Stateline Stories

National and State Parks Suffering From Budget Cuts

As summer vacation season opens, state and national parks are reeling from budget cuts.

Oklahoma Tops in Disaster Declarations, Ninth in Disaster Grants

Oklahoma ranks behind eight states in the amount of federal money received to help clean up debris and patch public infrastructure since 1998. Who’s number one?

Oklahoma’s Emergency Chief Has Weathered 36 Disasters

The head of Oklahoma’s disaster relief efforts, who will lead the recovery from Monday’s tornado, is the longest-serving state emergency management chief.

State Officials Seek Help Fighting Invasive Species

State officials want to play a bigger role in fighting invasive species on federal lands, calling on federal officials to better coordinate their efforts.

Study: Most States Cut Emissions in Last Decade

Stateline - EIA Study says 32 States Cut Emissions Between 2000 and 2010

Legislation Would Take State Mineral Revenue off Chopping Block

Proposals in Congress would save tens of millions of dollars in mineral payments to states from sequestration’s sweeping cuts.

As North Carolina Weighs Fracking, Questions Loom on Wastewater

Once a well is fracked, where does the waste go? Coastal communities in North Carolina are worried they’ll become dumping grounds.

States Unleash the Hounds! Sniffing Out Invasive Mussels

Minnesota officials hope man’s best friend will help the state quash its zebra mussel invasion.

Forest Service Tries to Claw Back Funds from States

The U.S. Forest Service thinks it has found a way to meet its sequester target – by asking states to return money to Washington.

Report: Sandy Inundated East Coast With Sewage

Hurricane Sandy’s floodwaters last October inundated East Coast with sewage. Researchers have now estimated how much flowed from crippled treatment plants.

Federal Cuts Could Harm Flood Forecasting

As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme droughts and floods, experts say shutting off the stream-flow gauges could have costly consequences.

Red River Showdown: Texas-Oklahoma Water War Could Reverberate Across US

Where Texas and Oklahoma’s showdown over the Red River Compact has huge implications for how states across the country manage their water. The case centers on questions of state sovereignty and interstate commerce.

Alaska Gambles With Major Oil Tax Cut

A multi-billion dollar tax experiment could make or break Alaska’s economy and provide a lesson for other states.

Western Governors Want Feds to Do More in Stressed Forests

Is the federal government doing enough to protect its forests? Western governors don’t think so.

Tensions Rise Amid Demise of Utah-Nevada Water Pact

Will Las Vegas’ thirst spark a water war between Utah and Nevada?

Wisconsin Supreme Court Retains Conservative Tilt

The Wisconsin high court’s perceived conservative tilt will remain after a justice was re-elected in Tuesday’s vote.

Sequester Costs States Millions in Mineral Revenue

States outraged as Interior Department cuts millions from monthly mineral payments, citing sequester as reason.

EPA: Most of Nation’s Waters are “Poor”

More than half of the nation’s thousands of miles of rivers and streams are plagued by substandard water quality, including harmful levels of nutrient pollution and mercury, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Top 10: Gun Run Pumps Up State Wildlife Funds

Which state wildlife programs will benefit the most from a surge in gun sales?

Surging Gun Sales Pump Millions into Wildlife Restoration

Gun enthusiasts’ recent race to buy firearms has had a surprising consequence: more money for wildlife programs.

In Drought Ravaged Plains, Efforts to Save a Vital Aquifer

The Ogallala Aquifer, which feeds some of the world’s most productive croplands, is running dry.

Nullification: Old Arguments Against Feds Get New Life

States challenging Washington is not new, but Second Amendment worries have breathed new life into a movement championing a wider range of topics than ever before.

Report: Insurers Ill-Prepared for Climate Risks

Just 23 out of 184 large companies doing business in the U.S. follow a comprehensive plan to address climate change risks, according to a survey conducted by insurance regulators in California, New York and Washington.

Forced Cuts Would Take Toll on State Air and Water Programs

Should Congress fail to reach a budget deal by Friday, the country’s air and water could get murkier, environmental officials are warning, as forced cuts would deal a heavy blow to state programs that carry out the bulk of inspections and pollution cleanups.

Which State Will Be Next to Allow Fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing continues as a hot-button issue across statehouses, as lawmakers consider how much scrutiny to apply to oil and gas drillers looking to tap shale deposits stretching beneath 31 states. New York, Illinois, California and North Carolina are home to some high-profile debates.

Advocates for Climate Action Urge Insurers to Join Up

Some are pushing the insurance industry to not only to crank up the volume on its longstanding calls for hardier building and safer land use in disaster-prone areas, but also to push for cuts to the carbon emissions.

Proposals Would Shift Utility Infrastructure Costs to Ratepayers

Electricity and gas bills could creep higher in several states, as lawmakers consider whether to allow utilities to charge customers upfront for upgrades to aging infrastructure.

In State of the Union Speech, Obama Targets Jobs, Energy

With much of his focus on jobs and the economy, the president called for policies aiming to spur a “rising, thriving middle class” and quicken the country’s slow climb from recession. But in the wide-ranging speech, he left plenty more for states to chew on — particularly in energy and environmental issues.

Northeastern States To Drastically Cut Emissions Cap

Nine Northeastern states will drastically cut the region’s carbon cap under proposed changes to the region’s cap-and- trade program, they announced Thursday.

State Lawmakers Push Crackdown on Cancer-Causing Radon

Legislation filed in Iowa and Nebraska, and a proposal taking shape in Utah aim to reduce people’s exposure to radon, which kills about 21,000 people each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Virginia Uranium Legislation Fails, But Fight Not Over

An effort in the Virginia legislature to lift the state’s 31-year-old moratorium on uranium mining has failed, dealing a blow to supporters of a plan to tap the country’s largest known uranium deposit. But the debate is far from over.

Fracking for State Dollars

The boom in oil and gas production has some states taking another look at the kinds of taxes they levy.

Virginia Weighs an End to Its 31-Year-Old Uranium Mining Ban

In Virginia, home to one of the world’s largest deposits of uranium, state lawmakers must decide whether to overturn the state’s 31-year-old ban on mining.

Hard Realities on the Environmental Disaster Front

After another year marked by expensive and deadly disasters, states all over the country are still picking up the pieces from what Mother Nature wrought in 2012. But they confront equally sobering expectations for 2013.

Issue to Watch: Renewable Energy

Here is a look at states considering major action on renewable energy policy.

Nebraska Governor Approves Keystone XL Re-route

The controversial Keystone XL pipeline expansion, which would ferry Canadian tar sands oil 1,700 miles to refineries in Texas, is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Cuomo Proposes “NY Green Bank” To Spur Renewable Energy Investments

Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed creating a $1 billion “NY Green Bank,” a quasi-independent authority that would provide capital for energy projects, aiming to improve coordination across state government and open the door to projects that might struggle to attract investment on their own.

Arizona Can’t Divert Land Trust Fund, Court Rules

The Arizona Legislature violated the constitution when it tapped a trust fund earmarked for education to help plug the state’s budget gap, the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled.

Alabama’s Dam Oversight Void Stirs Safety Concerns, Confusion

Alabama is the only state that doesn’t regulate dams, leaving thousands of aging structures never inspected or regulated in any way. It likely includes dams built over a century ago, and hundreds the state doesn’t know exist.

Northeast Governors Outraged About Sandy Aid Delay

Frustration boiled over on Wednesday, the day after the U.S. House, finishing up a compromise to avert the nation’s “fiscal cliff,” scrapped a vote on the $60.4 billion relief plan approved last month by the Senate.

‘Cliff’ Deal Answers a Few Questions for States

Congress averted the much-feared “fiscal cliff” late Tuesday, passing a legislative package to be signed promptly by President Obama. The deal answered a few burning questions for state governments, but many still linger.

Election Year Brings Big Changes in State Policy

From battles in the legislatures to battles at the polls, Stateline reporters traveled all over the country in 2012 reporting on news from the states.

Wildfire Epidemic Leaves States Searching for Answers

The West is getting hotter and drier and stoking more destructive fires. They have left fire control officials looking for ways to fight them more effectively with fewer dollars.

Downwind Delaware Seeks Relief From Cross-State Pollution

Delaware’s top air regulator has challenged federal officials to find a way to limit harmful pollution blowing across state lines.

In the West, GOP Governors, Skeptical of Cap-and-Trade, Will Watch California

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-- Stateline asked several Republican governors about the role of climate change in energy policy in the West, asking them to weigh in on California’s new experiment with large-scale carbon trading.

States Grant Utilities Extra Rate Increases

Utilities say they need additional revenue to modernize their aging infrastructure. Many states are responding by allowing them to charge higher rates.

As Layoffs Mount, Governors Seek Support on Wind Tax Credit

With election season politics behind them, several governors are reapplying pressure on Congress to extend a tax credit whose looming expiration is stirring angst within the wind industry.

Sunshine Overruns: Hawaii’s Solar Tax Credits Carry Soaring Price Tag

The widespread popularity of Hawaii’s solar energy incentive — and mass confusion over how to implement it — have dealt a blow to the state’s treasury and become a major topic in state politics.

Democrats Win Montana Governor’s Race, Lead in Washington

Democrats have fended off at least one more Republican attempt to take back control of a governor’s office, and likely another.

On the Ballot (And in the Constitution?): Michigan’s Energy Future

Renewable energy advocates will be looking to Michigan on Tuesday (November 6), hoping its voters validate a bold experiment in growing the state’s renewable energy portfolio: If at first you’re stymied at the statehouse, just but it on the ballot — and in the constitution.

State Officials Brace for Impact as Sandy Nears East Coast

State emergency managers rallied every resource as a unique megastorm swirls closer to landfall, threatening to bring a potentially deadly combination of hurricane force winds and historic surge levels to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast, along with heavy Appalachian snows.

Montana’s Oil Boom Reshapes Race for Governor

BILLINGS, Montana — Montana’s next governor must capitalize on the current oil boom, build infrastructure to keep it going and develop industries that will make Montana less susceptible to market highs and lows.

Arizona Ballot Measure Challenges the Federal Government Over Public Lands

Most western states remain uncomfortable with federal stewardship of their land. A group of activists wants to rewrite the Arizona constitution to change the rules.

Dam Inspectors Fear the Deluge

Each year, more dams in the United States show signs of disrepair. Meanwhile, the money to fix them grows harder to find.

In New Jersey, Christie Vetoes Anti-Fracking Bill

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a bill that would have banned the disposal of hydraulic fracturing waste in New Jersey.

Former Florida Regulators Want Water Funding Boost

A group of 20 former water regulators in Florida is urging Governor Rick Scott to restore funding to the state’s five water management districts, whose budgets have shrunken dramatically under the governor.

Mussel Invasion Moves West

For more than two decades, mussel pests have threatened the water supply in the Great Lakes. Now they have crossed the Rocky Mountains.

As Funds Dwindle, Governors Ask for Heating Help

Rising heating costs coupled with increased austerity in Congress could leave many low-income Americans out in the cold this winter, 13 state governors warned this week.

Wind Subsidies Raise a Storm in Heartland States

Wind-energy has been a booming industry in many states the past few years. But the federal tax credits that have helped fuel that growth is likely to disappear in a few months.

Ahead of Convention, Republican Governors Release Energy Plan

Ahead of the Republican National Convention scheduled for next week, Republican governors have released their broad energy plan. Not surprisingly, it finds fault with President Obama.

With ‘Facts’ Website, California Looks to Thwart Opposition to Climate Change

California Governor Jerry Brown has unveiled a new website seeking to quiet climate change skeptics. The move comes as conservative legislators in some states are pushing back against efforts to address the impacts of a climate shift.

Farmers, Frackers and Scarce Water

Hydraulic fracturing by energy drillers may not be the heaviest consumer of water on parched land. But environmentalists and some farmers are starting to worry about it.

Still No Farm Bill, But More Assistance to Drought-Ravaged States

With Congress still at an impasse over the farm bill, the Obama Administration this week pledged $30 million more to aid farmers and ranchers hit hard by drought.

As Nuclear Waste Problem Persists, Federal Regulators Freeze Licensing for Reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission decided Tuesday to hold off on issuing licenses to plants that are new or up for renewal. That’s until it addresses states’ long-held problem with the temporary storage of nuclear waste.

With Drillers at the Door, Some Towns Say ‘Keep Out’

As oil and gas development moves into more populated areas, many municipalities are trying to exert control over where drilling takes place. State regulators and energy companies aren’t happy.

Report: State Fracking Oversight Laws Need Overhaul

States aren’t doing enough to ensure that water supplies are safe during the controversial fracking process, a new report finds. Natural gas companies are able to circumvent laws, it says, through loopholes protecting “trade secrets.”

In New Hampshire, No Veto on Cap-and-Trade Compromise

Under a new law, New Hampshire will leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but only if other states do first. Governor John Lynch, a champion of New England’s cap-and-trade pact, tentatively supported a policy viewed as a compromise.

Several U.S. States Deemed Best Global Oil and Gas Investments

Oklahoma is the best place on earth to invest in oil and gas development, according to a survey of energy executives. Six other states joined it in the top 10.

Questions Swirl Around Nuclear Cost Recovery

Charging ratepayers for nuclear plant construction made sense to many legislatures a few years ago. Attitudes have shifted since then.

North Dakota Surplus to Hit $2 Billion Within a Year

You can stop talking about North Dakota’s $1.5 billion surplus. It is expected to hit $2 billion.

Natural Gas Growth Adds Strain to State Regulators

To keep pace with a surge of natural gas drilling, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is looking to triple its staff of well inspectors. In many other states, inspection teams remain small while wells go unchecked.

In Energy Policy, A Year Marked by Clashes in Federalism

New federal rules for power plants and natural gas drillers stirred heated debate in statehouses this year.

New Hampshire Lawmakers Compromise on Cap-and-Trade

New Hampshire lawmakers this week passed legislation calling for the state to exit New England’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but only if two other states drop out first.

Congress Seeks Input on State Nuclear Waste Woes

A U.S. Congressional subcommittee on Thursday (June 7) addressed a question states have long hoped the federal government would answer: Where will nuclear power plants permanently store their growing stockpiles of spent fuel and other hazardous waste? It’s a problem that has gone unresolved for decades, as the fede

Report: N.C. Fracking Debate Draws Campaign Contributions

A North Carolina good government group says that energy interests are unduly influencing the state’s debate over hydraulic fracturing.

As Mining Surges in Michigan’s North, State Looks at Taking Control

SECOND OF TWO PARTS: Mineral mining is hot again on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and the state wants to control the tax revenue it brings in. Some local governments see that as a violation of their rights.

Mining Boom in Great Lakes States Prompts Environmental Concern

PART ONE OF TWO: Mining is a thriving industry again in the upper Midwest. But there are questions about whether current state regulations can handle the environmental impact.

Hawaii First State Where Plastic Bags Banned

Hawaii has become the first state where plastic bans at the checkout aisle are banned statewide, following the passage of laws in each of its four counties.

New Jersey's Waiver Wars

Governor Chris Christie is seeking to make New Jersey’s tough regulatory climate more business-friendly, but environmental groups say his new waiver rule goes too far.

States Scramble to Regulate Fracking

As natural gas drilling expands throughout the country, states are trying to balance economic and environmental interests. Finding agreement isn’t easy.

Western States Wary of Federal Fracking Regs

Representatives from several Western states say draft federal rules on hydraulic fracturing on public lands would stymie natural gas development across states that largely depend on the industry for revenue.

Governors Push Natural Gas-Powered Vehicles

With oil prices still high, group of 13 governors on Monday (April 30) asked automakers for input on how states might boost demand for natural gas-powered vehicles.

As Washington Gridlock Persists, States Get Creative in Funding Renewable Energy

The federal government has drastically reduced its funding for renewable energy. States have come up with some unusual ways to try and replace it.

Tax Revenue Lags in Louisiana

Some top oil producing states like Alaska and North Dakota are enjoying revenue booms. Louisiana isn’t.

As Federal Funding Dries Up, States May Play Greater Clean Tech Role

Drastic federal spending cuts pose challenges for the U.S. clean energy sector, researchers say, and states may need to help fill in the gap.

Coal States Fear for Future of the Industry

This is an unsettling time for states whose economies revolve around coal. But the future may not be as bleak as doomsayers predict.

States Ease Financing for Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Several states are experimenting with an “on-bill” loan financing program that aims to spur investment in energy efficiency for homes and businesses — even for owners who lack capital.

States May Lose Federal Help in Fighting Radon

Federal budget cuts worry state officials who depend on money from Washington to help combat cancer-causing radon gas.

Unregulated Pipelines Raise Safety Concerns

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: State regulators are struggling to keep tabs on tens of thousands of miles of federally unregulated pipeline, making it difficult to assess safety risks.

Water a Concern in Western Oil Shale Expansion

As the Obama Administration moves forward on a scaled-down plan to lease Western lands for oil shale development, some still worry about the industry’s impacts on water supplies.

A Year After Japan Earthquake, U.S. Nuclear Plans Stalled

Last year's fatal disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant shocked the nuclear power industry and stalled expansion efforts in several U.S. states. Today, safety concerns are among several factors keeping the industry in limbo.

As Drought Lingers, States Examine Water Policies

Governor Sam Brownback hasn't found it easy to sell his sweeping agenda to Kansas lawmakers. Nearly two months into the legislative session, many of them have resisted the Republican governor's proposed overhauls to Medicaid, the tax code and school financing.

New Jersey Wages War on Invasive Pine Beetle

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Officials in New Jersey are trying to protect state forests from the southern pine beetle, a pest that has killed pine trees across much of the country.

What Do Record Low Natural Gas Prices Mean for States?

Newly abundant and cheap natural gas has slashed home heating bills for many Americans. But in some states, the continued price drop has thinned state budgets and shifted energy production.

Feds Approve Ban on Dumping Along California Coast

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: The establishment of the nation's largest 'no discharge zone' will prevent millions of gallons of sewage from entering California waters each year, the EPA says.

Ten States Join Effort to Buy Natural Gas Vehicles

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Last fall, the governors of Oklahoma and Colorado announced a plan to get states to buy 5,000 vehicles powered by natural gas. So far, 10 states have joined the effort.

State Commissioners Ask EPA for Stricter Vehicle and Fuel Standards

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Several state environmental commissioners say that new federal vehicle and fuel standards would be a boon to public health.

State of the Union: A Fracking Endorsement from Obama as State Debates Continue

TODAY'S TAKE: As fracking proponents face growing challenges in New York and Ohio, the shale gas industry gets a presidential boost in Tuesday's State of the Union address.

States Look for Agreement on Electrical Transmission Siting

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT BEAT: A new effort is underway to break the logjam that is complicating energy transmission in much of the West and Midwest.

Obama Decision Denies Keystone XL Permit

TODAY'S TAKE: A controversial oil pipeline project is put on hold as its route through Nebraska remains a subject of fierce debate.