Clean energy advocates concerned about how federal cuts and freezes could affect clean energy efficiency programs in the CSRA
Programs like the Weatherization Assistance Program and Solar for All help lower utility costs for some Georgia families. They also promote workforce development, home energy savings, and address climate issues. Georgia State Senator Harold Jones is opposed to those cuts. He says they'll raise costs and cut jobs.
'These are not buzz words about clean energy or weatherization,' said State Senator Harold Jones. 'These things actually matter to people. Actually, puts more money in their pockets. Also improves the economy and the environment. All of that is connected to actually having a better society.'
Nicole Lee is a business owner who has seen how weatherization and solar power help low- to moderate-income families save hundreds of dollars in utility costs thanks to these programs.
'Just to see the widespread of ones solar as well as weatherization work in in multiple states and seeing the impact that it helps in LMI communities is astonishing, and so I'm hoping that you know bipartisan funding is able to be passed so that these programs can continue to exist,' said Nicole Lee, Owner of Be Smart Home Solutions.
Paige Brockmeyer is part of the Citizens Climate Lobby in Augusta and wants to encourage people to continue reaching out to state and federal lawmakers and encourage them to vote against cuts to these programs. She says the health of Georgians depends on it.
'The more particulate matter that's in the air from burning fossil fuels, the more respiratory problems we have. So, that's kind of at one level, and at another level, you have events like Hurricane Helene,' said Paige Brockmeyer, Volunteer Group Leader, Citizens Climate Lobby Augusta.
The speakers wanted to bring attention to Georgia's congressional delegation to protect these programs so that only the heat rises this summer and not utility costs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Where Trump is popular, Democrats look to a new crop of candidates to help win back the House
FAIRVIEW, N.C. (AP) — Jamie Ager has spent much of the past year rebuilding his farm in the foothills of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, cutting power, destroying fences and scattering livestock. Then, earlier this year, Ager lost his beef contract with local schools, a casualty of billions of dollars in cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Trump administration. Now, the fifth-generation farmer is running for Congress — part of a new crop of Democratic candidates the party is turning to as it tries to compete in the tough, often rural districts it may need to flip to retake the U.S. House in 2026. Democrats say these new recruits are uniquely suited to break through in districts where President Donald Trump's popularity dominates. Many, like Ager, are already a well-known presence in their communities. And in parts of North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan and elsewhere, the party is betting local credibility can cut through skepticism where the Democratic brand has fallen. Ager says he sees national Democrats as out of touch with rural life: too 'academic' and 'politically correct and scripted.' 'That's just not what people are interested in,' he says. 'The ideas of helping poor people, being neighborly, the ideal of doing those things, I think, are worthy, good ideas that are actually popular. But the execution of a lot of those ideas has been gummed up, you know, not well executed.' A shifting House map Heading into next year's midterms, Democrats believe momentum is on their side. Historically, the president's party loses ground in the midterms. In 2018, during Trump's first term, Democrats flipped 41 seats to take control of the House. Republicans currently control the House by such a slim margin, Democrats need to pick up only a few seats to break the GOP's hold on Washington. The Republican-led tax break and spending cut bill has added to Democrats' optimism. About two-thirds of U.S. adults expect the new law will help the rich, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half say it'll do more harm than good for middle-class people and people like them. Still, Republicans remain confident. They point to having fewer vulnerable seats than Democrats have this cycle. Only three Republicans hold House districts Democrat Kamala Harris won last year, while 13 Democrats represent districts Trump won. They also note Democrats' low opinion of their own party after last year's losses. In a July AP-NORC poll, Democrats were likelier to describe their own party negatively than Republicans, with many Democrats calling it weak or ineffective. In places where local dynamics may give Democrats a shot, it means finding the right candidates is especially important, party leaders say. 'Recruitment matters in these years when the environment is going to be competitive,' Democratic pollster John Anzalone said. Democrats hope a farmer in western North Carolina can regain trust With power, water and telecommunications down due to last year's hurricane, Ager's Hickory Nut Gap farm became a hub for the community — hosting cookouts and using propane to grill food for neighbors. Statewide, the storm caused nearly $60 billion in damage and killed more than 100 people. Little federal aid has reached the hardest-hit parts of western North Carolina. 'Helene hitting definitely put an exclamation point on, like, 'Whoa, we need help and support,'' Ager said. Democrats see Ager as a high-risk, high-reward candidate who could be successful in a district where Democrats have struggled. No Democrat has won North Carolina's 11th Congressional District since it was redrawn by the Republican-controlled legislature in 2011. A court-ordered redistricting ahead of the 2020 election made it slightly more favorable to Democrats, encompassing Asheville and much of western North Carolina. Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards still won by nearly 14 percentage points last year and is expected to seek reelection. Grayson Barnette, a Democratic strategist who helped recruit Ager, said in some districts it's a risk to run a candidate who hasn't held elected office before. 'But I would argue that's a good thing, especially when the Democrats just took the big hit we did,' Barnette said. 'We have to look in the mirror and say, 'Let's try something new.'' In a district where nearly 62% of residents live in very low-density areas, Barnette believes Ager's identity — as a business owner, coach and father with deep local roots — could cut through. His unpolished, direct style, he says, may resonate more than a polished political résumé. In the video launching his campaign, Ager shows flooding on the farm and is seen on the porch of his home, feeding chickens, driving a tractor and spending time with his wife and three sons. 'I'm not flashy, but I'm honest,' he says in the video. Ager doesn't call himself a Democrat in the roughly two-minute video and rarely used the word during a three-hour interview. Still, his ties to the party run deep: His brother serves in the state House, following in the footsteps of their father. His grandfather served six years in the U.S. House. Asked whether that might be a liability in the district, Ager shrugged: 'Then don't vote for me.' Trump's big bill could reshape a conservative district in Michigan In western Michigan, state Sen. Sean McCann is a different kind of candidate from Ager. He's buttoned-up and soft-spoken, with a long resume in elected office and deep roots in Kalamazoo, having served for a decade on the city commission before winning a seat in the state House in 2010. In a district anchored by conservative and religious values, Democrats see McCann as the kind of steady, experienced figure who can make inroads — especially as backlash builds to Trump's tax bill, which includes deep spending cuts. At a recent meeting at Kalamazoo's Family Health Center, where nearly 65% of patients rely on Medicaid, the center's president warned the proposed Medicaid cuts would be devastating. 'It's about being home in the community and listening to our community's values — and carrying those to Washington,' McCann said. The district is represented by Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga, who won reelection by nearly 12 percentage points in 2022. But Huizenga hasn't said whether he'll seek another term, and Trump carried the district by only 5.5 percentage points in 2024. Democrats hope strong ties help elsewhere Across the country, Democrats are watching similar races in places like Iowa and Kentucky, where local candidates with strong community ties are running. In Iowa's 2nd District, state Rep. Lindsay James — a fourth-term lawmaker and Presbyterian pastor — is weighing a run in the northeast part of the state. In Kentucky's 6th, which includes Lexington and Richmond, former federal prosecutor Zach Dembo is running his first campaign, describing himself as a political outsider. It's a mix of profiles: Ager, the farmer-turned-candidate feeding neighbors after a hurricane. McCann, the public servant meeting with health workers in his hometown. And others like them trying to reconnect a skeptical electorate. 'Yes, the Democratic Party has some taint to it,' Ager said. 'But when I go talk to Republicans who are friends that I've known forever, there's genuine admiration and mutual respect for each other. And that comes from being in this community forever.' ___ This story has been corrected to show McCann is a state senator, not a state representative. ___ Associated Press reporter Maya Sweedler in Washington contributed to this report.
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Associated Press
Study: Storm-Driven Blackouts Left Thousands Without Care As Clinics Closed Across Southeast
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 18, 2025 /3BL/ - Power outages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced temporary closures at more than half of safety-net health care providers surveyed across Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, according to a comprehensive new study released today by Direct Relief. Read the full report here. Among 80 community health centers and free and charitable clinics responding to the survey, 43 organizations (54%) said power loss forced the temporary closure of at least one site. The closures led to nearly 28,000 canceled or delayed patient visits — an outcome that researchers have tied to elevated longer-term mortality rates. The survey also found widespread financial losses and medicine spoilage that compounded the health impact. Key findings Bedrock providers left vulnerable 'Health centers and clinics are often the bedrock health care providers in their communities,' said Sara Rossi, managing director of the Health Resiliency Fund at Direct Relief. 'Without power, their ability to deliver critical, even life-saving services is compromised, leaving vulnerable patients at serious risk.' 'When power goes out, I'm in scramble mode to save vaccines. Without electricity, my X-ray, ultrasound and health records are down — and patient care stops,' said John Newman, executive director and chief medical officer at Volunteers in Medicine in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Widespread backup power gaps The survey revealed alarming gaps in backup power infrastructure at safety-net health care facilities. Unlike hospitals, which are legally required to maintain backup generators and fuel supplies, community health centers and free and charitable clinics face no such mandates. Severe financial and medical impacts The financial toll was significant. Twenty-three organizations reported revenue losses totaling $12.9 million while they were closed. Among FQHCs that lost revenue, the average loss was $803,000 per organization. Nearly one-fourth (19) of the providers were forced to discard temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines when their refrigerators lost power. One clinic reported losing $60,000 worth of vaccines alone. These losses not only carried financial costs but also reduced availability of critical treatments such as insulin for diabetics and Tdap vaccines needed to prevent tetanus after hurricane-related injuries. Twenty-five organizations suffered infrastructure damage totaling more than $3.1 million. Patients hit hardest The closures disproportionately affected vulnerable populations who rely on safety-net health care providers. FQHCs serve more than 32 million patients nationwide — nearly 1 in 10 U.S. residents — including 1 in 5 rural residents and 1 in 3 people living in poverty. Among patients at free and charitable clinics, 84% lack health insurance. These patients often have higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, making them especially vulnerable during and after disasters. Many also face barriers such as multiple jobs, language differences and transportation challenges that make rescheduling appointments difficult. Following the storms, 38% of surveyed organizations reported surges in patient demand, with some seeing increases of more than 50% as displaced residents sought care while other facilities remained closed. Link to rising hurricane-related deaths The study's findings take on added significance in light of research on hurricanes' long-term health effects. A 2024 study in Nature found that excess deaths attributable to hurricanes can be 300 or more times higher than immediate fatalities, with health care disruptions among the key drivers. The research tracked all 501 hurricanes hitting the continental United States between 1930 and 2015. While the average hurricane caused 24 immediate deaths, storms led to between 7,170 and 11,430 additional deaths in the 20 years after landfall. 'These outages don't just close clinics for a day — they ripple into long-term health risks,' Rossi said. Climate change amplifying threats Beyond hurricanes, the survey showed that power reliability is an ongoing challenge for safety-net clinics. More than 35% of organizations said unreliable power is a persistent concern in their area, with nearly 1 in 5 losing power at least once per quarter. 'It just adds to the uncertainty and the anxiety collectively around the state. The threat is very real and very widespread,' said Gianna Van Winkle, director of emergency management programs at the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, which helped conduct the survey. The 2024 tornado season was the second-worst on record, with 1,791 tornadoes striking the United States—many spawned by hurricane activity. About the survey Direct Relief surveyed 394 FQHCs and free and charitable clinics across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina — representing most FQHCs in the region and 84% of estimated free and charitable clinics. The 80 respondents included 25 FQHCs and 55 free and charitable clinics operating about 500 clinical sites combined. Note to editors: Read the full report. Additional data and interviews with health care providers are available upon request. About Direct Relief Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief provides medical assistance when and where it is needed most—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. Media Contact: Paul Sherer, [email protected]. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Direct Relief
Chicago Tribune
21 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Gary loses $33 million for solar projects as feds eliminate program
Federal cuts to the Solar for All program will take away approximately $33 million to fund solar energy projects in the City of Gary, officials said. Former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act created the Environmental Protection Agency's $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, of which $7 billion was allocated to the Solar for All program. In April 2024, the EPA announced 60 entities that would receive the Solar for All funds, according to an EPA press release. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recently announced that the Trump Administration has eliminated the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which includes the Solar for All funds, in the administration's tax and spending bill. 'The bottom line is this: EPA no longer has the statutory authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive,' Zeldin said. Gary Advocates for Responsible Development member Carolyn McCrady said the organization denounced the decision to cut funding. 'Trump's decision to deny the citizens of Gary the solar panels they have paid for with their tax dollars so that he can give that money to the rich is despicable, unfair and yet another reason why people all over the country, including Gary, heavily disapprove of him,' McCrady said. City of Gary officials did not respond to requests for comment. Zach Schalk, program director for Solar United Neighbors, said Indiana lost out on approximately $130 million for solar projects. Schalk said losing the funding 'was a gut punch.' 'This was a devastating setback … for Hoosier families who are seeing electric bills going through the roof or are experiencing an affordability crisis. This is taking away a tool that would've given thousands of low-income and disadvantaged Hoosier households around the state a way to save money on their electric bill,' Schalk said. The Indiana Community Action Association, Inc., received approximately $117 million for Solar Opportunities Indiana, which is a group of municipal governments and community groups in Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, and Columbus, as well as six statewide organizations, according to the EPA release announcing the funds. As a coalition, Solar Opportunities Indiana intended to 'collectively solarize low-income homes while transforming the market in Indiana by creating new financial products and incentives that jumpstart solar for low-income residents, new affordable housing developments, and more,' according to the EPA. The remaining $13 million would've come from the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition, a multistate nonprofit, to create solar projects in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Schalk said. Of the $117 million for Solar Opportunities Indiana, approximately $33 million was allocated to solar projects in Gary, said Alison Becker, program director of Solar Opportunities Indiana for the Indiana Community Action Association Inc. The Gary funding was divided up to $30 million for solar panels, battery storage and enabling upgrades for up to 240 homes and two to three community-based solar arrays with battery storage to serve approximately 2,100 people, Becker said. Another $3 million was allocated for Black Sun Light Sustainability to provide another community solar array, which would've served another 500 people, she said. '(Gary officials) will probably be able to replace some of that with other philanthropic investments, but it's hard to close a gap that wide,' Becker said. Overall, Solar for All funding would've helped 7,000 Indiana households to reduce their electricity bills by 20% through renewable energy projects, Becker said. Becker said the organization spent the summer finalizing workforce development studies, finishing feasibility studies, and creating marketing materials when officials were told the funding was cut. 'It was extremely disappointing,' Becker said. 'A lot of things were finally coming together and we were at that jumping off point. It was really disappointing to be told, 'Don't jump.'' Becker and Schalk said all options will be considered, including litigation, to try to reinstate the funding.
