Two significant climate news stories have emerged in the past week, shedding light on critical issues facing the Western United States. The first important story pertains to the cancellation of decarbonization projects in California by the Trump administration's Department of Energy. These projects were primarily focused on carbon capture, sequestration, and decarbonization initiatives, and their cancellation raises concerns about the future of clean energy efforts in the state. This decision represents a stark shift from the approach of the Biden administration, which had previously supported these projects. The move has sparked discussions about the impact on California's broader climate goals and the role of federal policies in promoting sustainable energy solutions. [Read more](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-06-18/california-decarbonization-projects-cancelled-trump-department-of-energy) The other important story revolves around the Climate Mayors of Western cities calling for federal assistance to address water scarcity resulting from the declining flows of the Colorado River. As climate change continues to exacerbate water shortages in the region, these leaders are urging the Trump administration to take proactive measures to mitigate the impacts and ensure access to essential freshwater resources. This development underscores the urgency of addressing climate-related water challenges and seeks to emphasize the importance of collaborative and inclusive strategies in managing water scarcity in the Western US. [Read more](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-06-18/climate-mayors-water-proposals)