Gray heron standing in body of water amid water plants.

EPA moves to further limit protections for wetlands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to scale back protections for wetlands, aligning with a 2023 Supreme Court decision that limited federal authority over U.S. waterways.

Michael Phillis reports for The Associated Press.


In short:

  • EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency will implement new, more predictable rules on which waterways the Clean Water Act covers, responding to concerns from farmers and industry groups.
  • The Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA ruling found that federally protected wetlands must be directly adjacent to a permanent waterway, a shift that significantly narrows previous protections.
  • Environmental groups warn that the rollback will lead to more pollution and habitat loss, particularly in drier regions already facing water scarcity.

Key quote:

"They are going to continue to find ways to change the Clean Water Act to weaken public safeguards."

— Julian Gonzalez, senior legislative counsel at Earthjustice

Why this matters:

Wetlands help filter pollutants, prevent flooding, and provide critical wildlife habitat. Reducing federal oversight could allow more development and pollution in sensitive areas, potentially affecting water quality and increasing flood risks. States with stronger protections may maintain stricter rules, but others could see significant environmental degradation. This change reflects a broader trend of limiting federal environmental regulations in favor of state and industry control.

Related: The Supreme Court takes aim at environmental regulations this term

Image of Wind turbines, solar panels, and fossil fuel power plants.
Credit: jaroslavav/ BigStock Photo ID: 83377346

How China raced ahead on clean energy while America clung to oil

Even as the climate crisis intensifies, China and the U.S. are charting wildly different energy paths — one doubling down on clean tech, the other on fossil fuels.

David Gelles, Somini Sengupta, Keith Bradsher, and Brad Plumer report from four continents for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Dakota Access Pipeline protesters hold signs  and raise fists.

Greenpeace faces ruin after oil giant wins lawsuit rewriting Standing Rock history

The company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) convinced a North Dakota jury to blame Greenpeace for protests led by Indigenous activists — and now the nonprofit faces a $666 million penalty.

Episode one of SLAPP’d, a multipart podcast focusing on the Greenpeace/DAPL trial.

Alleen Brown reports for Drilled.

Keep reading...Show less
Image of Wind turbines, solar panels, and power plant towers.
Credit: jaroslavav/ BigStock Photo ID: 83377346

Senate passes ​GOP budget bill, hampering US shift to clean energy

A Senate-approved Republican budget bill would gut core parts of the 2022 climate law, stalling clean energy growth and likely raising Americans’ utility bills. The bill now goes to the House for final approval.

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
Person holding No Nature No Future signage during a demonstration.

World leaders stall as Cop30 looms and climate pledges remain unfinished

With just four months until the United Nations climate summit in Brazil, most countries have yet to submit updated emissions plans, threatening the world’s ability to stay below the 1.5C warming threshold.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Saudi Aramco flag with a skyscraper in background.

Saudi oil official’s role in climate science report raises conflict of interest concerns

A longtime Saudi Aramco employee’s nomination to help lead a major United Nations climate report has sparked fresh questions about fossil fuel influence inside the world’s top climate science body.

Karl Mathiesen reports for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
four people on ice near icebergs during daytime.

Ocean salinity shifts are melting Antarctic sea ice faster, scientists find

Rising salt levels near Antarctica are altering ocean dynamics, drawing up warm water and accelerating sea ice loss, new satellite data reveal.

Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Two soccer players collide mid-air as the ball bounces off one of their heads.

Vermont soccer club kicks toward a cleaner future

In Burlington, Vermont, a scrappy amateur soccer team is drawing crowds and taking climate action one game at a time.

Cara Buckley reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.