Environmental Defense Fund

(WASHINGTON – August 13, 2026) The Trump administration canceled three major electric transmission corridors that would help connect and supply power over long distances in the Southwest, Great Plains and Mid-Atlantic-Canada regions.

SAN FRANCISCO — The new Western electricity market is expanding its footprint as electric utility BHE Montana announced it will become the eighth participant to sign on to the Extended Day-Ahead Market, a regional market that allows utilities to share low-cost power across state lines.

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee did not advance a farm bill during markup. “Farmers and ranchers need the U.S. to invest in innovation, voluntary conservation programs and technical assistance so they can weather more challenging growing and market conditions,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs at Environmental Defense Fund.

(WASHINGTON – August 6, 2026) Today, the U.S. District Court in Oregon blocked the Department of Defense’s freeze on onshore wind energy projects, finding that the Department’s failure to conduct routine reviews of these projects violated clear statutory deadlines. The case was brought by renewable energy groups, with support from 18 states and the District of Columbia as well as eight environmental groups, including Environmental Defense Fund.

(SACRAMENTO – August 6, 2026) The Trump administration announced it is paying yet another energy company $1.2 billion in taxpayer dollars to abandon its offshore wind projects off the coasts of California, New York and Louisiana. Thus far, the administration has bought out three of the five offshore wind leases on the California coast — Golden State Wind, Bluepoint Wind and Canopy Offshore Wind Project.

What's new: EDF expert testimony finds Entergy has not demonstrated that its proposed $4.1 billion investment in two new gas plants is the lowest-cost, lowest-risk way to meet Louisiana's growing energy needs.

What's new: EDF expert testimony finds Entergy has not demonstrated that its proposed $4.1 billion investment in two new gas plants is the lowest-cost, lowest-risk way to meet Louisiana's growing energy needs. • Why it matters: Entergy's decision to pause its proposed Cottonwood acquisition underscores why regulators should rigorously evaluate need, cost, risk and alternatives before approving major generation investments, particularly amid uncertainty about future electricity demand.

(NEW YORK — August 5, 2026) Today, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) adopted updates to strengthen New York’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regulations, ensuring the program will continue to cut climate and air pollution, and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency programs that lower energy bills for families.

New analysis: The first statistical analysis of Peoples Gas' data, conducted by methane scientist Dr. Joe von Fischer on behalf of EDF, found significant disparities in aging gas infrastructure across Chicago neighborhoods. • Why it matters: Neighborhoods with higher percentages of people of color have more leak-prone pipe and gas leaks, and residents are more likely to discover leaks through odor calls rather than proactive utility surveys.

Washington, D.C. — Today, a coalition of environmental organizations filed comments urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to abandon its proposed repeal of its rule requiring public companies to disclose climate-related risks to their businesses and plans to manage or mitigate them. “Americans deserve clear climate risk information so they can keep their hard-earned money safe,” said Stephanie Jones, Senior Attorney for Environmental Defense Fund.