Energy & Environment — National parks remain open during shutdown

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  NPS sites remaining open as government shuts down National parks will largely remain open even as the federal government shuts down, according to a plan made public Tuesday evening. © AP Park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors," says a shutdown contingency plan for the National Park Service (NPS).   At the same time, the park service plans to furlough most of its staff. Of about 14,500 employees, 9,296 will not be working.   The plan also states that parks that collect fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and will use those fees to provide "basic visitor services."   This includes maintaining restrooms, collecting trash, maintaining roads and campgrounds, law enforcement, and emergency operations.    Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin  — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.   Programming note: I'm off tomorrow so there will be no newsletter. I'll be back Friday. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: EPA planning to ease rules for phasedown of planet-warming hydrofluorocarbons The Trump administration is planning to ease rules governing the phaseout of planet-warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in cooling equipment, it said Thursday.  Full Story Nearly 90 percent of EPA set for furlough as government shuts down About 89 percent of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) workforce was slated to be furloughed as the government shuts down, according to contingency plans that were posted online this week.  Full Story US takes a stake in another company, this one is operating a massive lithium mine in Nevada The U.S. government is taking a minority stake in Lithium Americas, a company that is developing one of the world's largest lithium mines in northern Nevada.  Full Story Federal employees told Democrats to blame for shutdown in 'highly inappropriate' email Federal employees at multiple agencies received emails Tuesday blaming congressional Democrats for a potential government shutdown "forced" by the party, an unusual use of government communications that typically steer clear of political comments.  Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Jane Goodall, legendary primatologist, has died at age 91 (NPR) UK's Labour party plans new law to ban fracking permanently (BBC) What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Senate defeats House-passed bill to reopen government, despite Democratic cracks Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to block a House-passed stopgap funding bill that would reopen the federal government until Nov. 21, but several Democrats broke with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and supported the measure. Read more Republicans refuse to swear in newly elected Democrat, delaying success of Epstein petition Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Republican leaders refused requests from Democrats to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) on Tuesday, saying she will be sworn in when the House returns to regular session. Read more   You're all caught up. See you Friday!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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