Marianne Lavelle

Marianne Lavelle

@mlavelle.bsky.social

Cover politics, Inside Climate News. If your work on climate change has been affected by the Trump administration, please get in touch with me securely via my Signal username, mlavelle.75 We want to tell your stories, even if you can't speak out publicly.

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Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

A politically connected company steers a slow clean-up of jet fuel spilled into a drinking water source in Pennsylvania. Posting my story from August in @insideclimatenews.org -- there have been developments since. I will post those stories next! insideclimatenews.org/news/1108202...

insideclimatenews.orgNeighbors of Pipeline Leak Live in Fear and Regulatory Neglect in Trump Era of 'Unleashed' Energy - Inside Climate NewsAs Trump’s agencies shrink, narrow their role and reduce enforcement, politically connected Energy Transfer is steering a slow clean-up of fuel it spilled into drinking water near the Delaware River.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Cabinet members get informal "points" from the Trump White House for touting the president's agenda in districts and states that are competitive in the midterm elections, reports @ashleyrparker.bsky.social @michaelscherer.bsky.social @theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

theatlantic.comTrump’s Secret Points System for Cabinet MembersThe White House held a summer contest to see who could appear in the most congressional districts and states with competitive midterm elections.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

This pipeline spill of crude oil at a commercial intersection north of Detroit got little attention. But it has prompted a federal investigation of all 20,000 miles of hazardous liquid pipelines operated by Dallas-based Energy Transfer. insideclimatenews.org/news/0910202...

insideclimatenews.orgMichigan Spill Prompts Federal Probe of Energy Transfer Pipelines’ Safety - Inside Climate NewsThe spill just north of Detroit, similar to a jet fuel leak last year in Pennsylvania, comes as Republicans face political peril in Michigan.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

An unusual lawsuit by Energy Transfer seeks to have parts of Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law declared unconstitutional. The company faces a criminal investigation for a pipeline spill north of Philadelphia. @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Pipeline Giant That Spilled Jet Fuel in Pennsylvania Is Trying to Weaken a Clean Water Law - Inside Climate NewsEnergy Transfer has not yet been charged, but it is already moving to head off a criminal case over the monthslong jet fuel leak into a neighborhood’s drinking water source.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Justice Alito won't be on the bench next week when the Supreme Court hears oil companies' bid to block climate change lawsuits. But his vote already may have been decisive in getting the high court to hear Suncor v. Boulder. @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2809202...

insideclimatenews.orgAlito’s Recusal From Climate Case: Too Little, Too Late? - Inside Climate NewsJustice Samuel Alito decided Monday to sit out one of the most consequential climate change cases to reach the Supreme Court, but legal experts expected continuing ramifications due to his ownership o...
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Trump said we don't "need" oil from the Strait of Hormuz. But it turns out it all depends on what you mean by "need." We do import oil from the Persian Gulf, and our oil prices shoot up in a global crisis. My latest for @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0904202...

insideclimatenews.orgIran Energy Shock Tests Limits of Trump’s Vision of US Energy Dominance - Inside Climate NewsConsumers remain vulnerable to price spikes despite record domestic oil and gas production. But experts doubt the crisis will boost clean energy, absent strong policy.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

The Trump rollback of federal climate policy has made state battles more key for the fossil fuel industry. Enter "Natural Allies," an industry group in Pennsylvania that sell its pro-gas message to Democrats. By @kiley.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1104202...

insideclimatenews.orgGas Industry Front Group Targets Democrats in Pennsylvania - Inside Climate NewsThe industry group pays politicians to convince voters that natural gas is the “most affordable and reliable energy source.”
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

On Senate Floor, Tillis Offered Inside Look Into the Lobbying Against Clean Energy: "People that haven’t worked a day in business are setting policy in the White House" insideclimatenews.org/news/0207202...

insideclimatenews.orgOn Senate Floor, Tillis Offered Inside Look Into the Lobbying Against Clean Energy - Inside Climate NewsRegardless of the fate of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the political tug-of-war over energy already has damaged an industry and upended business deals.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Three deferred coal plant retirements, one by direct order of the Trump administration, put at risk nearly one third of the 47 million metric tons of carbon emissions cuts that were expected from the sector this year. @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0606202...

insideclimatenews.orgTrump Hastens ‘Drumbeat’ of Deferred Coal Plant Retirements - Inside Climate NewsThe administration is leaning into fossil fuel solutions for growing power demand, with support from grid operators.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Once, George Washington led a hasty retreat from New York and came back to fight another day. What will happen with clean energy tax credits? So far, we only know the first part of the story, fm @dangearino.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2205202...

insideclimatenews.orgHouse Republicans Have Passed a Bill to Gut the IRA. What Happened to All the Supposed Holdouts? - Inside Climate NewsThe fate of the Inflation Reduction Act is in the hands of a few dozen elected officials who are weighing principles, partisan leanings and their districts’ economic interests.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

The future of the clean energy incentives of the Biden era come down to this: Are there a handful of Republicans willing to hold up the Trump tax cuts for the sake of solar, wind, EV, battery, nuclear and geothermal development in their districts? insideclimatenews.org/news/1405202...

insideclimatenews.orgCongress Begins Repeal of Clean Energy Tax Credits With ‘Sledgehammer Approach’ - Inside Climate NewsIt’s only the first step toward erasing Biden’s key climate policy, but the politics are difficult amid the push for Trump’s tax cuts. The potential climate consequences are profound.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

EPA has never released a list of all the grants it is terminating but in a legal filing it has named the programs being cut. A @peteraldhous.com @insideclimatenews.org analysis shows 99% of the planned cuts are aid to poor and minority communities. insideclimatenews.org/news/0105202...

insideclimatenews.orgEPA Funding Cuts Target Disadvantaged Communities, Analysis Shows - Inside Climate NewsIn its bid to resist a court order to unfreeze grants, the Trump administration reveals a laser focus on eliminating environmental justice aid.

Marianne Lavelle reposted

Alleen Brown
@alleenbrown.bsky.social

In my newsletter this week I mention how the FBI is investigating nonprofits, essentially for accepting EPA grants alleenbrown.ghost.io/eco-roundup-... This is the program they're targeting. Great deep dive by @dangearino.bsky.social + @mlavelle.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/0104202...

insideclimatenews.orgHow We Got a Green Bank, How Trump Is Trying to Kill It and Who Gets Hurt - Inside Climate NewsA faith-based Indiana group and heating contractors in Maine are among hundreds of businesses and organizations stymied by EPA’s attempt to claw back $20 billion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Marianne Lavelle reposted

Dan Gearino
@dangearino.bsky.social

How we got a green bank, how Trump is trying to kill it and who gets hurt. Just posted, from me and @mlavelle.bsky.social: insideclimatenews.org/news/0104202...

insideclimatenews.orgHow We Got a Green Bank, How Trump Is Trying to Kill It and Who Gets Hurt - Inside Climate NewsA faith-based Indiana group and heating contractors in Maine are among hundreds of businesses and organizations stymied by EPA’s attempt to claw back $20 billion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

With a new hearing tomorrow on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, we looked back on the roots of this idea and what is at stake in the Trump administration's effort to claw back $20 billion. with @dangearino.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0104202...

insideclimatenews.orgHow We Got a Green Bank, How Trump Is Trying to Kill It and Who Gets Hurt - Inside Climate NewsA faith-based Indiana group and heating contractors in Maine are among hundreds of businesses and organizations stymied by EPA’s attempt to claw back $20 billion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

A nail in the coffin? If California does the same that may be the final nail. There are now many competitors offering newer tech and cheaper EVs. Musk thought—actually said this—his competitors would suffer under rollback of US EV policy. But Tesla now has even more forces lining up against it.

Paris Marx@parismarx.com

Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for provincial EV rebates in British Columbia.

ctvnews.caB.C. ends subsidies for Tesla products amid trade warTesla products are no longer eligible for rebates through B.C.’s provincial programs, officials confirmed Thursday.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

And the plan is to cut EPA’s staff—or EPA’s budget—(differing statements were made, but essentially it’s the same) to lowest levels in its 55-yr history, while lifting the most consequential air and water pollution standards. insideclimatenews.org/news/1203202...

insideclimatenews.orgTrump Administration Launches All-Out Assault on Environmental Protection - Inside Climate NewsEnvironmentalists vow to fight “the greatest increase in pollution in decades.”
Brian Kahn@blkahn.bsky.social

Just thinking about what the US looked like before the EPA existed

Marianne Lavelle reposted

Phil McKenna
@mckennapr.bsky.social

Shock and awe? EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced environmental rollback efforts that he claimed will mark "the most consequential day of deregulation" in U.S. history. @mlavelle.bsky.social and I break down what it all means. insideclimatenews.org/news/1203202...

insideclimatenews.orgTrump Administration Launches All-Out Assault on Environmental Protection - Inside Climate NewsEnvironmentalists vow to fight “the greatest increase in pollution in decades.”
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

The "greatest and most consequential day of deregulation?" Or "the greatest increase in pollution in decades." EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announces plans for 31 actions to roll back environmental protection. with @mckennapr.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org

insideclimatenews.orgTrump Administration Launches All-Out Assault on Environmental Protection - Inside Climate NewsEnvironmentalists vow to fight “the greatest increase in pollution in decades.”
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

I was glad to join WORT-FM in Wisconsin today to talk about the many ways that Trump administration policy is affecting the clean energy transition. You can listen at the link below!

A Public Affair@apublicaffair.bsky.social

🎙️On today's show we talk about cuts to the EPA and NOAA, how some WI contractors are preemptively not installing heat pumps, and other eroding climate regulations with @mlavelle.bsky.social of @insideclimatenews.org and Brett Korte of Clean Wisconsin. Listen here: www.wortfm.org/rolling-back...

wortfm.orgRolling Back Climate Regulations - WORT-FM 89.9Host Douglas Haynes takes a comprehensive look at climate related actions with Marianne Lavelle of Inside Climate News and Brett Korte of Clean Wisconsin.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

From Birmingham to San Francisco, Raleigh to New York, and even Vienna where EU scientists showed solidarity, @lizagross.bsky.social @dennispillion.bsky.social @bberwyn.bsky.social and @insideclimatenews.org colleagues captured Stand Up For Science! insideclimatenews.org/news/0703202...

insideclimatenews.orgTaking It to the Streets: Scientists Mobilize to Fight Trump’s ‘Unprecedented’ Anti-Science Agenda - Inside Climate NewsScientists turned out at rallies from coast to coast and in Europe to “Stand Up for Science,” revitalizing a movement to defend scientific integrity that started during Trump’s first term.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

"A chaotic and cruel circus.” My colleague @shamaan.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org reports on fired environmental justice staff being brought back to the EPA. Some of them. Kind of. Not with access to tools to do their work. insideclimatenews.org/news/0703202...

insideclimatenews.orgEPA Reinstates Environmental Justice Staff Amid Workforce Turmoil - Inside Climate NewsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recalled dozens of environmental justice staffers who were previously placed on administrative leave pending possible termination, three former senior agen...
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: The US Coast Guard Academy has eliminated “climate change” and related terminology from its curriculum in an effort to conform to President Donald Trump’s policies, @insideclimatenews.org reports. A former commandant raises concerns. insideclimatenews.org/news/0703202...

insideclimatenews.orgUS Coast Guard Academy Censors ‘Climate Change’ From Its Curriculum - Inside Climate NewsThe terminology will be stricken in classes for future officers in a service that confronts global warming every day, a move some say will weaken it.

Marianne Lavelle reposted

Dr. Samantha Montano
@samlmontano.bsky.social

Something I’ve been thinking about is this assumption that states will just dramatically expand their emergency management agencies if FEMA is eliminated. Many have pointed out the obvious resource issue there but I’ve also been thinking about the historical context.

Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

In the wake of $27 billion+ in U.S. disaster costs last year, can the Trump administration really succeed in striking down the finding that greenhouse gases are a danger to health and welfare? Experts told @insideclimatenews.org how they might try. insideclimatenews.org/news/0203202...

insideclimatenews.orgTrump, EPA Aim to Remove Finding That Mandates Action on Greenhouse Gas Pollution - Inside Climate NewsExperts expect Trump’s team to lean on legal arguments, not science, to take down EPA’s 16-year-old endangerment finding.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

The Trump administration used this New Mexico oil and gas lease sale to showcase its new approach to the National Environmental Policy Act: No consideration of environmental justice, no analysis of climate costs. My latest for @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2002202...

insideclimatenews.orgBureau of Land Management Trims Environmental Review Before $20 Million Oil and Gas Lease Sale - Inside Climate NewsEnvironmental justice concerns and climate costs were eliminated from assessment as the Trump administration seeks to overhaul its handling of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Marianne Lavelle reposted

Phil McKenna
@mckennapr.bsky.social

Brock Yordy is a 3rd generation driller with “mud in his blood.” Can his newly formed drillers association help geothermal heating and cooling reach liftoff? insideclimatenews.org/news/1702202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Third Generation Driller Transitions from Oil and Gas to Geothermal - Inside Climate NewsBrock Yordy, a co-founder of the Geothermal Drillers Association, says the industry needs more drillers for geothermal heating and cooling to take off.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

My colleagues and I at @insideclimatenews.org found chaos and confusion as their federal climate and environmental justice grants remain frozen despite court orders. Attorneys say the Trump administration is now making baseless claims against the programs.

insideclimatenews.orgClimate and Environmental Justice Programs Stalled by Trump Freeze, Despite Court Orders - Inside Climate NewsEPA’s chief is also trying to claw back $20 billion, implying wrongdoing. Attorneys call it an evidence-free tactic to get around judges’ orders.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

This is a shocking story by my colleague! @dennispillion.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org The Alabamians will have to pay an additional $100 on their next electric bill because of a Trump executive order. insideclimatenews.org/news/1402202...

insideclimatenews.orgTrump Executive Order Takes Back Funds to Help Low-Income Alabama Residents Pay Electric Bills - Inside Climate NewsMany of the 2,000 Alabama households impacted had already seen the funds credited to their accounts and will have to pay the money back on their next bill.

Marianne Lavelle reposted

Mark Cuban
@mcuban.bsky.social

This is the most relevant article to NIH and research cuts I’ve seen. Imagine if this was today , how many people would be saying “Why are we studying Gila Monsters and their impact on diabetes ? That’s wasted money !” globalnews.ca/news/9793403...

globalnews.caHow a Canadian scientist and a venomous lizard helped pave the way for Ozempic - National | Globalnews.caIn 1984, Dr. Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist from the University of Toronto, discovered a hormone that helped pave the way for popular diabetes drugs such as Ozempic.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

It was great to join you to talking about what is happening at US EPA under the Trump administration!

Ethan Elkind@ethanelkind.bsky.social

Then at 10:30am PT we'll discuss the dismantling of the US EPA. What are the implications for environmental enforcement? We'll be joined by @mlavelle.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org Stream live! www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...

kalw.orgThe Trump administration's plans to dismantle the EPASince the inauguration, the Trump administration has focused intently on the EPA, notifying more than 1,100 employees that they could be fired immediately
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Also notable: Norway's oil fund is a major shareholder in Tesla. There's a vision of the EV future where electric drive displaces the internal combustion engines. But another view (Tesla's? Trump's?) is EVs as a novelty, luxury item, not a serious threat to the oil-driven status quo.

KetAnthropic JoshAI@ketanjoshi.co

Norway's oil fund is forced to release text messages between its CEO and Elon Musk - Musk pressured the fund to vote in favour of his salary package, they ultimately didn't and then Musk cancelled his attendance at some CEO dinner. e24.no/boers-og-fin...

Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

"The conditions that created this inferno, these two firestorms, they’re not going anywhere and in fact they’re going to get worse." My @insideclimatenews.org colleague Michael Kodas interviews Stephen Markley, author of the prescient novel, The Deluge. insideclimatenews.org/news/2401202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Novelist Imagined a Climate-Driven Wildfire Burning LA, Then Watched It Happen - Inside Climate News“‘The Deluge’ is a realist novel,” says author Stephen Markley of his 2023 epic. “It was about what we are going to live through, and now it's just about what we are living through.”
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

The future flow of water in the West hangs in the balance. The Biden administration sought to help address the drought and increasing demand, but will the programs continue under Trump?

insideclimatenews.orgMoney for the Colorado River Faces an Uncertain Fate Under Trump - Inside Climate NewsFunding from the IRA for more than 50 projects in four states and four different tribes was put on hold by the new administration, but experts are optimistic that it won’t dry up.
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

A global biodiversity hot spot and National Forest in Alabama is targeted for oil and gas drilling. The process began under Biden, with decision-making now in the hands of the Trump administration. Fm my @insideclimatenews.org colleague @leehedgepeth.bsky.social

insideclimatenews.orgAs Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest - Inside Climate NewsIn the final days of the Biden administration, agency officials began the process of soliciting public opinion on future oil and gas development of Conecuh National Forest in south Alabama. Will Donal...
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Our team at @insideclimatenews.org reports on how climate activists around the country are reacting to Trump's executive orders that seek to prioritize fossil fuel energy over renewables. insideclimatenews.org/news/2201202...

insideclimatenews.orgExecutive Orders on Energy and Climate Have Advocates Across the Nation on Edge - Inside Climate NewsOrders pulled back approval of new wind leases, lifted restrictions on resource extraction and cut off money dedicated to electric vehicle charging. Their legality may be challenged, but climate advoc...
Marianne Lavelle
@mlavelle.bsky.social

Much of the Biden climate legacy is still under construction. Will it move forward fast enough to outrun the Trump administration, the increase in energy demand and the US ramp-up in fossil fuel production? My latest for @insideclimatenews.org

insideclimatenews.org‘We Needed More Time’: As Biden Leaves Office, His Climate Legacy Remains Incomplete - Inside Climate NewsAllies say the president's clean energy and environmental justice achievements will last. But he leaves behind no solution for the nation's fossil fuel reliance.