Laura Hautala explores how climate change is reshaping the urban landscape, prompting cities like Tacoma, Washington, to seek drought-tolerant trees from regions like Northern Cal
Southern Politics, Southern Power Prices: Race, Utility Regulation, and the Value of Energy
In an article by Kristin D. Phillips, the materiality of race in the US South is explored through the lens of southern utilities, shedding light on the political landscape where disputes over the value of energy take place. The article examines the different conceptualizations of value by utilities, regulators, and energy justice advocates and how they contribute to the pricing of energy and racialized dispossession in the Deep South. Focusing on Georgia Power's monopoly on public power, the article argues that it reinforces the racialized political economy of the South, resulting in high home energy prices for low-income families. It also highlights the connection between energy injustice and the everyday experiences of extractive utility bills. The article emphasizes the significance of energy justice within the broader framework of the Long Civil Rights Movement and emphasizes the role of voting rights in energy regulation issues in Georgia. The author calls attention to the ongoing struggle for equity and justice in the realm of energy, drawing parallels with historical civil rights movements and urging continued activism.
Emily Jones reports on the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by Black voters challenging Georgia's elections for utility regulators, known as the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The Department of Energy's advisory committee presents a concerning assessment of the progress of the "clean" hydrogen industry, suggesting it's insufficient to meet U.S. climate
The latest State of the Air report by the American Lung Association reveals that over one-third of Americans, approximately 130 million people, regularly inhale unhealthy air
The Biden administration's announcement of $7 billion worth of project support through the Solar for All program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act
Maureen Penjueli, an Indigenous advocate from Fiji, voices skepticism about the concept of "clean energy" amidst concerns about deep-sea mining's impact on her people and the envi
Environmental racism remains a pressing issue in the United States, highlighted by a series of modern-day examples that underscore systemic inequalities.
A lawsuit filed by a coalition of advocates and inmates against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) over extreme temperatures in state prisons
President Joe Biden has announced the opening of applications for the American Climate Corps, aiming to enlist 20,000 individuals in its inaugural year.
Reuters reports that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will announce its plan on May 13 to expedite the development of long-distance transmission lines to accom
Over $300 million is being directed towards addressing the migrant crisis while longstanding issues of poverty in their communities have been overlooked for decades.
Newsweek reports that the National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center forecasts a months-long drought in western Texas, exacerbating concerns about water scarcity.
The activism of Black-led environmental organizations, such as Outdoor Afro and Justice Outside, in combating environmental racism and advocating for marginalized communities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted Houston an extension to utilize or reimburse $5.7 billion earmarked for Hurricane Harvey housing recovery
Efforts by the Texas Land Office and Houston City Council to locate 900 households owed relocation assistance due to the buyout of four low-income housing complexes following Hurr