Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Partnership Aims to Strengthen Financing for Nature Protection in the Western Balkans
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news:
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New Partnership Aims to Strengthen Financing for Nature Protection in the Western Balkans
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), represented by its Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), and The Nature Conservancy in Europe (TNC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in developing sustainable, long-term financing mechanisms for protected areas across the Western Balkans.
Both organizations have been active
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news:
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New Partnership Aims to Strengthen Financing for Nature Protection in the Western Balkans
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), represented by its Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), and The Nature Conservancy in Europe (TNC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in developing sustainable, long-term financing mechanisms for protected areas across the Western Balkans.
Both organizations have been activein the region for many years, supporting biodiversity conservation and working closely with governments, civil society and local partners. While the Western Balkans is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, the region continues to face significant challenges in ensuring effective and adequately financed conservation. Protected areas in particular struggle with limited capacities and insufficient funding, underscoring the urgent need for more systematic and long-term support.
In reponse, the two organizations have joined forces to explore opportunities for developing long-term financing models that can provide effective long-term financial support for protected areas over a period of at least 15 years. These mechanisms would be designed not only to meet the specific needs of protected areas but also to even more importantly, help strengthen their capacities in a structured way, ultimately guiding them toward greater financial sustainability.
Igor Vejnovic, Southeast Europe Program Director at TNC, said:
"With our partners in the United for Rivers initiative, TNC has been actively involved in protecting rivers across the Western Balkans, from advocating for new protected areas, such as the Mreznica in Croatia and the Bistrica in Montenegro, to improving their management. Through this work, we've seen firsthand the challenges protected area managers face: limited capacities and limited access to funding, each reinforcing the other. We believe a new, flexible model is needed -, one that responds to the specific needs and capacities of protected areas while directing them towards sustainability and more effective conservation."
Oliver Avramoski, Regional Director of the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) said:
"For more than two decades, IUCN has been actively engaged in the Western Balkans, supporting nature conservation, strengthening protected and conserved area management, and fostering regional cooperation. Through our partnership with The Nature Conservancy, we aim to help establish the foundations for stable and sustainable financing mechanisms for these areas, financing that enables them not only to operate effectively, but to grow stronger, more resilient, and more impactful over time. In doing so, we contribute to safeguarding biodiversity and cultural heritage, enhancing human health and well-being, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing sustainable local development."
This partnership reinforces the commitment of both organizations to support the region in strengthening biodiversity conservation and contributing to broader environmental processes, including the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the EU accession agenda.
Both partners emphasize that effective advancement of the initiative requires broad collaboration among diverse actors, and they invite other interested organizations to join the effort.
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Original text here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/iucn-mou-financing-nature-western-balkans/
Pro-Voter Groups Move to Join Louisiana's Lawsuit Seeking Additional and Illegal Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote in Federal Elections
WASHINGTON, April 18 [Category: Political] -- The League of Women Voters posted the following news release on April 17, 2026:
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Pro-Voter Groups Move to Join Louisiana's Lawsuit Seeking Additional and Illegal Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote in Federal Elections
MONROE, LA - Today a coalition of pro-voter organizations filed a motion to intervene as defendants in Louisiana v. EAC. On Tuesday, Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the US Election Assistance Commission because the agency denied the state's requests to modify the federal form -- the national mail voter registration form
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 18 [Category: Political] -- The League of Women Voters posted the following news release on April 17, 2026:
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Pro-Voter Groups Move to Join Louisiana's Lawsuit Seeking Additional and Illegal Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote in Federal Elections
MONROE, LA - Today a coalition of pro-voter organizations filed a motion to intervene as defendants in Louisiana v. EAC. On Tuesday, Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the US Election Assistance Commission because the agency denied the state's requests to modify the federal form -- the national mail voter registration formused across the country. Louisiana wants its state-specific instructions to require voters to provide extra information about their citizenship, such as a unique immigration number. These new requirements violate the National Voter Registration Act and are unnecessary and burdensome.
The motion to intervene was filed by the League of Women Voters of Louisiana, League of Women Voters of Louisiana Education Fund, League of Women Voters of the United States, League of Women Voters Education Fund, Voice of the Experienced, NAACP, Louisiana State Conference, and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.
These organizations are represented by the ACLU, the ACLU of Louisiana, the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, Campaign Legal Center, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The coalition filing this motion to intervene shared the following statements:
"This lawsuit is a direct attack on voters and an attempt to weaponize both federal law and the court system to initiate illegal voter purges based on racist and xenophobic narratives," said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters. "There is no credible evidence of voter fraud, yet Louisiana is pushing burdensome proof-of-citizenship requirements that will inevitably block eligible Americans from registering to vote. The League of Women Voters is yet again stepping in and we will keep defending voters from laws and actors that seek to harm our democracy."
"This is Louisiana's latest attempt to burden voter registration for all Louisianans. Instead of standing up for its voters, Louisiana is suing a neutral voter protection agency--the Election Assistance Commission--to ensure it can further limit voter registration," said M. Christian Green, president of the League of Women Voters of Louisiana. "The Louisiana League has already filed a lawsuit to oppose the state's discriminatory proof of citizenship law, and we are proud to continue the fight against its implementation."
"Adding burdensome proof-of-citizenship requirements to the federal voter registration form is a solution in search of a problem, one that will disproportionately block elderly voters, rural residents, and low-income families who may not have immediate access to the specific documents demanded," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. "The NAACP has fought for generations to remove obstacles to voting, not add new ones. We are intervening to fight back against this latest attempt to restrict Black Louisianans' ability to register and have their voices heard. On our watch, voter suppression will not be rebranded as election integrity."
"Based on my service on various voter commissions for the State of Louisiana, the state does not have a voter fraud problem but a voter participation problem," said Michael McClanahan, president of the NAACP Louisiana State Conference. "More legislation needs to be done to make it easier for persons to have their voices heard and not suppressed."
"Louisiana continues its attempt to suppress the voices of Black voters and other communities of color under the false pretense of protecting election integrity," said Ashley Shelton, Founder and CEO for the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. "Louisiana should be working to expand access to the ballot, not entrenching new forms of voter suppression. We joined this lawsuit because our communities deserve fairness, and the full protection of their rights."
"It was not that long ago when the federal Dept. of Justice would litigate against Louisiana's deep history of disenfranchisement tactics and schemes" said Bruce Reilly, deputy director for the Voice of the Experienced. "Unfortunately we are at a point in history where community organizations must stand up for the liberty and freedom this country claims to believe in."
"Louisiana is demanding a federal agency to rewrite the national voter registration form to impose new proof-of-citizenship requirements that Congress never authorized, threatening to turn a uniform federal safeguard into a vehicle for voter suppression," said Sophia Lin Lakin, Voting Rights Project director for the ACLU. "We stopped President Trump's unlawful effort to force that result with an Executive Order, and we are now going to stop Louisiana from achieving it."
"Make no mistake: the state's actions have nothing to do with voter integrity and everything to do with the disenfranchisement of the people," said Nora Ahmed, legal director for the ACLU of Louisiana. "The manufactured issue of voter fraud is a weak justification for yet another attack on the rights of Louisianans. We are proud to stand with a powerful coalition of organizations on the right side of history. And Louisiana will relearn a lesson it seems determined to forget: you cannot suppress the will of the people."
"The state of Louisiana wants to extend its burdensome proof-of-citizenship law to federal elections. This is an unnecessary and unlawful hurdle that would block many Louisianans from the ballot box," said Eliza Sweren-Becker, deputy director of the Voting Rights and Elections program for the Brennan Center for Justice.
"Louisiana is attempting to command a federal agency to break its own rules -- and we're not letting it happen. Louisiana's excessive efforts to require burdensome and unnecessary registration requirements for voters to make their voices heard are not only egregious, but they run afoul of federal laws intended to safeguard access to voter registration for all Americans," said Danielle Lang, vice president of voting rights and the rule of law for the Campaign Legal Center. "Almost a year ago, we sued to stop the implementation of the law in question, and the facts remain the same: The law is unconstitutionally vague and risks disproportionate harm to historically disenfranchised communities. We remain committed to safeguarding the freedom to vote for Louisiana voters."
"Thousands of Louisiana citizens potentially will lose the right to vote if the Louisiana Attorney General pushes this proposal through. Every voter in Louisiana should be concerned," said Robert Weiner, Voting Rights Project director for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "This would hit voters of color and women voters especially hard. There's a very disturbing trend of politicians erecting unjustified barriers to voting that will make it more difficult for eligible voters to cast their ballots. The Lawyers' Committee runs the Election Protection Hotline with the help of several nonprofits and volunteer attorneys. We encourage voters to call or text the Election Protection Hotline with questions at 866-OUR-VOTE."
"Once again, Louisiana is attempting to disenfranchise eligible Black and Brown voters, said Bradley Heard, deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center. "We refuse to stand idle as a right so many sacrificed their lives to secure is stripped away. The SPLC is proud to stand alongside the intervenors defending voting rights in Louisiana against those who are reviving the suppressive tactics of the Jim Crow era. We will continue to advocate for this constitutional right for all Louisianans."
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Original text here: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/pro-voter-groups-move-join-louisianas-lawsuit-seeking-additional-and
League of Conservation Voters: This Week in Climate Action - April 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, April 18 [Category: Environment] -- The League of Conservation Voters posted the following news wrapup, This Week in Climate Action - April 17, 2026:
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Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. This week, we're covering Trump and Republicans' attacks on clean air and public lands, and state advancements in energy affordability and climate action.
Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
"We will not stop fighting, and we will not stop
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 18 [Category: Environment] -- The League of Conservation Voters posted the following news wrapup, This Week in Climate Action - April 17, 2026:
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Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. This week, we're covering Trump and Republicans' attacks on clean air and public lands, and state advancements in energy affordability and climate action.
Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
"We will not stop fighting, and we will not stopour work to protect the Boundary Waters. This place has such special meaning, it is a sacred place, and we will never stop defending it."
-- Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) on the Senate's repeal of protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, opening the land for toxic copper-nickel mining.
"House Republicans are willing to gut the Clean Air Act and pollute our air in order to boost corporate profits. Children in my district already have one of the highest rates of childhood asthma. This bill would expose them to even more pollution. It's unconscionable."
-- Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) on the House voting on a series of bills that would undermine the Clean Air Act and open exemptions for polluters to harm public health.
"With gas costing over $4 a gallon, inflation climbing, and mortgage rates going up, the American people literally cannot afford for Republicans to forgo another opportunity to work with Democrats to end Trump's disastrous war at long last."
-- Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) calling for an end to the war with Iran that has caused the cost of living to skyrocket, including energy and gas prices.
TOP NEWS IN ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
STATE NEWS
LCV RELEASES CLEAN ENERGY DEPLOYMENT REPORT: LCV released a new report highlighting how LCV state affiliates are helping state and local governments overcome permitting and policy barriers and expand clean energy infrastructure, despite federal opposition.
OUR TAKE: LCV Local Clean Energy Deployment Director Kathleen Meil said, "This is what clean energy leadership looks like today. Energy costs are skyrocketing and communities are looking for solutions to the challenges they face every day. While extremists work to block affordable clean energy on ideological grounds, real leaders are doing the hard work to advance responsible energy projects that deliver affordable electricity and lasting local benefits. LCV and our state partners are working tirelessly alongside state and local elected officials to secure local benefits, streamline the process, and actually build the projects their residents need. People need leaders willing to say yes, and LCV is standing right alongside them, ready to find more ways to build a clean affordable future."
ARIZONA LAUNCHES UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Gov. Katie Hobbs has announced a $15 million utility assistance program called Power AZ aimed at helping working families struggling with rising energy costs. The initiative broadens assistance eligibility and will benefit an estimated 30,000 households who didn't previously qualify for federal assistance.
CHISPA AZ TAKE: Chispa Arizona Advocacy and Political Director Vania Guevara said, "We commend Governor Katie Hobbs for following through on her promise and taking action to deliver relief to families across our state who are experiencing skyrocketing costs of living, especially as we face rising temperatures and the possibility of steeper energy bills. Even though Governor Hobbs did not secure her initial proposal of a $20 million investment, she still obtained $15 million and made it work. Power AZ expands eligibility beyond the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) income limits, making a critical resource even more accessible to working families. Under this initiative, a family of four with an annual income of $108,000 may be eligible for bill assistance. Though we believe this program will provide critical assistance to thousands of families in need, it does not resolve the issue of affordability in the long run, which is directly linked to corporate greed and politicians' servitude to their bottom line or political agenda. Chispa AZ acknowledges this important step toward affordability and will continue to advocate for cleaner, affordable energy, water, and climate change mitigation."
VIRGINIA GOVERNOR UPHOLDS COMMITMENT TO LOWERING UTILITY COSTS: Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a slate of energy laws as part of a broader push to lower utility costs. The legislation streamlines permitting for new renewable solar energy projects, increases battery storage targets, expands community solar programs, formalizes Virginia's return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and more.
VALCV TAKE: Virginia LCV Executive Director Michael Town said, "This has been a historic legislative session for clean energy as lawmakers passed dozens of bills to advance clean, affordable energy, reduce energy costs, and bolster our state's goals to reach 100% clean energy."
NEW YORK INVESTS IN ENERGY EFFICIENT HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS: New York will invest $150 million from the state's Homes and Community Renewal's (HCR) Green Small Buildings Program to expand energy efficient heat pump installations in residential buildings. The initiative will help residents lower their utility costs by replacing heating and cooling systems powered by fossil fuels with more affordable, clean energy units.
NYLCV TAKE: New York LCV said, "Good news! Governor Kathy Hochul just announced up to $150 million to install energy-efficient heat pump systems in small residential buildings across New York State. The funding, administered through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Green Small Buildings Program, will help expand access to clean heating and cooling tech while reducing emissions and improving affordability for homeowners and renters."
MARYLAND LAWMAKERS PASS UTILITY RELIEF ACT: Maryland lawmakers passed the Utility RELIEF Act The legislation aims to tackle rising utility costs by limiting utility companies' requests for rate increases and what costs they can pass on to ratepayers, and forcing data centers to pay their fair share. The bill, which Gov. Wes Moore is expected to sign into law, is projected to save residents hundreds of millions of dollars in the long term.
LARGEST RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN U.S. COMES ONLINE: SunZia Wind, the largest renewable energy project in the nation, has come online and is generating record-breaking amounts of electricity after two decades of planning and construction. The project will deliver affordable, clean energy to 3 million homes in Arizona and California.
NATIONAL NEWS
LCV LAUNCHES ACCOUNTABILITY AD CAMPAIGN: LCV has launched a $4 million ad campaign across 11 congressional districts to educate the public on how the Republican Tax Law, also known as the "Big Ugly Bill," has contributed to higher energy costs by attacking clean energy development while propping up the fossil fuel industry. The ads also urge members of Congress to lower energy costs. The campaign kicks off with a joint TV broadcast ad with Opportunity Wisconsin.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo said, "Congressional Republicans broke their promise to lower energy costs. Instead of increasing access to affordable, clean energy, Congressional Republicans voted to kneecap the resources that can lower energy costs in order to prioritize the fossil fuel industry. Their constituents deserve to know who is responsible for their skyrocketing energy costs."
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT ATTACKS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS
INTERIOR ANNOUNCES OIL LEASE SALE ON PROTECTED ARCTIC LANDS: The Department of the Interior announced plans to hold an oil and gas lease sale on 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in June, marking the first of four sales mandated by Trump's Big Ugly Bill. Previous lease sales in the ANWR have yielded no bids.
OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick said, "Time and again, the American people have said that they oppose drilling in the Arctic Refuge. The last lease sale in 2024 yielded no bids. Drilling here is not only bad economics - it's reckless and wildly unpopular. Instead of further handcuffing us to be more dependent on fossil fuels, the administration should focus on prioritizing cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy sources like clean energy. We simply cannot drill our way out of high energy costs. The U.S. is already producing more oil and gas than ever before, but when Trump forced a global energy crisis, prices skyrocketed once again. LCV stands with the Gwich'in people in their fight to ensure there is no drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Not now, not ever."
SENATE OVERTURNS BOUNDARY WATER PROTECTIONS: Senate Republicans passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that will overturn federal protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, opening the protected watershed to toxic copper-nickel mining operations from the Chilean mining company Antofagasta.
OUR TAKE: LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick said, "As the Trump administration and its allies in Congress launch yet another attack on our public lands, LCV is grateful for leaders like Senator Smith and Senator Heinrich who are pushing back. Senators Smith and Heinrich are leading the fight against Congressional Republicans' Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to overturn protections that safeguard the headwaters of the Boundary Waters from toxic mining. The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the country with nearly a quarter of a million visitors each year. Stripping this treasured place of protections from mining ignores decades of sound science, thousands of public comments, and would devastate the region's ecosystem. And using the CRA to do it sets a dangerous precedent, potentially putting other public lands withdrawals at risk. The Senate must reject this CRA and uphold safeguards for this beloved place."
CONSERVATION MINNESOTA TAKE: Conservation Minnesota Executive Director Paul Austin said, "The Boundary Waters are woven into Minnesota's identity--a place where families have paddled, fished, and built lifelong connections to clean water and wild spaces. Protecting this extraordinary wilderness means protecting our shared heritage and a vital economic driver that supports more than 17,000 jobs and generates $1.1 billion in economic activity each year. Sulfide-ore copper and nickel mining poses significantly greater risks to water quality than traditional iron ore mining, and those risks are simply too great for a place this irreplaceable."
HOUSETHREATENS CLEAN AIR ACT: The House this week voted on two air pollution and permitting bills that would undermine the Clean Air Act. The Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act and Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations (RED Tape) Act both passed the House, and the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act is awaiting a vote. The bills would ease permitting requirements on federal construction projects and expand exemptions for taking pollution data into account in policy decisions. A coalition of organizations including LCV, signed a letter urging Congress to reject these bills.
OUR TAKE: LCV Government Affairs Advocate for Healthy Communities Lizzy Duncan said, "These bills are a direct and blatant attack on the health and safety of our communities. Right now, 156 million people across the country live in a place with dangerous ozone or particle pollution and these bills would make our air quality worse. At a time when health care and energy costs are through the roof, House Republicans are proposing legislation that would undermine the Clean Air Act and allow polluting industries to make our air less healthy, making us sicker and further driving up healthcare bills. The House must reject these anti-clean air attacks and put the health of our communities and the environment ahead of polluters' profits."
TRUMP WITHHOLDS MILLIONS IN AID AS ENERGY COSTS SKYROCKET: The Trump administration has failed to release more than $400 million in aid for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps 6 million low-income households heat and cool their homes. The delay comes as households across the country struggle to pay their utility bills in the face of skyrocketing costs driven by Trump's fossil fuel agenda.
BLM ADVANCES REVIEW OF SOUTH DAKOTA URANIUM MINE: Trump's Bureau of Land Management is moving forward with assessment of a uranium mining project in South Dakota. The project has received pushback from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and environmental groups due to the risk of groundwater pollution and destruction of public lands as a result of the mining process.
TRUMP FIRES PRESIDIO PARK TRUST BOARD: The Trump administration has terminated all six board members of the Presidio Trust, which oversees San Francisco's Presidio park. The firings are a part of a broader effort from the administration to shrink federal agencies, and leave one of the country's most visited parks in jeopardy.
ICYMI: STATE NEWS
CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE AFFORDABLE INSURANCE AND RECOVERY ACT: State senators are proposing the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act to address California's home insurance crisis as premiums are rising in areas prone to wildfires and flooding. The bill would allow the state to sue oil and gas companies for their role in climate-related damages and use those funds to stabilize the insurance market and help homeowners strengthen their properties against natural disasters.
ENVIROVOTERS TAKE: California Environmental Voters Chief Executive Officer Mary Creasman said, "This growing coalition, from consumer advocates, labor unions, local business groups, and climate justice organizations to talent and high-profile voices, makes one thing clear: California's insurance crisis is hitting everyone. Families are being priced out, small businesses are on the brink, and entire communities are at risk. When entertainment industry leaders and trusted public figures join advocates on the ground, it underscores just how widespread and urgent this crisis has become. Californians are united in demanding that Big Oil stop passing the cost of their pollution onto our communities and finally pay their fair share."
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE PASSES CLIMATE RESILIENCE BILL: The Massachusetts Senate passed the MASS Ready Act providing $3.6 million for programs to protect drinking water, clean up PFAS chemicals, and strengthen the state's climate resilience against extreme weather. The bill would also restrict the use of single-use plastic bags and invest in land conservation efforts.
ELM TAKE: Environmental League of Massachusetts Senior Policy Director David Melly said, "ELM is pleased to see the Senate advance an environmental bond bill that meets present-day needs while preparing for the future. This bill's combination of robust funding and thoughtful policy works together to protect clean air, clean water, natural resources, and access to green space. It takes important steps to address new threats like climate impacts and PFAS contamination while investing in proven, successful programs."
MAINE PASSES DATA CENTER MORATORIUM: Maine lawmakers have passed a temporary moratorium on data centers with capacities of 20 megawatts or more, freezing construction until 2027. The bill gives the state time to assess the potential risks to the environment and the electric grid that large data centers could pose and creates a council to investigate impacts on utility costs and ratepayers.
MCV TAKE: Maine Conservation Voters said, "Yesterday, Maine lawmakers passed the first statewide moratorium on data center construction anywhere in the country. Why? Because their construction has far outpaced the ability of policymakers to protect people and the environment from their impacts. And, when it comes to protecting its people and the environment, Maine is a leader. Communities surrounding data centers have experienced a 267% increase in their electricity bills according to one study from Bloomberg, and the downstream impacts to water quality are deeply alarming. A mid-sized data center on average uses 300,000 gallons of water a day, and the bigger facilities can use millions, discharging warmed water and pollutants back into our rivers, our lakes, and our streams. It is the responsibility of government to protect people and make their lives materially better, and that's what this law would do, by pushing pause (only on large-scale data centers), so policies can catch up and protect people and the environment from these resource-hungry facilities while ensuring we can benefit from the economic opportunities they do present. We need to put people before the interests of billion-dollar corporations."
ILLINOIS RESIDENTS GATHER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY DAY: Hundreds of Illinois residents rallied at the Capitol to support a trio of environmental bills that would address wetlands preservation, ban the use of polystyrene foodware, and regulate the water and energy demands of data centers.
IEC TAKE: Illinois Environmental Council Senior Policy Manager Cate Caldwell said, "We're up against the $6 trillion oil and gas industry, which is hiking utility rates for consumers in order to profit, while also serving as a starting point for every piece of plastic that ends up in our waterways. We're up against tech giants like Meta and Google. They're rushing to build data centers across our state, but they're ignoring the concerns of local communities. They're using dangerously large amounts of water and energy. And we're also facing developer bulldozers threatening our remaining wetlands, putting clean water, habitat and natural ground protection at risk. We've made incredible strides in climate action, clean energy progress and environmental protections. When we're faced with big fights, we come up with big, bold solutions."
SOUTH CAROLINA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE PROTECTED LANDS ACT: The South Carolina House of Representatives voted in favor of the South Carolina Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act. The bill would expand land conservation efforts across the state and set long-term goals to protect ten million acres, up to half of all South Carolina's land.
CVSC TAKE: Conservation Voters of South Carolina said, "The Protected Lands Act recognizes the critical importance of natural resources to South Carolina's environmental health, economic vitality, agricultural productivity, and quality of life, and will codify land protection benchmarks that move South Carolina closer to the goal of protecting ten million acres, or 50% of the state's land area. Codifying these benchmarks will ensure that land protection remains top of mind at the Statehouse in two key ways: by allocating the necessary resources for land protection to the relevant state agencies and by pursuing policy that stewards and prioritizes our state's natural resources. The bill also creates provisions for coordinating land protection projects and annual reporting requirements for state resource agencies, ensuring that funding for conservation is used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all South Carolinians. CVSC thanks Rep. Moore for championing this legislation, the many co-sponsors for their support, and the entire chamber for their favorable vote. We hope to see continued forward momentum on this significant legislation as it moves over to the Senate."
ENVIRO GROUPS CHALLENGE DOE ORDER TO KEEP COAL PLANT OPEN: Washington Conservation Action joined a coalition of environmental and public interest groups challenging the Department of Energy's decision to force Washington's TransAlta coal plant, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and mercury pollution, to remain operational past its planned shutdown date.
WCA TAKE: Washington Conservation Action Climate and Clean Energy Senior Manager Julian Santos said, "The DOE is ignoring reality: Washington is ready for clean energy. Propping up this outdated plant doesn't protect our electrical grid--it just raises costs for residents and delays the shift to affordable, renewable energy."
ICYMI: NATIONAL NEWS
ANALILIA MEJIA WINS SPECIAL ELECTION FOR NEW JERSEY'S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: LCV Action Fund endorsed candidate Analilia Mejia won the special election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. Meija's campaign focused on energy affordability, holding utilities accountable for skyrocketing energy costs, and investing in clean energy.
OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Vice President of Political Affairs Craig Auster said, "Congratulations to Representative-elect Analilia Mejia on her victory in New Jersey! We know that she will fight tirelessly to make life more affordable, hold the utilities and fossil fuel companies accountable, and ensure we all have clean air to breathe and water to drink. While Trump and extreme Congressional Republicans are raising costs for families and giving handouts to their billionaire and Big Polluter friends, voters are making it clear: they support candidates who will bring down electricity bills and protect our health and environment."
ENERGY SECRETARY QUESTIONED OVER BUDGET CUTS PROPOSAL: Energy Secretary Chris Wright faced sharp criticism from Democrats as he defended Trump's proposed fiscal budget for 2027 that would significantly cut funding for nondefense programs, including renewable energy development. Wright defended the proposal as energy and gasoline prices continue to skyrocket due to the ongoing war in Iran.
SUPREME COURT BACKS OIL INDUSTRY IN LOUISIANA COASTAL LAWSUITS: The Supreme Court ruled 8-0 to allow the oil and gas industry to move lawsuits attempting to hold them accountable for Louisiana's coastal erosion from state to federal courts. The ruling affects ongoing lawsuits filed by Louisiana parishes seeking accountability for environmental harm tied to oil and gas development.
NEW ON THE POWER SOURCE BLOG AND SOCIALS:
ON THE BLOG: Stay tuned for exciting new content coming to The Power Source Blog!
ON OUR SOCIALS: Nature is once again under assault from Trump and MAGA Republicans as they overturned a toxic mining ban near Minnesota's Boundary Waters. They're more focused on destroying our public lands than addressing the out of control energy cost crisis. We're calling them out and holding them accountable for gutting clean energy with their Big Ugly Bill.
COMING UP:
APRIL 20-26: DC Climate Week.
APRIL 22: Earth Day.
MAY 5: Indiana statewide primary election.
MAY 5: Ohio statewide primarily election.
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Original text here: https://www.lcv.org/media-center/this-week-in-climate-action-april-17-2026/
FLOW: Poll - 75% of Michiganders Support a Statewide Septic Code
TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan, April 18 -- FLOW (For Love of Water) issued the following news release:
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New poll: 75% of Michiganders support a statewide septic code
MICHIGAN - Recent polling released by Progress Michigan shows that 75 percent of Michiganders support enacting a statewide septic code. In January, state Sen. Sam Singh introduced a bill (SB 771) that would do exactly that. If the bill passes it would require the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to establish a septic system sanitary code.
"Michigan is the Great Lakes State, and we want to be able
... Show Full Article
TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan, April 18 -- FLOW (For Love of Water) issued the following news release:
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New poll: 75% of Michiganders support a statewide septic code
MICHIGAN - Recent polling released by Progress Michigan shows that 75 percent of Michiganders support enacting a statewide septic code. In January, state Sen. Sam Singh introduced a bill (SB 771) that would do exactly that. If the bill passes it would require the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to establish a septic system sanitary code.
"Michigan is the Great Lakes State, and we want to be ableto trust that our water is clean, safe to consume, and healthy for our environment. It doesn't make sense that we are the only state without a statewide septic code, and voters are clear that needs to change," said Justin Mendoza, executive director of Progress Michigan. "Failing septic systems are not only a threat to our water systems, they are a threat to our public health."
"It is high time for Michigan to adopt a uniform septic code," said Liz Kirkwood, executive director of Flow Water Advocates. "Failing and aging systems threaten drinking water and our lakes and rivers. This legislation establishes common-sense protections that every Michigander can support -- because clean water is not optional, it's essential for our health and communities."
The poll found that septic code legislation has strong bipartisan support, as well as majority support across demographics. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.
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Original text here: https://flowwateradvocates.org/michigan-voters-support-septic-code-legislation/
[Category: Water]
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences: Findings Support Sea Ice Forecasting in the Arctic
BOULDER, Colorado, April 18 (TNSjou) -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news:
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New findings support sea ice forecasting in the Arctic
The research establishes a new standard for air-sea ice observations in the Arctic
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Sea ice forecasts are a lifeline for the Alaskan fishing industry, America's growing icebreaker fleet, and Alaskan coastal communities that rely on sea ice for subsistence activities and travel.
A new study led by CIRES and NOAA establishes a new standard for air-sea ice observations in the Arctic, representing a significant
... Show Full Article
BOULDER, Colorado, April 18 (TNSjou) -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news:
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New findings support sea ice forecasting in the Arctic
The research establishes a new standard for air-sea ice observations in the Arctic
*
Sea ice forecasts are a lifeline for the Alaskan fishing industry, America's growing icebreaker fleet, and Alaskan coastal communities that rely on sea ice for subsistence activities and travel.
A new study led by CIRES and NOAA establishes a new standard for air-sea ice observations in the Arctic, representing a significantstep towards improving sea ice prediction models. The research is based on observations from the recent Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition in which NOAA and CIRES scientists were significantly involved.
In the new study (https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/article/14/1/00100/217872/The-two-radiative-states-of-the-Arctic-atmosphere), researchers tracked the growth and melt of Arctic sea ice over time by measuring the amount of energy it absorbed and released, calculating the sea ice's "energy budget." This approach was chosen because it mirrors the way advanced forecast models, like NOAA's Unified Forecast System (UFS), predict ice behavior.
Achieving "closure," where the measured energy budget matches the physical change in ice mass, is notoriously difficult and extraordinarily rare. But the new study shows observations from MOSAiC achieved remarkable closure over 10 months of seasonal changes by comparing energy budget measurements to direct observations of ice thickness made by numerous, independent collaborators.
The findings point to specific ways to improve sea ice forecasting models. The study introduces a new diagnostic tool, the "atmospheric state effect," that will help evaluate and address long-standing model biases associated with Arctic clouds. Arctic clouds have a significant impact on the sea ice energy budget (and therefore sea ice growth), so reducing these cloud model biases will improve the models' skill in predicting how the sea ice will evolve through a forecast.
The study also highlights specific areas for future focused model improvement. For instance, model components responsible for calculating how the ice is influenced by atmospheric turbulence are found to be more sensitive to certain weather conditions and physical relationships than previously thought.
Ultimately, this work represents a significant step towards closing the precision measurement gap in the far north, improving the performance of models. With improved models comes more accurate sea ice prediction, strengthening the nation's industries and communities in the Arctic.
Matt Shupe, lead author of the study, has been awarded Stockholm University's King Carl XVI Gustaf Professorship in Environmental Science for 2026 to 2027. The appointment is a prestigious visiting fellowship, and Shupe's work will complement research on Arctic climate currently conducted at the university.
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Original text here: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/new-findings-support-sea-ice-forecasting-arctic
[Category: Environment]
Catholic League Issues Commentary: Sean Hannity Dead Wrong On Clergy Abuse
NEW YORK, April 18 -- 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 April 17, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
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SEAN HANNITY DEAD WRONG ON CLERGY ABUSE
I have known Sean Hannity for years, and he is a good guy. But I cannot allow our friendship to get in the way of my job. He made comments on his April 16 Fox News show about the clergy sexual abuse scandal that are dead wrong. Apparently, he also offended Catholics on his
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 18 -- 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 April 17, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
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SEAN HANNITY DEAD WRONG ON CLERGY ABUSE
I have known Sean Hannity for years, and he is a good guy. But I cannot allow our friendship to get in the way of my job. He made comments on his April 16 Fox News show about the clergy sexual abuse scandal that are dead wrong. Apparently, he also offended Catholics on hisradio show this week.
Sean started out by saying he was raised Catholic, went to Catholic schools and attended a seminary high school. He said he broke away from the Catholic Church because of the clergy sexual abuse scandal. That is his business. But it is my business to correct the record when misstatements of fact abound about this subject.
Sean said, "I left the Catholic Church in large part because of institutionalized corruption. And it was at the parish level to the bishop level, cardinals, all the way to Rome. And you know, the very top scandals, terrible behavior, frankly, went not only unchecked, but they never fully corrected it or dealt with it. And others at the Vatican have totally lost sight of the true meaning of the bible and its teachings."
His sweeping statements do not hold up under scrutiny.
There was a scandal in the Catholic Church, but its heyday ended approximately a half-century ago. Most of the offenses took place between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s. How widespread was it at its height? The Washington Post published a survey in 2002 showing that less than 1.5 percent of the estimated sixty thousand or more men who served in the Catholic clergy were accused of the sexual abuse of minors. A New York Times survey reported that 1.8 percent of all priests ordained between 1950 and 2001 were accused of sexually abusing minors.
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice issued a study in 2004 that found that in the period 1950-2002, 4 percent of the Catholic clergy were accused of sexually molesting minors. It also found that 149 priests, or 3.5 percent, who had more than ten allegations of abuse were responsible for 26 percent of all the allegations. In other words, of the 4,393 priests who had an accusation made against them between 1950 and 2002 (not all of which were substantiated), a mere 149 of them accounted for more than a quarter of the allegations.
This is a far cry from what Sean would have us believe. A more egregious error is assuming that nothing has changed.
Data from the last year that we have reliable information on, July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, show that of the 48,176 members of the clergy, exactly two had a substantiated accusation made against him during this period. This means that a whopping 0.004 percent of priests had a substantiated case of sexual abuse made against them by a minor.
Unfortunately, in any institution where adults regularly interact with minors, sexual misconduct is a problem. But there is no institution in American society today, religious or secular, that has less of a problem with the sexual abuse of minors than the Catholic Church. To imply otherwise is irresponsible.
We know that 81 percent of the victims were male, and that 78 percent were postpubescent, meaning that the lion's share of the abuse was committed by homosexuals (3.8 percent were pedophiles). Of course, don't expect the media to report these facts, including Fox News, which is part of the cover-up.
I wrote a book on this subject in 2021, The Truth About Clergy Sexual Abuse: Clarifying the Facts and the Causes. When it was released, I was asked to sit for an interview at Fox News. The executives who run the cable TV station said that my book was so controversial (I bet none of them read it) that they would only agree to a debate between me and someone else. Not surprisingly, every notable liberal Catholic turned down the debate. So it never aired. Would that not be called "institutionalized corruption," Sean?
Most priests, at every level, are good men and they do not deserve to be spoken about with derision. The scandal should never have happened, but it is totally unfair to generalize from the few to the collective, regardless of the demographic.
If Sean wants to debate me, he can give me a call. He has my work and home numbers.
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Original text here: https://www.catholicleague.org/sean-hannity-dead-wrong-on-clergy-abuse/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR Md. Welcomes Passage of Key Voting Rights Protections in Maryland
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Md. Welcomes Passage of Key Voting Rights Protections in Maryland
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomes the Maryland General Assembly's passage of Senate Bill 255, a cornerstone of the Maryland Voting Rights Act (MDVRA), marking a historic step forward in protecting the fundamental right to vote for all Marylanders.
SEE: Maryland Voters Score Major Victory With New Voter
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR Md. Welcomes Passage of Key Voting Rights Protections in Maryland
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomes the Maryland General Assembly's passage of Senate Bill 255, a cornerstone of the Maryland Voting Rights Act (MDVRA), marking a historic step forward in protecting the fundamental right to vote for all Marylanders.
SEE: Maryland Voters Score Major Victory With New VoterProtections (https://campaignlegal.org/update/maryland-voters-score-major-victory-new-voter-protections)
Passed in the final hours of the 2026 legislative session, this bill establishes critical protections against racially discriminatory election systems and practices. Once signed into law, the bill will prohibit voting systems and district maps that dilute the voting power of communities of color and other historically disenfranchised groups.
"This is a remarkable victory for civil rights, democracy, and the principle that every vote must carry equal weight," said CAIR's Maryland director Zainab Chaudry. "Communities of color have long faced structural barriers that undermine fair representation. SB 255 is a meaningful step toward ensuring that every Marylander has an equal voice in the political process. This measure reflects the power of sustained grassroots advocacy and coalition-building. It sends a clear message that Maryland will not tolerate discrimination in our democratic processes."
The legislation strengthens protections beyond federal law by creating clearer standards and more accessible pathways for challenging discriminatory voting systems. It also reduces the burden on impacted communities by making it easier to enforce voting rights protections at the state level.
SB 255 builds on previous legislative efforts, including expanded language access protections, and represents a major milestone toward a comprehensive Maryland Voting Rights Act that ensures equitable access to the ballot box.
CAIR commends the tireless advocacy of groups including Common Cause Maryland, the League of Women Voters Maryland and others whose organizing made this victory possible.
CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-md-welcomes-passage-of-key-voting-rights-protections-in-maryland/
[Category: Sociological]
