NRDC Hires New Staff and Makes Personnel Moves to Advance Top Legislative Priorities
WASHINGTON (November 6, 2009) – The Natural Resources Defense Council today announced several staffing moves to bolster its legislative team.

Senate Committee Passes Clean Energy and Climate Bill to Strengthen Economy and Reduce Pollution
WASHINGTON (November 5, 2009) – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today passed the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, S. 1733, a historic action that will help strengthen the economy, increase America's security and reduce carbon pollution.

Historic Water Reform Package Passes California Legislature
SACRAMENTO, CA (November 4, 2009) – Early this morning, the California Legislature passed three landmark bills that reform California water policy.
Following is a statement by Barry Nelson, Senior Policy Analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council:
“The water package approved today increases environmental protections in the Bay-Delta estuary, improves statewide water use efficiency, and requires California to begin monitoring groundwater – all key to ensure Californians are able to meet future water needs.  This is the most important state water reform legislation in a quarter-century.

National Outdoor Lighting Improvements Would Save $5.1 Billion Annually
WASHINGTON (November 3, 2009) -- A breakthrough agreement between electrical manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, will create the first national standards for street lights, parking lot lights and other outdoor lighting. The standard will save electricity and money for consumers, taxpayers and local governments.

EPA to Issue Strict Rules for U.S. Power Plant Air Toxics
Washington, DC (October 23, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to adopt rules reducing toxic air pollution from the nation’s coal- and oil-burning power plants by November 2011, according to a settlement agreement reached in a federal lawsuit brought against the Agency by a coalition of public health and environmental groups. The settlement has been lodged in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Following is a Statement by Daniel Lashof, Ph.D., director of NRDC's Climate Center on the Science Magazine article "Fixing a Critical Climate Accounting Error"
“This article, by prominent ecologists and climate scientists, underscores the need to measure the environmental benefits and costs of bioenergy in a complete and scientifically valid way. We need to promote bioenergy that helps us fight global warming rather than costs us forests. Global warming is too serious of a problem for us to use incomplete balance sheets.”  

Polar Bear to Receive Habitat Protection
Washington D.C. (October 22, 2009) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to designate over 200,000 square miles of coastal lands and waters along the north coast of Alaska as “critical habitat” for the polar bear. This proposal is a response to a partial settlement in a lawsuit brought by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Greenpeace.

Dept. of Interior Launches Investigation into Oil Shale Leases
Washington D.C. (Oct 20, 2009) – The Department of the Interior announced today it is calling on the Inspector General to conduct an investigation into an unprecedented deal on oil shale research, development and demonstration (RD&D) leases for a select few companies during the final days of the Bush administration. The Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, and Western Resource Advocates are encouraged by this announcement that should improve the process and accountability of decisions on land leases.

California Adopts Flawed Mileage-Based Auto Insurance Regulations
SACRAMENTO, CA (October 19, 2009) –The Natural Resources Defense Council today said that new California “Pay As You Drive” insurance regulations will not likely save Californians money nor significantly reduce global warming pollution. The final regulations, which merely permit insurance companies to verify the miles their customers drive, can be found here.

California to Set Drinking Water Level for Dangerous Chemical Hex Chrome
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Oct 18, 2009) – Hexavalent chromium (hex chrome), the notorious cancer-causing chemical made famous in the film Erin Brockovich, contaminates drinking water in over 500 California communities, according to environmental and public health experts. The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) held a hearing today to take public comment on a proposed level for hex chrome in drinking water.