Energy and Environment

Lake Mead, one of the West's primary sources of water.

Colorado River agreement punts on drastic cuts and difficult negotiations

BY: - May 24, 2023

Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the West are grappling with drought that’s worsening because of climate change. State and federal officials are celebrating an agreement reached this week by Arizona, California and Nevada to reduce their use of Colorado River water by millions of gallons over the next three years. But it’s a temporary […]

A wind turbine off the coast of Rhode Island.

Offshore wind in the Midwest? Some Great Lakes leaders think so.

BY: - May 23, 2023

Years from now, when Chicagoans stroll the Lake Michigan waterfront, they may see the blades of wind turbines glinting on the horizon. Clevelanders could glimpse wind farms over Lake Erie. And cities like Milwaukee and Buffalo could be vying to attract a burgeoning offshore wind industry on the Great Lakes. That’s the vision some regional leaders have […]

Utah's Lake Powell

Western states agree to Colorado River water-sharing agreement

BY: - May 22, 2023

The governors of Arizona, California and Nevada have announced a historic water-sharing agreement for the Colorado River in an attempt to salvage one of the West’s major sources of drinking water that has dwindled in severe drought. The agreement this week marks the culmination of months of tumultuous negotiations among seven Western states, whose 40 […]

The magnificent ramshorn, a freshwater snail

Some states hope to move climate-threatened species, but others say no way

BY: - May 10, 2023

This story is part two of a two-part series about a federal proposal to relocate endangered species outside their historic ranges. See part one: Federal wildlife managers and ecologists weigh the risks of action — and inaction — to rescue species from climate change. North Carolina might need to move a snail. A tiny mollusk […]

Karner blue butterflies have lost populations in the southern portion of their range due to warming temperatures.

Climate change is destroying habitats. But relocating species could be tricky.

BY: - May 9, 2023

This story is part one of a two-part series about a federal proposal to relocate endangered species outside their historic ranges. Read part two: State wildlife officials have widely diverging reactions to the proposal. Nine years ago, a team of scientists studying a violet-blue, thumb-sized butterfly found only two remaining in a rolling landscape of […]

Pumpjacks operate in an oil field in McKittrick, California.

California just can’t quit Big Oil

BY: - May 8, 2023

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is an oil state. For a century, the Golden State has been one of the leading oil producers in the country. Although production has declined in recent decades, fossil fuels remain a major source of jobs and tax revenue. That’s why a crusade against oil that is revving up in the […]

A California stove burns natural gas. Even as New York this week is set to become the first state to mandate electrification of buildings by law, numerous other states have outlawed such requirements.

New York to ban fossil fuels in new buildings. 23 states have forbidden such bans.

BY: - May 3, 2023

A widening clash over gas stoves and other fossil fuel appliances has ignited in statehouses across the country as Democratic lawmakers pursue more aggressive climate policies. On one side, environmentalists and left-leaning legislators have championed new construction rules that require homes and other buildings to run off electricity only, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On […]

Top State Stories: Washington bans sale of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles

BY: - April 26, 2023

WA: Washington bans sale of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles, effective immediately seattletimes.com Washington has become the 10th state to prohibit sales of AR-15s and dozens of other semi-automatic rifles, as Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed the ban into law, effective immediately. The state Capitol was closed to the public for the signing ceremony out […]

After historic year of environmental laws, California wants to go further

BY: - April 25, 2023

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s Democratic supermajority wants to follow up its most ambitious year of environmental legislation by passing new clean energy incentives and measures that would accelerate greenhouse gas reductions and require billion-dollar businesses to disclose their emissions. On the cusp of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, California could influence global climate policy if […]

Top State Stories: North Carolina Republicans are coalescing around a 12-week abortion ban

BY: - April 21, 2023

NC: North Carolina Republicans are coalescing around a 12-week abortion ban, House speaker says newsobserver.com North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said he believes Republicans in the House and Senate are “really close” to reaching a consensus on what new abortion restrictions should look like. The state currently bans abortion after 20 weeks. FL: Florida governor signs […]

Top State Stories: No-permit concealed carry passes Nebraska legislature

BY: - April 20, 2023

NE: No-permit concealed carry passes Nebraska legislature journalstar.com If signed by GOP Gov. Jim Pillen as expected, the bill will allow Nebraskans 21 and older to carry concealed weapons without a permit statewide. It will apply statewide and invalidate any local ordinances limiting that ability. OH: Ohio Senate OKs plan to make it harder to amend state […]

Top State Stories: Missouri self-defense laws criticized in Ralph Yarl shooting

BY: - April 19, 2023

MO: Missouri self-defense laws criticized in Ralph Yarl shooting kansascity.com Anger among Missouri lawmakers has been building in the wake of the shooting, in part because of a sense among Democrats, gun control activists and some residents that the state’s gun laws have contributed to an atmosphere where residents feel too comfortable pulling the trigger. Republicans, […]