On our radar this week: first, let your electeds know you support National Forest protections; also, a temporary pause on data centers; the EPA looks to end one of its valuable emissions reporting programs; and dangers to drinking water protections.

Stand up for the South’s wildest forests – Southern Environmental Law Center, September 1, 2025

One of the ways that the highest quality public forest areas get protection is through the Roadless Rule, which limits where logging can occur within our National Forests. Now, the United States Forest Service is actively working to roll back those protections. Tell the Forest Service to keep the Roadless Rule by signing on to a petition and submitting comments – the deadline is this Friday, September 19th.

‘We have to set standards’: Why Prince George’s County paused data center plans – NBC4 Washington, September 16, 2025

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy signed an Executive Order backed up by a unanimous County Council resolution this week to pause all data center permits and applications while the county considers and establishes clearer development standards. After a citizen-led petition gathered over 20,000 signatures, the County Council and a Data Center taskforce began meeting to examine data center development, which has increased significantly in recent years. The County will take at least six months to review recommendations and move forward with future data center permitting.

EPA releases formal proposal to end Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program – Waste Dive, September 15, 2025

The EPA is proposing to do away with the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), which has collected emissions data from polluting facilities nationwide since 2007. The data is central for monitoring carbon emissions data for all sorts of efforts, not only for use by regulators. This latest proposal will be heard later this year, with a public comment period, so stay tuned.

House Bill Amending the Clean Water Act Could Mean Dirtier Water Nationwide—And Especially in Iowa – Inside Climate News, September 9, 2025

A recent bill passed out of committee in the US House of Representatives proposes changes to the Clean Water Act that would sweepingly exempt many waterways from protection under the Act. In particular, the proposed amendment would limit regulation of chemical and agricultural discharges from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which heavily pollute waterways. Iowa is the leading home of CAFOs, but this proposed amendment’s effects would be felt in every state.