Politics
What Democrats Can, And Should, Do with Their New Majority
“Green Ideas for the New Blue Majority” is a series from UCLA Law faculty exploring legislative opportunities for the 120th Congress.
Democrats achieved a generational landslide victory in the 2026 midterm elections largely by campaigning on affordability, fighting corruption, and acting as a check on unpopular Trump policies. To date, Democrats have won at least 253 seats in the House and 54 in the Senate. For the first time this century, Democrats won statewide in Texas …
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CONTINUE READINGWindows of Opportunity Open in the States
The most exciting new prospects for environmental progress are far outside the Beltway
The new Congress will be a significant thorn in the President’s side. But Trump’s veto power will severely limit its ability to enact policies of its own. It is in the state governments where exciting opportunities exist for major policy changes. The political configuration and policy potential varies state by state. The opportunity is biggest in states where Democrats won trifectas: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada, with Arizona expected to join the list. The last time this happened in Minnesota, the state’s clean energy policies took major steps forward.
CONTINUE READINGElection 2026: A Political Earthquake
How close were the forecasters? And what happens next?
Now that the votes are actually in, it’s time to take stock. There are still races that are too close to call. Overall, however, the Tuesday vote was a remarkable Democratic win . The effect will be to hinder Trump’s anti-environmental campaign while expanding state support for clean energy. The vote counting for 2026 is not yet over, but the 2028 presidential campaign has now begun.
CONTINUE READINGHow Would Gov. Xavier Becerra’s ‘Power Hour’ Work?
The incoming governor will have to confront rising energy costs. As a candidate he proposed a program for free midday electricity.
Welcome to the “Becerra Era.” Surprising no one, Xavier Becerra was overwhelmingly elected to be California’s next governor. Now, he will be thrust immediately into the fray on some of the most challenging environmental and energy issues facing the state — including rising energy costs. (Some advice for the next governor here.) The energy component …
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CONTINUE READINGShhh: The 2026 Midterms Were a Climate Election
The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
The topic of climate change was mostly missing from the midterm campaign trail and yet the election results could go down as the biggest climate election in U.S. history. Both things can be true. Yes, mentions of climate change in 2026 were sparse on the campaign trail and they disappeared from press releases issued by …
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CONTINUE READINGElection 2026: The Final Sprint [PLUS Breaking News]
Democrats are likely to win House control, but control of the Senate is iffier.
In the last month, Trump has been on the campaign trail, and Republicans have spent hundreds of millions on ads. Elon Musk alone has set a record for campaign spending. Nevertheless, unless the experts are haywire, Democrats will control the House, and their odds in the Senate are better than 50/50.
L.A. Says “Oil Drilling Has No Place Where We’re Living”
The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
After more than a decade of activism by Angelenos and a years-long legal battle followed by new state legislation, the Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to end oil drilling within city limits once and for all — making LA the largest city in the nation to do so. The City Council voted …
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CONTINUE READINGA Trick, Not a Treat, on Methane
EPA’s recent proposal to gut the oil and gas methane rules should scare us all.
Just in time for Halloween, EPA has served up a trick for the public and a treat for polluters. Methane is an invisible gas that haunts the air we breathe, and EPA’s latest attempt to dismantle crucial pollution protections would make the biggest leaks even harder to see. Worse, by scrapping the Methane Super …
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CONTINUE READINGWhy the Midterms Matter for Energy & Environment
Trump could still pursue his fossil fuel dominance agenda – but not as easily.
Trump still can take many administrative actions regardless of who controls Congress. But the election still matters for the future of the U.S. energy system and the planet. A President who has the support of a united Congress can do a lot more than a President who must contend with serious congressional opposition. Here’s why it matters.
CONTINUE READINGWhy Does Chevron Want Karen Bass to Win Re-election?
The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
As Angelenos cast their ballots for mayor, Chevron is making clear which candidate it prefers: Mayor Karen Bass. This week brought news that the Chevron Corporation donated $50,000 to a labor union-sponsored independent expenditure committee supporting Bass’s mayoral campaign. Sammy Roth reported on the donation at Climate Colored Goggles, noting that the situation resembles the …
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