It is hollowed slowly — by removing the tools that let the public know what is happening outside their window.
Tonight in New England, the air is still, the snow is waiting, the sky is quiet. Sofia is asleep by the kitchen stove, where a turkey carcass is boiling down for future gravy. Her legs are twitching like she is dreaming of running — a world where cold is only something you feel on your skin, not something built into policy. But the storm is already building offshore, unseen. And winter storms, once they crest, rarely give you time to get warm.
Bibliography
1. Reuters. “Trump Signs Directive to ‘Unleash American Energy,’ Prioritizing Fossil Fuel Production.” Jan. 20, 2025. Summary: Executive order directs agencies to fast-track drilling and weaken environmental permitting.
2. Portland Press Herald. “Maine Lobstermen Face Rising Energy Bills Amid Power Uncertainty.” Nov. 18, 2025. Summary: Interviews with lobstermen about increasing utility costs and regional energy insecurity.
3. NRDC. “Pause on Offshore Wind Projects Could Kill Jobs and Increase Electric Bills.” Dec. 23, 2025. Summary: Analysis estimating offshore wind could power 2.5 million homes and support tens of thousands of jobs; summarizes risks of delay.
4. U.S. Department of the Interior. “Pausing Offshore Wind Leases to Protect National Security.” Press Release, Dec. 22, 2025. Summary: Federal action halting five major offshore wind projects.
5. Axios. “Pentagon Found Minimal National Security Risk in Offshore Wind Plans, Records Show.” Dec. 24, 2025. Summary: Reporting that DoD risk assessments did not justify cancellation.
6. The Guardian. “Trump Cites Naval Threats to Halt Offshore Wind Projects.” Dec. 22, 2025. Summary: Overview of administration rationale and response.
7. U.S. Geological Survey. “Sage-Grouse Habitat Regulatory Impact Report.” 2024. Summary: Details acreage impacted by regulatory change and projected economic effects.
8. CPR News (Colorado Public Radio). “Trump Wants to Dismantle NCAR in Boulder.” Dec. 17, 2025. Summary: Initial announcement and community response.
9. ABC News. “Administration Calls NCAR ‘Alarmism’ and Moves to Shut Down Climate Center.” Dec. 17, 2025. Summary: Reporting White House justification and political reaction.
10. Boulder Reporting Lab. “Scientists Warn Loss of NCAR Means Loss of Forecasting.” Dec. 18, 2025. Summary: Includes quote by Dr. Alison Nugent.
11. Reuters. “Proposed Budget Cuts Would Slash NOAA Climate Research by 28 Percent.” Dec. 21, 2025. Summary: Budget numbers and projected consequences.
12. Heritage Foundation Brief. “Ending Wasteful Climate Spending.” Nov. 2025. Summary: Conservative policy rationale for climate-science cuts.
13. Rhodium Group. “U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2025 Outlook.” Feb. 2025. Summary: U.S. emissions rise after previous decline.
14. Center for Climate and Security. “America’s Retreat from Climate Science and Global Risk Leadership.” Policy Report, July 2025. Summary: Analysis on U.S. withdrawal and consequences for international policy.