The Trump administration is requesting the cancellation of billions of dollars in funds for space science, renewable energy, carbon removal, and climate change education in its FY 2027 budget.
legislation & regulations
Climate Science Has No Place in Scientific Reference Manual for Judges, Attorneys General Say
A chapter on climate science has been removed from a manual designed to be an independent, neutral source of scientific information for judges.
Power Plants Will Be Allowed to Release More Than Twice As Much Mercury Into the Air
At a 20 February event in Kentucky, the Trump administration announced plans to loosen pollution restrictions for coal-burning power plants, including limits on emissions of mercury, a hazardous neurotoxin.
The State of the Science 1 Year On: The Federal Workforce
Thousands have left the federal workforce, and those who remain face significant uncertainty about their professional futures.
Plan to End NEPA’s “Regulatory Reign of Terror” Is Finalized
The Trump administration has finalized a plan to roll back regulations outlined by one of our nation’s bedrock environmental laws.
A Debate over Wakes in the Land of 10,000 Lakes
Wakeboats are turning Minnesota’s lakes into summertime surf spots, but the artificial chop can shake up the lake bed, too. New wake data can help communities plan for responsible recreation.
Policy Success: Fees and Bans on Plastic Bags Reduce Beach Trash
Regardless of the patchwork of regulations aimed at limiting plastic bag use in the United States, new research indicates that such legislation does, indeed, limit the number of plastic bags found on beaches.
Supreme Court Lets Trump Proceed With Mass Firings
The Trump administration can act on its planned restructuring of the federal government, the United States Supreme Court announced in an 8 July decision.
EPA Proposes Removal of Carbon Dioxide Limits on Power Plants
On 11 June, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposal to repeal federal limits on power plant carbon emissions, including a Biden-era rule requiring power plants to control 90% of their carbon pollution and a 2015 standard limiting carbon dioxide emissions from new fossil fuel-fired power plants.
Tracking Science Policy Decisions and Approaches
The new administration has taken an array of decisive actions with far-reaching consequences for Earth and space scientists. Use our new tool to help sort them out.
