EPA Withdraws Biden-Era Asbestos Ban Reconsideration, Fines Lake Tahoe Sewage Spill

The Trump administration has decided to uphold the Biden-era ban on chrysotile asbestos, reversing earlier intentions to reconsider the rule, while also withdrawing industry-opposed chemical recycling regulations. Meanwhile, Democratic senators are working to mitigate proposed funding cuts to international clean energy and climate programs included in the Trump administration's rescissions package, which faces strong Republican support despite concerns about impacts on energy security and climate leadership. In California, the Air Resources Board has provided additional guidance on mandatory climate disclosures, emphasizing transparency and a lenient enforcement approach during the regulation's initial phase to encourage good faith compliance. However, climate policy debates in California are contentious, with critics like former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones advocating for lawsuits against oil companies to address insurance crises linked to climate change, while opponents argue such measures exacerbate costs for everyday Californians already burdened by high fuel and living expenses. California Democrats face internal divisions as they balance environmental leadership with economic concerns amid growing voter frustration, navigating the pressures from the Trump administration's efforts to roll back climate programs and local debates over policies like the cap-and-trade system and bans on gas-powered vehicles.