Inside Climate News

Chemours and its predecessor DuPont discharged PFAS 'forever chemicals' into the Cape Fear River for over 30 years, causing widespread environmental and health concerns. The Trump administration faces criticism for inadequate responses to PFAS pollution, while lawsuits and regulatory actions seek accountability for the contamination.

The article highlights a water crisis in Texas and introduces a new podcast by Inside Climate News covering the issue.

A judge will hear arguments in an $80 million dispute over Corpus Christi's water rates for chemical plants and refineries. Officials claim residents and businesses subsidized industrial water bills for years.

Inside Climate News has selected thirteen collegiate and post-collegiate journalists for its 2026 Summer Environmental Reporting Fellows program.

Florida regulators, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, failed to intervene as dozens of sloths died at a planned Orlando tourist attraction, according to internal emails obtained by Inside Climate News. The first warning about the sloths' fate reached the commission before any animals had arrived in Orlando.

Inside Climate News' 'Planet China' series, which examined the environmental impacts of China's global development projects, is a finalist for the John B. Oakes Award for Distinguished Environmental Journalism. The series focused on dams, mines, and other initiatives in China's trillion-dollar international development campaign.

Inside Climate News is launching a new podcast called Inside Climate as its newsroom grows and expands its reporting. The article introduces the podcast produced by the ICN staff.

Chicago officials report an average cost of $31,000 to replace lead pipes, significantly higher than many other cities. The article is a collaboration between Inside Climate News, Grist, and WBEZ.

A congressional press release analysis by Inside Climate News reveals that Democrats have reduced references to climate change and instead emphasized energy affordability. The article questions whether this strategic shift could be a misstep as midterm elections approach.

Inmates have been moved out of Alligator Alcatraz, the Everglades migrant detention site, the Trump administration confirmed. The administration stated the move was to ensure safety during hurricane season, while environmental groups seeking litigation over the site demand more transparency.

Residents in North Carolina are suing their county over landfill contamination, alleging that the county has known since 2023 that the landfill is leaching PFAS chemicals into drinking water. The lawsuit claims the contamination poses a health risk, and the article is published by the Border Belt Independent in collaboration with Inside Climate News.

North Carolina is suing Brenntag Mid-South for discharging toxic chemicals into a creek near Burton Park, a public park in a predominantly Black neighborhood, which flows into a major drinking water supply. The state alleges violations of water quality laws and demands a cleanup plan within 30 days.

Federal energy efficiency rebate programs will no longer cover switching from fossil-fueled heating to electricity. The policy change, announced by the Department of Energy, restricts rebates for this transition, impacting efforts to promote cleaner energy adoption.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has introduced policy standards requiring AI data centers to generate their own energy to mitigate rising energy costs, but experts question the feasibility of natural gas as a short-term solution and advocate for clean energy alternatives. The plan faces challenges in implementation and political implications in a key swing state.

The Trump administration defended its legal authority to order coal plants to remain open, arguing before a federal court panel. The orders, known as coal must-run directives, are part of efforts to support the coal industry.

Maryland lawmakers passed a bill that reduces a surcharge funding an effective energy-efficiency program, prioritizing short-term utility bill relief over long-term cost-saving measures. The decision shifts focus from energy efficiency to immediate financial relief for residents.