environmental regulators

The US is moving to weaken federal fuel-economy standards, loosening requirements that carmakers improve average mileage across their fleets. Supporters argue the rules raise vehicle costs and limit consumer choice, while environmental groups warn the rollback will increase gasoline consumption and emissions, undermining climate goals. The proposal has reignited debate over how aggressively the government should regulate automakers' transition toward more efficient and electric vehicles.

The Trump administration has moved to roll back fuel economy standards for cars that were put in place under President Biden. The rollback relaxes emissions and efficiency requirements imposed on automakers, reversing a central pillar of the previous administration's climate policy. The change is likely to reignite debate over vehicle pollution rules and their impact on car prices, energy use and US climate commitments.

President Trump says he has approved rolling back fuel economy standards set under the Biden administration, lowering required miles-per-gallon targets for new vehicles. The move eases efficiency requirements on automakers and unwinds a signature Biden climate policy. Outlets across the US are carrying the announcement, which is likely to draw responses from environmental groups and the auto industry.

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 ignored the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, reigniting debate over regulating commercial space ventures and their environmental consequences.

An environmental group is challenging air quality permits tied to a large Amazon data center project in North Carolina, with Duke Energy supplying power to the facility. The challenge targets regulators' approval of emissions permits for the mega site, raising concerns about pollution and energy demand from rapidly expanding data center infrastructure. The dispute puts a spotlight on how states weigh tech industry growth against environmental standards.

New Jersey regulators have fined a data center $1.1 million after aerial imagery revealed 62 diesel or gas generators on site that had not been properly disclosed or permitted. The case highlights growing scrutiny of the environmental footprint of data centers, which increasingly rely on backup and on-site power generation as energy demands surge. Commenters are debating whether operators can realistically be transparent about large-scale power infrastructure.

Representative Tom Barrett and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Mid-Michigan to highlight efforts around reliable energy and environmental protection. The pair emphasized federal and local work to balance affordable, dependable power with environmental safeguards, drawing attention to energy policy priorities in the region.