News from Novi: 10 Headlines that Stood Out to Us this Week

May 30

Issue 6 – Week of May 26th, 2025

1- The Senators to Watch as the IRA Fight Picks Up Again

As the Senate returns from recess next week, the big issue will be the reconciliation bill that just passed through the House.

NOVI TAKE: See Value in the Tax Credits: Lisa Murkowski (AK), Thom Tillis (NC), John Curtis (UT), Jerry Moran (KS), Kevin Cramer (ND), John Hoeven (ND), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Jon Husted (OH), John Thune (SD), Lindsey Graham (SC), Susan Collins (ME); OB3 “Spoilers”: Josh Hawley (MO), Ron Johnson (WI).

2- Democratic states sue Trump administration over NSF cuts

Multiple democratic states are suing the current administration due to a financial cap on research projects and canceling grants that seek to increase diversity in STEM. If this were to go through there would be funding pulled from at least 60 climate-related research projects.

NOVI TAKE: Undercutting science and research funding makes the list again because undercutting science and research funding undercuts the innovation needed to find climate solutions.

3- Trump axes Biden-era climate guidance in NEPA reviews

Trump has continued his efforts to speed up the environmental review process by revoking the interim guidance issued by Biden in 2023 that took into consideration environmental justice and climate change in environmental impact analyses. The Interior Department is hoping that it can get some reviews down to 14-28 days.

NOVI TAKE: Because the ambition to speed up the review process is limited by statute, a true solution must come from a legislative compromise. That compromise likely will return EJ and climate considerations to the NEPA review process.

4- World faces new danger of ‘economic denial’ in climate fight, Cop30 head says

Andre Correa do Lago, who will be running the UN summit Cop30, has said that the biggest type of climate denial is the idea that the economy can’t shift to a low-carbon economy.

NOVI TAKE: This is a multidecadal argument, but at bottom, can we afford the long-term economic consequences of unabated climate change?

5- ‘Major blow’ for clean energy: Project cancellations snowball

Since the new administration took office, $14B in announced clean energy investments have been cancelled or delayed – just this month $4.5B were canceled.

NOVI TAKE: It’s possible that these cancellations may be reversible depending on the outcome of the budget reconciliation process.

6- Antirenewable bills die quietly in GOP-controlled Texas Legislature

In Texas, many districts have benefited greatly from clean energy investment that was generated due to the Biden-era tax credits. A group of bills that would significantly hurt the industry in the state have missed a key deadline in the Texas House, which can be seen as a great victory for the renewable community.

NOVI TAKE: Renewables wobble but they don’t fall down, but it doesn’t mean efforts to go after renewables have come to an end, so saddle up!

7- Musk criticizes Trump bill over abrupt end to energy tax credits

Elon Musk steps down from his role in the Federal government, has taken to his social media platform to criticize the Republican’s phase out plan for the energy tax credits.

NOVI TAKE: This may be more about Tesla’s Board standing up for their corporate interests.

8- Controversial Constitution Pipeline Project in New York is About to Be Revived

Two natural-gas pipelines in New York are being resurrected after Trump’s announcement that they will reverse his April stop-work order on a major wind project. This decision comes after conversations between Trump and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

NOVI TAKE: Wind gets a win.

9- Why the Rest of the World Can’t Just Work Around U.S. Climate Policy

As Trump’s big beautiful bill gets closer to passage – it is not looking good for the IRA’s energy tax credits and loan authorities. With this shift, the US will open up the opportunity for other countries to dominate in the global markets for clean energy. Though the US won’t necessarily be a player in the actual clean energy markets, they will still be able to make an impact considering that the US dollar is the world’s primary trade currency.

NOVI TAKE: Geopolitical and global economic considerations to the rescue? Hard to argue that our nation’s leadership in clean energy deployment does not justify the investment.

10- Congress votes to rescind California vehicle emissions waiver

Congress nullified the waivers that allowed California to set their own emissions standards last week. Academics warn that this could have a negative effect on public health. The CA Governor plans to file a lawsuit attempting to block Congress’s actions.

NOVI TAKE: This was also notable for the Senate’s willingness to overrule the Parliamentarian to allow the vote – something that will be important as the Senate moves forward with Budget Reconciliation this summer.

Tatjana Vujic