Carlos Martín

The EPA recently announced its plans to repeal the “endangerment finding,” which asserts that greenhouse gases harm human health and the environment. In this In Focus video, RFF President & CEO Billy Pizer breaks down the implications of this major move. ⬇️

“Staggering” Water Loss Driven by Groundwater Mining Poses Global Threat A new study finds that freshwater resources are rapidly disappearing, creating arid “mega” regions and causing sea levels to rise.

The craziest discovery about our global water crisis -- besides the fact that the continents are drying -- is that groundwater pumping is now driving sea level rise. @hrishikeshac.bsky.social @jayfamiglietti.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/wate...

Y'all this was the chance to reverse decades of land loss and save the Louisiana coast. It took years of work to set up and today the GOP pulled the plug.

Improving Home Energy Upgrades: Insights from Households and Industry Join us for a webinar on the perspectives of households and the construction industry on energy retrofits

A new analysis finds significant differences in how households and the construction industry view energy upgrades.

Join @beccconference.bsky.social for a webinar on July 29 at 2:30pm ET to learn how understanding their different priorities can help us drive greater benefits for all involved.

Our research confirms this. Climate change increases the need for air conditioning for people to not die in heat waves. We need clean energy. We need efficient buildings. We need green infrastructure. We need more of this that most folks can imagine. We should start building it all right now.

Weatherization Blocked by Repair Needs in a Fifth of Eligible Homes New research finds 7,000 homes a year are denied from federally funded weatherization program that cuts energy bills

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps income-eligible households reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.

A new study looking at the program found that nearly ⅕ of homes audited for WAP are deferred because needed repairs. More⬇️

via Benedicto.Uribe on TikTok

Newtok, Alaska, Was Supposed to Be a Model for Climate Relocation. Here’s How It Went Wrong. The project’s challenges highlight how ill-prepared the U.S. is to respond to the way climate change is making some places uninhabitable.

Since fall, 2022, I've been trying to figure out why Newtok's relocation is riddled with problems - the same kind this move was supposed to solve. Newtok’s residents are Americans - not a “they,” but an “us,” and that’s why I chased this story for so long. www.propublica.org/article/newt...

FEMA at 'high risk' of disrupting 'life-saving' disaster relief, per internal memo The agency in charge of mitigating disasters is in the midst of its own.

SCOOP— FEMA essential functions are at "high risk" of not functioning properly just days before hurricane season because of staffing shortages, per a recent internal memo obtained by The Handbasket.

These deficiencies "may disrupt life-saving and life-sustaining program delivery."

Full story here:

The Latest Trump and DOGE Casualty: Energy Data The Energy Information Administration has long provided reliable data on everything from oil and gas to alternative energy. Now one of its signature reports has been slashed and a second one canceled…

Staffers at the Energy Information Administration said they believe changes were made to their Energy Outlook report out of fear that spotlighting unwelcome findings would make the agency a Trump target. “There was a concern that any narrative we put out would be seen as ideological.”

Two experts resign from EPA posts to protest the agency’s science committee shake-up The researchers said they were concerned about the "watering down of credible science, engineering, and methodological rigor."

8 years ago this weekend w Peter Meyer. We weren’t prescient, just principled. Now, w federal, academic, civil separations, I see our humble act in new light. Maybe an omen. But if omens foretell gloom, our vindication suggests there will be light.
Stick to truth. The light will come. Someday.

E&E News: FEMA chief is fired Federal Emergency Management Agency acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton told people he was terminated Thursday.

Geez… I guess too cute or too honest for DHS subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

FEMA will stop 100% cost-share in Helene recovery • NC Newsline "I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision, even for 90 days," Gov. Josh Stein said.

FEMA will stop matching 100% of Helene recovery money in North Carolina ncnewsline.com/2025/04/12/f...

Our statement from Alliance co-chairs New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham: “The federal government cannot unilaterally strip states’ independent constitutional authority. We are a nation of states — and laws — and we will not be deterred. We will keep advancing solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard Americans’ fundamental right to clean air and water, create good-paying jobs, grow the clean energy economy, and make our future healthier and safer.”

Today, the President issued an executive order targeting states’ authority to tackle the climate crisis.

Our statement from Alliance co-chairs @governor.ny.gov & @govmlg.bsky.social ➡️ usclimatealliance.org/press-releases/alliance-statement-on-executive-order-targeting-state-authority-apr-2025/

FEMA moves to end one of its biggest disaster adaptation programs In an internal FEMA memorandum obtained by Grist, the Trump administration announced it plans to dismantle the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.

Scoop from me and Jake: FEMA is ending BRIC. grist.org/politics/fem...

E&E News: FEMA halts grant program that spent billions on disaster protection An internal memo says the agency is canceling future and existing grants that help states and tribes prepare for floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

Federal Investigators Were Preparing Two Texas Housing Discrimination Cases — Until Trump Took Over The government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people out and that Texas discriminated against minority residents in Houston after Hurricane Harvey,…

HUD concluded a Texas state agency had steered $1B in disaster funding away from Houston and nearby communities of color after Hurricane Harvey.

On Jan. 15, HUD referred the case to the DOJ.

On Feb. 13, it rescinded that referral with no explanation.

E&E News: FEMA blocks $10B in disaster aid over immigration concerns The move is part of a wholesale review of 56 FEMA programs to ensure they meet President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

E&E News: Noem outlined major restructuring of FEMA in private meeting The Homeland Security secretary expressed support for eliminating long-term disaster recovery efforts under the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

Federal Investigators Were Preparing Two Texas Housing Discrimination Cases — Until Trump Took Over The government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people out and that Texas discriminated against minority residents in Houston after Hurricane Harvey,…

NEW: The government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people out and that Texas discriminated against minority residents in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, only to suddenly reverse course under Trump.

By @jessecoburn.bsky.social

Good on @mmadisons.bsky.social @noahpatton.bsky.social @eyesrsmiling.bsky.social

E&E News: FEMA memo targets disaster aid that ‘indirectly’ helps migrants The previously undisclosed review could block assistance to millions of undocumented people and deter legal immigrants from seeking help in extreme weather.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

E&E News: Trump backs away from his threat to abolish FEMA A new executive order to create a national resilience plan signals that the president wants to overhaul disaster response while maintaining a federal role.

Except states have largely paid for most disaster mitigation historically. The new EO does not clarify whether FEMA’s role before disasters will shrink, but suggests that the federal role after a disaster could be subject to judgments about states

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

How to Shop for a Home That Won’t Be Upended by Climate Change (Gift Article) Deciding where to live has always been a high-stakes financial decision, but a changing climate makes it even more critical. This guide will get you started.

NEW: After the California fires, we wanted to know this: How can people shop for a climate-safe home? Turns out there were more than 65 questions nested under that first one. @tarasiegelbernard.bsky.social and I got to work on all of them, and here's the result. nyti.ms/3DREtXd

E&E News: California halts energy rebate program amid Trump freeze The move marks growing concern among states over being frozen out of federal funding for energy efficiency programs.

No aid after the disaster, no reducing future disasters

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E&E News: Trump is blocking ‘essential’ disaster aid to states Court documents indicate the administration has begun a campaign to block states from receiving funds for projects that would reduce climate-related damage.

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HUD cuts expected to worsen America’s housing crisis, staffers say The Department of Housing and Urban Development is expected to be slashed in half, according to an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post.

Major cuts planned for HUD will cause major disruptions in the housing market and slow housing production = ⬆️ housing prices

And I know what I’m talking about: www.huduser.gov/portal/publi...

Trump Team Plans Cuts at HUD Office That Funds Disaster Recovery (Gift Article) Staff at the office, a branch of the U.S. housing department that Congress uses to address the worst catastrophes, would be reduced by 84 percent.

This will absolutely hamper disaster recovery everywhere in the US. FUFO. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/c...

E&E News: FEMA docs for addressing climate change disappear from websites The two funding notices are needed by states to apply for $1.35 billion in mitigation grants.

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