White House Looks To Reopen Refineries
"The Trump administration is looking to reopen closed oil refineries, including an embattled one in the Virgin Islands, amid high gasoline prices caused by the Iran war."
Source: The Hill, 07/31/2026
EJToday: Top Environmental Politics Headlines
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Trump Admin Is Repurposing Federal Land for A.I. Data Centers
"The Trump administration is repurposing large chunks of federal land to host enormous data centers and the power plants needed to run them as officials seek to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence and overcome growing local opposition to the facilities."
Source: New York Times, 07/30/2026Data Center Boom Sparks Lobbying Surge
"The number of companies, associations and advocacy groups lobbying around data center issues more than doubled this spring compared to the same time last year as Congress and the Trump administration sought to address the industry’s rapid growth."
Source: E&E News, 07/30/2026Trump Bets Chevron’s Fall Lets Him Rewrite Rules For Imperiled Wildlife
"For decades, presidents of both parties and the Supreme Court have agreed that federal law prevents developers from destroying habitat critical to vulnerable wildlife. The Trump administration is now making the case that a landmark Supreme Court ruling ending judicial deference to federal agencies gives it room to reverse that longstanding interpretation."
Source: E&E News, 07/30/2026Louisa, Va., Homeowner Sues Amazon Over Data Center Construction
"Round-the-clock disruptions drive a Central Virginia man to file a lawsuit against the tech giant as it seeks to build its latest digital warehouse in the commonwealth."
Source: Virginia Mercury, 07/30/2026In This Costa Rican Forest, Monkeys Come Face-to-Face With A.I.
"CapuchinAI, a portable testing station equipped with a touch screen and facial recognition software, could help scientists study primate intelligence in the wild."
Source: New York Times, 07/30/2026DOJ’s Environmental Enforcement Collapsed Under Trump 2.0; Lawyers Exit
"The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division recently changed its name to the Energy and Natural Resources Division and added “unleashing American energy” to its mission."
Source: Inside Climate News, 07/29/2026Energy Dept. Names 5 States For Possible Nuclear Waste Disposal
"The Department of Energy announced Tuesday that it is in talks with Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho to create special nuclear hubs that would support “final disposition of used nuclear fuel.”
Source: E&E News, 07/29/2026Fossil Fuel Executives Cash In Selling Stock During Iran War
"Insiders at leading oil and gas companies have made millions from stocks since the Iran war began."
Source: New York Times, 07/29/2026White House’s Pandemic Preparedness Office Has A Remarkably Tiny Team
"As recently as 2024, the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy had 15 employees. In 2026, it has two."
Source: MS NOW, 07/29/2026Enviros Say Newsom Appointee Has Conflict of Interest And Should Resign
"Environmental groups are demanding the resignation of the Board of Environmental Safety’s newest member, Rhys Williams, because of his work as a lobbyist for a firm that represents clients that handle toxic materials."
Source: CalMatters, 07/29/2026Record Seaweed Blankets Mexico's Caribbean Coast, Threatening Tourism
"A record wave of brown, smelly seaweed is washing up on beaches along Mexico's Caribbean coast, forcing closures in top tourist destinations and inflicting mounting economic damage on hotels, restaurants and shops."
Source: Reuters, 07/29/2026U.S. Military Bases Delay Cleanup Of Toxic "Forever Chemicals"
"Hundreds of military bases have been putting off cleanup of toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, for years, according to a new USA TODAY analysis of military records. "
Source: USA TODAY, 07/28/2026Federal Judge Orders EPA to Administer Environmental Justice Grants
"A South Carolina federal judge this week ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to resume distributing funds designed to address environmental and health challenges in underserved communities."
Source: Inside Climate News, 07/28/2026Water Contamination From Ag Is a Top Issue in Iowa Midterms
"With polluted waterways and rising cancer rates, many Iowa voters will be choosing candidates based on their plans to address the problem."
Source: Civil Eats, 07/28/2026
