Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Florida Republican, has wrangled 39 House Republicans into saying they want action on climate change. But he's facing one of the tightest elections in the country as Democrats seek to take back Congress in the fall. Climatewire reporter Kelsey Brugger describes her interview with Curbelo, and Climatewire talks with Susan MacManus, a political analyst in South Florida, about the role of climate change in the race.

Climate Lede from E&E News

The Climate Lede: A Republican who wants climate action might lose his seat 05/24/2018

The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council released tens of thousands of pages of emails from U.S. EPA officials obtained through the Freedom of Information Act last week. Three Climatewire reporters -- Niina Heikkinen, Scott Waldman and Zack Colman -- talk through how they combing combed the emails to find nuggets worthy of news, including a meeting with a Cardinal about the red team climate change debate, collaboration with groups who question mainstream climate science and Scott Pruitt's favorite restaurant. "'Climate will not be on the agenda' — emails" (Climatewire, 05/09/2018), by Niina Heikkinen: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081217 "Emails reveal behind-the-scenes plans for climate debates" (Climatewire, 05/10/2018), by Niina Heikkinen and Robin Bravender: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081341 "Pruitt got climate tips from groups backed by GOP megadonors" (Climatewire, 05/11/2018), by Scott Waldman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081469 "Cheeseburgers run $17 at Pruitt's 'favorite' D.C. joint" (Climatewire, 05/09/2018), by Zack Colman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081163

The Climate Lede: How we found stories in thousands of EPA emails 05/15/2018

Researchers are forecasting a higher-than-usual season for hurricanes this summer because of lingering El Nina conditions. Climatewire science reporter Chelsea Harvey goes over the forecasts for extreme weather. Adam Sobel, an atmospheric scientist at Columbia University, explains how difficult it is to attribute any storm or any active season to climate change. And Greenwire climate reporter Arianna Skibell describes a lab in South Carolina where scientists douse homes in fire, wind, rain and hail to figure out the most resilient building materials.

The Climate Lede: Are we ready for an active hurricane season? 05/08/2018

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has outlined a proposal to increase transparency in the science used to write rules on air, water and chemicals; but scientists say it's really an attempt to exclude public health research and potentially make way for industry-funded studies instead. Climatewire reporter Scott Waldman walks through the potential changes with input from two special guests. "How Pruitt's science plans might help industry fight rules" (Climatewire, 05/01/2018), by Scott Waldman: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060080501 "Here are 3 studies that might be hit by Pruitt's rule" (Climatewire, 04/26/2018), by Scott Waldman: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060080167 "Scientists say they want open data — but not Pruitt's plan" (Climatewire, 04/25/2018), by Scott Waldman: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060080031 "Critics: Legal ambush awaits Pruitt's 'secret science' rule" (Greenwire, 04/25/2018), by Sean Reilly: https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060080091

The Climate Lede: What are Pruitt's "secret science" plans? 05/02/2018

There's a place in Texas where people are as concerned about climate change as those in liberal New York or D.C.: the fields of South Texas. Rising temperatures is making it even harder on farm workers who already toil under extreme heat. Climatewire science and politics reporter Scott Waldman gives a special preview of the story from his trip. And talks to someone who tries to keep workers hydrated.

The Climate Lede: Sneak peek - Farmworkers in Texas feel the heat

Increased scrutiny of EPA administrator Scott Pruitt has put the spotlight back on a trip he took to Morocco in December to promote liquefied natural gas (LNG). The company that stands to benefit the most from more exports of American LNG is Cheniere Energy, which is controlled by Carl Icahn, an investor close to Trump who helped Pruitt land his job. E&E reporters and editors Evan Lehmann, Robin Bravender, Jean Chemnick and Joel Kirkland unpack the ties. "Pruitt's overseas travel pulls Icahn LNG money into focus" (Energywire, 04/12/2018), by Jenny Mandel and Jean Chemnick: www.eenews.net/stories/1060078837

The Climate Lede: Pruitt's unusual trip to Morocco 04/12/2018

U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has had a week of bad headlines following reporting about possible ethics violations. Will Trump fire him? Climatewire editor Evan Lehmann and deputy editor Robin Bravender talk to an environmentalist who wants Pruitt to go and a friend of Pruitt who thinks the scandal is overblown. Greenwire reporter Kevin Bogardus fills us in on the details, and Climatewire White House reporter Zack Colman describes a groundswell of frustration among Trump aides towards Pruitt.* "Pruitt spread special hires throughout agency" (Greenwire, 04/04/2018), by Kevin Bogardus and Ariel Wittenberg: www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/04/04/stories/1060078167 "Pruitt 'very concerned' about political blunders" (Climatewire, 04/04/2018), by Zack Colman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/2018/04/04/stories/1060078097 *This podcast was recorded midday Wednesday, April 4. It may not include the latest developments.

The Climate Lede: Pruitt in hot water 04/04/2018

The U.S. EPA will announce this week it wants to relax Obama-era targets on vehicle pollution, setting in motion a potential war with California. Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation keep rising, overtaking all other sectors in the country. Climatewire reporter Camille von Kaenel explains what to expect. Margo Oge, the former EPA official who negotiated the Obama targets, and Robbie Diamond, the CEO of Securing America's Future Energy, also chime in. "Trump to allow more car pollution. But by how much?" (Climatewire, 03/26/2018), by Camille von Kaenel: www.eenews.net/stories/1060077379

The Climate Lede: Trump to allow more car pollution 03/27/2018

California has mostly cleaned up its smokestacks but air regulators say it won’t meet its ambitious climate goals without tackling its car culture. But in the San Francisco Bay Area right now, more people are driving and they’re driving farther. In this special episode, Climatewire reporter Camille von Kaenel talks to a “super-commuter” who lives hours from work because she can’t afford to live closer.

Special: Ride-along with a California super-commuter

The Washington state senate failed to pass a carbon tax proposal championed by Gov. Jay Inslee (D) last week. Climatewire's energy reporter Benjamin Storrow unpacks what happened. Washington State Sen. Reuven Carlyle (D), the sponsor of the carbon tax bill, talks next steps. And a conservative who likes carbon taxes games out the national implications. "Carbon tax, defeated in the Legislature, to be on the ballot" (Climatewire, 03/06/2018), by Benjamin Storrow: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060075499 "Can Gov. Inslee deliver America's first carbon tax?" (Climatewire, 01/22/2018), by Benjamin Storrow: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060071499

The Climate Lede: Is the carbon tax dead? 03/06/2018

Hurricane Irma devastated Barbuda. Now, a proposal to develop the island to pay for recovery could end the communal ownership of the island that has existed since the abolition of slavery. Climatewire's international reporter Jean Chemnick shares her reporting with Evan Lehmann, editor of Climatewire. They talk to a resident who saw Irma destroy her beauty parlor, restaurant and home, and now fears losing her way of life. They also ask a hurricane expert whether climate change's to blame. "Slaves were given an island over 150 years ago. Then Irma struck" (Climatewire, 02/27/2018), by Jean Chemnick: www.eenews.net/stories/1060074807 "De Niro, a climate hero, to build a resort on wrecked island" (Climatewire, 02/28/2018), by Jean Chemnick: www.eenews.net/climatewire/2018/02/28/stories/1060074981

The Climate Lede: Irma threatens communal ownership on Barbuda 03/01/2018

James Eskridge, the mayor of Tangier Island, Va., describes his home in the Chesapeake Bay and how the waves are eating away at the shoreline. He says it is due to erosion, not sea level rise. Don Boesch, an environmental science professor at the University of Maryland, says it is at least partly due to sea level rise, and it could get worse. And Chelsea Harvey, Climatewire's science reporter, explains just how much worse it could get even if we stop emissions right now, or in five years. "Waters on track to rise for centuries, even if emissions stop" (Climatewire, 02/21/2018), by Chelsea Harvey: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060074341 "Trump's advice about rising oceans is 'ridiculous'" (Climatewire, 05/21/2017), by Scott Waldman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060056069

The Climate Lede: a sinking island & sea level rise science 02/22/2018

Climatewire beat reporters Niina Heikkinen and Brittany Patterson describe what it's like to cover (or, often, chase after for a quote) U.S. EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, respectively. They compare the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts for climate programs in EPA and Interior. And a round of trivia reveals nicknames, catchphrases and fun ties. "Zinke touts science as Trump pushes cuts to research shop" (Climatewire, 02/13/2018), by Brittany Patterson: www.eenews.net/climatewire/2018/02/13/stories/1060073663 "White House preserves Energy Star by charging fees" (Climatewire, 02/13/2018), by Niina Heikkinen: www.eenews.net/climatewire/2018/02/13/stories/1060073667 "Trump seeks big cuts to science across agencies" (Climatewire, 02/13/2018), by Scott Waldman: www.eenews.net/stories/1060073703

The Climate Lede: Ctrl-F for climate & Cabinet trivia 02/13/2018

Republican love to lambaste Steve Cosson, of the theater company The Civilians, for the climate musical he wrote with a National Science Foundation grant several years ago. Climatewire editor Evan Lehmann and deputy editor Robin Bravender catch up with him to talk climate funding ahead of the release of the White House spending plan next week. Josh Kurtz, Climatewire's politics reporter, weighs in on why even Republicans won't pass the White House budget as is. Finally, Christy Goldfuss, who led the Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama, calls in on the White House's withdrawal of Texas regulator and climate skeptic Kathleen Hartnett White's nomination for CEQ chair. "Trump admin mulls deep cuts to clean energy programs" (E&E News PM. 01/31/2018), by Hannah Northey: www.eenews.net/stories/1060072557 "Yes, there was a climate musical" (Climatewire, 05/24/2017), by Erika Bolstad: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060055053 "Skeptic's retreat sparks questions about alternative science" (Climatewire, 02/05/2018), by Robin Bravender and Zack Colman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060072867

The Climate Lede: the climate musical man & Christy Goldfuss 02/06/2018

It's State of the Union Day, and Climatewire editor Evan Lehmann and deputy editor Robin Bravender take you back to some of the key climate and energy mentions in past addresses. White House reporter Zack Colman walks through what he's expecting from tonight's speech (hint: not a lot of climate change mentions). And the editors share their takes on the release of a 2016 radio interview in which EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt criticizes then-candidate Donald Trump. "Trump can't drop climate from his speech. Here's why" (Climatewire, 01/30/2018), by Adam Aton: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060072337

The Climate Lede: State of the Union bingo & Pruitt criticizes Trump 01/30/2018

The latest climate change news and debates and what it's like to cover them from the E&E newsroom. Why Climate Lede? A "lede" in journalism is the juicy bit at the top of a story that entices you to find out more. Climate Lede is hosted by the editor and deputy editor of Climatewire, a publication of E&E News focused on the policy, business and science of climate change. E&E News provides original and compelling journalism on energy and the environment in five daily publications that keep top decisionmakers informed and ahead of the curve. For more, go to www.eenews.net.

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Climate Lede from E&E News

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