One reason Congress writes checks for bigger highways despite the public demanding different choices? The influence game played by the road lobby. New research summarized by @kevshen.bsky.social here (blog.ucs.org/kshen/the-hi...) scrutinizes the tactics of the DC groups pushing road construction.

The Highway Lobby Spends Millions to Make Sure We Pay Billions

Our car-dependent transportation system is no accident.

blog.ucs.org

From nationwide #EV charging to pollution-free buses, trucks, biking, and walking: these investments save money and lives. Congress must protect and expand them, not roll them back. Let’s keep building a cleaner, more affordable transportation system. 👏 #ChargingUSForward

Grateful to @markey.senate.gov for defending fuel economy standards that protect consumers, public health, and our climate. Rolling them back only raises costs. Thank you for fighting for cleaner, cheaper transportation. #CleanerCars #RouteZero

Thank you @davids.house.gov for pushing back on attacks on federal fuel economy standards. These rules save drivers thousands, cut pollution, and strengthen U.S. energy security. #CleanerCars #RouteZero

Thank you, @dorismatsui.bsky.social, for standing up for strong fuel-economy standards that save families money, cut pollution, and reduce oil dependence. Clean transportation is affordable transportation. #CleanerCars #RouteZero

💰🚗For more than a half century, fuel efficiency standards have saved US drivers money. How much money? TRILLIONS. Fuel efficient vehicles mean less expensive trips to the gas pump and more money for education, for family outings, for groceries. (🧵👇)

🚍🌍 UCS is keeping an eye on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization(STR) because it shapes how the US moves—and who benefits. For decades, highway projects have divided and polluted communities. It’s time for a better approach. Learn more in our recent blog: act.ucsusa.org/45fndps

Our expert Samantha Houston is skeptical about National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program's final guidance under Trump. Read more: act.ucsusa.org/45GtH1a

Federal EV Infrastructure Investments Poised to Move Ahead: Here’s What’s Changed Under Trump

The next few months will be telling.

act.ucsusa.org

The Trump agenda is sending energy prices skyrocketing. Even worse, his Big-Beautiful-for-Billionaires Bill will drive your power bills even higher.

Electricity prices are climbing more than twice as fast as inflation

Electricity prices are rising more than twice as fast as overall inflation. That's especially costly during the dog days of summer when air conditioners are working hardest. In addition to hot weath...

npr.org

Today marks day 1 of public hearings on the EPA’s reconsideration of the endangerment finding, a 2009 declaration that greenhouse gases threaten public health. Follow along with us👇🧵

Electric trucks & buses = reduced climate-warming pollution & poor air quality. Thankfully, key policies can accelerate adoption. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program TRIPLED electric school bus deployment in the US. Learn more about MHDV deployment here:

Ready for Work 2.0

Electrifying our on-road freight system is the surest way to reduce truck pollution and improve air quality.

ucs.org

We noticed something important when the administration was announcing they don’t want to regulate heat-trapping emissions. You can see more about the link between climate change and the extreme weather we see here: ➡️ dangerseason.ucs.org

🧘‍♀️ Struggling to find a moment of calm amidst all the bad news this summer? MindLab offers practical, science-based techniques to help science supporters manage stress, regulate emotions & navigate uncertainty. Join us for free virtual sessions every Wednesday, 11:30 am ET. ➡️ act.ucsusa.org/45bB0wj

Think rail is a clean transportation source? Think again. 🤔 UCS Senior Vehicles Analyst explains why and how the rail industry has hindered progress in emission reduction over the past decade:

Railroads Are Running Dirty Diesel Trains Through Communities and No One Is Doing Anything About It

The case for rail electrification is clear in the benefits to the economy, public health, and environment.

blog.ucs.org

🚂Yesterday, @markey.senate.gov and @deluzio.house.gov reintroduced the transformative All Aboard Act, which would dedicate billions of investments to modernize our nation’s rail, reducing locomotive emissions and securing critical labor protections:

Sen. Markey, Rep. Deluzio Introduce Legislation to Transform U.S. Rail Network | U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts

All Aboard Act dedicates $200 billion over five years to build transportation system of the...

markey.senate.gov

Today, the EPA released a proposal that would gut the 2009 Endangerment Finding. “These actions by Lee Zeldin are anti-science and backed by the fossil fuel industry, said Chitra Kumar, Managing Director, UCS Climate & Energy campaign.

Uber’s new Route Share shows people want affordable, flexible options—but it falls short and worsens climate impacts. What if we met that demand sustainably, by investing in public transit🚍, safe bike lanes, and walkable routes to get where we need to go?

A reprieve for the USPS trucks: The Senate parliamentarian ruled overnight that this provision violates the rules of budget reconciliation It **cannot** appear in Trump and Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Jacob Bogage@jacobbogage.bsky.social · last yr.

👀 Scoop: Trump and Republicans want USPS to sell off its brand new EVs and chargers. That would mean literally **ripping up post office parking lots** to auction off assets with no private-sector value. It’s buried in the Senate’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

🚨 Last week CA and 10 other states announced plans to sue the Trump Admin for their illegal attempt to repeal 3 clean air safeguards. @governor.ca.gov responded with an EO reaffirming CA’s commitment to a clean vehicle transition. 👏 Kudos to Gov Newsom for keeping CA moving forward.

California Leads States in Suing the Trump Administration Over Its Revocation of Air Pollution Standards

California and ten other states are suing the Trump administration over its revocation of three waivers that let California set standards to improve air quality, reduce climate-warming emissions and p...

ucs.org

1/ The Trump administration is turning our government into a weapon to attack families and undermine our fundamental rights and freedoms. Its tactics of escalating violence against migrant communities in Los Angeles are deeply concerning and signal a further slide into authoritarianism.

For Trump, This Is a Dress Rehearsal

Ordering the National Guard to deploy in Los Angeles is a warning of what to expect when his hold on power is threatened.

theatlantic.com

Hurricane season started last weekend—and acting FEMA head David Richardson reportedly told staff he didn’t know the US had one. Clueless? Joking? Either way, the guy running US disaster response is giving big Michael Scott energy—and that’s really bad. Some comments from his tenure:

Call your senators at 202-224-3121 and tell them to stop the #BillionaireTaxScam 🗣️

Republicans want to overturn half a century of precedent to undermine California’s ability to protect the health of our residents. Why? Because to them, it’s more important to appease big oil than it is for your kid to breathe clean air.

Toyota has joined fossil fuel companies in asking the US Senate to prevent California from taking necessary steps to slow climate change and protect its residents from air pollution that is making people sick and shortening lives. Learn the details in UCS's David Reichmuth's blog.

Why Does Toyota Oppose Clean Air?

There is no way to protect our health and our climate by simply making better gasoline cars.

blog.ucs.org

"For a party so dedicated to protecting the filibuster, Republicans are going to extreme lengths to undo California’s Clean Air Act waivers." Op-ed from Senator Padilla: www.wsj.com/opinion/what...

Opinion | What if Republicans Ditch the Senate’s Rules?

If they can ignore the parliamentarian on electric vehicles, why not on their tax bill? On healthcare? On the president’s latest overreach?

wsj.com

#CA business and clean air organizations, including #IBEW CA, oppose the attacks on California’s Clean Air Act authority, which has put people to work across the state. Protecting the Advanced Clean Cars Program ensures more work is on the horizon! ibew.org/ibew-califor...

🧑‍🔬 Scientists, technical experts, and STEM students: learn how to engage local media to save science! Join @ucsusa.bsky.social for a science advocacy webinar on April 17 from 8-9pm ET about how to write & submit a letter to editor. RSVP 👇 secure.ucs.org/a/2025-4-17-...

Sharing Stories of Science through Letters to the Editor

The Union of Concerned Scientists invites scientists and experts to a science advocacy training webinar on writing letters to the editor to inform and influence different audiences about the impacts o...

secure.ucs.org

Today and beyond, we celebrate the history and vibrant culture of Arab Americans who have enriched our communities.

Are your Congressional representatives organizing a town hall near you? Join UCS’s upcoming training, “Holding Congress Accountable: How to Ask Tough Questions at Town Halls,” Next Tuesday, April 8, at 8pm ET. RSVP here: secure.ucs.org/a/2025-4-8-t...

Holding Congress Accountable: How to Ask Tough Questions at Town Halls

The Union of Concerned Scientists invites scientists and experts to a training webinar on

secure.ucs.org