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Zahra Hirji

@zhirji.bsky.social

16K followers 411 following 479 posts

Bloomberg News climate reporter. Past BuzzFeed News, InsideClimate News. Mom. She/her. Views are my own. Email: zhirji@bloomberg.net Signal: zhirji.51

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Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Scoop: The EPA is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. Tag team with @bloomberg.com’s Ari Natter and Jen Dlouhy. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

EPA Poised to Repeal Carbon Standards for Coal, Gas Power Plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to formally rescind carbon pollution standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

What does the Senate permitting deal mean for US climate emissions? Some early modeling and several experts told me + @leslieatlarge.bsky.social the reforms are likely to slash US greenhouse gas emissions. Full story @bloomberg.com, with gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

What the Senate Permitting Deal Means for US Climate Emissions

Experts say the bill, which would speed clean-energy and fossil-fuel projects alike, would probably reduce greenhouse gas emissions overall.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A new analysis that looked at just one piece of reforms detailed in the tentative Senate deal & for just part of the US, the reforms could cut CO2 emissions by 71 million metric tons, or 9%, in 2035 compared to a non-reform scenario. Story @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

What the Senate Permitting Deal Means for US Climate Emissions

Experts say the bill, which would speed clean-energy and fossil-fuel projects alike, would probably reduce greenhouse gas emissions overall.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Everything you need to know about the upcoming climate case coming Monday to the Supreme Court Gift link @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Supreme Court Weighs Shield for Oil Companies as New Term Opens

A yearslong legal campaign to hold the oil industry accountable for climate change risks running aground in the US as the Supreme Court takes up a case that threatens to undercut dozens of lawsuits.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Todd Woody @toddwoody.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Breaking: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday allowing residents to install small plug-in solar systems to counter soaring electricity costs, a move expected to jump-start the market for the technology. Free link. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

California Joins Growing Plug-In Solar Boom as Power Costs Surge

The state is the 10th to allow so-called balcony solar as officials grapple with soaring electricity bills.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Emily Mullin @emilymullin.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Health just confirmed a 5th measles-related death. This really suggests that the outbreak is a lot bigger than the official numbers. The average case fatality rate for measles is about 1 to 3 deaths per 1,000 reported cases in developed countries.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

jon christian @jonchristian.net · 30/09/2026

UPDATE: After our investigation into that company that buys struggling news sites and turns them into AI-powered content mills, it has halted publication -- at least for now futurism.com/artificial-i...

That Company That Buys Struggling News Sites and Turns Them Into AI-Powered Content Mills Has Halted Publishing After a Futurism Investigation

Brown Brothers Media has halted publication at its wide-ranging AI-powered content farm empire -- for now, at least.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Remember how EPA's air chief Aaron Szabo announced internally that he was leaving in July and then he didn't go? The White House yesterday formally nominated Justin Schwab, who was EPA's Deputy General Counsel in Trump 1, to take over as the Office of Air & Radiation's new Assistant Administrator.

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Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 29/09/2026

Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg call on the EU to set a 2040 renewable-energy target.

Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg Urge EU to Set 2040 Renewables Goal

Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg are calling on the European Union to set a 2040 renewable-energy target, as the bloc seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fuel.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Lawrence Hurley @lawrencehurley.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Major u-turn from Justice Alito as Supreme Court reveals he will no longer participate in the big climate change case being argued next week. Previously, the court told NBC News there was no reason for him to step aside despite his earlier recusal in same case.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This has shaken me to my core bsky.app/profile/whys...

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Longtime Texas Republican Joe Straus on fellow Republican Ken Paxton, who is running for US Senate: "He has a list of scandals as long as a CVS receipt.” Full story, with gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Texas Republicans Splinter as MAGA Candidates Test Party Limits

Republican Joe Straus spent 10 years as the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Now he’s the latest to join a chorus of GOP leaders voicing doubts about US Senate nominee Ken Paxton, who’s ...

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This @bloomberg.com explainer offers a nice gut-check on Trump's $5000 dividend claim, noting "Trump provided no information on how he would pay for the initiative" and "The president does not have the authority to green-light such a plan on this own." Story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Can Trump Really Pay Every Adult American a $5,000 ‘Dividend’?

During his keynote speech at the first Republican midterm convention, US President Donald Trump made an extraordinary announcement: He said he would pay every American adult a $5,000 “Trump dividend” ...

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Trump admin finalized a significant weakening of federal fuel economy standards for automobiles, rolling back a key policy that had pushed the industry to improve the efficiency of cars & trucks & sell more battery-electric vehicles. Gift link @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

US Guts Fuel Economy Standards in Push to Curb Biden EV Policies

The Trump administration finalized a significant weakening of federal fuel economy standards for automobiles, rolling back a key policy that had pushed the industry to improve the efficiency of cars a...

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Shortly after he got his van, several of Jone’s co-workers — self-described “car guys,” he says — wanted to check it out. “It was funny. When they asked, they were whispering like it was some kind of secret,” he recalls. “Every one of those guys has a minivan now.” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Americans Are Going Wild for Minivans

Affordability concerns are contributing to a resurgence for the least cool category of vehicle.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 23/09/2026

Five cops in Indianapolis were just criminally charged with abusing Flock to spy on their ex-wives, their wives' ex-partners and women they met on duty. Audit was triggered by us at the @washingtonpost.com, the prosecutor said. From last month: wapo.st/4yfNHng

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

John Schwartz @jswatz.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

"It is unclear if Mr. Trump has ever visited a national park, either while in office or as a private citizen; his forays outdoors typically involve a golf course." Nicely spicy, @maxinejoselow.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/c...

How Trump Has Disrupted National Parks (Gift Article)

Maintenance projects have been put off around the country and resources diverted to the president’s favored projects in Washington.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

From earlier today: The Trump administration unlawfully terminated a $7 billion grant program for solar energy, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on Friday Story @bloomberg.com here (gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump’s Axing of $7 Billion Solar Program Unlawful, Judge Says

The Trump administration unlawfully terminated a $7 billion grant program for solar energy, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on Friday.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Dan Vergano @danvergano.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Smithsonian Used Her DNA. And Lost Her Trust. www.chronicle.com/article/the-... Why Sally Hemings’s oldest descendant is sounding the alarm about a new book on Thomas Jefferson.

Sally Hemings’s Oldest Descendant Gave the Smithsonian Her DNA. She Says It Lost Her Trust.

On the eve of a new book that promises to settle the debate about Thomas Jefferson, a Hemings relative is raising alarms that its science hasn’t been vetted.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Macklemore Ban at Ed Sheeran Concerts Sparks Free Speech Debate @bloomberg.com linked here, with a gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Macklemore Ban at Ed Sheeran Concerts Sparks Free Speech Debate

A fractious debate over free speech driven by pro-Palestine activism, the intervention of billionaires and anti-Israel sentiment is again raging across the US.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

New: President Donald Trump's broad rollbacks of federal greenhouse gas rules since January 2025 have altered the trajectory of US energy use and helped set back cuts to planet-warming pollution by about a decade. Gift link @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump's Climate Rollbacks Will Keep US Emissions Higher for Longer

Combined with earlier EPA deregulatory moves, this week’s repeal of power plant rules is set to alter the nation’s emissions trajectory.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It's official: EPA is formally repealing Biden-era climate mandates on power plants. New story @bloomberg.com here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump EPA Ends Climate Regulations for Power Plants

This is one of the administration’s most significant climate rollbacks.

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Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Some crucial context: In the US, power plants are largest industrial source of greenhouse gas emissions. bsky.app/profile/zhir...

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Rory Johnston @roryjohnston.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

At more than $216 per barrel, US diesel futures are now at their highest level in history. We just busted through the prior record set at the height of the 2022 crisis.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Caitlin McGlade @caitmcglade.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I, the only data reporter at the Charlotte Observer, am among the McClatchy layoffs in the bloodbath today. The HR person asked me not to talk about it! AMA. Anyway, here’s a link to one of my most important stories this year. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

charlotteobserver.com

A Black teen found hanged near Charlotte church was a suicide, police say. Questions remain

In May, 16-year-old Juliana Nzita was found dead in a Charlotte churchyard. CMPD called it a suicide. Her family isn’t so sure.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

🚨PSA: If you notice information, data or other resources being removed from EPA's website, please reach out bsky.app/profile/zhir...

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

“Instead of holding polluters accountable, the EPA under Trump has been focused on reversing and deleting efforts aimed at tackling greenhouse gas emissions,” @schiff.senate.gov told @bloombergnews.bsky.social. Full story @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

EPA Removes Online Scope 3 Emissions Guidance for Companies

As the Trump administration rolls back environmental rules, it’s also taking down resources that help corporations understand their environmental risk.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Adrienne Greve @aigreve.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Gah! I just taught GHGs and scopes to underclassmen. It pains me to subsequently share the EPA dropped their guidance.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

EXCLUSIVE: The Environmental Protection Agency has quietly removed multiple online resources for companies on how to measure the carbon footprint of their supply chains, called Scope 3 emissions. Gift link @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

EPA Removes Online Scope 3 Emissions Guidance for Companies

As the Trump administration rolls back environmental rules, it’s also taking down resources that help corporations understand their environmental risk.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Malibu residents evacuate after massive, expanding sinkhole opens at Nicolas Cage’s house www.latimes.com/california/s...

Malibu residents evacuate after massive, expanding sinkhole opens at Nicolas Cage's house

Evacuation orders were issued for 31 Malibu homes due to a massive and expanding sinkhole in the driveway of Nicolas Cage's property.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Capital Weather @capitalweather.com · 08/09/2026

🍂 Ready for real fall weather? Not yet. The next 10 days still look pretty warm around DC. But forecast models signal a notable pattern change around Sept. 19-20. Here’s when fall may finally arrive: www.capitalweather.com/when-will-dc...

capitalweather.com

When will DC get its first real taste of fall? Models offer a clue

Summerlike warmth may hold on another 10 to 14 days before a pattern change delivers cooler Canadian air.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The EPA announced an updated WOTUS rule proposal. “This is a humongous rollback and it’s a bigger rollback than their initial proposal,” said NRDC's Jon Devine. Gift link for my latest @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Fewer US Water Bodies Would Be Protected Under New Trump Proposal

The arid West would be disproportionately affected by the changes.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

“There are things that we’re completely unprepared for,” said Noah Diffenbaugh, a climate scientist at Stanford University. The Nepal floods fall into the category of “things that are just completely outside of our experience.” Gift link here: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Nepal’s Catastrophic Flood Heralds a New Age of Disasters

The sheer scale of the Himalayan deluge shocked even climate scientists. They know it won’t be the last.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

ProPublica @propublica.org · 04/09/2026

Molly Hensley-Clancy has been investigating how youth sports organizations have failed to protect kids from sexual abuse, and the gaps in the system that have allowed coaches banned for misconduct to keep working with young athletes. Here's how you can help 👇

Help Us Investigate Abusive Coaches in Youth Sports

We’re continuing to report on abusive youth sports coaches and the gaps in the system that allow them to continue working with kids. If you have something to share on this topic, we want to hear from ...

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Liam Knox @liamknox.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Scoop: The DOJ is scrutinizing elite public high school admissions for racial discrimination, including at Stuyvesant and Bronx Science in NYC, expanding the Trump admin’s education pressure campaign beyond higher ed. Free link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Elite Public High Schools To Get a Taste of Trump’s College Crusade

The Trump administration is scrutinizing some of the country’s most elite public high schools over whether their admissions practices discriminate based on race.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Last month, I wrote about how the Trump EPA was losing more than it was winning in court this summer. Last night, the agency suffered another setback when the DC Circuit ordered the EPA to withdraw its reclassification of 4 California waivers Full order here: www.bloomberglaw.com/public/docum...

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Nepal is demanding climate compensation from the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases after deadly floods in the country killed more than a thousand people and left even more missing www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Nepal Seeks Climate Compensation From China, US and India

Nepal is demanding climate compensation from the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases after deadly floods in the country killed more than a thousand people and left even more missing.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Bleak stuff: The world will likely surpass 1.5C in the next few years, a new landmark UN report says, and warming will peak at around 1.8C in the best-case scenario. Without changes to current policies, warming could reach roughly 2.6C, @eroston.bsky.social reports: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

UN Warns Global Warming Will Exceed 1.5C and Must Be Reversed

A new UN report calls for countries to drive temperatures back down through rapid emissions cuts and capturing carbon from the air.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

BREAKING: The House Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a stopgap funding bill to fund the government through Dec. 11. Notably, the bill delays any action on the controversial WH proposal to overhaul federal science funding to allow political oversight of grants www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Congress Sends Funding Bill to Avert US Shutdown to Trump

Congress cleared funding legislation to avert an Oct. 1 government shutdown, sidestepping, at least temporarily, the partisan warfare that led to repeated disruptions over the last year.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The Trump administration granted oil refineries the biggest amount of exemptions from mandates requiring them to blend renewable fuels since 2017 Gift link @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

US Grants Refiners Highest Level of Biofuel Waivers Since 2017

The Trump administration granted oil refineries the biggest amount of exemptions from mandates requiring them to blend renewable fuels since 2017.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

BREAKING: A federal judge in California has ruled that the Trump administration violated the First Amendment when it used security-related justification to revoke the legal status of students who expressed views it didn't like. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Zoe Tillman @zoetillman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

NEW: DOJ is pushing back on requests for info about the origins of the deal to end Trump’s $10B IRS lawsuit. Today, a judge called DOJ's stance "untenable" and said the govt "failed on both ends of the discovery process" by not providing names or a log of reasons why. Story: buff.ly/weskpzT

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-28/doj-balks-at-demands-for-details-on-trump-s-deal-in-irs-case?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4Nzk0MjI5NCwiZXhwIjoxNzg4NTQ3MDk0LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUS0hQMkVUOU5KTFUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiI1NkY0MDI2RTJDMDU0OTAyQUU5NTQwMkVCODZDREI1RCJ9.ogSktSynneV0ax8WvFzmKv8u4jwx04H7wKO-vkeU0mA

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 28/08/2026

California sued the Trump administration and Golden State Wind over the federal government’s deal with the company to cancel an offshore wind project lease, alleging the transaction violated multiple federal laws

California Sues Over Trump Deal to Cancel Wind Project Lease

California sued the Trump administration and Golden State Wind over the federal government’s deal with the company to cancel an offshore wind project lease, alleging the transaction violated multiple federal laws.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Amanda Kolson Hurley @amandakhurley.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Excellent, eye-opening look at the sometimes lasting effects of heat stroke by my colleagues @zhirji.bsky.social and @emmarcourt.bsky.social. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

One Hot Day Can Change Your Body for Years

Heat stroke can damage the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. As extreme heat becomes more common, doctors are learning just how difficult recovery can be.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

weathersullivan.bsky.social @weathersullivan.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

@bloomberg.com colleagues Emma Court and @zhirji.bsky.social have just turned in a great piece on the long-term impacts of heat stroke. This prompts the question what is this going to mean for all of us as the world keeps getting warmer? #climate #weather www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

One Hot Day Can Change Your Body for Years

Heat stroke can damage the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. As extreme heat becomes more common, doctors are learning just how difficult recovery can be.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Lauren Rosenthal @laurenthal.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

"The effects aren’t always temporary or reversible...in the most severe cases, survivors can be permanently disabled." Upsetting but really important read from the great @zhirji.bsky.social + @emmarcourt.bsky.social >>

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Erika @elevatedmn.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I worked outside for many years. I recall discussing with a crew how all of us in our late 30s or older had suffered heat-related illnesses and all of us felt it had permanently changed our body, even if we hadn’t progressed all the way to heat stroke. It’s very serious.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Rebecca Ochoa had a heat stroke during a high school volleyball tryout. That was 11 years ago. “I am still not the same as before this happened, physically or mentally,” she told @bloomberg.com. New story on the long recovery of heat stroke survivors (gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

One Hot Day Can Change Your Body for Years

Heat stroke can damage the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. As extreme heat becomes more common, doctors are learning just how difficult recovery can be.

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Many people still think of heat stroke as a short-term event: You overheat, then you cool off. But heat stroke survivors told Bloomberg News of physical recoveries that stretched for weeks or months, with health effects in some instances lasting even longer. New: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

One Hot Day Can Change Your Body for Years

Heat stroke can damage the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. As extreme heat becomes more common, doctors are learning just how difficult recovery can be.

Reposted by Zahra Hirji

Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 26/08/2026

Maryland health officials declared a measles outbreak in three counties on Monday after 14 new cases were reported, bringing the total this year to 31. buff.ly/6rTckKP

Maryland measles cases jump tenfold this year with outbreak declared in three counties

Maryland's health department reported 14 new cases of measles in several counties, bringing the annual total to 31 — a striking increase from years past.