"Presidents have long used coal miners as political props. Yet federal policies have done little to improve their lives, and some things have actually gotten worse."

"President Trump’s proposed budget in the next fiscal year calls for firm support of artificial intelligence and quantum research but makes large cuts to many other parts of the sprawling enterprise of scientific research funded by the federal government."

"Driving an electric vehicle could get more expensive if congressional Republicans have their way." "House Republicans want to impose an annual $250 fee on electric vehicle drivers, who don’t pay the gas tax. Critics say the fee is too high."

"U.S. disaster declarations totaled 108 last year, touching 137 million people. “Climate change is here, it’s impacting people, and it’s going to get more severe,” says one activist."

"In DePue, Ill., sewage will keep backing up into people's basements when there's heavy rain. In Rising Sun, Md., a mobile home park that has already flooded six times will remain in harm's way. And in Kamiah, Idaho, houses won't get upgrades that would protect them from wildfires"

"Lawmakers are preparing for a tense markup in the House Natural Resources Committee on legislation to expand mining and drilling." "One committee is moving ahead swiftly to advance its piece of the Republicans’ sprawling budget package, while other panels with power over energy and environment policy get bogged down."

"The United States is seeking to weaken a global deal aimed at helping developing countries struggling with the impacts of climate change and other issues, an internal United Nations document seen by Reuters showed."

"The halt threatens jobs and holds back energy production at a time the president has claimed an “energy emergency,” state attorneys general said."

"Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company is belching smog-forming pollution into an area of South Memphis that already leads the state in emergency department visits for asthma."

"Federal workers who once held energy and environment positions protecting national parks and public health or trying to bolster the electric grid to avoid disasters are heading for the exit as President Donald Trump’s campaign to shrink the government accelerates."