Michael Copley
@michaelcopley1.bsky.social
@npr.org Correspondent, Climate & Corporations
Signal: michaelcopley.29
Signal: michaelcopley.29
"That gentrification is a real thing, the change in the cost is a real thing," says Rob Fowler, a builder in southwest Florida. “And it all adds up to the fact that only well-heeled players can play now." www.npr.org/2025/11/17/n...
Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on
Middle-class families are struggling to afford insurance in southwest Florida. Realtors say a wave of foreclosures could be coming.
www.npr.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"That gentrification is a real thing, the change in the cost is a real thing," says Rob Fowler, a builder in southwest Florida. “And it all adds up to the fact that only well-heeled players can play now." www.npr.org/2025/11/17/n...
Reposted by Michael Copley
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. n.pr/49PWIKc
Why home insurance is unaffordable, even in places without wildfires or hurricanes
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.
n.pr
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. n.pr/49PWIKc
"It's to a point of unsustainability," says Robert Dyer, CEO of the Cozad Community Health System. "If we got hit by another storm right now, it would drain all our cash." From @rhersher.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
Why home insurance is unaffordable, even in places without wildfires or hurricanes
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.
www.npr.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"It's to a point of unsustainability," says Robert Dyer, CEO of the Cozad Community Health System. "If we got hit by another storm right now, it would drain all our cash." From @rhersher.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
Reposted by Michael Copley
Without Congressionally-approved funding, public media stations say communities will be left with aging infrastructure amid growing risks from extreme weather.
Public media stations in rural America say emergency-alert funding is in jeopardy
Without Congressionally-approved funding, public media stations say communities will be left with aging infrastructure amid growing risks from extreme weather.
n.pr
August 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Without Congressionally-approved funding, public media stations say communities will be left with aging infrastructure amid growing risks from extreme weather.
Reposted by Michael Copley
A lot of companies want the EPA in charge of setting national climate regulations because it helps shield them from lawsuits and creates a predictable environment in which to make investments. n.pr/47HiEWK
Businesses face 'chaos' as EPA aims to repeal its authority over climate pollution
A lot of companies want the EPA in charge of setting national climate regulations because it helps shield them from lawsuits and creates a predictable environment in which to make investments.
n.pr
August 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
A lot of companies want the EPA in charge of setting national climate regulations because it helps shield them from lawsuits and creates a predictable environment in which to make investments. n.pr/47HiEWK
Reposted by Michael Copley
The federal government's Energy Star efficiency program is in jeopardy. The Trump administration wants to eliminate or privatize it. Here's my @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/08/13/n...
The Trump administration seeks to eliminate or privatize the Energy Star program
The Energy Star program has saved Americans more than a half-trillion dollars in energy costs and has reduced climate pollution. Now the Trump administration wants to eliminate or privatize it.
www.npr.org
August 15, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The federal government's Energy Star efficiency program is in jeopardy. The Trump administration wants to eliminate or privatize it. Here's my @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/08/13/n...
Reposted by Michael Copley
The Trump administration announced its plan today to overturn a key 2009 Environmental Protection Agency finding that underpins much of the federal government's actions to rein in climate change. My @npr story: www.npr.org/2025/07/29/n...
Trump's EPA wants to eliminate regulation for greenhouse gases
The Trump administration proposes eliminating a 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger people. That would undermine the EPA's climate change regulations for power plants and cars.
www.npr.org
July 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Trump administration announced its plan today to overturn a key 2009 Environmental Protection Agency finding that underpins much of the federal government's actions to rein in climate change. My @npr story: www.npr.org/2025/07/29/n...
"It's not a question of whether or not the country is going to install solar if these provisions are removed or phased out too quickly. It's just a matter of where [project developers] are going to get the product from."
Abruptly ending tax incentives that encourage solar developers to buy American could upend a booming manufacturing sector.
Solar manufacturing is booming. Advocates say it could go bust without incentives
Abruptly ending tax incentives that encourage solar developers to buy American could upend a booming manufacturing sector.
n.pr
June 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"It's not a question of whether or not the country is going to install solar if these provisions are removed or phased out too quickly. It's just a matter of where [project developers] are going to get the product from."
Reposted by Michael Copley
Abruptly ending tax incentives that encourage solar developers to buy American could upend a booming manufacturing sector.
Solar manufacturing is booming. Advocates say it could go bust without incentives
Abruptly ending tax incentives that encourage solar developers to buy American could upend a booming manufacturing sector.
n.pr
June 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Abruptly ending tax incentives that encourage solar developers to buy American could upend a booming manufacturing sector.
Investments that help communities endure more extreme weather are "a path to keep insurance available," says Dave Jones, director of the Climate Risk Initiative at UC Berkeley Law. “But the insurers need to account for it in their modeling. They're not."
Protecting your home from disaster might not help you get insurance
Insurance costs are soaring, and coverage is hard to find in some parts of the United States. Communities say insurers are ignoring their efforts to confront the problem.
www.npr.org
June 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Investments that help communities endure more extreme weather are "a path to keep insurance available," says Dave Jones, director of the Climate Risk Initiative at UC Berkeley Law. “But the insurers need to account for it in their modeling. They're not."
Reposted by Michael Copley
Exclusive from my NPR Climate Desk colleague @rhersher.bsky.social:
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
www.npr.org
May 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Exclusive from my NPR Climate Desk colleague @rhersher.bsky.social:
Reposted by Michael Copley
You count on the NPR Network. Today, supporters like you are donating and sharing what #PublicMediaGives to their communities that no other news service can.
Your support connects small towns, big cities and the millions who call them home. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate now: n.pr/4lFTPPD
Your support connects small towns, big cities and the millions who call them home. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate now: n.pr/4lFTPPD
May 1, 2025 at 11:18 PM
You count on the NPR Network. Today, supporters like you are donating and sharing what #PublicMediaGives to their communities that no other news service can.
Your support connects small towns, big cities and the millions who call them home. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate now: n.pr/4lFTPPD
Your support connects small towns, big cities and the millions who call them home. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate now: n.pr/4lFTPPD
“In DePue, Ill., sewage will keep backing up into people's basements when there's heavy rain. In Rising Sun, Md., a mobile home park that has already flooded six times will remain in harm's way. And in Kamiah, Idaho, houses won't get upgrades that would protect them from wildfires.”
Rural communities were promised millions in disaster funds. Trump is ending it
Rural communities are scrambling after the Trump administration canceled billions in disaster grants. Many were counting on the funds for infrastructure fixes meant to withstand future disasters.
www.npr.org
May 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
“In DePue, Ill., sewage will keep backing up into people's basements when there's heavy rain. In Rising Sun, Md., a mobile home park that has already flooded six times will remain in harm's way. And in Kamiah, Idaho, houses won't get upgrades that would protect them from wildfires.”
Reposted by Michael Copley
JUST IN: A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University who was arrested at his US citizenship interview and ordered deported.
Federal judge orders release of Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi
A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University who was arrested at his US citizenship interview and ordered deported.
www.npr.org
April 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University who was arrested at his US citizenship interview and ordered deported.
Reposted by Michael Copley
For an @npr.org story I'm researching: have you cooked with an electric grill before? What do you think of the experience, compared to a gas or charcoal grill? Any suggestions if someone is thinking about switching to an electric grill this summer?
April 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
For an @npr.org story I'm researching: have you cooked with an electric grill before? What do you think of the experience, compared to a gas or charcoal grill? Any suggestions if someone is thinking about switching to an electric grill this summer?
The attacks on climate activists represent a broad assault on US civil society, says Lee Wasserman, director of the Rockefeller Family Fund and a target of the hacking.
“It’s a very big issue that transcends, really, the most basic aspects of freedom,” Wasserman told NPR
“It’s a very big issue that transcends, really, the most basic aspects of freedom,” Wasserman told NPR
Private eye accused of hacking American climate activists loses U.K. extradition fight
The Justice Department has charged Amit Forlit with conspiracy to commit computer hacking, among other crimes.
www.npr.org
April 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The attacks on climate activists represent a broad assault on US civil society, says Lee Wasserman, director of the Rockefeller Family Fund and a target of the hacking.
“It’s a very big issue that transcends, really, the most basic aspects of freedom,” Wasserman told NPR
“It’s a very big issue that transcends, really, the most basic aspects of freedom,” Wasserman told NPR
Reposted by Michael Copley
EPA cancels $900K to address asthma in western Mass., includes city once dubbed U.S. 'asthma capital' www.nhpr.org/2025-04-28/e...
EPA cancels $900K to address asthma in western Mass., includes city once dubbed U.S. 'asthma capital'
Most of a multi-year, $1 million federal grant to address asthma in western Massachusetts was terminated on Friday, effective immediately, according to the Healey administration.
www.nhpr.org
April 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
EPA cancels $900K to address asthma in western Mass., includes city once dubbed U.S. 'asthma capital' www.nhpr.org/2025-04-28/e...
Reposted by Michael Copley
Some Los Angeles fires victims are rebuilding their homes without gas appliances. Climate advocates want all homeowners to choose electric, but it's hard to require that of people who've had their lives upended. My @npr.org story with Ryan Kellman's photos: www.npr.org/2025/04/23/n...
Some Los Angeles fires victims are rebuilding their homes without gas appliances
As Los Angeles rebuilds from the Eaton and Palisades fires, climate activists want to retire the gas utility pipelines and and hope to persuade people to rebuild homes as all-electric.
www.npr.org
April 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Some Los Angeles fires victims are rebuilding their homes without gas appliances. Climate advocates want all homeowners to choose electric, but it's hard to require that of people who've had their lives upended. My @npr.org story with Ryan Kellman's photos: www.npr.org/2025/04/23/n...
Reposted by Michael Copley
Pope Francis pushed for action on climate change -- not surprising for a pontiff who was the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. My @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/04/21/n...
Pope Francis focused on climate change as the planet continued to get hotter
Pope Francis called on the world and 1.4 billion Catholics to confront climate change. He brought attention to the issue but it's not clear he changed many minds.
www.npr.org
April 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Pope Francis pushed for action on climate change -- not surprising for a pontiff who was the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. My @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/04/21/n...
Reposted by Michael Copley
Exclusive reporting from my @npr.org Climate Desk colleague @michaelcopley1.bsky.social:
Prosecutors say the operation was aimed at gathering information to foil lawsuits against the fossil fuel industry over damage communities have faced from climate change.
Climate activists were hacked. There was a link between the victims and an alleged attacker
Prosecutors say the operation was aimed at gathering information to foil lawsuits against the fossil fuel industry over damage communities have faced from climate change.
www.npr.org
April 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Exclusive reporting from my @npr.org Climate Desk colleague @michaelcopley1.bsky.social:
Reposted by Michael Copley
The agency forecasts weather, manages fisheries, and researches the world's oceans, atmosphere, and climate. The proposed budget cuts would slash the climate work entirely.
Major budget cuts proposed for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The agency forecasts weather, manages fisheries, and researches the world's oceans, atmosphere, and climate. The proposed budget cuts would slash the climate work entirely.
www.npr.org
April 11, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The agency forecasts weather, manages fisheries, and researches the world's oceans, atmosphere, and climate. The proposed budget cuts would slash the climate work entirely.
Reposted by Michael Copley
"The developer of Maine’s first offshore wind array has paused the project amid the Trump administration’s backlash against the industry."
Developers behind a 12-turbine proposal have suspended crucial power contract negotiations.
www.mainepublic.org/climate/2025...
www.mainepublic.org/climate/2025...
Maine offshore wind array on pause
Developers behind a 12-turbine proposal have suspended crucial power contract negotiations.
www.mainepublic.org
April 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
"The developer of Maine’s first offshore wind array has paused the project amid the Trump administration’s backlash against the industry."
Reposted by Michael Copley
West Virginia Coal Association just issued an action alert... It says a policy issued by USTR under the Trump administration, "would cripple American coal exports and threaten thousands of jobs."
Alert attached, see my story below for details.
Alert attached, see my story below for details.
March 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
West Virginia Coal Association just issued an action alert... It says a policy issued by USTR under the Trump administration, "would cripple American coal exports and threaten thousands of jobs."
Alert attached, see my story below for details.
Alert attached, see my story below for details.
Reposted by Michael Copley
"America's clean-energy industry is growing despite Trump's attacks. At least for now" www.npr.org/2025/03/12/n... via @michaelcopley1.bsky.social @npr.org
America's clean-energy industry is growing despite Trump's attacks. At least for now
Clean energy is crucial to meet rising U.S. electricity demand, according to industry analysts and executives. But the Trump administration's actions could slow development.
www.npr.org
March 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"America's clean-energy industry is growing despite Trump's attacks. At least for now" www.npr.org/2025/03/12/n... via @michaelcopley1.bsky.social @npr.org
“If DOGE is a federal agency, it can’t shield its records from the public. If it’s not an agency, then DOGE’s tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some [legal experts] contend.” www.propublica.org/article/doge...
DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion
The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines th...
www.propublica.org
February 21, 2025 at 1:38 AM
“If DOGE is a federal agency, it can’t shield its records from the public. If it’s not an agency, then DOGE’s tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some [legal experts] contend.” www.propublica.org/article/doge...