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: 426 words)
News We're Plugged Into
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Debate
EPA recently announced that it would terminate $20 billion in funding under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), also known as the “green bank.” Since then, a federal judge blocked Trump’s EPA from attempting to pull back the funds, saying the agency “gave no legal justification for the termination” of the contracts.
Why this matters—GGRF projects are key to lowering U.S. energy costs by supporting clean energy projects, expanding solar programs, and energy-efficient homes. The administration is trying to illegally claw back funds, already appropriated by Congress, from a program that is already helping folks across the country.
Amp up your knowledge:
- POLITICO: Judge bars Trump’s EPA from taking back $20B in climate grants — for now
- Canary Media: Trump admin says it's ‘terminated' $20B green bank in latest escalation
- Evergreen Action: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Fact vs Fiction
Congestion Pricing in New York
Congestion pricing was introduced in New York to cut down traffic and improve city infrastructure—and it’s working. The program has since increased demand for public transport ridership, cut pollution, and helped the local economy. At first, the Trump administration set an arbitrary, likely illegal deadline of March 21 for New York to stop the program. Kathy Hochul held her ground, knowing the administration didn’t have a leg to stand on, and they backed down: On March 20, the Trump administration gave the city a 30-day extension on their “deadline.”
Why we’re watching—Congestion pricing remains popular and in full effect, and on March 21, Gov. Hochul is holding a press conference to celebrate its benefits for residents, businesses, and commuters.
Amp up your knowledge:
- Reuters: US threatens to withhold transit funds over New York subway incidents
- New York Times: Trump Wants Congestion Pricing Dead by March 21. New York Won’t Budge.
Empowering Headlines
- Elektrek: Solar adds more new capacity to the US grid in 2024 than any energy source in 20 years
- Forbes: Solar-Plus-Storage: The Fastest, Cheapest Way To Meet Surging Power Demand
- Canary Media: Texas broke its solar, wind, and battery records in one spring week
Watts On Our Playlist
AI and Data Center Demand
There’s been a lot of buzz on the threat of data centers increasing electricity demand and the potential for that cost shifting to ratepayers. Eliza Martin and Ari Peskoe, the authors of a new paper on the topic, discuss the current utility rate-setting system, its flaws, and some solutions.
Tune in:
Amp up your knowledge:
- Evergreen Action: Four Ways States Can Meet AI Energy Demand With Clean Energy
