Environmental News: Media Center
NRDC EXPERTS
Our Expert Finder is a guide to the NRDC's environmental experts and the issues that they cover in their work. To arrange for interviews with or comments from any of our lawyers, scientists and analysts, please contact the appropriate press officer. If you are not a member of the press, please write to us at nrdcinfo@nrdc.org or see our contact page.
BROADCAST JOURNALISTS: Get broadcast-quality video here.
CURRENT PRESS RELEASES
NRDC: Toxic Reform Bill Needs to be Improved to Protect Public from Dangerous Chemicals
WASHINGTON (May 24, 2013) – Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and David Vitter (R-LA) announced this week they have reached a bipartisan agreement on a bill to update the Toxic Substances Control Act, which hasn’t been modernized since it was passed in 1976.
WASHINGTON (May 24, 2013) – Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and David Vitter (R-LA) announced this week they have reached a bipartisan agreement on a bill to update the Toxic Substances Control Act, which hasn’t been modernized since it was passed in 1976.
NRDC: President Retains Responsibility for Keystone XL Tar Sands Decision
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2013) – A majority in the U.S. House today voted for Nebraska GOP Rep. Lee Terry’s legislation, The Northern Route Approval Act,” that seeks to speed up approval for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline by eliminating the need for a presidential permit.
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2013) – A majority in the U.S. House today voted for Nebraska GOP Rep. Lee Terry’s legislation, The Northern Route Approval Act,” that seeks to speed up approval for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline by eliminating the need for a presidential permit.
California Adopts New Recycling Measure for Mercury-laden Thermostats
SAN FRANCISCO (May 22, 2013) – The state of California issued new rules today that will greatly reduce the amount of dangerous mercury sent to landfills and incinerators each year due to the improper disposal of old mercury-laden thermostats. The new rules will require thermostat manufacturers to collect and recycle the vast majority of discarded mercury thermostats in California. Over the next five years, this will keep nearly 2 tons of the toxin out of garbage trucks, landfills and incinerators where the mercury can be released from crushing or burning, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the California Product Stewardship Council, and the California Sierra Club.
SAN FRANCISCO (May 22, 2013) – The state of California issued new rules today that will greatly reduce the amount of dangerous mercury sent to landfills and incinerators each year due to the improper disposal of old mercury-laden thermostats. The new rules will require thermostat manufacturers to collect and recycle the vast majority of discarded mercury thermostats in California. Over the next five years, this will keep nearly 2 tons of the toxin out of garbage trucks, landfills and incinerators where the mercury can be released from crushing or burning, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the California Product Stewardship Council, and the California Sierra Club.
Rejected Toll Road Again Threatens Popular Southern California State Park
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 22, 2013) – The first five-mile segment of a planned 16-mile toll road through south Orange County and northern San Diego County fails to account for a range of ecological and economic impacts, according to a new lawsuit filed by the Save San Onofre coalition today. The suit asserts that the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA)’s approval of the flawed toll road project is in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for not meeting basic environmental review.
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 22, 2013) – The first five-mile segment of a planned 16-mile toll road through south Orange County and northern San Diego County fails to account for a range of ecological and economic impacts, according to a new lawsuit filed by the Save San Onofre coalition today. The suit asserts that the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA)’s approval of the flawed toll road project is in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for not meeting basic environmental review.
Administration Releases New Draft Rules for Fracking on Public Lands
WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – New draft rules for fracking on public lands, released by the federal Bureau of Land Management today, would leave drinking water supplies for millions of Americans, as well as millions of acres of wild lands, at risk, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Ernest Moniz Confirmed As Department of Energy Secretary
WASHINGTON – (May 16, 2013) – The Senate today confirmed Ernest Moniz as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Following is a statement from Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke:
“Ernest Moniz comes with a strong background in energy policy and science and a proven ability to work with the diverse constituencies served by the Department of Energy.
WASHINGTON – (May 16, 2013) – The Senate today confirmed Ernest Moniz as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Following is a statement from Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke:
“Ernest Moniz comes with a strong background in energy policy and science and a proven ability to work with the diverse constituencies served by the Department of Energy.
NRDC: Gina McCarthy Deserves Full Senate Endorsement to Protect Our Health and Environment
WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today approved the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sending her nomination for consideration to the full Senate.
WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today approved the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sending her nomination for consideration to the full Senate.
NRDC’s Karen Garrison to Receive Highest Award for Ocean Conservation
SAN FRANCISCO (May 15, 2013) – Karen Garrison, oceans champion and co-director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Ocean Program, will be recognized today as a 2013 “Hero of the Seas” by the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Awards. Presented by Blue Frontier Campaign, the award, which is named for Jaws author and long-time shark advocate Peter Benchley, is dedicated to recognizing excellence in ocean conservation solutions in the areas of science, policy, media, youth, and citizen activism.
SAN FRANCISCO (May 15, 2013) – Karen Garrison, oceans champion and co-director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Ocean Program, will be recognized today as a 2013 “Hero of the Seas” by the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Awards. Presented by Blue Frontier Campaign, the award, which is named for Jaws author and long-time shark advocate Peter Benchley, is dedicated to recognizing excellence in ocean conservation solutions in the areas of science, policy, media, youth, and citizen activism.
NRDC Report: Federal Government Spent More Taxpayer Money on 2012 Extreme Weather Cleanup than on Schools or Roads
WASHINGTON (May 14, 2013) – U.S. taxpayers paid nearly $100 billion responding to damages caused by last year’s extreme weather events associated with climate change, about $1,100 per taxpayer, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council released today.
By paying nearly $100 billion, taxpayers—through the federal government—spent more on climate change cleanup than on education or transportation, the analysis shows.
WASHINGTON (May 14, 2013) – U.S. taxpayers paid nearly $100 billion responding to damages caused by last year’s extreme weather events associated with climate change, about $1,100 per taxpayer, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council released today.
By paying nearly $100 billion, taxpayers—through the federal government—spent more on climate change cleanup than on education or transportation, the analysis shows.
Bay Delta Salmon Population Just One-Fifth its Target Size
SAN FRANCISCO (May 13, 2013) – As California’s prized Central Valley Chinook salmon are arriving in markets and restaurants this week, a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Golden Gate Salmon Association reveals that the salmon fishery is limping along at only 20 percent of the population goal required by state and federal law. The Central Valley Project Improvement Act, passed by Congress in 1992, set a goal of rebuilding salmon runs to almost a million adult fish by 2002. More than a decade past the law’s deadline, the salmon fishery continues to struggle due, in large part, to excessive pumping of fresh water from the Bay-Delta that deprives salmon of the cold, flowing rivers and healthy habitat they need to thrive.
See all press releases »
SAN FRANCISCO (May 13, 2013) – As California’s prized Central Valley Chinook salmon are arriving in markets and restaurants this week, a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Golden Gate Salmon Association reveals that the salmon fishery is limping along at only 20 percent of the population goal required by state and federal law. The Central Valley Project Improvement Act, passed by Congress in 1992, set a goal of rebuilding salmon runs to almost a million adult fish by 2002. More than a decade past the law’s deadline, the salmon fishery continues to struggle due, in large part, to excessive pumping of fresh water from the Bay-Delta that deprives salmon of the cold, flowing rivers and healthy habitat they need to thrive.
Sign up for NRDC's online newsletter
NRDC Gets Top Ratings from the Charity Watchdogs
- Charity Navigator awards NRDC its 4-star top rating.
- Worth magazine named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities.
- NRDC meets the highest standards of the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau.
