Climate science, policy, politics, and action
Full Committee markup of:
Improves the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weather research, supports advancements in weather forecasting and prediction, and expands commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data.
Subcommittee hearing entitled “Leveling the Playing Field: Fostering Opportunities for Small Business Contractors.”
Witnesses:
The previously announced Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations oversight hearing titled “Exploring the Economic Potential of the Golden Age of American Energy Dominance” on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 10:15 a.m. in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building has been rescheduled to Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. in room 1334 Longworth House Office Building.
Witnesses:
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:
Witnesses:
Panel I (Members of Congress)
Panel II (Administration Witnesses)
Panel III (Outside Experts)
Subcommittee hearing entitled “Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies.”
Witnesses:
NAHB, along with the New York State Builders Association, is challenging the nation’s first statewide ban on natural gas in most new construction in court, arguing it is preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
Lieberman’s testimony: “Dishwashers, washing machines, and light bulbs are among the most overregulated appliances. . . All of the Biden administration appliance regulations – light bulbs, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, others – included calculations of the claimed climate benefits. These benefits are based on the highly flawed estimates of the social cost of carbon, which the Trump administration has sensibly ordered all regulatory agencies to stop relying upon.”
Steffes testimony: “Maintaining an affordable, diverse, reliable, and resilient energy mix, featuring natural gas, is vital for addressing the increasing energy needs of our economy and ensuring energy security.”
Rinaldi: “By using our energy smarter and leveraging energy efficiency in buildings, we strengthen U.S. energy dominance, lower costs for families, businesses, and factories, and protect our national security.”
The Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands oversight hearing titled “The State of Our Nation’s Federal Forests” has been rescheduled to Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building. This hearing was previously postponed from its original July 9, 2025, date.
On Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (MDT), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold an oversight hearing titled “The Great American Outdoors Act: Modernizing and Maintaining National Parks to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday.” The hearing will examine opportunities to reauthorize and reform the Great American Outdoors Act to enhance public access, improve infrastructure, and create new outdoor recreation opportunities at our national parks. This hearing will be held at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Witnesses:
The purpose of the hearing is to consider the nominations of the Laura Swett to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2030 and David LaCerte to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2026.
Nominees:
Swett is a Vinson and Elkins lawyer representing fracking pipeline companies, who Trump wants as chair. LaCerte, a Project 2025 contributor, is being criticized by Laura Loomer.
In the face of the Trump administration’s attacks on our communities and the climate, downballot races have an outsized role in the fight for climate and environmental justice. That’s why this summer and fall, Lead Locally is organizing Calls for Climate, a phone banking series to reach voters in key downballot races.
Our next phone bank is on Wednesday, September 3, and we’re making calls in support of climate leader Lily Franklin for Virginia’s House of Delegates.
Calls for Climate is a virtual phone bank that you can join from anywhere — all you need is a computer and a phone. Each week, we’ll be talking to voters about a race with important stakes for climate and democracy:
In Virginia, we’re making calls in support of progressive state legislators to strengthen the state’s Democratic Assembly majority and beat MAGA Republicans. Take action with us to win a pro-climate Democratic trifecta that will pass bills to regulate the statewide utility Dominion Energy, cut carbon pollution, and ensure affordable energy bills for all.
In Georgia, we’re backing two climate champions running for the Public Service Commission. If elected, Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard will fight to lower energy bills for working families by stopping rate hikes and accelerating the buildout of renewable energy.
In New Orleans, Louisiana, we’re organizing for Pastor Gregory Manning for City Council. A longtime leader in the city’s climate justice movement, Pastor Manning’s platform centers on reigning in the profits of the city’s utility Entergy and tackling the skyrocketing costs of utility bills and housing.
Local races like these are often determined by a small number of votes, so every voter we can talk to really does matter.
Whether you’re making calls for the first time or a seasoned phone banker, we’ve got you covered! We’ll begin by learning what is at stake in the race (often from the candidates themselves), review the phone banking script, and walk through how to use the calling platform.