Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
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No Labels Issues Commentary: Is DHS Shutting Down?
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- No Labels, a political organization that advocates for centrism and bipartisanship, issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by senior policy analyst Peyton Lofton:
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Is DHS Shutting Down?
What Happens to TSA, FEMA, and ICE, if DHS Funding Expires
Will Congress be able to avert yet another government shutdown?
Most of the government is funded for the rest of the year, but one major department was left out: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS is only funded until Friday, February 13th. If lawmakers fail to reach a deal before then, DHS will
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- No Labels, a political organization that advocates for centrism and bipartisanship, issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by senior policy analyst Peyton Lofton:
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Is DHS Shutting Down?
What Happens to TSA, FEMA, and ICE, if DHS Funding Expires
Will Congress be able to avert yet another government shutdown?
Most of the government is funded for the rest of the year, but one major department was left out: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS is only funded until Friday, February 13th. If lawmakers fail to reach a deal before then, DHS willtechnically shut down - although not all of its functions will. More on that in a bit.
Democrats are demanding reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which falls under DHS, before they vote for any funding bill. Republicans counter that Democrats are making unreasonable demands and putting Americans in danger by shutting down DHS.
As of now, there's no sign of progress in the DHS funding negotiations. So what would a DHS shutdown actually mean?
What Is DHS - And Why Was It Created?
The Department of Homeland Security was created after the 9/11 attacks to unify America's defenses under one cabinet-level agency.
Before DHS existed, responsibility for protecting the homeland was scattered across more than 100 federal agencies, with no single department in charge.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 merged border protection, intelligence analysis, infrastructure security, disaster response, and other critical functions into one coordinated department.
The effort was bipartisan. No Labels Founding Chairman Sen. Joe Lieberman spearheaded the legislation, working alongside Republicans Fred Thompson and Susan Collins.
Today, DHS is a core part of the nation's security and emergency infrastructure.
What Happens If DHS Shuts Down?
A DHS shutdown would not look like a full government closure. Many functions would continue - but with strain, delays, and disruption.
What Happens to TSA?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would continue operating, but at a lower capacity.
TSA officers would work without pay until funding is restored. During past shutdowns, many TSA officers didn't show up for work, leading to longer airport security lines. A DHS shutdown could mean travel disruptions, especially at major hubs.
What Happens to FEMA?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would continue responding to disasters.
But funding delays can slow everything behind the scenes. Approvals for disaster relief can slow or stop, making victims wait longer for payments. Reimbursements to states and local governments for emergency response costs can also be delayed.
If a major winter storm hits while DHS is unfunded, disaster survivors - and the communities helping them recover - could face added uncertainty.
What Happens to CISA?
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) would have to furlough employees if DHS shuts down. During the 2025 government shutdown, CISA furloughed over 1,600 employees - that's two-thirds of its workforce.
That limits its ability to proactively defend networks and critical infrastructure, even if core monitoring systems remain online. The longer a shutdown drags on, the longer we'll be exposed to cyber threats and hacks.
Does ICE Shut Down?
ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are part of DHS, but they would not be affected by a shutdown.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Republicans passed last summer contained $170 billion in funding for ICE and CBP, enough to fund operations for four years. So even if DHS shuts down, immigration enforcement will continue.
That's the contradiction at the heart of this shutdown fight. Democrats want reforms to ICE, but shutting down DHS now will only affect agencies keeping Americans safe, like TSA, FEMA, and CISA.
Is DHS Shutting Down?
Tensions between Democrats and Republicans remain high. With the February 13th deadline approaching, the risk of a DHS shutdown is real.
But there are signs that at least some lawmakers are trying to prevent the worst-case scenario.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino, vice chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, recently led a Homeland Security Committee hearing that was civil and substantive. He warned that a DHS shutdown would harm national security and federal employees, and called for impartial investigations into recent ICE-related shootings, along with greater coordination between federal, state, and local officials.
That kind of bipartisan engagement does not guarantee a deal - but it suggests some members recognize what is at stake.
If Congress does not act before February 13th, the effects will be real. Federal employees will work without pay. Airport lines could grow longer. Disaster reimbursements may slow. Cybersecurity staffing will thin.
Whether lawmakers can resolve their differences in time remains unclear. What is clear is that funding lapses don't stay contained to Capitol Hill - they ripple outward, affecting communities across the country.
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Peyton Lofton is Senior Policy Analyst at No Labels and has spent his career writing for the common sense majority. His work has appeared in the Washington Examiner, RealClearPolicy, and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Peyton holds a degree in political science from Tulane University.
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Original text here: https://nolabels.org/the-latest/is-dhs-shutting-down/
[Category: Political]
Natural Resources Defense Council: EPA Unravels Climate Protections
NEW YORK, Feb. 13 [Category: Environment] -- The Natural Resources Defense Council posted the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
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EPA Unravels Climate Protections
NRDC will challenge the Trump EPA's unscientific and illegal repeal of the endangerment finding and elimination of clean vehicle standards.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a year of deadly floods, devastating wildfires, excruciating heat waves, and a growing number of unnatural disasters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the incomprehensible determination that it does not have the legal authority to address
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Feb. 13 [Category: Environment] -- The Natural Resources Defense Council posted the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
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EPA Unravels Climate Protections
NRDC will challenge the Trump EPA's unscientific and illegal repeal of the endangerment finding and elimination of clean vehicle standards.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a year of deadly floods, devastating wildfires, excruciating heat waves, and a growing number of unnatural disasters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the incomprehensible determination that it does not have the legal authority to addressclimate change.
Today the Trump EPA rescinded the 2009 endangerment finding that determined that climate pollution is a threat to public health and welfare and is core to much of the climate policy that followed. In addition, the agency eliminated the clean vehicle standards, which were set to deliver the single biggest cut to U.S. carbon pollution in history.
As the National Academies of Science determined in its report last September, the EPA's endangerment finding "was accurate, has stood the test of time, and is now reinforced by even stronger evidence."
The following is a statement from Manish Bapna, president & CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
"This cynical and devastating action by the Trump EPA will not go forward without a fight. We will see them in court--and we will win.
"This is the single biggest attack in history on the federal government's efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Nearly 20 years after the Supreme Court confirmed the EPA's authority to act, the Trump EPA is leaving American families on their own to deal with the consequences.
"With millions of Americans facing stronger storms, hotter heat waves, and more dangerous wildfires, the Trump administration is trying to pretend it's all a hoax and there's nothing to be done about it. But the impacts of climate change are right here, right now.
"This decision will mean more unnatural disasters--from extreme storms to deadly heat--hurting people nationwide. The EPA should be working to protect all Americans--not giving a free pass to oil billionaires.
"The EPA is also gutting the clean vehicles rules. This is not only bad for the climate, it is bad news for car buyers. It will make new cars and trucks more expensive, adding $6,000 in costs because of higher fuel and maintenance costs.
"People nationwide will pay the price for this illegal action. With no protections in place, climate change will worsen--that means more air pollution, more health problems, higher energy bills, and more extreme storms. Science and the law won't allow it to stand."
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Background
Endangerment
* Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is legally required to limit the emission from motor vehicles of any "air pollutant" that the agency determines "causes or contributes to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare." In 2007, the Supreme Court held in Massachusetts v. EPA that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases unambiguously are "air pollutants" under the Clean Air Act.
* The Supreme Court then ordered the EPA to decide, based on the science alone, whether greenhouse gases endanger health or welfare. In 2009, the EPA established, based on detailed scientific data, that greenhouse gas emissions pose a threat to human health and welfare. Following that determination, it established emissions standards for vehicles, and then for power plants and oil and gas operations under other provisions of the Clean Air Act over the ensuing years.
* In its repeal, the Trump EPA is rehashing legal arguments that the Supreme Court already considered and rejected in Massachusetts v. EPA.
* Along with the repeal of the endangerment finding, the EPA is scrapping all carbon emissions standards from vehicles. In separate rulemakings it has proposed delaying the methane rules and scrapping the power plant rules. Taken together, these standards are the most important federal actions to tackle climate change in U.S. history.
Vehicle standards
* The car rules alone would cut nearly eight billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the next three decades, more than the entire U.S. economy emits in a year. They would also mean fewer heart attacks, lung illnesses, and asthma attacks, resulting in $13 billion a year in avoided health care costs between 2026 and 2055, according to EPA analysis.
* Health and climate benefits aside, these standards straight up save consumers money. By cutting costs for fueling and repairs, the 2024 EPA car standards would reduce the spending by buyers of new cars by $6,000 over the lifetime of that vehicle. But the Trump EPA skewed its analysis to ignore the very real benefits and just count the costs. That's not good business.
* The Trump EPA's own initial analysis of the elimination of the vehicle standards would increase costs (and gas prices) and lead to job losses.
Power plant rules
* The 2024 power plant rules would help ensure the sector continues to cut emissions. Power plants are the largest industrial source of carbon emissions, spewing more than 1.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually. The standards were predicted to deliver $390 billion in total climate and health benefits, more than 20 times the costs to industry.
* In addition, they would reduce soot, smog, and mercury pollution that cause asthma, heart attacks, lung disease, and premature death. In its proposal, the Trump EPA acknowledged in its own analysis that the repeal would actually mean higher electricity bills for customers over the next five years.
Oil and gas methane rules
* EPA finalized a delay in long-sought rules for oil and gas operators to check for methane leaks in November, the latest in a series of massive Trump administration giveaways to the fossil fuel industry. Methane is a greenhouse gas 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide over 20 years. Most in the industry were already checking for leaks, so the delay just helped the worst actors, giving them a free pass to spew methane, as well as the volatile organic compounds that lead to smog and local air pollution.
* These oil and gas rules also make economic sense: Checking for leaks means the industry has more gas to sell, which is why established companies started plugging their leaks before the EPA mandated it.
For more information on the legal and technical issues around the endangerment finding, please see this NRDC report and this memo.
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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).
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Original text here: https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/epa-unravels-climate-protections
Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses James Buchanan in Senate District 22 Election
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Feb. 13 -- The Florida Chamber of Commerce issued the following news:
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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses James Buchanan in Senate District 22 Election
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is once again uniting Florida's business community for good and today endorsed Representative James Buchanan in the 2026 General Election for Senate District 22.
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, James understands the hard work required to grow and maintain a successful family business. James has earned a lifetime A-rating on the Florida Chamber's Legislative Report Card
... Show Full Article
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Feb. 13 -- The Florida Chamber of Commerce issued the following news:
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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses James Buchanan in Senate District 22 Election
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is once again uniting Florida's business community for good and today endorsed Representative James Buchanan in the 2026 General Election for Senate District 22.
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, James understands the hard work required to grow and maintain a successful family business. James has earned a lifetime A-rating on the Florida Chamber's Legislative Report Cardand has been a leader in the Florida House. In the Florida Senate, James will continue to work to reduce the costly effects of inflation, creating good-paying jobs and providing more tax relief for Florida families.
"James Buchanan has free enterprise in his blood and entrepreneurialism in his DNA, making him a natural choice for the Florida Chamber to endorse as Senate District 22's next state senator," said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "As someone who has signed the front of a paycheck, James has demonstrated a proven record of defending free enterprise during his time in the Florida House, and we are confident he will continue to be a leader in ensuring Florida's local businesses continue to thrive as a member of the Florida Senate."
"It's an incredible honor to receive the Florida Chamber's endorsement," said James Buchanan. "My father, Congressman Vern Buchanan, is a past Chair of the Florida Chamber, and like him, I am proud to support their critical, pro-business mission. As a free-market conservative, I firmly believe we can fuel prosperity by empowering job creators, reducing taxes, and eliminating burdensome regulations. The Florida Chamber has been an extraordinary resource and partner of mine in the Florida House, and I look forward to continuing our important work together as a member of the Florida Senate!"
Senate District 22 is a Solid Republican district on the Florida Chamber's Partisan Performance Index. President Trump won SD-22 by a 59-40% margin in the 2024 general election, and Governor DeSantis won the district 61-38% over Charlie Crist in 2022.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce puts its full 100-plus years of combined political experience behind getting James Buchanan elected.
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Original text here: https://www.flchamber.com/florida-chamber-of-commerce-endorses-james-buchanan-in-senate-district-22-election/
[Category: Business]
Cato Institute: NATO 3.0: Expert Available on Alliance Reform
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Cato Institute issued the following news release:
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NATO 3.0: Expert Available on Alliance Reform
Following Under Secretary Elbridge Colby's remarks at NATO, Cato senior fellow Katherine Thompson backs his call for the alliance to return to its founding principles with concrete commitments: 5% defense spending, Europe assuming primary responsibility for conventional defense, and strategic discipline over vague promises.
Thompson calls for ending post-Cold War complacency and embracing a NATO 3.0 grounded in clear expectations and accountability for European allies.
Katherine
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Cato Institute issued the following news release:
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NATO 3.0: Expert Available on Alliance Reform
Following Under Secretary Elbridge Colby's remarks at NATO, Cato senior fellow Katherine Thompson backs his call for the alliance to return to its founding principles with concrete commitments: 5% defense spending, Europe assuming primary responsibility for conventional defense, and strategic discipline over vague promises.
Thompson calls for ending post-Cold War complacency and embracing a NATO 3.0 grounded in clear expectations and accountability for European allies.
KatherineThompson is available for interviews on NATO reform and transatlantic security. Please contact Madison: mmiller@cato.org.
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Original text here: https://www.cato.org/news-releases/nato-30-expert-available-alliance-reform#
[Category: Sociological]
Catholic League Issues Commentary: Bogus Lawsuit Against Religious Liberty Panel
NEW YORK, Feb. 13 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
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BOGUS LAWSUIT AGAINST RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PANEL
Radical left-wing activists associated with religious organizations have sued the Trump administration on the grounds that his Religious Liberty Commission lacks religious and ideological diversity. They are represented by two far-left entities, Democracy Forward and
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Feb. 13 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
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BOGUS LAWSUIT AGAINST RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PANEL
Radical left-wing activists associated with religious organizations have sued the Trump administration on the grounds that his Religious Liberty Commission lacks religious and ideological diversity. They are represented by two far-left entities, Democracy Forward andAmericans United for Separation of Church and State.
The Religious Liberty Commission is charged with documenting incidents of religious bigotry and making recommendations to expand religious liberty. The Catholic League has turned over a trove of documents to the Department of Justice and to Commission members detailing prejudice and discrimination against Catholics.
The lawsuit is led by Rev. Paul Raushenbush, president of the Interfaith Alliance; he is a homosexual Baptist minister who claims to be married to a man, a status that is obviously in violation of Christian teachings.
Joining him are Muslims for Progressive Values, a group that is dedicated to the LGBTQ agenda, even though it is in clear violation of Islamic teachings. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund is also party to the suit; it promotes transgender rights as part of the "liberation movement," in flagrant violation of Sikh tenets on sexuality. Hindus for Human Rights is the fourth group; it is headed by a Columbia University professor who ignited a protest by Hindus who charged she is "anti-Hindu."
In other words, these carping critics are not representative of the people they claim to represent. So much for respecting religious and ideological diversity.
Raushenbush, in particular, has no moral standing to lecture the Commission on excluding contrary viewpoints. The Interfaith Alliance excludes traditional Catholics, evangelical Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Orthodox Jews, and most Muslims and Mormons, all of whom are not supportive of the radical pro-abortion, pro-LGBTQ worldview.
In short, there is nothing "Interfaith" about the Interfaith Alliance. It is worth noting that two years after it was founded in 1994, the Catholic League was named to its "Enemies List," a badge of honor I continue to wear on my sleeve.
The biggest beef these activists have is the contention that members of the Commission "have promoted the primacy of a Judeo-Christian world view in the public sphere," while also contending that "America was founded as a 'Judeo-Christian' nation and must be guided by Biblical principles."
Guilty as charged. It is not an opinion to say that America was founded on Judeo-Christian values--it is an historical fact. Moreover, Christians took many of their moral teachings from the Hebrews, and together the heritage they bequeathed became the foundation of our freedoms. To put it differently, we would not be a free society today had we been founded on the tenets of any Eastern world religion--none has a history of respecting basic human rights. This may sound harsh. So be it. It is the harsh truth.
Christians are sixty-two percent of American society; Jews are two percent; Muslims and Hindus are one percent; Sikhs are less than one percent. Jews, though small in number, occupy a central place in American history given the Judeo-Christian ethos that informs the dominant culture. The same is not true of the other religions, and therefore their quest for equal recognition is unwarranted.
The two organizations that are representing these groups are tied to the politics of the Left. Democracy Forward is part of the Clinton machine. The chairman of the board is Marc Elias, Hillary Clinton's former general counsel when she ran for president in 2016. It is funded by the Center for American Progress, an organization that is chaired by John Podesta; he was active in senior posts serving both Clintons. He has a history of anti-Catholicism.
Americans United was founded after World War II as Protestants and Other Americans for Separation of Church and State, one of the most anti-Catholic organizations in American history.
These are the people trying to kill the Religious Freedom Commission. Like a nasty fly, they just don't go away. But unfortunately for them, neither do we.
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Original text here: https://www.catholicleague.org/bogus-lawsuit-against-religious-liberty-panel/
[Category: Sociological]
CALSTART: Finalized GHG and Endangerment Finding Rules Undermine Clean Transportation and American Competitiveness
PASADENA, California, Feb. 13 -- CALSTART, an organization that says it works with member companies to build a clean transportation industry, issued the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
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Finalized GHG and Endangerment Finding Rules Undermine Clean Transportation and American Competitiveness
WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized rules today that significantly weaken greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards across vehicle classes and undermine the longstanding underpinning allowing EPA to regulate GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Since the 1990s,
... Show Full Article
PASADENA, California, Feb. 13 -- CALSTART, an organization that says it works with member companies to build a clean transportation industry, issued the following news release on Feb. 12, 2026:
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Finalized GHG and Endangerment Finding Rules Undermine Clean Transportation and American Competitiveness
WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized rules today that significantly weaken greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards across vehicle classes and undermine the longstanding underpinning allowing EPA to regulate GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Since the 1990s,vehicle emissions standards have driven innovation across the transportation sector, accelerating advancements in engine efficiency, hybrid systems, electric drivetrains, and lightweight materials that have reduced emissions while improving vehicle performance. Even more foundational, EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding established that GHG emissions threaten public health, providing the legal framework for regulating climate pollution from vehicles and other sources.
CALSTART's CEO, Michael Berube, issued the following statement in response to today's action by EPA:
"The U.S. transportation sector accounts for more GHG emissions than any other sector of the economy. At a time when countries across the world are reducing emissions from vehicles while improving affordability and building a new clean transportation industry, the U.S. is taking a step backwards on its blueprint for transportation decarbonization.
"Today's EPA announcement ignores the significant progress U.S. industry has made toward a lower-emissions economy and represents a major step back for clean transportation and American competitiveness. Weakening vehicle standards and undermining the endangerment finding injects uncertainty into the market at a moment when global competition for clean vehicle leadership is accelerating.
"Rolling back tailpipe standards has real economic consequences, from higher fuel costs for consumers to significant job loss across the transportation and manufacturing sectors, according to independent modeling. Allowing our laws and regulations to ignore the array of threats presented by climate change will only serve to exacerbate these challenges.
"Private-sector innovators and manufacturers have invested hundreds of billions of dollars into developing cutting-edge, cleaner, more-efficient vehicle technologies -- strengthening our domestic supply chains, creating high-quality jobs, and positioning U.S. companies to compete in a rapidly growing global market.
"Smart, durable standards have helped the U.S. lead before, and they remain essential to maintaining that leadership. By dismantling the standards, we risk ceding our leadership just as global demand for low- and zero-emission technologies continues to surge.
"The scientific and economic case for strong vehicle standards remains clear, and CALSTART will continue working with states, industry, and our partners to defend progress and advance policies that support innovation and competitiveness."
RESOURCES:
National Academies Publish New Report Reviewing Evidence for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and U.S. Climate, Health, and Welfare (https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/national-academies-publish-new-report-reviewing-evidence-for-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-u-s-climate-health-and-welfare)
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About CALSTART
A mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all, CALSTART has offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida, and Europe. CALSTART is uniquely positioned to build the national clean transportation industry by working closely with its nearly 200 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs in the United States and is leading a global effort to build the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.
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Original text here: https://calstart.org/finalized-ghg-and-endangerment-finding-rules-undermine-clean-transportation-and-american-competitiveness/
[Category: Environment]
ALG Praises President Trump And EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin For Ending Carbon Endangerment Finding Error
FAIRFAX, Virginia, Feb. 13 -- Americans for Limited Government issued the following statement on Feb. 12, 2026:
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ALG Praises President Trump And EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin For Ending Carbon Endangerment Finding Error
Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement praising President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for ending the 2009 carbon endangerment finding:
"The carbon endangerment finding error committed by the Obama EPA finally ending is long overdue after being all but overturned
... Show Full Article
FAIRFAX, Virginia, Feb. 13 -- Americans for Limited Government issued the following statement on Feb. 12, 2026:
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ALG Praises President Trump And EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin For Ending Carbon Endangerment Finding Error
Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement praising President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for ending the 2009 carbon endangerment finding:
"The carbon endangerment finding error committed by the Obama EPA finally ending is long overdue after being all but overturnedin the Supreme Court's 2022 West Virginia v. EPA decision that struck down the 2015 Obama Clean Power Plan. That ruling overturned the Court's 2007 decision, Massachusetts v. EPA, a narrow 5-4 ruling by then-Justice Anthony Kennedy that had opened the door for federal regulation of carbon emissions and set the stage for the carbon endangerment finding and the Clean Power Plan's rules on new and existing power plants.
"Finally, after a twenty-year decline in thermal energy production -- an unforced error -- we're finally seeing gains again on the grid for coal, even as alternative energy like solar especially continues to proliferate. The only impact that the endangerment finding had was to make certain kinds of electricity a lot more expensive at the worst possible time when with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and data centers, we need more electricity output, a lot more. The demand for cheaper electricity will ultimately lead to market innovations for those alternatives including solar and nuclear too that really stand a chance of posting the biggest gains even as thermal production can pick up a lot of the slack after coal was years in decline.
"Even now, by lifting the restrictions, electricity generation is only up about 2.4 percent for 2025 through October, data from the Energy Information Administration shows. That number needs to be much, much higher and so we encourage the President and his administration to closely monitor how much generation is coming on line and to get the approvals done. Maybe something can be done in the next budget reconciliation bill to refocus U.S. reindustrialization.
"Thanks to President Trump and Administrator Zeldin's efforts, and the market boom we are now seeing, ending the carbon endangerment finding was the only option that can help America remain competitive, keep electricity cheap for U.S. households and ensure the U.S. will always be the most technologically advanced society in history. To quote the captain, we need more power."
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Original text here: https://getliberty.org/2026/02/alg-praises-president-trump-and-epa-administrator-lee-zeldin-for-ending-carbon-endangerment-finding-error/
[Category: Government/Public Administration]
