The Heartland Institute

Overriding a veto by Gov. Beverly Perdue (D), both houses of North Carolina’s legislature have implemented a budget that cuts taxes, reduces public spending, and makes significant changes to the Tar Heel State’s environmental policies. Environmental Bureaucracy Slashed With its historic June 15 veto override, state lawmakers gave ...

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has announced plans to permanently close 70 of the state s 278 parks, in an effort to help the state rein in its enormous budget deficit. The park closures will allow the state government to save $11 million in fiscal year 2011-12 and $22 million in FY 2012-13. We regret closing any park ...

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) is signaling he intends to promote affordable energy that will bring prices in the state down to a level that s more competitive with those of neighboring states. New Focus on Energy Scott spent most of his first six months as governor focusing on balancing the state s budget and reforming state ...

Following in the footsteps of neighboring Pennsylvania and Michigan, Ohio lawmakers have approved legislation opening the way for oil and gas drilling on state lands, including state parks. Proceeds from the drilling will go to pay for an estimated $500 million in much-needed maintenance and repairs at state parks. Overwhelming ...

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is recommending the state end its ban on natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) techniques. According to the DEC, high-volume fracking should be permitted on privately held lands under rigorous and effective state regulation. High-volume ...

States cannot sue owners of coal-burning power plants under public nuisance laws, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled. According to the Court, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s regulatory authority over greenhouse gas emission levels precludes the states from pursuing their own legal actions. Nuisance violations are covered ...

Once seen as a potential bonanza by governments, investment bankers, and alternative energy proponents, carbon dioxide credits have become close to worthless in trading exchanges and are now being shunned by investors. Few Bidders for RGGI Credits A June 8 auction by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade ...

The rock band U2 may be well-known for its outspoken liberal political advocacy, but U2 s lead guitarist The Edge (David Evans) is coming under fire from environmental activists for seeking to build several mansions along the Malibu, California, coast. Prolonged Battle for Mansions On June 17 the California Coastal Commission rejected ...

State public utilities commissions (sometimes known as public service commissions) are largely responsible for rapidly rising electricity prices in many states. With the power to approve or reject proposed power plants, many state commissions are aggressively pursuing green agendas at the expense of affordable energy. Electricity ...