Ames Alexander

Charlotte

Investigative Reporter at Floodlight

Investigative reporter @floodlightnews, which examines the forces stalling climate action. Tips, story ideas? 704-999-7092; [email protected]

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Articles

This little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making your city hotter

1 week ago | theitem.com | Ames Alexander

Posted Friday, June 20, 2025 1:29 pm It began with a lobbyist’s pitch. Tennessee Rep. Rusty Grills says a lobbyist proposed a simple idea: repeal the state’s requirement for reflective roofs on many commercial buildings.
This little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making your city hotter

1 week ago | stacker.com | Ames Alexander

Courtesy of the Vinyl Roofing Division of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association It began with a lobbyist’s pitch. Tennessee Rep. Rusty Grills says a lobbyist proposed a simple idea: repeal the state’s requirement for reflective roofs on many commercial buildings. In late March, Grills and his fellow lawmakers voted to eliminate the rule, scrapping a measure meant to save energy, lower temperatures and protect Tennesseans from extreme heat.
This little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making your city hotter

1 week ago | conwaydailysun.com | Ames Alexander

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This little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making your city hotter

1 week ago | caledonianrecord.com | Ames Alexander

kAmxE 3682? H:E9 2 =@33J:DE’D A:E49]k^Am kAm%6??6DD66 #6A] #FDEJ vC:==D D2JD 2 =@33J:DE AC@A@D65 2 D:>A=6 :562i C6A62= E96 DE2E6’D C6BF:C6>6?E 7@C C67=64E:G6 C@@7D @? >2?J 4@>>6C4:2= 3F:=5:?8D]k^AmkAmx? =2E6 |2C49[ vC:==D 2?5 9:D 76==@H =2H>2<6CD G@E65 E@ 6=:>:?2E6 E96 CF=6[ D4C2AA:?8 2 >62DFC6 >62?E E@ D2G6 6?6C8J[ =@H6C E6>A6C2EFC6D 2?5 AC@E64E %6??6DD62?D 7C@> 6IEC6>6 962E]k^AmkAmxE H2D 2?@E96C H:? 7@C 2 H6==\@C82?:K65 =@33J:?8 42>A2:8?
This obscure but powerful “dark roof” lobby may be making your city hotter

2 weeks ago | motherjones.com | Ames Alexander

This story was reported by Floodlight, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action. Tennessee Rep. Rusty Grills says the lobbyist proposed a simple idea: repeal the state’s requirement for reflective roofs on many commercial buildings. In late March, Grills and his fellow lawmakers voted to eliminate the rule, scrapping a measure meant to save energy, lower temperatures, and protect Tennesseans from extreme heat.
This little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making your city hotter

3 weeks ago | wwno.org | Ames Alexander

It began with a lobbyist’s pitch. Tennessee Rep. Rusty Grills says a lobbyist proposed a simple idea: repeal the state’s requirement for reflective roofs on many commercial buildings. In late March, Grills and his fellow lawmakers voted to eliminate the rule, scrapping a measure meant to save energy, lower temperatures and protect Tennesseans from extreme heat. It was another win for a well-organized lobbying campaign led by manufacturers of dark roofing materials.
The Little-known "Dark Roof" Lobby May Be Making Cities Hotter

3 weeks ago | enr.com | Ames Alexander

It began with a lobbyist’s pitch. Tennessee Rep. Rusty Grills says a lobbyist proposed a simple idea: repeal the state’s requirement for reflective roofs on many commercial buildings. In late March, Grills and his fellow lawmakers voted to eliminate the rule, scrapping a measure meant to save energy, lower temperatures and protect Tennesseans from extreme heat. Grills, a Republican, said he introduced the bill to give consumers more choice.
This little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making your city hotter

3 weeks ago | floodlightnews.org | Ames Alexander

It began with a lobbyist’s pitch. Tennessee Rep. Rusty Grills says a lobbyist proposed a simple idea: repeal the state’s requirement for reflective roofs on many commercial buildings. In late March, Grills and his fellow lawmakers voted to eliminate the rule, scrapping a measure meant to save energy, lower temperatures and protect Tennesseans from extreme heat. It was another win for a well-organized lobbying campaign led by manufacturers of dark roofing materials.
Trump’s USDA resurrects one climate grant program, kills another

1 month ago | floodlightnews.org | Ames Alexander

Farmers who were left in limbo after the U.S. Department of Agriculture froze renewable energy grants are finally starting to get paid. At the same time, however, farmers have been hit with the cancellation of another USDA grant program: the $3 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, designed to promote farming and forestry practices to improve soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump’s USDA resurrects one climate grant program, kills another

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Ames Alexander

Farmers who were left in limbo after the U.S. Department of Agriculture froze renewable energy grants are finally starting to get paid. At the same time, however, farmers have been hit with the cancellation of another USDA grant program: the $3 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, designed to promote farming and forestry practices to improve soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.