Never a dull moment for Interior or the country…I think many share the feeling, “My kingdom for a dull moment!” This week we have stories about energy, AI, and racism; a look at a few things coming up; and a new item, three actions you can take to help Interior and the Nation. Let’s dive in.

What happened

1. Energy—propping up fossil fuels, attacking renewables. Interior has a significant role in the Nation’s energy policies and practices. The Trump administration (with support from congressional Republicans) is using that authority to underwrite fossil fuels while sharpening its attacks on solar and wind. 
   1. Secretary Burgum is now requiring ‘“all decisions, actions, consultations, and other undertakings” that are “related to wind and solar energy facilities” will now be required to go through multiple layers of political review from Burgum’s office and Interior’s Office of the Deputy Secretary.’ No, this is not a way to bring high-level attention to get things done, it’s meant to slow or halt actions. So much for “energy addition” that he loves to talk about.
   2. And EPA is planning to “reconsider” its 2009 endangerment finding, which is the basis for its actions to regulate greenhouse gases; of course the outcome of this reconsideration is already known. What does this matter for Interior? Because EPA’s Clean Air Act regulations shape the energy sector’s fuel, and Interior has a huge role in the fuel / source side of the equation, watch for knock-on effects from solar and wind to oil and gas at Interior.
   3. Let’s turn the mic over to David Roberts to see what’s happening on renewables development in the US, EU, and China the past couple of decades (I would like to see more recent data…):

2. AI news. This week’s Memo raised three key harms associated with AI, in particular generative AI, and how a “Trust Fund for AI” could be established to offset the damage to people, society, and the planet—and why it’s relevant to Interior. No sooner than we publish that piece and the White House releases its AI action plan and three associated executive orders.
   1. The Trump administration is using the “AI arms race” as a “national security” argument for cutting basic environmental protections that people depend on but that Republicans have been trying to eviscerate for decades. Even if it’s mostly EPA-related statutes at the fore, watch for this line of argument to be used against endangered species, migratory birds, conservation on BLM’s lands, and more where Interior has primary responsibilities.
   2. There is not an exodus of wildlife from Yellowstone National Park…appears to be a case of people using generative AI and distorting reality (=lying).
   3. The story of AI energy demands and consequences for real humans in Maryland is a prime example that is playing out across the country. I hope we can start to get coverage of similar stories that get at the impacts of public or Tribal lands, the wildlife people depend on and enjoy, and more that matters to Interior.
3. Racism rears its ugly head. After a far-right commentator’s violent and racist remarks a couple of weeks ago, Trump and his administration are using the space to ramp up attacks on Native Americans. Parks are getting rid of history that documents racism. 
   1. President Trump decided it was a good time to incite matters by insisting the Washington, DC professional football team revert to its previous, racist name. Here’s a good run-down from Suzan Shown Harjo, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her Native advocacy, on why this matters.
   2. The Justice Department released its guidance on English as the “official language” of the United States, which will further threaten Native languages and culture. Read the National Congress of American Indians’ statement here.
   3. Whether it’s taking down signs that note racism (and the roles of women) at Muir Woods or identifying signs that note racism at Independence Hall, the effort to wipe racism from our collective memory at national parks is well underway. This is one reason why I’m using the term “reconstructing” to talk about Interior and government in the future: there’s a whole other layer of meaning when we see this happening.
   4. The relationship of racism to domination and humiliation is clear. This is a good long read from Toby Buckle that gets into the philosophy of humiliation and domination, its role in American politics, and more. No, it’s not specifically about racism or Interior, but it provides really valuable context.

Other tidbits:

• Personnel: Reductions in Force (RIFs) haven’t yet happened at Interior, but I hear from reliable sources that the “competitive areas” list was released internally this week, which is a precursor to RIF actions. (As I was writing this post Gov Exec reported some more details from Interior and other agencies.)
  • As you think about the cuts that have happened already and may be coming, think about who is being impacted by the Trump administration’s actions.
  • If you or someone you know is impacted by cuts, be sure to check out some of the resources that are being developed for support.
  • We’re hearing of examples where staff are being reassigned into areas outside their area of expertise and with new teams—which is a loss of institutional capacity that seems to bury the damage being done. If you hear of this or other moves, let us know!
• Funding for Interior for FY 2026 is not great, but better than the President’s proposal:
  • House appropriators passed their Interior and related agencies funding bill this week, which basically follows the subcommittee’s bill we discussed last week. The subcommittee’s report does specifically call out USGS Ecosystems Mission Area and other details we didn’t have last week, showing Congress’s intent that these programs continue to be supported.
  • The Senate Interior subcommittee moved ahead with its bill, presenting a top-line that’s higher than the House bill (E&E, sub. req.). 
  • It’s worth noting that while these bills aren’t what we think Interior really needs to fully serve the nation—it needs big increases—I and others observe a sense of collegiality that isn’t always present in Congress, so we should be thankful for that.
• Grant cuts will have huge impacts to Native communities.
• Science topics:
  • The Union of Concerned Scientists is cataloging the administration’s attacks on science.
  • Science we can use: “Deploying photovoltaic systems in global open-pit mines for a clean energy transition”. 
  • There are reasons to think AI could slow science, and there’s this example from the FDA shows just one real-life reason why. We should be concerned about what AI could do to Interior’s science.
  • Work smarter, not harder: 4-day work weeks have significant benefits!

What’s coming

1. Congress is out. Congress’s August recess is upon us, and even came a bit early as the Republican majority tries to help the White House avoid Epstein. (If you’re looking for a good, thoughtful, and funny explainer of what’s happening here—not the Epstein case itself, but why the topic is blowing up now—I strongly encourage watching this.) Although senators and representatives are not in DC and taking any action for the next month, there will be opportunities for you to engage…see our new Actions section, below.
2. Next Interior Memos. Next week, we’ll have our first guest article here, which will focus on public engagement and NEPA. We could surely do better with NEPA as a matter of process—think of things like risk-based approaches to permitting and monitoring—the current push from the administration are completely off-base. We’ll talk more about that next week!
3. Mangrove day. Saturday is International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. It’s a mouthful, but well worth a few words given the huge benefits people and ecosystems receive from mangroves: protection against storm surge, reducing coastal erosion, and providing habitat for a great diversity of species. Tip a glass to mangroves if you have a chance this weekend! 

Actions you can take

We’re going to try a new section to the Weekly Digest to focus attention on three actions you can take—and I encourage you to take—this week and coming weeks:

1. Engage at town halls. With Congress in recess, it’s time when senators and representatives will/should/may be holding town halls in their states or districts to hear from constituents. Republicans have been avoiding these engagements this year since their actions are deeply unpopular, and some Democrats and Independents are traveling to such districts to give people a forum to share their anyway. You can show up too! Let whoever holds a town hall know why Interior matters, whether its parks and wildlife, clean energy and water and science, service to Tribes…whatever moves you! (And give democracy, the Constitution, and the separation of powers a plug too, please.) Here’s a starting point.
2. Speak up against racism. While racism isn’t new and it’s not just a matter for Interior, the recent uptick in racist activities deserves our collective response. As the article noted above on humiliation and dominance in politics discusses, society has to allow it for humiliation to work—and it is one purpose of racist actions and words. We can each be part of the solution by stepping and speaking up if you see or hear something racist, even (or especially) with friends and family. 
3. Noncooperation. Consider how you, friends, and family might engage in noncooperation as a way to push back against the unacceptable changes being foisted upon us. What does that mean? It can mean a lot! Dan Froomkin has a good rundown that is worth checking out and then deciding how you can resist by not cooperating.

Parting shot

In celebration of International Mangrove Day, here’s a scene from one of our favorite walks down in the Florida Keys, Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park right next to Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, through red mangrove: