Category: Energy Policy

Energy PolicyHigher Education

Why U.S. Colleges Are Rejecting Trump’s Higher Education Compact: Academic Freedom vs. Federal Control

When the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” was released in October 2025, federal officials called it a voluntary partnership to restore merit and accountability. But university presidents, alumni organizers, and civil rights advocates see it as a dangerous power grab that could undermine academic freedom and institutional independence nationwide.

When the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” was released on October 1, 2025, federal officials described it as a voluntary partnership designed to restore accountability, merit, and transparency to American higher education. However, the academic community’s response has been anything but welcoming, with leading institutions and alumni networks mobilizing against what they perceive as federal overreach threatening core academic values.

The Core Conflict: Voluntary Partnership or Coercive Control?

by Sarah Collins
Energy PolicyManufacturing

Manufacturing Day 2025: Why Skilled Workforce Development Must Be America’s Top Priority

As Manufacturing Day 2025 approaches, America faces a critical skills gap threatening manufacturing competitiveness. With 3.8 million jobs needing filling and potential reshoring increasing demand, technical education and apprenticeship programs offer viable solutions. This comprehensive analysis explores how certificate training, changing perceptions, and collaborative efforts can build the skilled workforce manufacturers desperately need.

As we approach Manufacturing Day 2025, the United States stands at a critical crossroads in addressing its manufacturing workforce challenges. The widening skills gap threatens to erode U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and undermine economic growth at a time when global competition intensifies. While certificate and license training programs demonstrate clear economic returns, most government funding continues flowing toward traditional college education rather than technical training pathways.

The Growing Manufacturing Skills Crisis

by Natalie Brooks
Assistive TechnologyEnergy Policy

California Enacts New Internet Age-Gating Law for Devices and App Stores

California has enacted a groundbreaking internet age-gating law that mandates age verification for device operating systems and app stores. The law requires users to enter their age when setting up new devices, with significant penalties for non-compliance. Companies have until 2027 to implement these new digital safety measures.

California’s New Digital Age Verification Requirements

California has enacted a comprehensive internet age-gating law that fundamentally changes how operating system providers and app store platforms handle user registration. The legislation mandates that device manufacturers and software distributors require age verification during initial device setup, creating a new layer of digital protection for minors.

by Darren Holt