united states
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As Trump boosts coal, opponents warn of higher costs and more pollution
The Trump administration is using emergency powers and subsidies to keep U.S. coal plants running. Market analysts believe no coal plant closures are likely during President Donald Trump's term.
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Trump's EPA is paving the way for hazier national parks, activists say
Conservationists are warning that the Trump administration is working state by state to undo decades of progress in clearing skies over the country's beloved national parks.
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US takes aim at UN climate proposal
The Trump administration is urging other nations to press a tiny Pacific island country to withdraw a United Nations draft resolution supporting strong action to prevent climate change, including reparations for damage caused by any nation that fails to take action.
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California takes Trump administration to court over plans to restart oil pipelines
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing the Trump administration for approving an oil company's plans to restart two oil pipelines along the state's coast.
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‘Exceptionally cold’: How a warming Arctic is pushing the US and Eastern Europe into a deep freeze
Warm Arctic waters and cold continental land are combining to stretch the dreaded polar vortex in a way that sent much of the United States a devastating dose of winter weather.
Newsletter
Drought intensifies across the eastern US
A severe drought has expanded from the Ohio Valley to the South, impacting more than a dozen states and prompting emergency declarations in some areas.
In short:
- The eastern U.S. is experiencing a "flash" drought due to record heat and lack of rain, affecting more than a dozen states from Ohio to Georgia.
- Severe drought conditions have prompted a state of emergency in West Virginia and disaster relief loans from the USDA for affected regions.
- The National Weather Service forecasts above-average rainfall in August, which could ease drought conditions in some areas.
Key quote:
It's "probably one of the driest years I've seen."
— Owner of Higson’s Farm in Wiley Ford, West Virginia
Why this matters:
Prolonged drought conditions threaten agriculture, water supply and increase the risk of wildfires in affected regions. Anticipated rainfall could provide relief, but significant precipitation is needed to mitigate ongoing drought impacts.
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Newsletter
American solar firms request federal action against Asian competitors
American solar manufacturers are calling for the U.S. government to impose measures against Asian countries allegedly dumping subsidized panels into the market, arguing this threatens the domestic industry.
In short:
- U.S. manufacturers argue that solar panels subsidized by China, but manufactured in other Asian countries, are damaging the U.S. market.
- The petition targets imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, which represent 84% of U.S. solar panel imports in the last quarter of 2023.
- The controversy stirs debate within the solar sector, with some warning that tariffs could disrupt growth and escalate costs for consumers.
- China responded that their leading place in the global solar panel market is attributable to "strong performance and full-on market competition, nut subsidies."
Key quote:
"We are seeking to enforce the rules, remedy the injury to our domestic solar industry and signal that the U.S. will not be a dumping ground for foreign solar products."
— Tim Brightbill, attorney for the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, the group that filed the petition.
Why this matters:
American firms often argue that Chinese and other Asian manufacturers benefit from significant government subsidies, lower labor costs and less stringent regulations. This can result in lower production costs and cheaper products, making it difficult for American manufacturers to compete on price.
Be sure to listen to Agents of Change senior fellow Azmal Hossan as he talks about an ambitious effort he’s part of to get the U.S. and China working together on climate change.
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.
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