Senators from both parties announced a bipartisan agreement on legislation to speed up federal approval of pipelines, power lines, and other major infrastructure projects, though a vote will not occur before the midterm elections.
A new study reveals that metal mixtures in smoke, ash, and debris from the deadly 2023 Maui wildfires continued to harm the lung health of nearby residents long after the fires were extinguished. The research highlights how health consequences from catastrophic wildfires that burn through populated areas can persist well beyond the immediate disaster.
President Trump said he approved new fuel economy standards that eliminate Biden-era electric vehicle mandates and relax efficiency requirements for automakers. The announcement comes as diesel prices hit record highs during the Iran war.
A federal judge ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully clawed back more than $250 million in Solar for All grants intended for clean energy initiatives across Texas, siding with a legal challenge brought by Harris County after the EPA terminated the program in August 2025.
The Environmental Protection Agency has released a 53-page, $93.4 million plan to remove dangerous chemicals from the Heckathorn Superfund site in Richmond, California. Community members who have long advocated for more extensive cleanup efforts have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed plan.
A coalition of eight states led by California and New York filed lawsuits Tuesday challenging the Trump administration's deals to pay private companies over $1.5 billion in taxpayer funds to cancel offshore wind project leases. The legal action escalates an ongoing battle over the administration's efforts to discourage wind energy expansion in favor of fossil fuels.
Newly released internal EPA documents show the agency permitted pesticide giant Bayer to select from a menu of regulation options for the controversial weedkiller dicamba, raising questions about regulatory independence and oversight of destructive agricultural chemicals.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order establishing an AI task force while imposing new restrictions on data center permits, including bans on non-disclosure agreements and requirements for environmental protections.
President Donald Trump signed executive orders at a White House Rose Garden dinner expanding hunting and fishing access on public lands while rescinding Biden-era restrictions. The moves include repealing endangered species habitat protections, drawing bipartisan congressional pushback from lawmakers concerned about impacts on protected wildlife.
Multiple states and cities including Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and California are implementing or considering moratoriums on new data center applications, citing concerns over power consumption, water usage, and pollution. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he would sign a statewide moratorium, while Virginia's Data Center Alley and Raleigh are advancing pauses of up to 12 months.
In northern Greece, cash-strapped farmers are turning to cut-price illegal pesticides smuggled by organized crime networks, despite growing evidence of health and environmental risks. The counterfeit agricultural chemicals are being distributed across Europe's farmland.
The Trump EPA is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for coal- and gas-fired power plants, gutting Biden's signature environmental policies and asserting such rules have 'virtually no benefit.'
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled 10-5 to dismiss a lawsuit against Jackson, Mississippi, affirming that residents do not have a constitutional right to safe or lead-free drinking water. The decision affects the city of approximately 150,000 residents that has faced ongoing water safety issues.
Massachusetts has introduced new regulations mandating that data centers with peak demand exceeding 25 megawatts must supply their own electricity from clean energy sources. The state mandate represents a shift in how states are addressing the infrastructure costs of the growing technology and computing boom.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration released a massive trove of documents showing city and federal officials had evidence of dangerous air conditions in Lower Manhattan after the September 11 attacks while publicly reassuring residents it was safe to return.
The World Meteorological Organization reports that increasing wildfires and heatwaves driven by climate change are hindering global efforts to improve air quality, raising exposure to toxic PM2.5 pollution even as industrial regulations have reduced emissions. The UN agency warns this trend will make it progressively harder to meet WHO clean air standards.
Vietnam War veterans filed an emergency request in federal court to halt construction of President Trump's proposed triumphal arch after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced excavation would begin within two weeks, without final approval from a key federal body. A federal judge has warned the administration not to proceed without formal notice.
The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal constitution does not provide a right to clean drinking water, dismissing a lawsuit from Mississippi residents over lead-contaminated water. The divided court's decision also found no constitutional right to accurate information from public officials.
President Trump signed an executive order directing federal officials to review Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican wolves, a move aimed at appeasing ranchers concerned about livestock threats.
Thailand has halted construction of 49 data center projects as public concerns grow about the power-hungry facilities' impact on local communities and resources. The government is using the suspension period to develop new regulations and minimum standards for data center operations, with guidelines expected within one month.
Growing public opposition to AI data centers over concerns about power grid strain, water usage, and land development has emerged as a rare bipartisan issue in the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties running ads attacking the facilities while tech companies turn to lobbying and legislation to address community concerns.
The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with a plan that could restrict public access to information about proposed AI data centers, as community backlash against these facilities intensifies across the United States and becomes a significant political issue in the 2026 midterm elections.
Chief US District Judge Brenda Sannes ruled that New York's landmark climate superfund law, which would have required fossil fuel companies to pay $75 billion over 25 years for climate damage repairs, conflicts with federal law and cannot be enforced. The ruling sided with 22 Republican state attorneys general and industry groups including the US Chamber of Commerce.
A federal judge ruled that New York cannot enforce its 2024 law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years to a climate damage fund, dealing a major blow to the state's climate litigation strategy.
Vice President JD Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have jointly requested an independent EPA inspector general investigation into federal and private decisions surrounding the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment that caused toxic chemicals to spill into the town.
A National Park Service report supports President Trump's proposed 250-foot arch near Memorial Bridge, despite acknowledging adverse effects on dozens of Washington's iconic landmarks including the Washington Monument.
The Trump administration is reportedly seeking to transfer a parcel of Yosemite National Park land to a private Nevada developer, while simultaneously pushing forward with border wall construction projects affecting Big Bend National Park in Texas and tribal lands in Arizona, drawing bipartisan criticism.
Germany will allocate €50 million to restore the New Safe Confinement structure at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged in a Russian drone attack in February 2025. The protective steel shelter over the destroyed reactor remains central to European nuclear safety.
The Trump administration announced plans to rescind the decades-old 'roadless rule' that has protected nearly 45 million acres of undeveloped national forests from logging and road construction for 25 years. The administration cites wildfire management as justification, while environmental groups warn the move would increase fire risk and harm pristine wilderness areas.
The Trump administration temporarily halted controversial border security construction in Texas' Big Bend National Park following bipartisan criticism over potential environmental damage to the protected area.
Severe wildfires are sweeping across multiple European countries, with at least one death and 40 injuries in Croatia, nearly 500 arrests for suspected arson in France, and the UK imposing emergency measures including a ban on disposable barbecues and nationwide fire alerts.
Bulldozers have begun excavating land at the entrance to Big Bend national park's Santa Elena Canyon in Texas as part of the Trump administration's border wall expansion, prompting lawsuits and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. The construction at Texas's largest national park has drawn opposition across party lines and could impact the state's high-profile Senate race.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for Enbridge Energy's controversial Line 5 tunnel project beneath Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, determining it is 'not contrary to the public interest.' The decision marks a significant milestone for the long-debated infrastructure project.
Ontario released a framework requiring data centres to cover energy costs and potentially pay higher electricity rates, while Australia and India face challenges managing the rapid expansion of facilities that strain power grids, water supplies, and local planning systems.
The latest offshore oil and gas lease auction in the Gulf of Mexico attracted $82.7 million in high bids, more than the March sale but significantly less than December's auction. The sale was the third held under the Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI has joined right-leaning legal activists in bringing sweeping challenges against the right of private citizens to bring lawsuits to enforce environmental laws in the United States, a legal mechanism that has been in place for decades.
The Trump administration is terminating federal funding for NOAA's Arctic Report Card, a peer-reviewed annual assessment that has documented climate change impacts in the Arctic for two decades. The region is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth.
The Trump administration is proposing changes to federal Section 106 historic preservation regulations that could alter when agencies, tribes, and project teams must address historic resources before construction begins. Critics warn the changes threaten protections beyond monuments.
A UK-sanctioned tanker carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil has become further submerged off Oman's coast after being grounded for several weeks, with the oil spill expanding to over 232 square miles and threatening the Hallaniyat Islands marine protected area and endangered wildlife.
Amazon's planned data center in Pecos County, Texas received a permit to build an on-site power plant that could release up to 33 million tons of CO2 annually, potentially making it the largest source of climate pollution in the United States.
A federal judge in Oregon ruled Thursday that the Department of Defense must end its freeze on reviewing onshore wind energy projects, delivering a legal setback to the Trump administration. At least 125 utility-scale wind projects across 25 states have been stuck in limbo due to the Pentagon's halt on reviews.
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration's EPA did not have the legal authority to terminate and claw back $20 billion in clean-energy funding that had already been distributed to eight nonprofit groups in February 2025.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that state regulators failed to adequately review environmental impacts when approving a permit for Enbridge's proposed tunnel to house the Line 5 petroleum pipeline beneath the Great Lakes. The court ordered the Michigan Public Service Commission to conduct a more comprehensive assessment.
Research published in Nature Cities finds that contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of US data centers are situated in urban areas, driven by existing infrastructure and fossil fuel industrial legacy. The findings emerge amid growing local debates over data center restrictions in states like Florida and Wisconsin.
A U.S. appeals court found Canadian energy company Enbridge liable for trespass for operating a pipeline under land belonging to a northern Wisconsin tribe. The court ordered the pipeline to be rerouted and damages to be recalculated, while granting the company additional time to complete the relocation.
The Environment Agency has declared seven areas across central, eastern, and southern England officially in drought, with July on track to be the driest on record. The 'flash drought' follows unusually low rainfall and the fourth heatwave of the year, creating dangerous fire conditions across the country.
President Donald Trump announced he will add the cost of wildfire pollution to existing tariffs on Canadian goods, blaming Canada for smoke from wildfires that has triggered air quality warnings across the Midwest and Northeast United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the threat 'unacceptable.'
President Donald Trump announced he will add the cost of wildfire pollution to existing tariffs on Canadian goods, blaming Canada for smoke from wildfires that has triggered air quality warnings across the Midwest and Northeast United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the threat 'unacceptable.'
President Donald Trump announced plans to add the cost of wildfire pollution to existing tariffs on Canadian goods, blaming Canada for 'willful negligence' as smoke from massive wildfires triggered air quality warnings across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the threat 'unacceptable.'
The Department of Energy under the Trump administration removed more than 1,600 web pages that provided guidance on electrical grid preservation, staying cool during heatwaves, and cutting energy costs, according to reports.
President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada as punishment for wildfire smoke blanketing large parts of the United States. The smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires has caused hazardous air quality across the US Midwest and Northeast.
President Donald Trump announced plans to add pollution costs to existing tariffs on Canadian goods, accusing Canada of 'willful negligence' as smoke from massive wildfires triggered air quality warnings across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast, including New York City.
Multiple environmental organizations and Washington state tribes filed federal lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's decision to rescind a 50-year-old definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, arguing the change will weaken wildlife protections and contradicts scientific research.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Australia will establish a government office to manage AI standards and require data centres to be net energy producers and minimize water usage. Environmental groups have called for a moratorium on data centre development until the new regulations are implemented.
President Donald Trump signed executive orders sharply reducing the size of two Utah national monuments, removing protections from nearly 3 million acres of land with unique archaeological and historical features. The reductions affect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments, unraveling protections established by former presidents.
The Trump administration finalized a rule rescinding decades-old Endangered Species Act protections that previously made it illegal to destroy endangered species' habitats. The new rule requires intentional harm for violations, reversing 50 years of regulatory interpretation.
Multiple datacentre projects in London are drawing criticism, including a hyperscale facility in Charlton that would generate over 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually and a Brick Lane site residents say should be used for housing instead of high-frequency trading servers.
President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 individuals, most of whom were convicted of violating federal environmental law by disabling or modifying truck emissions controls. The pardons were issued on the eve of July 4th celebrations.
European Parliament members warned Albania that EU accession talks are at risk over plans for a Jared Kushner-backed luxury resort on protected shorelines, as anti-government protests turned violent and investigations emerged into alleged money laundering by a land seller involved in the development.
President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on June 25, 2026, titled 'Advancing Regenerative Agriculture and Strengthening American Farm Resilience.' USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins simultaneously announced a new rule to unlock billions of dollars in funding for American farmers and ranchers.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Bayer's Monsanto division, blocking thousands of state-level lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn consumers that Roundup weedkiller could cause cancer. The decision establishes that federal pesticide labeling law preempts state liability claims.
The Trump administration reached a multi-state settlement with chemical maker Chemours Co. for $450 million over illegal discharges of PFAS 'forever chemicals,' but North Carolina—where major contamination occurred—was notably excluded from the agreement, drawing criticism from state officials.
The United States and Qatar are warning the European Union that strict methane regulations could divert gas supplies elsewhere, while eleven EU countries are calling for a pause to the rules citing potential supply disruptions and increased costs from foreign suppliers.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is under mounting pressure as protesters flood the streets demanding his resignation amid corruption accusations and opposition to a luxury resort development near a protected natural area linked to Jared Kushner. Rama has denied being Albania's 'Godfather' in response to the allegations.
A luxury coastal resort project in Albania linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump has sparked 14 consecutive days of protests in Tirana, prompting European lawmakers to urge suspension of the development amid growing public opposition.
The Department of Justice filed to dismiss an NAACP lawsuit against xAI's use of unpermitted natural gas turbines in Mississippi, arguing the company's operations are crucial to national security and military operations. The DOJ claims xAI's Grok chatbot plays an essential role in defense capabilities.
Hundreds of thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets in what's being called the 'flamingo revolution' to protest government approval of a luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump on a protected nature reserve. The demonstrations, the largest yet, have included calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
Punta Molentis beach in Sardinia has implemented a controversial rule prohibiting umbrellas for anyone between ages 10 and 65, with officials citing overcrowding concerns following a wildfire evacuation incident. The measure has drawn criticism and ridicule from visitors.
The European Commission has urged Albania to comply with EU environmental legislation regarding a luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner that threatens the Vjosa-Narta wetlands, one of Europe's most precious protected areas. Environmental groups report active bulldozing at the site as the development proceeds.
Thousands have protested in Tirana against a planned luxury resort development on Albania's southern coast backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. The project, spanning a protected island and former military base, has drawn criticism from environmental campaigners and prompted EU warnings, while Prime Minister Edi Rama alleges 'hybrid war' interference.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across three countries, will present extreme heat risks for over a quarter of games, along with challenges from vast travel distances, multiple time zones, altitude variations, and potential thunderstorms. Analysis shows some teams will face significantly harsher conditions than others.
Residents of Monterey Park, California, voted overwhelmingly (86% as of Wednesday) to permanently ban data centers in their city on election day, marking the first time in the nation that such a prohibition has been decided by public vote. Mayor Elizabeth Yang suggested other cities facing data center proposals may follow suit.
U.S. energy regulators approved a waiver to accelerate the grid connection of Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, which is being restarted specifically to power Microsoft data centers in the region.
Mass protests erupted in Tirana and across Albania against a planned coastal development on the Adriatic Sea involving Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law. The $1.4 billion luxury hotel complex on environmentally sensitive coastline has drawn opposition despite government claims it will boost tourism and EU membership prospects.
The Senate confirmed President Trump's nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees 250 million acres of public lands in Western states, as the administration expands drilling and mining operations.
Lufthansa announced the cancellation of 20,000 flights due to soaring jet fuel prices and shortages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Airlines across Europe are lobbying governments to relax environmental rules and modify passenger compensation rights.
Following the EPA/HHS announcement, PolitiFact published an expert-backed guide on how microplastics enter the body through food, water, and air, which organs they accumulate in, and what the science says about health risks — drawing on interviews with leading researchers and synthesizing the current state of evidence.
The Environmental Protection Agency has designated microplastics as a potential drinking water contaminant requiring study, marking a significant regulatory step seen as appealing to the MAHA movement's focus on environmental health concerns.
New analysis finds that exposure to chemicals used to make plastic more flexible may have contributed to approximately 1.97 million preterm births in 2018 alone, representing more than 8% of the world's total preterm births that year.
Birmingham's water utility revealed that previous leadership had stopped fluoridating drinking water at three of its four treatment plants without informing the public, and is now making the cessation permanent.
New research has established a connection between Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) blood cancers, potentially enabling affected veterans to access benefits and treatment.
