Halting federal climate action isn't so easy
In this edition: Trump's effort to dismantle Obama's Clean Power; a rising mind-set of shared sacrifice regarding water in the West; progress in Flint.
What we're writing
Why Trump rollback of Obama聽policies isn't easy
President Trump signed an "Energy Independence" executive order, aimed especially at scrapping the Clean Power Plan, which calls on states to reduce electric-utility emissions. But, although聽Trump and his team can certainly slow US efforts to respond to climate change, it may be much harder for them to lock a different direction into place for the long term. //聽Mark Trumbull听补苍诲听Henry Gass
On Colorado River, a mind-set of shared sacrifice
A wet winter is easing water strains in the Southwest, but the longer-term outlook is generally hotter and drier. States now have that in mind in water bargaining.聽Last in our six-part series on emerging water solutions in the American West.听//听Zack Colman
Is the end in sight for the Flint water crisis?
The Michigan city's water crisis may finally be reaching resolution, with a聽settlement that would require the city to replace聽18,000 underground pipes by聽2020. But many of the problems that led to the contamination still have to be addressed in other areas of Michigan and across the United States, some experts warn. //聽Weston Williams
How climate change may drive聽extreme weather
Scientists say climate change could be altering the jet stream in a way that causes extreme heat waves, droughts, and flooding. //聽Eva Botkin-Kowacki
Courts now at front line in climate battles
As governments make commitments on emissions 鈥� or fail to do so 鈥� questions of follow-through increasingly land聽in court. Vienna's airport is a case in point. //聽
What we're reading
Should Congress fund "skeptic" scientists to challenge mainstream climate science? Debate was lively聽at a congressional hearing.聽// The Washington Post
Researchers in Appalachia examine whether one of the region鈥檚 biggest liabilities 鈥� coal-mine waste 鈥� might supply聽rare earth elements. // Southeast Energy News
A project uses what's abundant to make "what we need more of."聽// Thomson Reuters Foundation
Building owners who make efficiency upgrades are making big cuts in emissions, a study concludes.聽 // The Washington Post
What's trending
鈥淲e believe that investing in a low-carbon economy will not only help foster a healthier environment, it is also a key to unlocking new business growth potential for the US and around the world.鈥� // Gap聽spokeswoman Laura Wilkinson, quoted in The Guardian
"Combined climate coverage on ABC, CBS, NBC, and聽Fox News Sunday decreased significantly from 2015 to 2016, despite ample opportunity to cover climate change." // Newly released analysis by Media Matters
California in gear for聽cleaner cars
"Eight years from now, new cars and trucks sold in the Golden State聽will be required to have聽an average fuel economy of聽54.5 miles per gallon.... The sheer size of California鈥檚 market, and a unique waiver from the Clean Air Act, give it an outsize role in determining what comes out of your car's tailpipe. With this vote, it鈥檚 trying to raise those standards at the same moment when the feds and automakers want them eased." // Patrick Reilly, writing in 海角大神