Environmental groups

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency failed to consider the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, reopening debate over regulating commercial uses of orbit that affect the ground.

Audubon Society argues that despite a stalled legislative calendar, Congress still has an opportunity this session to pass meaningful conservation measures. The organization is pressing lawmakers to act on protections for birds, habitats, and public lands before the session closes, framing the remaining time as a window for bipartisan environmental progress.

Federal fishery monitors that the Trump administration moved to eliminate are going back to sea following public outcry. The observers, who board fishing vessels to track catches and enforce conservation rules, had been targeted for removal as part of deregulatory efforts. The reversal means oversight of US commercial fishing operations will continue, after industry, scientists and conservation groups pushed back against the plan.

ARC Advisory Group published an analysis on strengthening industrial cyber resilience as threats to industrial control systems evolve rapidly. The piece examines how manufacturers and critical infrastructure operators can adapt their security strategies to keep operations running despite a growing and changing attack landscape.

Campaign group Foxglove has joined forces with 38 Degrees to launch a petition calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to ban new data centres that harm local communities or the climate. More than 20,000 people have already signed the petition, which frames data centre expansion as a growing environmental and community concern in the UK.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Aqua America are accepting applications for the Protect Your Drinking Water program in southeastern Pennsylvania starting October 21. The initiative offers funding to support local projects that protect drinking water sources. Details on eligibility and how to apply are available through the council, with residents and community groups encouraged to take part.

The Trump administration has finalized new fuel economy standards that officially roll back the electric vehicle mandate introduced under President Biden. The move eliminates requirements pushing automakers toward predominantly electric fleets, allowing a wider mix of gasoline and hybrid vehicles. Supporters call it a win for consumer choice, while environmental groups warn it will slow the transition to cleaner transportation and increase emissions.

Namibian authorities have issued an environmental clearance certificate for a phosphate mining project, despite years of opposition from the country's fishing industry. Fishing groups have long argued that seabed phosphate mining could damage marine ecosystems and threaten fish stocks that are central to Namibia's fishing sector and economy.

The US Supreme Court has heard arguments in a climate change lawsuit brought against oil and gas companies. The case, which seeks to hold fossil fuel producers accountable for climate-related damages, is being closely watched by energy producers, states and environmental groups. Industry outlets have flagged concerns over the potential implications for energy operations and litigation exposure.

The head of the US Environmental Protection Agency's air office has left the agency after leading the rollback of air pollution regulations under President Trump. The departure removes a key architect of the administration's deregulatory agenda, and environmental groups and industry alike are watching who will replace the official and whether the loosened rules will hold.

The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could determine whether major oil companies can be held liable in state courts for their role in climate change. The dispute centers on procedural questions about where climate-related lawsuits against fossil fuel companies should be heard. Environmental advocates and industry groups are watching closely, as the outcome could shape dozens of pending lawsuits seeking damages from oil giants.

An environmental group in Berkshire, Massachusetts is searching for 'ghost dams' — abandoned or forgotten dam structures lingering in the region's waterways. The effort is aimed at identifying obsolete dams that no longer serve a purpose, typically so they can be removed to restore natural river flow and improve fish passage and water quality.

A group of US senators has introduced a bill to reform environmental permitting rules for railroad projects, according to industry publication Progressive Railroading. The measure is aimed at streamlining the review process for rail infrastructure, a long-standing concern for railroad professionals and developers who say delays raise costs and slow construction.

Congressman Brett Guthrie is leading a group of members of Congress in filing an amicus brief in support of Kentucky's lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency. The brief signals congressional backing for the state's legal challenge to federal environmental regulation. Guthrie's office announced the filing, positioning the congressman and his colleagues squarely against the EPA's actions affecting Kentucky.

Virginia has opened a public comment period on how environmental justice is considered in the state's permitting process. The effort, reported by Bay Journal, would examine how permits for industrial and other facilities affect communities already burdened by pollution. Residents and advocacy groups can weigh in on whether permit decisions adequately account for cumulative health and environmental impacts on vulnerable populations.

Discussion is turning to how higher education should adapt to the climate crisis, with the idea of 'a college for the climate era' — institutions designed around sustainability, climate science and environmental stewardship rather than treating these as electives. Environmental groups argue colleges must rethink curricula, campuses and their own carbon footprints to prepare students for a warming world.

The US Department of Agriculture has finalized rule changes that could end federal support for solar projects on farmland. The move, reported by Civil Eats, would affect programs that have helped farmers install solar panels. Environmental and agricultural groups are watching closely, warning that the changes could slow renewable energy development in rural America.

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging its rollback of vehicle fuel economy standards. The administration eased emissions and mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, a move critics say will increase pollution and gasoline consumption. The legal challenge was reported by multiple outlets across the United States, reflecting broad attention to the fight over the weakened rules.

The coalition Stronger America Through Seafood has launched a campaign timed to congressional consideration of legislation on open ocean aquaculture. The push comes as lawmakers debate whether to expand fish farming in federal waters, an issue that divides industry groups, fishing communities and environmental advocates. The coalition is urging Congress to weigh the economic case for a larger domestic seafood sector.

The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case concerning climate change, a decision that could shape how far the courts and federal government can go in addressing global warming. The outcome may affect environmental regulation and the legal responsibilities of polluters, drawing close attention from lawmakers, activists and industry groups alike.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has voiced approval of the Trump administration's move to curtail Endangered Species Act protections. The state agency welcomed the federal rollbacks, which reduce regulatory restrictions on listed species. Environmental groups are expected to push back, arguing the changes weaken safeguards for wildlife at risk, particularly in Alaska where species like seals and polar bears depend on the act.