Climate Lede from E&E News E&E News

Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Florida Republican, has wrangled 39 House Republicans into saying they want action on climate change. But he's facing one of the tightest elections in the country as Democrats seek to take back Congress in the fall. Climatewire reporter Kelsey Brugger describes her interview with Curbelo, and Climatewire talks with Susan MacManus, a political analyst in South Florida, about the role of climate change in the race.

The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council released tens of thousands of pages of emails from U.S. EPA officials obtained through the Freedom of Information Act last week. Three Climatewire reporters -- Niina Heikkinen, Scott Waldman and Zack Colman -- talk through how they combing combed the emails to find nuggets worthy of news, including a meeting with a Cardinal about the red team climate change debate, collaboration with groups who question mainstream climate science and Scott Pruitt's favorite restaurant.

"'Climate will not be on the agenda' — emails"
(Climatewire, 05/09/2018), by Niina Heikkinen:
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081217

"Emails reveal behind-the-scenes plans for climate debates"
(Climatewire, 05/10/2018), by Niina Heikkinen and Robin Bravender:
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081341

"Pruitt got climate tips from groups backed by GOP megadonors"
(Climatewire, 05/11/2018), by Scott Waldman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081469

"Cheeseburgers run $17 at Pruitt's 'favorite' D.C. joint"
(Climatewire, 05/09/2018), by Zack Colman: www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060081163

Researchers are forecasting a higher-than-usual season for hurricanes this summer because of lingering El Nina conditions. Climatewire science reporter Chelsea Harvey goes over the forecasts for extreme weather. Adam Sobel, an atmospheric scientist at Columbia University, explains how difficult it is to attribute any storm or any active season to climate change. And Greenwire climate reporter Arianna Skibell describes a lab in South Carolina where scientists douse homes in fire, wind, rain and hail to figure out the most resilient building materials.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has outlined a proposal to increase transparency in the science used to write rules on air, water and chemicals; but scientists say it's really an attempt to exclude public health research and potentially make way for industry-funded studies instead. Climatewire reporter Scott Waldman walks through the potential changes with input from two special guests.

"How Pruitt's science plans might help industry fight rules"
(Climatewire, 05/01/2018), by Scott Waldman: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060080501

"Here are 3 studies that might be hit by Pruitt's rule"
(Climatewire, 04/26/2018), by Scott Waldman: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060080167

"Scientists say they want open data — but not Pruitt's plan"
(Climatewire, 04/25/2018), by Scott Waldman:
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060080031

"Critics: Legal ambush awaits Pruitt's 'secret science' rule" (Greenwire, 04/25/2018), by Sean Reilly:
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060080091

There's a place in Texas where people are as concerned about climate change as those in liberal New York or D.C.: the fields of South Texas. Rising temperatures is making it even harder on farm workers who already toil under extreme heat. Climatewire science and politics reporter Scott Waldman gives a special preview of the story from his trip. And talks to someone who tries to keep workers hydrated.

Increased scrutiny of EPA administrator Scott Pruitt has put the spotlight back on a trip he took to Morocco in December to promote liquefied natural gas (LNG). The company that stands to benefit the most from more exports of American LNG is Cheniere Energy, which is controlled by Carl Icahn, an investor close to Trump who helped Pruitt land his job. E&E reporters and editors Evan Lehmann, Robin Bravender, Jean Chemnick and Joel Kirkland unpack the ties.

"Pruitt's overseas travel pulls Icahn LNG money into focus"
(Energywire, 04/12/2018), by Jenny Mandel and Jean Chemnick: www.eenews.net/stories/1060078837