Environment / Public News Service

According to the Trump administration's 2026 fiscal year budget, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will cut 22% of its workforce, in addition to the workforce reductions that have already taken place. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 11, 2025

Federal impacts to ag conservation in WI 'complex'

Wisconsin's agriculture industry could see both wins and losses under the new federal budget. Climate change isn't a priority for the Trump …

Places like rural Dutch Harbor, Alaska, rely heavily on diesel powered generators for a majority of their power production. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Federal cuts threaten already challenged Alaskan power grid

Despite last-minute concessions in the Trump administration's budget, which removes alternative energy tax incentives, rural Alaska power providers …

A seed drill used by New Mexico farmers to plant cover crops causes minimal disturbance to the soil. (photo: courtesy NMhealthysoil.org)

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Building NM's soil for future farmers a marathon, not a sprint

New Mexico farmers finding it more difficult to grow historic crops are taking up conservation techniques to meet the challenge. Drought, water …

Some Pennsylvania farmers benefit from carbon markets or improved efficiency, such as savings on bedding from manure separators or reduced fuel costs from no-till farming. But owners of some smaller farms question the practicality of

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

PA farmers calculate return on climate-friendly ag practices

By Carolyn Beans for Lancaster Farming.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Lancaster Farming-MIT…

Colorado's 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan identifies 626

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Coloradans urged to speak up about at-risk wildlife, habitats

Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from all Coloradans about their updated 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan, a blueprint for preserving at-risk …

Arizona is among the top five states in the nation for solar energy production. (Adobe Stock)

Tax incentive cuts could dim Arizona solar investment

As part of the Trump administration's new budget, Arizona's burgeoning solar industry faces the elimination of tax incentives that have encouraged …

New Mexico homeowners planning to install solar will have to act quickly to take advantage of tax credits soon to be phased out under the

NM renewable energy advocates decry 'herky-jerky' policies

Renewable energy got short shrift in the budget bill passed by Congress last week and a New Mexico trade association said companies and their employee…

Members of the Blackfoot Drought Committee, first formed in 2000, include local landowners, irrigators and outfitters, as well as representatives from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. (Jason Olstad/Adobe Stock)

MT’s dry conditions test updated Blackfoot River drought plan

Following last year's historic drought in Montana and hot temperatures early this spring, the Blackfoot River is running at roughly 25% of normal …

Clean air advocates rallied at Los Angeles City Hall last spring to increase support for a rule to combat air pollution at the ports. (4th Street Productions)<br />

Hearing today on CA bill to limit rules on clean ports

A controversial bill on how best to clean up the air at California ports gets a hearing today in Sacramento. Senate Bill 34 would place limits on …

Residents along the Guadalupe River say it will take years for the area to recovery from the deadly flooding event on July 4. (Photo courtesy Casey Claiborne)

Texans grieve victims of deadly Hill Country flooding

Tributes and memorials are pouring in for victims of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The storm stalled over the Texas …

Iowa generates 59% of its electricity from wind, the highest share of any state. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa solar industry threatened by tax incentive cuts

Iowa is among the nation's leaders in wind energy production, and the state is looking to follow suit with solar power. But Congress has eliminated …

The dam removal opened up more than 30 miles of new spawning grounds for steelhead and 15 miles of salmon habitat. (Ian Shive)

WA conservationists preserve 5 miles of lower White Salmon River

Conservationists are celebrating the protection of five miles of river frontage along the White Salmon River. The 174-acre site was purchased by The …

The Island Fox is the only carnivore unique to California. (Photo courtesy Chuck Graham)

CA's Channel Islands Fox, a conservation success story

A small fox that lives on the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California is thriving after near extinction. The island fox - found nowhere …

Beaver Dam analogs, designed to mimic natural beaver dams, can help restore and improve stream ecosystems. (Emily Luberto/National Park Service)

Beavers' dam expertise helps NM communities restore waterways

Sometimes called the original "ecosystem engineers," beavers and the techniques they use are guiding conservationists in New Mexico to protect scarce …

The Citizens Utility Board says more than 91,000 Minnesota households had their utility service shut off for nonpayment last year. The board cited new research warning there would be more pressure on ratepayers if clean energy incentives are eliminated at the federal level. (Adobe Stock)

Under federal budget bill, how would your electricity bill fare?

If the federal government finalizes the budget reconciliation bill in play, pro-consumer voices in Minnesota warn the changes will not be friendly to …

The Montana Environmental Policy Act, which supports the state constitution, was weakened by a bill that passed in the state this session. Some involved with the legislation expect lawsuits will challenge the new law. (Adobe Stock)

Montana governor vetoes several bipartisan conservation bills

Environmental and wildlife conservation in Montana took hits during this year's state legislative session, including vetoes from the governor on …

Some 77% of Americans favor solar power but it is down from about 90% in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Big federal budget bill advances with help of Utah senators

After being debated for days, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, are among those who voted to advance the "One Big Beautiful Bill …

The Internal Revenue Service approved more than 300,000 federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases in 2024, totaling more than $2 billion. (Adobe Stock) <br />

KS manufacturer: Ending EV tax credits would hurt U.S. competition

President Donald Trump's budget bill took another step forward Tuesday by passing in the U.S. Senate. The bill would end some tax credits one Kansas …

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WI solar project invests in rural youth, community

A 100-megawatt solar project in rural Polk County set to begin operating this year has a unique focus on investments in youth. Developers said the …

Ohio ranks among the top 10 states for electric vehicle-related manufacturing jobs, with more than $3 billion invested in recent EV and battery projects, according to EV Jobs Hub. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio manufacturer warns federal rollbacks could stall EV progress

Ohio's fast-growing electric vehicle sector could face serious setbacks if proposed changes to federal clean energy tax credits move forward…

A House version of the budget reconciliation bill keeps a small EV tax credit through 2026 but only for manufactures that have sold fewer than 200,000 electric vehicles. (Optimal EV)

IN factory braces for end of EV tax breaks

Indiana workers could feel the effects of a sweeping federal bill targeting electric vehicle tax credits. Optimal EV's plant in Elkhart employs 35 …

The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. (Adobe Stock)

Relentless AZ summer is here with higher energy bills

Temperatures are on the rise across Arizona and so are energy bills. The anti-poverty nonprofit Wildfire and the Arizona Public Interest Research …

Rogue Climate staff and volunteers are seen at the community-led Fire Relief Center, following the Almeda Fire in the Rogue Valley in 2020. (Rogue Climate)

Oregon state budget defunds climate resiliency programs

Oregon's new state budget cuts funding for programs intended to protect residents from extreme weather and make renewable energy more accessible…

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says farmers in south Texas are suffering the most from water shortages caused by drought and failing infrastructure. (sawitreelyaon/Adobe Stock)

Without changes, TX could run out of water by 2030

Because of drought and failing infrastructure, the state of Texas will run out of water by 2030, according to the Texas Water Development Board…

Solar giant Mosaic, based in Oakland, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a few weeks ago, citing uncertainty around solar tax credits. (Surangkanang/Adobe Stock)

Clean-energy advocates: Spending bill before Senate would cost jobs in CA

Groups representing workers in the renewable power sector are slamming the possible repeal of clean-energy tax credits in the "One Big Beautiful Bill …

The Western Organization of Resource Councils is hosting the training and has members in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. (Adobe Stock)

WY residents invited to series on how to run for office, launching today

A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of …

Scientists are in search of new microbes that can capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, as plants do, but at much higher rates. (Adobe Stock)

CSU wants Coloradans’ gunk and goo to help fight climate change

The slime, gunk, and goo in and around your home could help mitigate climate change. Researchers at Colorado State University are asking Coloradans …

The National Centers for Environmental Information reports 27 U.S. climate disasters in the past year caused at least $1 billion in damages, making it the fourth-costliest year on record. (USGS.gov)

New Mexico joins state consensus that FEMA assistance is essential

The Trump administration has floated the idea of downsizing or even eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but a new poll shows the …

A poll showed Americans largely support requiring oil and gas companies to pay pollution fees but Congress wants to delay a polluter fee established under the Biden administration. (Adobe Stock)

Congressional budget battle threatens Ohio methane crackdown

Ohio is stepping up efforts to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas sector, but Congress is attempting to delay a federal methane emissions …

Ethanol sales bring in nearly $3 billion to Indiana every year, according to the industry watchdog group, Growth Energy. (Adobe Stock)

IN ethanol industry is robust but criticism is surfacing

A new report questions the sustainability of biofuels. Biofuels, or ethanol, are produced from fermented sugars and starches found in corn and …

Fire is a natural event on landscapes and indigenous people have used prescribed burns to keep forests and grasslands healthy for hundreds of years. (Adobe Stock)

CO aims to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks through prescribed burns

A new Colorado law aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by providing financial protection for trained and certified individuals to safely…

Tennessee now ranks 10th nationwide for clean-energy growth, with 18 new projects bringing in $6.6 billion and supporting nearly 7,000 jobs across sectors such as electric vehicles, solar and battery tech. (gokturk_06/Adobe Stock)

Federal tax credits boosting Tennessee’s battery supply chain

Federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are fueling big growth in Tennessee's battery supply chain. The Volunteer State has become a …

The Natural Resources Defense Council points to a large body of research showing communities of color are disproportionately exposed to fumes, toxic dust, ash, soot and other pollutants from hazardous facilities in their neighborhoods. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental justice activism finds energy in MN's Latino communities

Minnesotans are cooling off after last weekend's extreme heat but communities bearing the brunt of environmental injustice said there will be more cli…

A clean energy project in Cuyahoga County will leverage $60 million in federal tax credits and create over 250 jobs, including retraining coal plant workers for solar and battery storage roles, according to Power a Clean Future Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio groups: Reconciliation bill threatens jobs, schools, energy future

Ohio union and clean energy leaders are urging their U.S. Senators to reject a sweeping reconciliation bill they said would devastate families and …

Among respondents in a Pew Research Center poll who have experienced a major wildfire, 58% made a link to climate change. (Neil Lockhart/Adobe Stock)

Most Americans want assistance after severe weather, but FEMA is under threat

As the Trump administration considers a major overhaul of the nation's leading disaster relief agency, a new poll finds the majority of Americans …

Most Americans support requiring oil and gas companies to pay pollution fees, according to recent polling from Global Methane Hub. (Adobe Stock)

AZ air quality could take a hit if Congress delays methane polluter fee

As Congressional leaders continue debate over the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," environmental advocates are concerned about changes which could transl…

GOP aims to roll back methane rule Americans largely support

New Mexico is a leader in trying to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry but Congress wants to prevent implementation of a federal r…

Minneapolis Climate Action says a 365-kW community solar garden atop North High School produces enough clean energy to power dozens of Minneapolis homes and apartments every year. (Photo courtesy of MPS)

Community solar lives on in Minnesota

Minnesota's high-profile community solar program will stick around after state lawmakers opted not to approve a sunset provision. Assistance groups …

Prairies once covered a significant portion of Wisconsin, but today less than 0.1% of original prairies remain, making them one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. (Adobe Stock)

WI group empowers women to restore prairies, pollinators

June is National Pollinator Month and a local agricultural group which aims to empower women in conservation is bringing awareness to how prairie rest…

The University of Minnesota and The Land Institute are among those leading research into developing an earth-friendly grain which can be used for beer. (Adobe Stock)

MN raises a glass to a powerful and sustainable grain

CLARIFICATION: In the initial release of this story, the photo caption included a typo that resulted in an unintentional racial slur. In discussions …

There are about 30 rules to which the EPA is considering repeals or rollbacks. (Adobe Stock)

EPA proposed rollbacks on pollution rules could come at high cost

As federal lawmakers move forward with proposed environmental protection rollbacks, advocates are sounding the alarm and requesting additional time …

Fossil fuels are responsible for nearly a third of methane emissions tied to human activity. While agriculture and waste also release a lot of methane, experts say plugging leaks from oil and gas drilling is the fastest way to reduce them. (Dennis/Adobe Stock)

Congress could delay Methane Emission Reduction Program in PA

As Congress debates the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," environmental groups are watching closely for changes that could weaken the Methane Emission Red…

According to Cox Automotive, U.S. electric vehicle sales hit 1.3 million in 2024, a 7.3% increase over 2023, accounting for roughly 8.1% of new car sales. (skyNext/Adobe Stock)

MI nonprofits help roll out plan to close EV equity gap

As Michigan aims to support 2 million electric vehicles by 2030, the new "Equitable EV Action Plan Framework" could help local leaders with the …

Thermal imaging of emissions rising from Total's Bruder drill site in Arlington, Texas. (photo courtesy EARTHWORKS)

'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' could mean big changes for TX environment

As Congress continues to debate specifics of the budget reconciliation bill, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," environmental rights …

Methane and other emissions at oil and gas operations, when combined with sunlight, can produce dangerous ground-level ozone pollution. (Adobe Stock)

Moves to delay methane polluter fee could impact Colorado air quality

As Congress debates the GOP's sweeping budget reconciliation bill, some lawmakers are working to include a provision which would delay a methane …

Energy Innovation projects the bill would reduce Ohio's new electricity capacity by 7.8 gigawatts by 2035, including a drop of 8.7 GW in solar, 0.9 GW in wind, and 1.4 GW in battery storage. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans face higher bills under House energy plan

Ohioans could soon feel the pinch of rising energy costs. A bill passed by the U.S. House, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," would repeal key clean …

Polls consistently show that most Americans, no matter their political affiliation, oppose the federal government selling off public lands. (Adam/Adobe Stock)

Public lands supporters to rally during Santa Fe governors' meeting

Supporters of public lands will gather in Santa Fe next week to oppose pending legislation that would sell off millions of acres in 11 Western states…

Apalachicola Bay used to be the historic epicenter of the U.S. oyster industry, once producing 90% of Florida's oysters and 10% of the nation's supply. (Margaret Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

FL shellfish industry, communities push governor to ban Apalachicola drilling

A critical decision now rests with Gov. Ron DeSantis, as Florida coastal communities and shellfish farmers urge him to sign a bill permanently …

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