Search Climate Insights Directory

Over 30 environmental organizations have petitioned the U.S. Senate to oppose 'year-round E15' legislation, asserting that increasing the ethanol blend from 10 percent to 15 percent would raise food and fuel costs, increase greenhouse gas emissions through land-use changes, and cause environmental degradation.

The document is a formal statement by a coalition of state attorneys general and local officials opposing federal legislation that would shield fossil fuel companies from state-level lawsuits regarding climate deception and consumer protection violations.

Environmental organizations oppose the 'year-round E15' bill, claiming it would increase greenhouse gas emissions through land-use changes, harm wildlife and water resources, and increase costs for consumers while primarily benefiting land investors.

A letter from Members of Congress to the BOEM arguing that BP's Kaskida project in the Gulf of Mexico poses unacceptable risks to ecosystems and public health, citing failures in high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) technology qualifications and underestimated spill risks.

A coalition of organizations opposes a proposed $46.5 billion allocation for U.S. border wall construction, arguing that existing barriers have wasted billions of taxpayer dollars, harmed border communities, and destroyed biodiverse ecosystems. The letter highlights the lack of effectiveness of the wall, the violation of tribal and private land rights, and the systematic waiving of 83 federal laws to expedite construction. The signatories urge Congress to instead fund remediation of existing damage and rescind the REAL ID Act waivers.

A coalition of 54 organizations opposes budget reconciliation recommendations from the House Committee on Natural Resources that would expand coal leasing on federal lands, reduce royalty payments for coal companies, and mandate the approval of specific mining projects. The authors argue these measures contradict climate goals and economic trends, noting that coal produces less than one-fifth of U.S. electricity but over half of the electric power sector's CO2 emissions. Specifically, they oppose the mandate for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to make four million acres available for leasing, the reduction of maximum royalty rates to 7 percent, the expansion of the Bull Mountains coal mine in Montana, and the reopening of the Powder River Basin to new leasing.

A coalition of environmental and community organizations urges the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security to reject a $46.5 billion proposal for border wall construction, arguing that existing barriers have wasted billions of dollars, harmed border communities, and destroyed critical ecosystems.

A coalition of environmental and legal organizations is urging the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to oppose S. 362. The authors argue that the bill would permit destructive longwall mining of federal coal by Signal Peak Energy, LLC, bypassing required environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The statement highlights the mine's significant greenhouse gas emissions, its history of damaging water resources used by local ranchers, and the criminal records of Signal Peak Energy and its owners. The coalition asserts that the company has a pattern of violating environmental and safety laws and has aggressively avoided local taxes while harming the community.

The document is a formal letter from a coalition of environmental and community organizations urging U.S. budget committees to oppose additional funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The authors argue that the approximately $18.74 billion already spent has resulted in an ineffective barrier that harms border communities, violates tribal rights, and destroys critical biodiversity. They specifically highlight the use of the REAL ID Act to waive 83 laws, bypassing environmental and civil rights protections. The coalition calls for the rescission of these waivers and the funding of remediation efforts for existing damage.

The document is a formal statement of opposition to S. 1281, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act. The authors argue that the bill would allow mining claimants to permanently occupy federal lands, construct waste dumps, and build infrastructure without the permits or fair market value payments currently required by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). They contend that the bill could be weaponized to block renewable energy projects and would threaten environmental and cultural resources. The coalition suggests that critical mineral needs for the energy transition should instead be met through a circular minerals economy and carefully sited mines with high environmental standards.

The document is a letter from various NGOs to the U.S. House of Representatives arguing against the repeal of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP). The authors contend that MERP is essential for cutting oil and gas methane emissions, protecting public health, and stimulating economic growth through a waste emissions charge and $1.55 billion in funding for emission controls.

A coalition of NGOs opposes the repeal of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) via H.R. 1141, arguing that the program's waste emissions charge and funding for mitigation are essential for climate goals, public health, and job creation.

A coalition of environmental organizations opposes Venture Global's CP2 Express Pipeline project, arguing that the application is incomplete, fails to assess cumulative environmental impacts, and violates the public trust duties of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

Governor Greg Abbott opposes the licensing of an Interim Storage Partners (ISP) facility in Andrews County, Texas, citing risks to public safety, national energy security, and the economic stability of the Permian Basin. He argues that the facility would be a high-value target for terrorism and that the lack of a permanent geologic repository makes the 'interim' nature of the storage unreliable. Additionally, he notes that the transportation of radioactive waste would disrupt the region's critical oil and agricultural logistics.

Governor Greg Abbott wrote to President Donald Trump opposing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) evaluation of 40-year licenses for consolidated interim storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste at proposed sites in west Texas (Interim Storage Partners) and southeastern New Mexico (Holtec International). Abbott argues that siting these facilities in the Permian Basin Region—the world's largest producing oilfield—would compromise regional safety and risk the U.S. economy and energy security. He notes that the Permian Basin produced over 30 percent of total U.S. crude oil in 2018 and exceeded 1.5 billion barrels of oil in 2019. Additionally, he highlights the lack of a permanent storage solution since the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act and opposes the placement of highly radioactive waste in states without state consent.

The document is a formal letter from a multidisciplinary group of experts urging the EPA to maintain strong fuel efficiency and emissions standards rather than adopting the proposed SAFE Vehicles Rule, which they argue would harm the climate, public health, and the economy.

The Life After Coal Campaign (LAC) opposes the establishment of a panel of experts intended to provide guidance on managing sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from existing power plants in South Africa. The LAC argues that such a panel is unnecessary, would duplicate previous work done to set Minimum Emission Standards (MES), and would delay essential actions such as retrofitting plants with abatement technology or decommissioning non-compliant facilities. The campaign expresses concern that the panel could be used to weaken legal emission requirements or grant rolling postponements to operators like Eskom and Sasol. Additionally, the LAC notes a lack of transparency regarding the panel's terms of reference and criticizes the Minister of Environmental Affairs for previously weakening SO2 limits in the amended List of Activities published on 31 October 2018 without proper consultation.

The Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation and Earthjustice are opposing Calpine Corp.'s request to build the 275-megawatt Mission Rock Energy Center on the banks of the Santa Clara River (Utom). The project is criticized for threatening a sacred Chumash site, endangering species like the southwestern willow flycatcher and Bell's vireo, and adding significant pollution to Santa Paula, a community already struggling with air quality standards. The authors argue the plant is unnecessary and contradicts California's transition toward clean energy.

A group of Maine-based scientists urges Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to vote against the nomination of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator, arguing that his record of challenging science-based public health standards threatens the health and safety of Maine's residents.

The document is a formal letter of opposition to S. 2446, asserting that the bill would dismantle critical public health and environmental safeguards established by the EPA's 2014 coal ash rule. The signatories argue that the legislation would eliminate requirements for cleaning up toxic releases, remove national drinking water protection standards, and delay the closure of unstable coal ash impoundments, thereby increasing risks for vulnerable communities and the environment.