Energy & Environment — Trump considers shorter disaster relief window

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  Administration eyeing shorter window for disaster relief Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said this week that the Trump administration is considering providing resources for less time after a disaster.  ©  Susan Walsh, Associated Press Noem's comments came Thursday during a meeting of the Trump administration's FEMA review council.   "One of the things I'd like to charge your counsel with is: how long should a disaster be left open? How quickly should we deploy resources, and then how long can cases continue to be filed?" she told the council.   "That is one of the things that makes it difficult to deploy immediately...when the termination date for a disaster goes on 15 to 20 years after the event has already occurred," she said.  "The president believes that we should be in a disaster response portfolio and footprint, but the long-term mitigation should not be something that the federal government is continuing to be involved in to the extent that it has been in the past," Noem continued.   Her comments come as the administration has said it wants FEMA to disperse less money and give states more responsibility over disasters. 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. We'll be back Tuesday. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Scientists warn San Diego County air laced with toxic 'sewer gas' The unfettered flow of wastewater from the Tijuana River has not only been threatening Southern California's beaches, but it has also unleashed alarming amounts of toxic gas in area communities, a new study has found.  Full Story US, Canada had highest air pollution surge worldwide in 2023: Report The United States and Canada endured the planet's biggest air pollution surge in 2023 — an upswing driven by the northern neighbor's worst wildfire season on record, a report found.  Full Story RFK Jr. says 'aggregation of causes' likely leads to autism Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Thursday he thinks his agency's forthcoming report on autism will reveal an "aggregation of causes" that lead to the neurological disorder.  Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: A Texas congressman is quietly helping Elon Musk pitch building $760M tunnels under Houston to ease flooding (The Texas Tribune/Texas Newsroom/The Houston Chronicle/ProPublica) An Industry Insider's Changes at the E.P.A. Could Cost Taxpayers Billions (The New York Times) On Our Radar  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: Next week The House could vote on whether to reverse Biden-era plans that would have restricted coal on federal lands The House could vote on an appropriations bill for the Energy Department   Wednesday The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and will vote on whether to advance EPA and CEQ nominees The House Natural Resources Committee will hold hearings on bills related to coal and mining as well as on bills related to topics including dams, endangered species and water management What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump's approval rating hits record low of second term: Poll President Trump's approval rating dropped to a new low for his second term in the latest Quinnipiac University poll. Read more GOP Health Committee chair calls for CDC vaccine advisers' meeting to be postponed Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, is calling on the Department of Health and Human Services' advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) to indefinitely postpone a Sept. 18 meeting in the aftermath of a shake-up at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that resulted in the ouster of Director Susan Monarez. Read more   You're all caught up. See you Tuesday!  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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