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The review finds that neonicotinoid seed treatments (NSTs) often fail to provide statistically significant increases in yield or profitability for North American farmers, particularly in colder regions like the Midwest and Northern U.S. where early-season pest pressure is lower. While some positive returns on investment (ROI) were observed in the U.S. South due to milder winters and higher pest pressure, these results were inconsistent year-to-year. The document highlights significant ecological harms, including the reduction of predator insect populations, damage to pollinators, and disruption of soil decomposition. It argues that a shift from prophylactic use to an 'assess-and-decide' approach based on actual pest pressure would save farmers money without reducing yields.

The report argues that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is undermining national energy security and economic competitiveness by canceling billions in congressionally mandated funding for clean energy and industrial innovation. It details the loss of approximately $23 billion in federal funding across 648 projects, affecting sectors such as carbon capture, hydrogen, and grid resiliency. The document highlights that these cuts risk wasting previous federal R&D investments, destroying local jobs, and ceding technological leadership to global competitors like China and Canada.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has cancelled or is considering the cancellation of approximately 650 projects, totaling $23 billion in federal funding. These cuts affect a wide range of sectors, including carbon capture, hydrogen, and industrial manufacturing, and impact nearly every U.S. state. The author contends that these actions negate the goals of bipartisan legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, threatening the energy supplies needed for artificial intelligence and modern manufacturing.

Earthjustice responds to a DOE request for information on accelerating power delivery for AI and industrial growth. The organization argues against reviving retired coal plants due to high costs and unreliability, instead advocating for the rapid deployment of wind, solar, and battery storage. It recommends that the DOE address speculative and inflated data center load forecasts, automate interconnection studies to reduce timelines, and deploy Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) to increase grid capacity quickly. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for early community engagement in permitting and the long-term expansion of interregional transmission lines.

The Private Equity Stakeholder Project and a group of residents are calling on Brookfield Asset Management to implement strict standards for resident protections—including a 3% annual rent cap and the allowance of window A/C units—should it acquire Yes! Communities. The letter highlights a pattern of rent hikes and poor maintenance at Yes! Communities parks in Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Iowa, and Texas, and expresses concern over the management record of RHP, a previous Brookfield partner, citing issues in New York, Colorado, and North Carolina.

The report argues that KKR's use of leveraged buyouts (LBOs) often leads to financial instability and labor abuses in its portfolio companies. It documents a pattern of health and safety violations, anti-union activities, and wage theft across various sectors, including healthcare and landscaping. The document also highlights KKR's role in high-profile bankruptcies, such as Toys "R" Us and Envision Healthcare, and alleges that the firm has engaged in antitrust violations by obscuring information from the US government during mergers and acquisitions.

The briefing proposes a dual-metric approach to track methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, noting that a single metric cannot fairly assess the diverse physical and chemical makeups of petroleum resources. It highlights the economic viability of capturing wasted gas and calls for policy-driven demand to incentivize low-methane production.

The guide examines how community-based organizations (CBOs) can bridge the gap between solar energy programs and low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in the United States. It identifies systemic barriers to solar adoption—such as high upfront costs, complex applications, and distrust of developers—and proposes seven strategies for CBOs to overcome these obstacles. Through case studies from Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Michigan, the document demonstrates that CBOs' local trust and cultural understanding are critical for ensuring clean energy transitions are equitable and accessible.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a mix of incentives and challenges for US advanced energy manufacturing. While it preserves the 45X production credit and introduces 'full expensing' for capital investments, it also imposes stricter foreign entity of concern (FEOC) restrictions and accelerates the phase-out of certain clean energy tax credits, leading to reduced demand projections for solar, wind, and electric vehicles. The report suggests that manufacturers should pivot toward grid equipment, geothermal, nuclear, and upstream components where demand still exceeds domestic capacity.

The document criticizes the US government for granting 'licenses to pollute' to chemical and coal companies, which exposes children to hazardous substances like PFAS, lead, and pesticides. It argues that children are uniquely vulnerable to these toxins and demands the immediate phase-out of organophosphate pesticides, stricter air and water quality standards, and the prohibition of phthalates in consumer products.

The report identifies 'electoral cumulative inequalities' where precincts with majority populations of color consistently exhibit lower voter turnout and higher ballot rejection rates compared to majority-White precincts. Analyzing data from battleground counties in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, the authors argue that these disparities are systemic and not solely explained by state-level factors. The study highlights that communities with the lowest turnout also face the highest rates of ballot rejections, further diminishing their political representation. The authors advocate for more equitable ballot design and increased election data transparency to mitigate these inequities.

The document highlights the environmental and health risks associated with spreading sewage sludge on approximately 70 million acres of U.S. farmland, noting that such sludge often contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It criticizes the EPA for failing to finalize risk assessments for PFOA and PFOS and for underestimating the risks of over 150 other PFAS chemicals detected in sludge. The text cites specific farm failures in Maine and Michigan due to contamination and notes that while some states like Maine have banned the practice, others still encourage it. The author calls for federal regulations, the protection of local government authority to restrict sludge use, and corporate accountability for clean-up.

A coalition of 42 organizations, including Earthjustice and the NRDC, submitted comments on the EPA's Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS. The coalition argues that the EPA's assessment confirms that these 'forever chemicals' in sewage sludge pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment, particularly through land application on farms. They claim the EPA's risk calculations are underestimates because they use low-end concentration models and ignore combined exposure effects. The document calls for the prompt finalization of the assessment, the establishment of numerical limitations and management practices under the Clean Water Act, and the expansion of future risk assessments to include other PFAS, synthetic organic fluorine compounds, and microplastics. Additionally, they advocate for stricter pretreatment standards for industrial dischargers to prevent PFAS from entering publicly-owned treatment works.

The report outlines strategies for clean energy developers to mitigate local resistance by prioritizing early, transparent, and inclusive community engagement. Using five case studies across various technologies, it emphasizes the importance of flexible siting, aligning projects with local economic goals, and establishing equitable community benefit programs. It also recommends policy reforms at the state level to streamline permitting and integrate clean energy into broader land-use planning.

Earthjustice reports on its efforts to secure and defend health protections against pollution and toxic chemicals. The organization highlights the use of 'citizen suits' under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to hold polluters accountable, such as litigation against Suncor Energy and the County of Hawai‘i. The report emphasizes a strategic shift toward state and local legal avenues—including constitutional 'right to a healthy environment' claims in Hawai’i and New York—to mitigate the impact of federal rollbacks by the Trump administration. Key achievements include pushing for bans on PFAS in menstrual products in New York, reducing flame retardants in Washington state, and implementing zero-emissions truck rules in California. The document also details the projected life-saving impacts of federal rules secured in 2024, such as the Air Toxics Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule Update.

A group of state Attorneys General requests that the U.S. Department of Justice recommend legislation to shield energy companies from climate-related liability and restrict federal funding for states pursuing climate lawsuits. The authors argue that such "climate lawfare" undermines national security and economic prosperity by targeting traditional energy resources like oil, natural gas, and coal.

The document details the expansion of private equity ownership in Michigan's housing market, specifically across manufactured home communities, apartment complexes, and student housing. It highlights a pattern of aggressive rent increases, hidden fees, and poor maintenance, while noting that state and university funds have invested billions into the firms responsible. For example, Blackstone increased average rents at its five Michigan student housing properties by 26% over three years, and Yes! Communities owns 64 parks with approximately 20,900 lots in the state.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered the J.H. Campbell coal plant in Michigan and units of the Eddystone oil and gas plant in Pennsylvania to remain open, overturning planned retirements. Earthjustice contends these orders are an illegal abuse of Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, as there is no evidence of a reliability risk. The document asserts that these actions override state regulators and market decisions to prop up uncompetitive fossil fuels, potentially costing utility customers millions and hindering the transition to clean energy.

Private equity firms control nearly 9% of Michigan's private sector workforce, with investments often linked to public pension funds like the State of Michigan Investment Board. The document details how this ownership model has contributed to bankruptcies in the automotive, retail, and hospitality sectors, as well as labor disputes and service reductions in healthcare and waste management. Specific examples include the bankruptcy of Joann and IAC Group, and child labor allegations at Hearthside Food Solutions.

The Council on Strategic Risks argues that the Trump Administration's proposed FY2026 budget for the State Department and USAID would undermine US national security by eliminating programs that build climate resilience, food security, and disaster preparedness. The document highlights how these cuts create strategic openings for China, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, and increase the risk of global instability and migration. It specifically calls for clarity on the implementation of the Global Fragility Act and the balance between the administration's goal of seabed mineral extraction and the simultaneous cutting of scientific funding for ocean exploration.