We made this bulletin because we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between keeping up with the news and your well-being. Here’s our latest round-up of the climate and clean energy news we're following—including short summaries and why we think they matter—and positive stories to keep us all hopeful in this fight. (Today’s voltage: 476 words)
News We're Plugged Into
3 Ways States Are Championing Clean Transportation
- Teaming up: Clean RIDES Network, a group of over 100 labor, climate, and health organizations, launched last week to promote cleaner transit in California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania. The network, spearheaded in part by Evergreen Action, seeks to invest in transit options that improve health, reduce costs and congestion for commuters, and decrease pollution.
- Standing strong: Republicans in Congress are trying to end state-based clean vehicle standards, set by California and adopted by several other states, known as the Advanced Clean Trucks and the Advanced Clean Cars II rules. The upshot: States like Illinois still want to adopt California’s more ambitious standard, and others like New York and New Jersey are standing by their commitments—and we must keep holding them to their word.
- Investing in infrastructure: With federal support frozen or endangered for charging infrastructure, states like Illinois and Massachusetts are picking up the slack. Illinois, via utility ComEd, is allocating $100 million for charger rebates, following an earlier $87 million investment. Massachusetts enacted legislation in November to expand clean energy and EV access, including a 100-charger bidirectional pilot program.
Why this matters—As the Trump administration targets clean energy and transportation investments, states are stepping in to advance these priorities on their own. As advocates, we must urge states to continue seizing these opportunities to lead on climate policies and stand by existing commitments, regardless of what’s happening in Washington.
Amp up your knowledge:
- AP: States Push to Shift Road Funds to Transit and Bike Projects as Trump Threatens Cuts
- Evergreen Action: These 4 Transportation Rules Are Under GOP Attack in Congress Right Now
- Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air: Heavy Duty Harm: A global analysis of the health and economic impacts of emissions from major truck manufacturers: Daimler, Traton, Volvo, and Paccar
- Canary Media: The bid to make Illinois a leader on electric trucking
- Heatmap: Trump Tried to Kill Public EV Charging. These States Are Going Ahead Anyway
Empowering Headlines
- Heatmap: The New Campaign to Save Renewables: Lower Electricity Bills
- POLITICO: Ford seeks help to save IRA tax credits
- AP: Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal’s win
- Tampa Bay Times: Clean energy policies benefit everyone. Just ask red states like Florida
- Grist: Can cities ban natural gas in new buildings? A federal judge just said yes.
- City & State NY: State releases initial rules for cap-and-invest program
Watts On Our Playlist
Climate action must go hand-in-hand with social and environmental justice. Catherine Coleman Flowers and Rep. Justin Pearson speak about their work supporting their communities in addressing the entrenched systems of poverty, fossil fuel pollution, and identity politics.
Tune in:
Sparking Joy
This one got us good this week 😂
