January 15, 2026
Economic Justice
Economic Justice
Neptune Flood proposes phasing out the National Flood Insurance Program, arguing private insurers can better assess risk using AI. Critics warn this shift may leave flood-prone...
During a Historic Hurricane Season, Microgrids Kept Communities Running
Summary
During Hurricane Francine, microgrids powered by solar and battery storage provided critical support to communities facing widespread outages. In New Orleans, the Grace United Methodist Church, part of the Community Lighthouses network, served as a resilience hub offering electricity, cooling, and essential services. Across the U.S., microgrid adoption is growing as a reliable energy solution, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing disaster preparedness. RMI’s “Microgrids for Resilient Communities” initiative is helping schools, churches, tribal buildings, and community centers implement microgrids by addressing financial and technical challenges. Key factors for success include high energy efficiency, favorable net metering policies, and access to funding sources like federal tax credits and grants. Advocates highlight microgrids’ role in lowering energy costs and ensuring energy security, especially for low-income communities.
January 12, 2026
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Trump administration's E.P.A. will no longer include the monetary value of human lives saved from pollution reductions in rulemaking. This shift may ease the repeal...
January 2, 2026
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Environmental groups have filed suit against the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, claiming it violated legal and constitutional obligations...
December 10, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice
EPA eliminates mention of fossil fuels in website on warming's causes. Scientists call it misleading
EPA removed fossil-fuel references from its climate causes page, emphasizing natural factors. Scientists and former officials say the change misleads the public...
November 18, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Fossil fuel companies are massively expanding plastic production to offset declining fuel demand. This shift drives pollution, harms public health...
October 24, 2025
Urban & Development
Urban & Development
In northeast Houston, residents are creating solar-powered “hub homes” to serve as community refuges during power outages, filling the gap left by the lack of formal resilience...
October 2, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
Houston’s air pollution, especially PM2.5, is rising again, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities near industry...
September 22, 2025
Urban & Development
Urban & Development
Internal documents and whistleblower accounts reveal that Trump appointees at HUD have gutted enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, slashing staff, blocking cases,
September 12, 2025
Human Health
Human Health
Houston leads major U.S. cities in poverty, with 21.2% of residents—over 500,000 people—living below the federal threshold...
September 2, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
After 26 years at EPA, environmental justice pioneer Charles Lee retires and joins Howard University’s Environmental and Climate Justice Center, arguing that despite Trump...
August 29, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Two decades after Hurricane Katrina, overlooked survivors are reclaiming their narratives through TikTok, challenging long-standing portrayals from 2005.
August 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Sierra Club fired Executive Director Ben Jealous after no-confidence votes, budget cuts, layoffs, and misconduct concerns. Union leaders welcomed his departure...
August 11, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
U.S. clean hydrogen projects are collapsing amid shortened tax credit deadlines, rising energy costs, and policy shifts, leaving most proposals ineligible and investors...
August 5, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice
A coalition of nonprofits, tribes, and local governments filed a class-action lawsuit against the EPA, demanding reinstatement of a $3bn climate justice grant program halted...
August 3, 2025
Climate
Climate
The Trump administration’s move to revoke the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases marks a major policy reversal, undermining decades of climate protections...