Environment, Featured Congress grills officials about the Potomac River sewage spill WASHINGTON -- Members of a congressional subcommittee this week questioned utility leaders and state officials about their knowledge of preexisting problems with the sewage line that collapsed on Jan. 19 near the Potomac River. According to ... CONTINUE READING Environment, Featured, Politics, Science + Technology Senators worry about proposed FY 2027 budget cuts to U.S. Forest Service amid active fire season WASHINGTON — Senators balked at proposed budget cuts to the world-leading U.S. Forest Service, including the complete elimination of all forest research funding, during a subcommittee meeting late last month. U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz ... CONTINUE READING Energy, Environment, Featured NOAA Defends Cuts to Research and Climate Monitoring at Budget Hearing A key Republican joined Democrats in pushing back against the Trump administration’s proposal to slash the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research and data collection programs at a House environment subcommittee hearing Tuesday. NOAA requested a ... CONTINUE READING Sen Wyden Energy, Environment, Featured Cuts to Renewable Energy Research in Energy Department’s Budget Irk Senate Democrats WASHINGTON -- Democrats on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee have challenged the Department of Energy’s proposal that would divert funds from solar and wind while keeping fossil fuel plants online past their retirement ... CONTINUE READING

Expensive advanced reactors deter utility companies from pursuing nuclear projects

High costs and risks of building these reactors prevented utility companies from completing scheduled projects, such as one to build the first U.S. small nuclear reactor in Idaho, which was recently canceled. Experts testified to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee last week about obstacles faced by newer nuclear technologies that deter utility companies.

Decarbonizing steel: Senators discuss a vital climate move

WASHINGTON - The United States experiences major natural disasters about five times more frequently than it did in the 1980s, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del. said in a senate hearing on Wednesday. This statement cited a National Climate Assessment released by the Biden...

A Guardian of Federal Lands, Lambasted by Left and Right

From oil and gas leases to missed climate targets, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has become a lightning rod for the Biden administration’s compromises on energy policy. A recent Senate hearing underlined the steady criticism she faces from conservatives.

Stay Connected

Medill Today | May 26, 2026

 

 

 

Medill on Vimeo

Check out hundreds of video stories from our reporters.

Medill on Twitter

Stay current with our news updates by the minute.

Medill on Tumblr

Get a solid stream of news from our reporters.

Medill on Snapchat

MedillontheHill