budget.
Governor Phil Murphy, despite pledging to stop these “raids” in 2017, has now presided over $832 million in Clean Energy Fund diversions during his time in office.
The move comes amid federal clean energy cuts under President Trump and a looming $1.5 billion state deficit, with lawmakers arguing the transfer was necessary to avoid a government shutdown.

Key quote:

“Given what is happening in Washington right now … if we really are going to ensure that every single person in this state has access to clean air, clean water — that the electrical prices that we’re all talking about, that we can continue to do something about—it is critically important that we make these investments.”

— New Jersey State Senator Andrew Zwicker

Why this matters:

The Clean Energy Fund plays a vital role in helping New Jersey shift away from fossil fuels. Raiding this fund to cover transit and budget shortfalls undermines that mission, especially at a time when federal support for clean energy is drying up. The fund was built on the backs of utility ratepayers to cut emissions, support solar and wind infrastructure, and electrify transportation. New Jersey has some of the worst air pollution in the country, and transportation is its largest source of emissions. Redirecting clean energy funds slows the progress toward healthier air and a more stable climate, and sends a confusing signal about policy priorities in a state already vulnerable to climate impacts.

2 July 2025. How China raced ahead on clean energy while America clung to oil –

Even as the climate crisis intensifies, China and the U.S. are charting wildly different energy paths — one doubling down on clean tech, the other on fossil fuels.

David Gelles, Somini Sengupta, Keith Bradsher, and Brad Plumer report from four continents for The New York Times.

In short:

China is aggressively expanding its global dominance in clean energy by building solar, wind, battery, EV, and nuclear infrastructure at unprecedented scale — including major investments abroad.
The Trump administration is pushing an oil-and-gas agenda at home and abroad, undoing clean energy incentives while lobbying allies to invest in U.S. fossil fuels.
The U.S. once led in renewable tech but failed to sustain investment, allowing China to corner the market through coordinated government support and control over key materials.

Key quote:

“When the federal government of the United States decides to go out of the race, it doesn’t stop the race. Other countries keep moving.”

— Rafael Dubeux, a senior official in Brazil’s Finance Ministry

Why this matters:

America — once a solar and wind innovator — is now backpedaling. The Trump administration is tossing lifelines to oil and gas companies, lobbying countries to buy U.S. crude, and rolling back policies that helped launch renewables in the first place. The U.S. is bet on short-term profits. China is playing the long game.

2 July 2025. Greenpeace faces ruin after oil giant wins lawsuit rewriting Standing Rock history –

The company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) convinced a North Dakota jury to blame Greenpeace for protests led by Indigenous activists — and now the nonprofit faces a $666 million penalty.

Episode one of SLAPP’d, the latest season of the Drilled podcast, focusing on the Greenpeace/DAPL trial.

Alleen Brown reports.

In short:

In 2016, thousands of people gathered near the Standing Rock Reservation to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, led by Indigenous groups defending water and land rights. One of them, Cody Hall, became a public spokesperson for the resistance but was later targeted by a lawsuit.
Energy Transfer, the pipeline’s builder, filed a sweeping racketeering suit alleging that Greenpeace and other nonprofits masterminded a violent conspiracy to sabotage the project — despite thin evidence and years of reporting confirming Indigenous leadership.
The private security firm TigerSwan ran intelligence operations against protestors, and possible infiltrators may have posed as Greenpeace representatives, muddying the legal waters as Energy Transfer advanced a narrative that ultimately won over a jury.

Key quote:

“Greenpeace wasn’t running anything… They were merely an organization that was there as allies.”

— Cody Hall, former Red Warrior Camp spokesperson

Why this matters:

The verdict against Greenpeace in the Energy Transfer lawsuit is a landmark moment in how corporate power rewrites protest history. If a major energy company can bankrupt a nonprofit for supporting Indigenous-led protest, it chills dissent everywhere. And it distracts from the health and environmental harms these protests were trying to stop — namely, oil infrastructure that threatens water and cultural resources.

2 July 2025. Senate passes GOP budget bill, hampering US shift to clean energy –

A Senate-approved Republican budget bill would gut core parts of the 2022 climate law, stalling clean energy growth and likely raising Americans’ utility bills. The bill now goes to the House for final approval.

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press.

In short:

The Senate’s Republican budget bill removes a proposed tax on solar and wind but accelerates the expiration of tax credits for renewable energy, threatening hundreds of clean energy projects.
While some renewable incentives for technologies like hydropower and nuclear remain, clean energy advocates warn the bill favors fossil fuels and eliminates EV tax credits and the methane fee.
Industry groups like the American Petroleum Institute celebrated the bill as a boost to oil and gas, while Democrats say it will drive up costs and damage U.S. energy independence.

Key quote:

“If the bill becomes law, families will face higher electric bills, factories will shut down, Americans will lose their jobs, and our electric grid will grow weaker.”

— Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association

Why this matters:

The Republican-led budget bill, by fast-tracking the expiration of tax credits that have been driving wind and solar projects from coast to coast and slashing incentives for electric vehicles, effectively steps on the brakes just as the U.S. clean energy economy was beginning to hit its stride.

2 July 2025. World leaders stall as Cop30 looms and climate pledges remain unfinished –

With just four months until the United Nations climate summit in Brazil, most countries have yet to submit updated emissions plans, threatening the world’s ability to stay below the 1.5C warming threshold.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Only a small fraction of countries have submitted new national climate plans required under the Paris Agreement, raising concerns that Cop30 in Belém will lack meaningful progress.
Global temperatures have already breached 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, and scientists warn that without rapid emissions cuts by 2030, this overshoot could become permanent.
Political distractions — from war and trade conflicts to rising populism — along with deliberate obstruction by fossil fuel interests are slowing international cooperation.

Key quote:

“Climate is our biggest war. Climate is here for the next 100 years. We need to focus and … not allow those [other] wars to take our attention away from the bigger fight that we need to have.”

— Ana Toni, chief executive of Cop30

Why this matters:

Climate summits like Cop30 are designed to hold governments accountable, but their success depends on political will — and right now, that’s faltering. The 1.5C threshold isn’t just symbolic; passing it risks triggering irreversible changes, from melting glaciers to collapsing ecosystems. Scientists warn the world has just two years left at current emissions rates before this boundary becomes locked in. Yet most nations haven’t updated their short-term targets, and fossil fuel expansion continues, especially in countries like China and the U.S. Meanwhile, poorer nations, facing mounting climate disasters, wait for promised funds that often don’t arrive.

Learn more: Cop30 faces challenges as Trump’s climate retreat and global tensions complicate negotiations

2 July 2025. Saudi oil official’s role in climate science report raises conflict of interest concerns –

A longtime Saudi Aramco employee’s nomination to help lead a major United Nations climate report has sparked fresh questions about fossil fuel influence inside the world’s top climate science body.

Karl Mathiesen reports for POLITICO.

In short:

Mustafa Babiker, an economist and 18-year veteran of the Saudi Aramco oil company, was proposed as a coordinating lead author for a chapter of the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report focused on reducing fossil fuel emissions.
Scientists and watchdog groups warn the nomination could harm the IPCC's credibility, citing Babiker’s close ties to the world’s largest oil producer and the growing political pressure on the body from fossil fuel nations.
The United States, under President Trump, has scaled back its involvement in the IPCC, cutting staff and blocking a senior American scientist from participating in key meetings.

Key quote:

The nomination is “one of the most blatant examples of political capture by the oil industry of climate policy that I have ever seen.”

— Tzeporah Berman, founder of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty NGO

Why this matters:

The IPCC plays a central role in shaping global understanding of climate science and guiding policy decisions on reducing emissions. When individuals with deep ties to fossil fuel interests help lead the body’s reports, it raises serious concerns about objectivity and integrity. Oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia have long pushed to downplay or redirect climate science findings that could threaten their economic model. With the U.S. stepping back and fossil fuel exporters gaining influence, the balance of power within the IPCC is shifting.

2 July 2025. Ocean salinity shifts are melting Antarctic sea ice faster, scientists find –

Rising salt levels near Antarctica are altering ocean dynamics, drawing up warm water and accelerating sea ice loss, new satellite data reveal.

Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for The New York Times.

In short:

A new study finds increasing ocean salinity near Antarctica is driving warmer water to the surface, which speeds sea ice melt and hinders winter ice formation.
The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used advanced satellite algorithms and ocean buoy data to detect changes in water salinity over the past decade.
Scientists warn the shift may mark a long-term transition in Antarctic ice behavior, with the feedback loop between melting, warming, and salt levels posing broad climate risks.

Key quote:

“We are entering a new system, a new world.”

— Alessandro Silvano, senior scientist at the University of Southampton

Why this matters:

Sea ice acts as the planet’s reflective shield, bouncing solar radiation back into space and helping to regulate Earth’s temperature. The loss of Antarctic sea ice not only exposes darker ocean water that absorbs more heat but also disrupts global ocean currents and weather systems. Rising salinity near Antarctica hints at a larger, destabilizing feedback loop: Warmer waters melt more ice, which then reinforces ocean mixing and heat absorption. This shift threatens to reshape sea level patterns and intensify extreme weather across the globe. As the climate warms, monitoring Antarctic changes becomes increasingly urgent, but recent U.S. cuts to satellite data programs could leave scientists with fewer tools to track these tipping points.

2 July 2025. Vermont soccer club kicks toward a cleaner future –

In Burlington, Vermont, a scrappy amateur soccer team is drawing crowds and taking climate action one game at a time.

Cara Buckley reports for The New York Times.

In short:

The Vermont Green Football Club blends sports and sustainability, offering recycled uniforms, vegan food trucks, and compost bins at every game.
The team’s climate-first mission includes donations to environmental groups, low-carbon operations, and partnerships with brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Seventh Generation.
Players and fans alike are embracing the team’s ethos, from biking to games to rethinking personal habits — and even free vegan ice cream.

Key quote:

“It infuses everyone’s awareness in a way that’s much more joyful, much more connected, much more community oriented. When people experience climate action and environmental focus in that way, they see that joy can be a part of the work.”

— Eli Scheer, Vermont Green fan

Why this matters:

This semi-pro team has quickly become a cult favorite not just for its play, but for its unapologetically bold mission: to use the beautiful game to champion environmental justice. As extreme weather intensifies and air quality declines, Vermont Green offers a playbook for climate action that’s local, joyful, and infectious. It shows how sports — often carbon-heavy enterprises — can flip the script and become platforms for public engagement, behavior change, and community resilience. For fans disillusioned with corporate sports greenwashing, it's climate action in cleats.

2 July 2025. EPA moves to delay coal plant water pollution rules, raising health concerns –

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to delay and potentially weaken water pollution standards for coal-fired power plants, citing energy grid demands and economic pressures.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

In short:

The EPA said it will propose delaying compliance deadlines for Biden-era rules designed to limit toxic water pollution from coal plants and may explore broader regulatory rollbacks.
The current rules aim to prevent more than 660 million pounds of pollutants — linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and IQ loss — from reaching U.S. waterways annually.
Trump-appointed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin argued the rollback supports electric grid reliability and economic independence, calling coal “beautiful, clean.”

Key quote:

“Zeldin has made it abundantly clear that he is willing to sacrifice just about anything—including our health and our futures—for the profit of the fossil fuel industry.”

— Patrick Drupp, climate policy director, Sierra Club

Why this matters:

Coal-fired power plants discharge toxic metals like arsenic, mercury, and selenium into rivers and lakes — substances known to harm brain development, elevate cancer risk, and disrupt ecosystems. The Biden-era rule was designed to curb this pollution using updated treatment technologies. Loosening or delaying those rules could increase public exposure to contaminants through drinking water and fish, especially in communities already facing environmental health disparities. The decision comes as U.S. energy use climbs amid climate-driven heat waves, but it also raises alarms about prioritizing fossil fuel interests over long-term public health.

2 July 2025. EPA staff accuse Trump administration of sidelining science –

More than 270 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employees have accused the Trump administration of pushing a political agenda that undermines science and endangers public health.

Maxine Joselow reports for The New York Times.

In short:

EPA employees sent a letter to Administrator Lee Zeldin condemning political interference and warning that environmental decisions are being made without regard to science or legal precedent.
The administration is considering eliminating the agency’s research arm and has already shut down its environmental justice offices, prompting over 1,400 staff departures since January.
The union representing EPA workers also filed a Hatch Act complaint over politically charged language in internal newsletters attacking Democratic lawmakers.

Key quote:

“In Trump’s America, it is a brave thing to speak out in this way. We have EPA employees who are signing their full names, their offices, their regions, all of that. These are people who feel that this is so important that they’re willing to risk their careers to make sure that this information gets out to the public.”

— Colette Delawalla, executive director of Stand Up for Science

Why this matters:

The EPA plays a central role in limiting pollution, regulating toxic chemicals, and responding to climate threats. The proposed layoffs and closures threaten not just institutional expertise, but the very infrastructure needed to detect and prevent harm. Public health, especially in lower-income and historically marginalized areas, often depends on EPA enforcement and oversight. When science takes a back seat to politics, regulations tend to weaken, industry faces less scrutiny, and the long-term costs — chronic disease, degraded ecosystems, biodiversity loss — land on the public.

2 July 2025. Trump’s USAID cuts could lead to millions of preventable global deaths, study warns –

A new analysis projects that dismantling most of USAID’s global health programs could result in 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including millions of children under five.

Kelsey Ables reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

A study in The Lancet estimates that USAID programs prevented 91 million deaths between 2001 and 2021 in low- and middle-income countries, especially through reductions in HIV/AIDS, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases.
Researchers warn that cuts announced by the Trump administration could lead to more than 14 million preventable deaths over the next five years if current reductions remain in place.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the termination of 83% of USAID programs and the agency's merger into the State Department, calling the move a necessary reform.

Key quote:

“The magnitude of USAID’s impact over the past two decades cannot be overstated. These broader interventions have strengthened the resilience of communities, enabling them to thrive well beyond the scope of any single program. The dismantling of these programs now threatens to reverse decades of progress.”

— Davide Rasella, coordinator of the study and professor at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health

Why this matters:

Foreign aid from agencies like USAID has long functioned as a public health safety net for many of the world’s poorest communities, targeting diseases that once killed millions. These programs often provide vaccinations, medical treatment, food assistance, clean water, and sanitation — basic needs that local governments in low-income countries struggle to meet. Cuts to this aid not only risk reversing decades of public health gains, they also threaten global stability. When health systems falter, disease spreads, economies strain, and social unrest grows. Global health is a shared issue — diseases do not respect borders, and neither do the consequences of failing to contain them.

2 July 2025. Newsom and lawmakers weaken key California environmental law to speed housing and infrastructure builds –

California lawmakers passed a budget deal that rolls back parts of the state’s signature environmental law to fast-track construction projects including housing, water infrastructure, and EV and semiconductor plants.

Camille von Kaenel reports for POLITICO.

In short:

A late budget agreement exempts a range of projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, including wildfire prevention work, parts of the high-speed rail, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
Environmental groups and labor unions protested the rollback, warning it could allow industrial development without accountability for pollution or community harm.
Despite the pushback, the bill passed easily and is expected to be signed quickly by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who tied it to the approval of the state’s $320 billion budget.

Key quote:

“They’re conditioning the funding of essential services like health care, education, to this huge policy change that would dramatically roll back environmental review for some of the most polluting facilities in California.”

— Asha Sharma, state policy director of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability

Why this matters:

The California Environmental Quality Act has long served as a check on development that could pollute air, water, or soil, especially in low-income or frontline communities. Weakening CEQA could allow industrial and housing projects to bypass review processes that help identify risks to public health and the environment. While supporters argue these changes will make it easier to build much-needed housing and infrastructure, critics warn that removing oversight invites unchecked pollution, particularly from advanced manufacturing sectors like EVs and semiconductors, which often generate hazardous waste. California’s move could signal a broader national trend.

2 July 2025. Exxon must pay $14.25 million over Baytown air pollution as Supreme Court declines appeal –

The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty against ExxonMobil for more than 16,000 Clean Air Act violations at its Baytown, Texas, petrochemical plant.

Kyle McClenagan reports for Houston Public Media.

In short:

The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear ExxonMobil’s appeal leaves intact a ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the $14.25 million civil penalty for pollution at the Baytown facility from 2005 to 2013.
The lawsuit was filed in 2010 by Environment Texas and the Sierra Club, representing local residents exposed to over 10 million pounds of air pollutants, including carcinogens and ozone-forming chemicals.
Plaintiffs say this is the largest penalty ever awarded in a citizen-led Clean Air Act case and argue it reinforces the public's right to hold polluters accountable in federal court.

Key quote:

"It's been a hard-fought battle for 16 years, and the citizens stuck it out all the way, and justice has prevailed."

— David Nicholas, attorney for the plaintiffs

Why this matters:

Petrochemical plants like Exxon’s Baytown complex emit volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and other hazardous air pollutants that can harm human health and the environment. These emissions contribute to smog formation, respiratory illnesses, and long-term cancer risks for nearby communities. Baytown sits in a heavily industrial corridor east of Houston, where residents — often lower-income and people of color — live in close proximity to refineries and chemical facilities. Chronic exposure to air pollution in these areas has been linked to higher rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. When enforcement of environmental laws fails or is delayed, the burden of pollution falls on those least able to avoid or address it, deepening environmental injustice.

2 July 2025. How a global network of grassroots leaders is getting cities to ride more bikes –

A worldwide “Bicycle Mayor” movement is helping cities ditch cars by empowering local cycling champions to push for change from the street up.

Kaja Šeruga reports for Reasons To Be Cheerful.

In short:

After teaching herself to ride in Addis Ababa during the pandemic, Maren Ahlers started organizing women’s bike classes and now leads a 450-member cycling group.
She joined the global Bicycle Mayor Network, a 150-member coalition in 34 countries that supports sustainable transit by advocating infrastructure, policy, and cultural shifts around cycling.
Despite being unpaid and often facing bureaucratic resistance, these "mayors" are influencing city decisions, like Ethiopia’s move to build 100 kilometers of new bike lanes.

Key quote:

“It can really sound bizarre to some people that bicycles can be such a center of life. But it’s astonishing to see the energy that people put into that, the motivation that they have, and how much they can do.”

— Michela Chamonal, coordinator, Bicycle Mayor Network

Why this matters:

They’re not elected, not paid, and not sitting in city hall, but they’re showing up in public squares, schoolyards, and transportation hearings with one mission: make cities safer, saner, and more breathable by putting more people on two wheels. It’s climate action powered by everyday people pushing for healthier, more connected neighborhoods. And while they may not carry political clout, these “mayors” are becoming city leaders.

2 July 2025. Texas court rules oil companies own fracking wastewater, not landowners –

A recent Texas Supreme Court ruling gives oil companies full ownership of produced water from drilling operations, a move that may shape future control over wastewater re-use and mineral extraction.

Martha Pskowski reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

The Texas Supreme Court ruled that oil companies holding mineral leases, not landowners, own the chemically contaminated wastewater known as produced water, which comes from oil and gas drilling.
The case arose after a landowning family leased rights to one company for oil drilling and to another for the wastewater; the court decided produced water is part of the mineral estate and considered waste, not water.
With new interest in extracting lithium and other minerals from produced water, the ruling clarifies ownership but leaves unresolved who controls valuable non-hydrocarbon elements.

Key quote:

“[P]roduced water is not water. While produced water contains molecules of water, both from injected fluid and subsurface formations, the solution itself is waste — a horse of an entirely different color.”

— Texas Supreme Court

Why this matters:

Fracking generates billions of gallons of toxic wastewater laced with salts, metals and radioactive material. Disposing of it has long been a problem, linked in Texas and elsewhere to groundwater contamination and earthquakes from deep-well injection. But now that companies are eyeing produced water as a resource — for irrigating crops or extracting critical minerals like lithium — questions of ownership carry financial and environmental weight. Who profits from this toxic byproduct may shape how it's managed and whether it's handled safely. The court’s ruling makes clear that mineral rights holders control this waste, but it also opens a Pandora’s box over the environmental oversight and long-term public health implications of reusing or repurposing it.

2 July 2025. Solar farms and sheep grazing show how farming and clean energy can share land –

Solar panels now double as shade for sheep and a tool for rural energy production in Georgia, where some farmers are balancing land conservation with renewable energy development.

Emily Jones reports for Grist.

In short:

A solar farm in Lee County, Georgia, uses sheep for vegetation control, allowing the land to remain agriculturally active while producing renewable energy.
Concerns over solar development on farmland have spurred opposition and legislation, but studies show financial gains for local governments through increased property taxes.
While farmland loss is a concern, experts say low-density housing, not solar development, is the leading cause in Georgia.

Key quote:

“It is incredibly hot, the sun is just unavoidable, and the fact that they’ve got shade every 15 feet out here — it’s just the ideal environment, to have shade so close.”

— Tyler Huber, Lee County sheep farmer

Why this matters:

America is losing farmland at a rate of about 2,000 acres per day, much of it to housing sprawl and industrial growth. As the demand for renewable energy grows, solar companies are increasingly eyeing these same lands for large-scale projects. While solar development raises fears about displacement of food production and ecological harm, the Georgia example shows that clean energy and agriculture don’t have to be at odds. Integrating solar with sheep grazing or pollinator habitats offers a hybrid approach to land use. But this model depends on local policies, utility incentives, and how landowners value long-term income versus short-term gains.

2 July 2025. Scientists leave U.S. over Trump-era policies and find new footing in France –

American researchers, citing political pressure and funding threats under the Trump administration, are relocating to France under a new academic refuge program, "Safe Place for Science," launched by Aix-Marseille University.

Victor Goury-Laffont reports for POLITICO.

In short:

Aix-Marseille University welcomed eight U.S.-based academics as the first cohort in its “Safe Place for Science” program, offering positions to researchers who fear retribution or cuts at home.
Nearly 300 researchers from institutions like Stanford and Yale applied to the program, which provides equal French academic salaries and aims to double its capacity if matched by government funding.
Participants cited concerns over academic freedom, research support, and political interference under President Trump, making comparisons to historical periods of scientific exile.

Key quote:

“The entire system of research and the entire education in the United States is really under attack.”

— Brian Sandberg, professor of history at Northern Illinois University

Why this matters:

Political interference in science can ripple far beyond university walls. When researchers pull back or flee, public health, climate modeling, and technological innovation lose ground. In recent years, American scientists have reported growing fear of retaliation, tighter control over research funding, and hostility toward fields like climate science and public health. These pressures can discourage young talent and leave critical questions unanswered — about rising sea levels, toxic exposures, and even the spread of disease. In addition to the Aix-Marseille University program, both France and the European Union have launched plans to recruit U.S. research talent. As Europe positions itself as a haven for displaced academics, the U.S. risks ceding leadership in global science.

2 July 2025. Opinion: Scientists are embracing activism as climate threats mount and public trust erodes –

Amid mounting attacks on science and worsening climate threats, more U.S. scientists are rejecting political neutrality and stepping into the arena.

Ruxandra Guidi writes for High Country News.

In short:

Hundreds of U.S. scientists have been laid off from key federal agencies in Trump’s second term, gutting climate programs just as states brace for extreme weather.
Many researchers, once hesitant to appear political, now see activism as a moral obligation in the face of escalating climate impacts and anti-science policies.
Scientific organizations and journals are stepping in to continue the work of the fired federal researchers, signaling a broad shift toward engagement over neutrality.

Key quote:

“We must continue to push forward. The stakes are too high.”

— Dave White, Arizona State University scientist and lead author of the Fifth National Climate Assessment

Why this matters:

Public health, environmental protections, and national preparedness for disasters like heat waves and wildfires depend on sound science — and the scientists who produce it. Under Trump’s second term, hundreds of scientists have been axed from federal agencies, and what’s left of the country's federal climate infrastructure is rapidly disappearing. Scientists' refusal to stay silent could help ensure that truth, lives, and scientific integrity aren’t casualties of politics.

Opinion: Trump’s “gold standard science” order gives politics control over public health and climate policy

1 July 2025. Senate moves to gut clean energy tax credits as deal nears –

The Senate was close to passing a sweeping GOP bill Tuesday morning that rolls back renewable energy tax credits, adds a new tax on wind and solar, and boosts fossil fuel development.

Amelia Davidson, Timothy Cama, Nico Portuondo, and Garrett Downs report for E&E News.

In short:

The bill would cut off tax credits for wind and solar projects not operational by the end of 2027.
A new excise tax targets clean energy projects that use materials from countries like China.
Credits for nuclear, hydrogen, and geothermal remain, while fossil fuel drilling and permitting are expanded.

Key quote:

“If this passes, it is a death sentence for the wind and solar industries.”

— Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Finance Committee ranking member

Why this matters:

Rolling back clean energy support would stall progress on climate goals and raise energy prices. Fossil fuel expansion and regulatory rollbacks would increase health risks from pollution.