In the U.S. midterm elections, which saw Democrats make sweeping gains across the country, environmentalists scored wins on key ballot measures in several states.
In California, voters defeated a measure that would have overhauled permitting, affording less time for environmental review while limiting legal challenges. Backers said the reforms were needed to speed the building of new homes and infrastructure. Opponents said the measure would allow projects to move forward without full consideration of their impact on air, water, and wildlife.
In Colorado, voters rejected an amendment to the state constitution that would have enshrined a right to produce and use natural gas. The proposal was a response to cities looking to block gas lines in new buildings and to moves by the state to tamp down on emissions from natural gas. Opponents said the amendment would give utilities the legal power to challenge environmental regulations.
In Eugene, Oregon, voters approved a new clean energy fund, paid for by a tax on large corporations operating in the city. The initiative is modeled after a fund created in Portland to pay for home insulation and heat pumps, community solar projects, electric buses, tree planting, and other green projects, as well as clean energy job training.
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The U.S. Public Is Losing Its Say on Environmental Policy
