republicans
Republicans push bill to speed energy project approvals
A Republican-led bill aims to streamline environmental reviews and restrict legal challenges to fast-track U.S. energy projects amid ongoing bipartisan talks in Congress.
In short:
- Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) released a draft bill to shorten environmental reviews and limit court challenges.
- The bill restricts the definition of environmental impacts and limits courts from halting projects unless actual harm is proven.
- Critics warn it could exclude key climate impacts from reviews, especially regarding fossil fuel emissions.
Why this matters:
Streamlining permits for energy projects could speed up development, but narrowing environmental reviews may overlook long-term climate consequences, particularly related to fossil fuels.
Related: Texas companies skirt federal environmental laws with permit loopholes
Florida cities struggle with climate change as state policy stalls
Florida’s hottest climate and aging population are facing increasing heat-related health risks, but state policy shaped by Governor Ron DeSantis resists comprehensive action.
In short:
- Florida, the hottest state in the U.S., has no statewide plan to address heat-related health risks linked to climate change.
- Local governments and nonprofits are stepping in to fill the gaps left by state policy, though they lack sufficient resources.
- Governor DeSantis has blocked measures that address climate change, focusing instead on limited efforts to manage sea level rise.
Key quote:
“We must adapt to the warming climate, but the decisions we make right now, not addressing the root cause of the problem, is really unacceptable. You cannot adapt your way out of climate change.”
— Susan Glickman, vice president of policy and partnerships at the CLEO Institute
Why this matters:
Florida’s vulnerability to climate change endangers public health, especially for its older population. Without comprehensive state action, these risks will likely worsen, leaving local efforts insufficient to meet growing challenges.
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Republicans clash over keeping green subsidies from 2022 climate law
Republicans are divided on whether to keep the Inflation Reduction Act’s green energy tax credits, with growing support within the party to preserve these incentives despite opposition from conservatives.
In short:
- 18 House Republicans signed a letter asking Speaker Mike Johnson to keep energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Some Republicans argue that the subsidies benefit their districts and support economic development, while others see them as wasteful spending.
- GOP leaders face pressure to decide on the future of these credits, particularly if they win the 2024 elections.
Key quote:
“We’ve seen industries that were against the Inflation Reduction Act now lobbying to keep the tax credits."
— John Podesta, White House climate adviser
Why this matters:
This debate highlights internal GOP conflicts over climate policy and the political balancing act between economic benefits and ideological opposition to government spending. The outcome may significantly impact the future of U.S. climate initiatives.
Related EHN coverage:
Red states reap most benefits from climate law they oppose
A majority of the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy jobs and investments have flowed to Republican states, despite their lawmakers’ opposition.
In short:
- The Inflation Reduction Act has led to more than 330 clean energy projects, generating 109,278 jobs and $126 billion in investments, mostly in GOP districts.
- Conservative states like Georgia and North Carolina have seen significant economic boosts, yet their representatives remain critical of the climate law.
- Some Republicans are reconsidering their opposition, fearing repeal could hurt their states' economies.
Key quote:
“This is what I truly believe is the biggest economic revolution that this country has seen in generations, and it’s because we finally, finally, finally in this country decided to do something about climate change and clean energy.”
— Bob Keefe, executive director of E2
Why this matters:
The IRA is reshaping the U.S. economy, particularly in conservative regions, but political resistance to the law could jeopardize these gains, affecting both the environment and jobs.
Related: Opinion: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s climate change playbook — deny the science, take the funding
Kamala Harris distinguishes her environmental approach from Biden, facing GOP criticism
Vice President Kamala Harris, long an advocate for communities disproportionately affected by pollution, positions herself distinctively in the environmental realm, often clashing with Republicans who criticize her stance on equity in environmental policy.
Thomas Frank, Zack Colman, Annie Snider, and Alex Guillén report for POLITICO.
In short:
- Vice President Kamala Harris has focused on environmental justice for over a decade, aiming to mobilize Democrats and independents ahead of the 2024 election.
- GOP figures have criticized Harris' emphasis on equity, particularly after her remarks on resource distribution following Hurricane Ian.
- Harris' environmental policies and advocacy reflect her alignment with grassroots movements led predominantly by women of color.
Key quote:
“She was born a target for Republicans. Everything that she embodies is the antithesis of what the Rick Scotts of the world would like to see.”
— Chauncia Willis, executive director, Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management
Why this matters:
Harris' environmental policies could influence the 2024 election, especially among voters concerned with environmental justice. Her focus on equity highlights broader debates over how resources should be allocated to address climate impacts on marginalized communities.
Climate change denial persists among US lawmakers
Nearly a quarter of the U.S. Congress, all Republicans, deny climate change, despite growing public concern over global warming.
In short:
- A study reveals that 123 members of Congress, including 100 in the House and 23 in the Senate, deny human-caused climate change.
- These lawmakers have received a total of $52 million in campaign donations from the fossil fuel industry.
- Although public concern over climate change is increasing, many Americans are overrepresented by climate deniers in Congress.
Key quote:
“It’s harder to deny the science when it’s so much more apparent that the climate is warming, that extreme weather is getting worse and happening constantly. Nobody can deny the science with a straight face, given everything.”
— Naomi Oreskes, history of science professor, Harvard University
Why this matters:
The significant number of climate-denying lawmakers undermines efforts to address climate change despite scientific consensus and growing public alarm. This disconnect poses challenges to advancing meaningful climate policies and addressing the urgent impacts of global warming.
House passes controversial spending bill cutting EPA funds
House Republicans passed a $38.5 billion spending bill that significantly reduces funding for clean energy and climate programs.
In short:
- The bill proposes a 20% cut to the EPA's budget, reducing funds for science and environmental justice programs.
- It includes conservative policy riders, expanding mining, increasing oil and gas leases and blocking climate initiatives.
- Many provisions are unlikely to survive bicameral negotiations after the November elections.
Key quote:
“Rather than making sound investments to protect our air and water, preserve our national parks and ensure the environment we all share and live in remains clean and protected, the majority’s bill benefits the most egregious polluters and climate science deniers.”
— Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee
Why this matters:
The bill's cuts to the EPA could hamper efforts to address climate change and environmental justice. Reductions in funding may affect public health, particularly in low-income and rural communities.