Environment & Energy

Our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, threatening ecosystems, species, coastal communities, and all too often, human life itself. Heading the list of threats is climate change, with its promise of drastic environmental, economic, and cultural upheaval. But we also face persistent problems of air and water pollution, toxic wastes, cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and other Great Waters, and protecting natural resources and wildlife.

Central to the environmental health of the nation and the planet is decreasing our dependence on energy derived from burning fossil fuels. Our continued reliance on these sources is literally endangering the planet's ability to sustain life as we know it. Yet many policymakers, with the financial and rhetorical support of energy companies bent on making a profit at the cost of the planet's health, continue to resist desperately needed reforms. Read about CPR’s work protecting the environment in reports, testimony, op-eds and more. Use the search box to narrow the list.

President Trump Shouldn't Neuter National Environmental Policy

Writing in the Dallas Morning News, Tom McGarity looks at the Trump push to gut the National Environmental Policy Act

Type: Op-Eds (Jan. 14, 2020)
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Author(s): Thomas McGarity
Trump rollback of two safeguards increases threat of chemical disaster in Virginia

In an op-ed in the Roanoke Times, CPR's David Flores describes the real-world impact of President Trump's push to roll back safeguards against environmental disasters.

Type: Op-Eds (Jan. 1, 2020)
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Author(s): David Flores
Eventually, Paris withdrawal will overshadow impeachment

In an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel, CPR's Joel Mintz writes that President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accords will be seen by historians as a greater disgrace than his impeachment.

Type: Op-Eds (Nov. 26, 2019)
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Author(s): Joel Mintz
Climate Justice: State Courts and the Fight for Equity

Given the scope of the damage from climate change, individuals, organizations, and specific jurisdictions have turned to litigation to hold industry accountable for past and continuing behavior. Such litigation is the only way those who have suffered climate-related damage can seek recourse for loss of homes, livelihoods, health, and the death and injury of loved ones. It could also have an important impact on climate change policy in the United States. Read CPR's November 2019 report on the trend toward state-based litigation.

Type: Reports (Nov. 12, 2019)
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Author(s): Karen Sokol, Thomas McGarity, Sidney Shapiro, David Flores
New Report: State Court Lawsuits Hold Promise of Climate Accountability and Compensation

State courts are an emerging venue for victims of climate-change-induced harms to hold corporate polluters accountable. Read the news release over CPR's November 2019 Climate Justice report.

Type: News Releases (Nov. 12, 2019)
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Trump’s Decision to Hamstring California’s Climate Authority Is Illogical and Uninformed

Trump’s Decision to Hamstring California’s Climate Authority Is Illogical and Uninformed, by Alejandro Camacho and Robert Glicksman, October 4, 2019, The Revelator

Type: Op-Eds (Oct. 4, 2019)
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Author(s): Alejandro Camacho, Robert Glicksman
Regulation as Social Justice: A Crowdsourced Blueprint for Building a Progressive Regulatory System

On June 5, 2019, the Center for Progressive Reform hosted a first-of-its-kind, one-day convening that brought together a diverse group of more than 60 progressive activists and academics. Our purpose was to begin the process of developing a progressive vision of the U.S. regulatory system – one that is not only robust and responsive enough to meet the immediate challenge of protecting people and the environment against unacceptable risks, but that also is institutionally designed to promote the broader social goals of justice and equity. CPR's James Goodwin synthesized the ideas into a report.

Type: Reports (Sept. 25, 2019)
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Author(s): James Goodwin
Another Trump rollback that will harm Texans

Another Trump rollback that will harm Texans, op-ed by Thomas McGarity

Type: Op-Eds (Sept. 8, 2019)
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Author(s): Thomas McGarity
Congress Should Support Clean Energy Research and Development

Congress Should Support Clean Energy Research and Development, op-ed by Joseph P. Tomain

Type: Op-Eds (Aug. 21, 2019)
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Author(s): Joseph Tomain
We Need a Climate Plan for Agriculture
We Need a Climate Plan for Agriculture, op-ed by Laurie Ristino
Type: Op-Eds (Aug. 15, 2019)
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Author(s): Laurie Ristino

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