Two years ago, Maryland began a years-long effort to phase out sales of gas-powered vehicles, part of its fight against climate change. Now it might become the first state in a national coalition to ease the pressure on car companies to electrify.
See the full story in the Baltimore Banner.
More DMV News
Localities, Rural Lawmakers Win in Halting Solar Siting Reform in Virginia
Inside Climate News
Last month, a couple of weeks before the end of the regular legislative session, Virginia lawmakers killed a bill to reform the state’s process of approving utility-scale solar projects despite achieving some rare support from both the environmental and agricultural communities. Continued concern from localities over a loss of control won out.
Maryland Could Lock in Biden-Era Coal Ash Rules, as Trump EPA Considers Rollbacks
Maryland Matters
A bill advancing in the Maryland General Assembly would enshrine a recent federal rule on coal ash dumps in state law, as President Donald Trump’s administration considers rolling that standard back.
Chesapeake Bay in the Crosshairs as EPA Strips Federal Water Protections
Virginia Mercury
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation on Thursday condemned the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most recent sweeping deregulatory actions, calling them an existential threat to the Chesapeake Bay’s restoration and a blatant abandonment of environmental protections. The EPA’s latest moves, critics say, will eviscerate decades of progress and undermine efforts to combat climate change.
Lawmakers Toss Consumer Electric Bill Refund Into Grab Bag of Energy Bills
Maryland Matters
Senators on Tuesday rolled a laundry list of energy bills together into one package aimed at reshaping Maryland’s energy picture well into the future, and lowering costs in the process.
National and International News
As Offshore Wind Struggles Under Trump, There’s Still Room for Progress
Inside Climate News
The U.S. offshore wind industry felt a malaise even before President Donald Trump returned to office in January and signed an order that froze development of new projects.
The U.S. Coal Industry is Dying. Trump Threw It A Lifeline.
Washington Post
This month alone, the Environmental Protection Agency said it would overhaul coal plant regulations limiting carbon emissions, mercury output, wastewater runoff, and coal ash dumps. The Interior Department approved extending the life of Montana’s Spring Creek Mine by 16 years, allowing the Navajo Transitional Energy Company to produce an additional 40 million tons of coal on federal land. And backers of a proposed plant in Wyoming to convert coal into ammonia have cited the new administration’s policies as one reason they’re optimistic their project will be built.
The Oil Industry Takes Its Critics To Court
Washington Post
At the White House last week, the nation’s top oil executives asked President Donald Trump for help fighting state laws that seek billions of dollars from fossil fuel companies.
Republicans Helped Some Environment Programs Dodge DOGE
E&E News
Republican lawmakers have succeeded in back-channeling with Trump officials to save energy and environment programs and workers from the wrath of Elon Musk.
DOE Axes 4 Major Efficiency Rules
E&E News
The Department of Energy is withdrawing four efficiency rules, angering environmentalists who said the move raises legal questions and could spike emissions.