LOCAL

Never before have local actions been so critical. Governors, mayors, and town boards have initiated and expanded their commitments to climate action even as the U.S. federal government has stepped away from international climate leadership and rolled back more than 95 Obama-era climate policies, ambitions and regulations. There is a fascinating US interactive map, populated in real time, showing a geographical overview of financial incentives and regulatory policies, state-by-state, that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency here.

States, Districts, and Territories are taking the initiative to switch over to renewable energy sources.

Already, in 2015, Hawaii established a goal of 100% renewable electricity sources by 2045.

In 2018, under Governor Jerry Brown, California required that 50% of their electricity be powered by renewable resources by 2025 and 60% by 2030, while calling for a “bold path” toward 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045.

By May 2019, (following Washington D.C. in January; New Mexico in March; Nevada and Puerto Rico in April) Washington became the 5th state to pass a 100% clean energy target. By the third week of June, New York’s Senate & Assembly both passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Signed by Governor Cuomo on July 18, 2019, it is the most comprehensive and aggressive climate change legislation in the nation.

Gov. Janet Mills addressed the UN on September 23, 2019, and pledged that Maine will go carbon neutral by 2045; Colorado signed legislation which reduces 2030 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%; Nevada signed legislation to move to 50% renewable by 2030, and several more states, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, adopted plans to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050, with Washington delivering legislation mandating 100% clean electricity by 2045.

Cities, towns and municipalities are equally motivated: over 153 cities and thirteen counties have already adopted ambitious 100% clean energy goals. Six additional U.S. cities — Aspen CO, Burlington VT, Georgetown TX, Greensburg KS, Rock Port MO, and Kodiak Island AK — have already hit their targets, generating 100% of their energy from clean, non-polluting and renewable sources.

LOCAL NEWS

Politico

Wall Street firms face W.Va. boycott over alleged fossil fuel bias

By Jordan Wolman 06/14/22

BlackRock Inc., Wells Fargo & Co., JP Morgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and U.S. Bancorp are due to be placed on West Virginia’s Restricted Financial Institution List in 45…

USA Today

Red voters for green energy? Conservatives say they support solar and wind power too

By Kyle Bagenstose 06/10/22

During the Cold War, John Lehman served as Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan. Later, he was appointed a Republican member of the 9/11 commission.

The Hill

Trump-era rollbacks left US behind peers in climate change fight: report

By Zak Budryk 06/01/22

For the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), researchers traced countries’ progress toward net-zero emissions, a goal nearly every nation has established. From 2010 to 2019, the U.S. ranked 20th out of 22 western democracies and 43rd…

Salon

“No time to ask nicely”: Protesters arrested after blocking roads over Manchin, Sinema obstruction

By Julia Conley 05/24/22

Pro-democracy campaigners in West Virginia and Arizona on Monday risked arrest at sit-ins in downtown Charleston and Tucson, demanding that Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema end obstruction of their party's agenda and allow…

E&E News

Manchin’s strategy isn’t climate denial — it’s craftier

By Chelsea Harvey 12/23/21

Sen. Joe Manchin isn’t a climate denier — at least not in the traditional sense. He doesn’t deny the existence of human-caused climate change.

npr

What losing Build Back Better means for climate change

By Lauren Sommer 12/20/21

With billions of dollars for clean energy, the Build Back Better legislation has the potential to substantially and rapidly cut heat-trapping emissions in the U.S. But Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., rejected the bill on Sunday,…

The Hill

Climate hawks pressure Biden to replace Fed chair

By Sylvan Lane 09/02/21

Environmentalists are pressing President Biden to factor in the Federal Reserve’s record on climate change under Jerome Powell when he decides whether to renominate the central bank’s chairman for a second term.

KEY RESOURCES

Many changes are going to come about because politicians fight to control global warming through laws and regulations. Some of them are worthy of our praise and support. These governors have joined the US Climate Alliance and have pledged to uphold the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement within their respective state.

Transportation & Climate Initiative

TCI’s Regional Policy Design Process

05/15/20

In light of the unprecedented need for governors and agencies to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Transportation and Climate Initiative jurisdictions have shared an adjusted timeline for developing a regional clean…

To Counteract Trump on Climate, States Set Clean Energy Targets

09/24/19

Democratic state lawmakers passed a wave of bills this year they hope will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, even as the Trump administration moves in the opposite direction.

The United States Conference of Mayors

07/02/19

The United States Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with a population of 30,000 or larger. Each city is represented by its chief elected official, the mayor. View their 2019 Adopted…

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate Change

05/28/19

Co-chaired by Maros Sefcovic and Michael Bloomberg, The Global Covenant of Mayors serves cities and local governments by mobilizing and supporting ambitious, measurable, planned climate and energy action in their communities by working with city/regional…

USCA

United States Climate Alliance

04/05/19

The United States Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Smart, coordinated state action can ensure that the United States…

100% Commitments in Cities, Counties, & States

04/05/19

Across the U.S. over 90 cities, more than ten counties and two states, have already adopted ambitious 100% clean energy goals. Six cities in the U.S.--Aspen, Burlington, Georgetown, Greensburg, Rock port, and Kodiak Island--have already…

We Are Still In

01/31/19

Already in 2017, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg formed the “We Are Still In” coalition, which now includes some 3,500 leaders across the country who have pledged action on climate change that would, if…

Citizens Climate Lobby

01/19/19

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. By building upon shared values rather than partisan divides, and empowering our supporters to work in keeping…

Beyond Carbon

01/09/20

Check if your state, territory, or district is working on climate and clean energy policies, including 100% clean energy laws, carbon pollution reduction targets, and policies to expand transit and support electric vehicles.

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The last (plastic) straw? Some users don’t like SF’s ban on the sippers

07/15/19

San Francisco's plastic straw ban is in effect — and not everyone is into reusable or paper straws....

Democracy Now!

“Fossil Fuel Stooges” Pence & Trump Deny Climate Crisis as Deadly Rains Slam Louisiana & South Asia

By Amy Goodman 07/15/19

New Orleans residents managed to avoid the worst of Tropical Storm Barry, but 11 million people continued to be on flash flood warning as the storm slowly made its way through Louisiana over the weekend.…

The New York Times

How New York City Is Turning Its Thousands of Roofs Into Power Providers

By Patrick McGeehan 07/10/19

In June, NYS said it aimed for 70% of its power to be generated from renewable sources by 2030. Also in June, the country’s largest array of solar panels (9,000 solar panels onto 56 rooftops)were…

The New York Times

They Call Her ‘the Beyoncé of Earthquakes’: An Interview With Lucy Jones

By Coral Davenport & Thomas Kaplan 07/10/19

She writes about Dr. Lucy Jones “a barrier breaking scientist” otherwise known as the “earthquake lady” who says, at the close of the article, prompted by last weeks two Southern California earthquakes, “My son is…

23 Governors Join California in Opposing Trump’s Fuel Efficiency Freeze

07/09/19

Governors from 24 states, including two republicans and four states won by Trump in 2016, are standing together to ask President Trump to put the brakes on his plan to weaken the federal clean car…

E&E News

Officials removed climate references from press releases

By Scott Waldman 07/08/19

A March news release from the U.S. Geological Survey touted a new study that could be useful for infrastructure planning along the California coastline. At least that's how the Trump administration conveyed it.

Energy audit inspires Yogaville, Virginia leaders to ‘stand up for something that’s important’

07/08/19

Yogaville leaders hope their investments in solar power send a message about opposing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline....

Salon

Oregon governor vows to use executive powers for climate action after Republicans flee

By Igot Derysh 07/05/19

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said she is prepared to use her executive powers to take action on climate change after Republican state senators defeated a cap-and-trade bill by fleeing the state. “Let me be very,…

Atlas Obscura

Why California’s Droughts Killed More Than 100 Million Resilient Trees

By Isaac Schultz 07/03/19

The great drought in California that lasted from 2012 to 2015 technically began on October 1, 2011, the first day of what hydrologists consider the new water year. Things got warmer and drier from there,…

Utility Dive

New York regulators assess potential for storage to replace peaking units in the state

By HJ Mai 07/03/19

Replacing New York's fleet of less efficient peaking units with energy storage systems and renewables will be key to achieving the state's clean energy goals. New York aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by…

E&E News

Oregon Governor ready to take lead on state climate plan

By Sarah Zimmerman 07/02/19

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said yesterday that she's ready to use her executive power to lower carbon emissions following a nine-day Republican walkout that derailed landmark climate legislation and embroiled the state in a political…

Utility Dive

Los Angeles solicits record solar + storage deal at 1.997/1.3-cents kWh

By Catherine Morehouse 07/02/19

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is preparing a potentially world record-setting power purchase agreement (PPA) for solar + storage at 1.997 cents and 1.3 cents per kWh, respectively.

State of Maine

Governor Mills Signs Major Renewable Energy and Climate Change Bills Into Law

By State of Maine 06/26/19

Signed legislation establishes in law and will help achieve Governor’s goals of 80 percent renewable energy by 2030 and emissions reductions of 80 percent by 2050.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan orders state-owned buildings to be more energy efficient

06/26/19

The state spends $210 million a year on utilities; order calls for a 10 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2029.

As Trump attempts to prop up the struggling coal industry, Illinois is taking another step away from its dirtiest source of electricity

06/26/19

Under a deal brokered by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, the Texas-based owner of eight coal-fired power plants in central and southern Illinois agreed last week to shutter 40% of its fleet by the end of…

Ancient North Carolina trees that hold climate clues are under threat

06/26/19

Trees that tower over a protected forest along the Black River in southeastern North Carolina have held environmental secrets for more than 2,000 years, but their knowledge and existence is now threatened by climate change-driven…

The New York Times

A Climate Conundrum: The Wind Farm Vs. The Eagle’s Nest

By Joseph Goldstein 06/25/19

The state wants to get its electricity from carbon-free sources, but expanding renewable energy faces a range of hurdles.

Gothamist

De Blasio’s Zero Waste Plan Languishes With Composting Expansion On Hold, Critics Say

By Gwynne Hogan 06/25/19

At an Earth Day press conference four years ago, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged New York City would send zero waste to landfills by 2030, in part by scaling up an aggressive composting program to turn food…

The Independent

Right-wing ‘militia threat’ shuts down Oregon Capitol as Republicans flee climate bill vote

By Gillian Flaccus 06/22/19

The Oregon Capitol will be closed on Saturday due to a "possible militia threat" from right-wing protesters as a walkout by Republican lawmakers over landmark climate change legislation drags on.

The New York Times

Blue States Roll Out Aggressive Climate Strategies. Red States Keep to the Sidelines.

By Brad Plumer 06/21/19

At a time when the country is already deeply fractured along partisan lines, individual states are starting to pursue vastly different policies on climate change with the potential to cement an economic and social divide…

The New York Times

The Hamptons Love Green Energy. But That Wind Farm?

By Debra West 06/20/19

This affluent enclave on the East End of Long Island is steeped in eco-conscious pride, with strict water quality and land preservation rules and an abundance of electric cars on the roads.

Press Herald

Mills signs wind bill, announces plans to advance offshore energy

By Tux Turkel 06/20/19

Stalled efforts to test a floating wind farm off the Maine coast got back on track Wednesday after Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation directing the Public Utilities Commission to approve the contract for Maine Aqua Ventus,…

Vox

New York just passed the most ambitious climate target in the country

By David Roberts 06/20/19

New York is the fourth most populous state in the US and its third-largest economy. Now it is poised to adopt the country’s most ambitious climate targets, including 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040 and…

Waste Dive

Boston aims for 80% recycling rate by 2035, plans organics pilot

By Cole Rosengren 06/19/19

Boston's first "zero waste" plan has been released, setting an 80% recycling rate target by 2035 and 90% by 2050. The current citywide recycling rate is 25%. The estimated price tag for all 30 recommendations…

Michigan Radio

Solar installers say new rates are slowing demand for rooftop solar

By Tracy Samilton 06/17/19

In May, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a new, so-called "inflow/outflow" model for rooftop solar rates, replacing the former "net metering" scheme.

Huffington Post

New York State Reaches Landmark Deal On Green New Deal-Style Climate Bill

By Alexander C. Kaufman 06/17/19

If enacted, the bill would make New York the second big state — after California — to go for 100 percent carbon neutrality by midcentury.

Utility Dive

Maine steps up clean energy turnaround, passes 100% RPS, pro-solar bills

By Catherine Morehouse 06/13/19

Maine lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill to eliminate gross metering in the state and reestablish net metering for solar customers, sending it to Gov. Janet Mills, D, for likely signature.

Grist

Breathe easier: States are passing a buttload of clean-energy bills

By Nathanael Johnson 06/10/19

Climate victories are thundering down from statehouses like hail in a spring storm. Two weeks ago, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed 11 carbon-pollution slashing bills and rolled out his plan to get the state to…

Insider

The most environmentally friendly cities in the US

By Zoë Miller 05/29/19

Not all US cities care equally about the environment. To find the most eco-conscious destinations across the country, we consulted a range of sources, from Siemens' Green City Index for the US and Canada, to WalletHub's list…

Waste Dive

Scrap Collector: Vermont passes nation’s ‘toughest’ plastics bill yet

By Rina Li 05/24/19

Heads up, plastic watchers: Vermont legislators have passed what is being credited as the nation's "toughest bill yet" with regard to single-use plastics regulation. S.113, which was sent to Gov. Phil Scott on Wednesday, would…

medium

Open Letter From A Redneck Who Believes in Climate Crisis

By Holly Hearn 05/22/19

Dear Democratic Presidential Hopeful, First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking time to read this. I know you’ve got a busy schedule of filling the coffers and highlighting how much you aren’t…

The Washington Post

States aren’t waiting for the Trump administration on environmental protections

By Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin 05/20/19

More than a dozen states are moving to strengthen environmental protections to combat a range of issues from climate change to water pollution, opening a widening rift between stringent state policies and the Trump administration’s…

New York Times

In Flood-Hit Midwest, Mayors See Climate Change as a Subject Best Avoided

By Mitch Smith and John Schwartz 05/15/19

The Mississippi River, which gushed into downtown Davenport at record levels two weeks ago, has finally retreated toward its banks. Left behind: A truck-size hole in the temporary flood barrier, dead fish on mud-caked Pershing…

bloomberg

These Are the Cities Doing the Most to Combat Global Warming

By Jeremy Hodges and Demetrios Pogkas 05/15/19

Cities, which are home to more than half the world’s population, are stepping up efforts to slash pollution, often wresting the fight against climate change away from national governments.

Bloomberg

Louisiana Unveils Ambitious Plan to Help People Get Out of the Way of Climate Change

By Christopher Flavelle and Mira Rojanasakul 05/15/19

Gerard Braud has no plans to leave his handsome Creole-style house with its 15-foot-high front porch on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, a short drive from New Orleans. “Peacefulness and tranquility” is how he…

Newsday

Andrew Cuomo touts plastic bag ban at LIU Post

By David M. Schwartz 04/23/19

At a ceremony, Cuomo said the ban on single-use shopping bags, which takes effect March 1, signals that New York cares about the environment.

Wired

New York’s Aggressive Climate Law Takes Aim at Skyscrapers

By Adam Rogers 04/18/19

On Thursday, the New York City Council voted into law a sweeping set of rules to fight climate change, a metropolis-scaled version of a Green New Deal. And if the lawmakers and policy wonks who…

Grist

New York City’s Newly Passed Green New Deal, Explained

By Molly Enking 04/18/19

As the rest of the country continues to go back and forth over the possibility of a nationwide Green New Deal, New York City is forging ahead with its own version. The Climate Mobilization Act…

Newsday

As wind giants set sights on NY, fishermen demand a role

By Mark Harrington 04/10/19

UK fishermen tell locals of their experiences in Europe with offshore wind farms and how to organize.

Newsday

How 2020 revamp of federal flood insurance rates could affect you

By Robert Brodsky 04/06/19

Location and rebuild cost are driving the new rates, FEMA and industry experts said. The overhaul has both support and criticism.

Climate Home News

Life adapts to Louisiana’s disappearing coast

By Virginia Hanusik 03/21/19

South Louisiana is experiencing the effects of coastal erosion faster than almost anywhere in the world, losing a football field-size piece of land every 100 minutes. It is projected that by 2100, much of South Louisiana will be…

New York magazine

My New Plan to Climate-Proof Lower Manhattan

By Bill de Blasio 03/13/19

New York City, the world capital of ambition, has never been shy about grandiose declarations. The City Council has passed or proposed resolutions demanding world peace, banning a racist slur and condemning all manner of…

ClimateLiability News

Federal government backs oil companies fighting NYC climate suit

By Karen Savage 03/11/19

The Trump administration is supporting the five oil companies being sued by New York City to pay for damages related to climate change, filing a friend-of-the-court brief asking the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to…

Curbed New York

Staten Island’s five-mile seawall will move forward with federal funding

By Amy Plitt 02/19/19

The seawall will be carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York state

Climate change policy: governors show what happens when you campaign on climate action and win

02/06/19

There’s a flurry of green political news at the state level....

CBS News

These dozen states could move to 100% renewable electricity

By Irina Ivanova 01/31/19

Last year, California set the most ambitious energy goal in the nation: reaching 100 percent renewable energy in just over 25 years. This year, as many as 13 other states are rearing to join it.

NRDC

Climate Action in NY: 2019 Could Be Even Bigger than 2018

By Donna DeCostanzo & Jackson Morris 12/31/18

There is still good reason to be optimistic, as there is an inspiring portfolio of states and cities across the country that actually accept the science of climate change, recognize the economic benefits associated with…

Senate version of Energy Innovation Act introduced

12/20/18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Coons, Flake introduce Senate version of Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2018 – Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) today introduced the Energy Innovation and…

NY Daily News

NY state comptroller DiNapoli facing heat over climate change

By Kenneth Lovett 12/17/18

In the fight against climate change, environmental groups plan an aggressive campaign in 2019 to pressure state Controller Thomas DiNapoli into shedding billions of dollars in state pension fund investments in the fossil fuel industry.

The New Yorker

How California’s Efforts to Prevent Wildfires Reflect a National Crisis on Climate Change

By Carolyn Kormann 11/26/18

California is a wealthy, Democratic state, but local politics and sparring special-interest groups have been impediments to needed climate-adaptation legislation.

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