Latest news with #EnvironmentandPublicWorks
E&E News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Dems and Zeldin square off in fiery debate over EPA grants
Festering frustration over the fate of billions of dollars in Biden-era grants erupted Wednesday during an acrimonious Senate hearing as two senior Democrats clashed with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. 'You guys are going to have to start getting your story straight,' Environment and Public Works ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) told Zeldin after citing sworn court filings that he said contradicted Zeldin's claims that every canceled EPA grant was first individually reviewed. 'I conducted an individual review of everything and that concept doesn't work for you,' Zeldin said as their exchange devolved into a shouting match. 'You don't care about wasting money, but the Trump administration does, senator.' Advertisement The confrontation underscored Democrats' ire over the Trump administration's quest to take back hundreds of grants awarded by EPA and other agencies during former President Joe Biden's tenure.
E&E News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Senate Dems to highlight climate change, insurance concerns
Two senior Senate Democrats will hold a forum Tuesday on the impacts of climate change on property insurance rates, at the same time Republicans are holding a related hearing. Environment and Public Works ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Finance ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will question homeowners, a Florida mayor and an expert on insurance issues. Their event is intended to 'expose how inaction on climate change is creating an insurance crisis that risks cascading into an economy-wide shock,' according to a release. Advertisement 'Climate risk — whether from floods, wildfires, or extreme weather — is increasing nationwide, and it is both driving up homeowners' insurance premiums and making it harder to obtain coverage. Without access to insurance, more and more Americans will be unable to secure a 30-year mortgage for a home, which will undermine property values,' the release said.
