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India’s Green Path to Growth Addressing Climate Change and Building a Low-Carbon Economy: Fact Sheet; As the fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, India's contributions to global warming are already significant. And with the second-fastest growing economy and a middle class projected to grow from 50 million to 500 million in the next few decades, those emissions could skyrocket. Given India's geography and climate it is especially vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. With a vast coastland that will be hit hard by a rise in sea level and seasonal weather patterns that could be severely affected, the potential for flooding and drought could create millions of eco-refugees. Striking the balance between meeting the aspirations of its poor majority and reducing global warming pollution is a significant challenge. Fortunately, India has chosen a green path to growth that treats the transition to a low-carbon economy as its biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century. Get document in pdf.
A Clean Energy Economy for Arkansas Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources: Issue Paper; To secure its economic future, Arkansas has the opportunity to build a strong long-term economy on the solid foundation of its bountiful renewable resources. The state's vast areas of productive farmland, ample water, windy heights and favorable climate combine to give Arkansas the potential to become a national leader in producing the clean energy that America needs.
A Clean Energy Bargain More Jobs, Less Global Warming Pollution, and Greater Security for Less Than the Cost of a Postage Stamp a Day: Issue Paper; The United States took an important step toward economic recovery, environmental protection, and energy security when the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). This sound climate and clean energy legislation will protect the planet for less than the cost of a postage stamp a day per household, and represents a great investment in America's future — now it's up to the Senate to turn this bill into a law.
Appalachian Heartbreak: Time to End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining: Issue Paper; Coal is America's dirtiest energy source -- and the country's leading source of global warming pollution. Pollution from coal plants produces dirty air, acid rain, and contaminated land and water. Nowhere is the debate over how far we are willing to go for inexpensive energy more contentious than in the coalfields of Appalachia. It is there -- between the hollows of West Virginia, beyond the bluegrass of Kentucky, bordering the Blue Ridge of Virginia, and above the smoky vistas of Tennessee -- where mining companies are blowing up America's oldest mountains to get the coal beneath the peaks. Mountaintop removal mining, or MTR, is scarring the landscape and threatening communities throughout Appalachia.
Identifying Near-Term Opportunities for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in China: Issue Paper; Achieving the urgently needed emission reductions necessary to avoid the worst consequences of global warming will require efforts beyond first-resort measures such as energy efficiency, conservation, and enhancement of natural carbon sinks. Given the world's current heavy reliance on fossil fuels, nations must pursue a wide range of carbon mitigation strategies that includes Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS). China is well-positioned to be a global leader in the development and deployment of CCS technologies that — with broad support and engagement from the international community — can be an important tool for reducing carbon emissions as the world transitions to truly clean energy technologies.
A Clean Energy Economy for Indiana Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources: Report; Indiana's advanced network of rail lines, interstate highways, and waterways has made it "The Crossroads of America." But the global economic downturn has hit Indiana hard, causing the loss of almost 200,000 jobs since the beginning of 2008. Facing an unprecedented set of economic challenges, Indiana stands at a new crossroads and is poised for healthy growth if it can take advantage of the enormous potential for development of its exceptional renewable resources.
Cultivating Clean Energy The Promise of Algae Biofuels: Issue Paper; Algae-derived gasoline, diesel and jet fuel sound like the imaginings of science fiction, but a growing number of entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and policy makers are working to develop the technologies needed to provide large quantities of biofuels with potentially minimal environmental impacts. This NRDC report takes the big picture view by creating a framework for understanding the environmental challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this nascent industry.
Protecting New Yorkers’ Health and the Environment by Regulating Drilling in the Marcellus Shale: Fact Sheet; With rising energy costs and fears of more volatility in the future, the natural gas industry is now searching for additional fuel sources. One such source is the natural gas-rich Marcellus Shale, an ancient rock formation that spans 600 miles and four states, including New York. While there may be benefits to drilling this large natural gas reserve, doing so without the proper monitoring and regulation by state and local officials will present a number of serious threats to human health and the environment in New York State. NRDC is therefore working with leaders across the state to ensure that if drilling in the Marcellus Shale occurs in New York, it will be done responsibly and only in appropriate areas. This fact sheet includes recommendations for action you can take to help ensure that gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale does not proceed in New York without full protections for New Yorkers’ health and the environment.
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Rising Tide of Illness: How Global Warming Could Increase the Threat of Waterborne Diseases: Fact Sheet; Although there is little public discussion of the problem, disease outbreaks caused by contaminated water occur regularly. Researchers estimate that, including unreported cases, between 4 and 33 million waterborne gastrointestinal illnesses occur each year in the United States. Global warming is projected to increase the risk of more frequent and more widespread outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, due to higher temperatures and more severe weather events. To help prevent increased occurrence of water-related illnesses, the CDC should improve surveillance of waterborne disease outbreaks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should improve water quality regulations, and Congress should act to limit emissions of global warming pollutants. We need to act now to protect public health today while preparing for the impacts of climate change.
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Seizing a Watershed Opportunity in the Chesapeake Bay NRDC’s Plan to Clean Up the Chesapeake Bay and Its Beaches: Issue Paper; As the largest estuary in the United States -- and the third largest estuary in the world -- the Chesapeake Bay is home to a wide range of wildlife and is an important resource for the millions of people who live, play, and work in the region. On the heels of reports from seven federal agencies commissioned by President Obama to clean up this national treasure, this issue paper delves into the sources of pollution that are undermining the health of the Bay and provides recommendations for mitigating them. From dangerous algal blooms, to harmful bacteria at our beaches, plastic bags clogging tributaries and economic hardships for the crabbing industry, the Chesapeake watershed and those who rely on it are in need of help. By acting on our recommendations, Congress can bolster the work being carried out by other branches of government and make a lasting difference in improving the health of the nation's largest estuary.
Moving Cooler Securing America's Energy Future: Fact Sheet; America currently uses nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day--enough to fill more than six of the world’s largest supertankers. More than two-thirds of this oil is used to fuel our cars and trucks, which drive enough miles each day to circle the globe more than 331,000 times. Meeting this demand for oil makes America less secure. We rely on imports for more than 60 percent of our overall oil consumption, leaving us dangerously dependent on other nations. Meanwhile, our oil-fueled transportation system accounts for nearly a third of our total global warming pollution. Technology advancements such as hybrid vehicles and better batteries can decrease our oil use and transportation emissions, but groundbreaking new research sponsored by NRDC and leading transportation experts shows that we must deploy additional strategies to overcome this challenge. Get document in pdf.
Addressing Ocean Impacts in New Climate Legislation: Legislative Analysis; Our oceans face a variety of threats, including pollution, poorly planned coastal development, habitat degradation, invasive species, and unsustainable fishing levels and practices. These stresses have resulted in depleted populations of many forms of marine life, degraded habitats, altered ecosystem structure and function, and significantly diminished ability of our coastal and ocean ecosystems and resources to recover from disturbance. We must incorporate measures for protecting our oceans from the impacts of global warming into new climate legislation. Get document in pdf.
Boosting Energy Efficiency Nationwide Through Measurement and Performance-Based Rewards: Fact Sheet; Energy efficiency is the most cost effective means for reducing global warming pollution. According to McKinsey and Company, the energy bill savings from efficiency investments could roughly offset the cost of implementing a mandatory carbon cap. And many of these investments already make sense economically: McKinsey estimates that a $50 billion per year investment could result in $1.2 trillion in energy bill savings by 2020 while reducing end-use energy consumption by about 23 percent of projected demand. In addition to saving Americans money on their utility bills, investments in energy efficiency would put downward pressure on electricity, natural gas, and carbon allowance prices (when a carbon cap has been established), while creating 600,000 to 900,000 new jobs. Establishing a reliable measurement for energy efficiency performance and rewarding success in improving performance will help America reach its full energy-saving potential. Get document in pdf.
Protecting Our Ocean and Coastal Economies Avoid Unnecessary Risks from Offshore Drilling: Fact Sheet; Healthy oceans are critically important to marine life and to coastal communities whose economies rely on tourism and fishing. Opening up new offshore areas to drilling risks permanent damage to our oceans and beaches without reducing our dependence on oil. When oil spills occur they can bring catastrophic harm to marine life and devastating losses for local businesses. And even routine exploration and drilling activities bring harm to many marine species. The Administration and Congress must work together to assess the environmental impacts of offshore drilling before making key decisions about offshore oil and gas activities in new areas or Alaska. Get document in pdf.
Atrazine: Poisoning the Well How the EPA is Ignoring Atrazine Contamination in the Central United States: Report; In a new report, NRDC brings together for the first time the results of surface water and drinking water monitoring required by the U.S. EPA to create a more comprehensive analysis of atrazine pollution across the Midwestern and Southern United States. We found that the U.S. EPA's inadequate monitoring systems and weak regulations have compounded the problem, allowing levels of atrazine in watersheds and drinking water to peak at extremely high concentrations.
Ocean Acidification Fact Sheet The Other CO2 Problem: Fact Sheet; Ocean acidification is the quiet tsunami of environmental degradation. Within a few decades, ocean acidification may devastate some marine ecosystems and threaten the productivity of our fisheries. When we burn oil, coal, or gas, scientists have recently shown, we are transforming the fundamental chemistry of the oceans, rapidly making the water more acidic. Get document in pdf.
DOs and DON’Ts for Creating Carbon Price Safeguards: Legislative Analysis; As the Senate takes up energy and climate legislation, many are considering the best approach to meet a strong cap on carbon emissions while assuring that carbon allowance prices remain reasonable and that market abuses are prevented. The core tools we need are a means to provide additional allowances to the market without breaking the law’s emissions cap, and a robust set of market regulation safeguards against market abuse. With these tools, Congress can deter price manipulation and place effective limits on prices without compromising the law’s vital climate protection objectives.
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Fighting Oil Addiction Ranking States' Oil Vulnerability and Solutions for Change: Issue Paper; To curb America's perilous addiction to oil, we need effective government policies that will increase the availability of efficient vehicles and clean fuels and that will promote smart growth and public transit. This paper updates NRDC’s 2007 and 2008 research identifying the states that are most vulnerable to spikes in oil prices—and those states that are doing the most to break their addiction to oil.
Water Saving Solutions Stopping Pollution at its Source with Low Impact Development: Fact Sheet; America's urban landscape is affecting our cities' water supply and water quality. Runoff from urban areas is a leading cause of water pollution in the United States, and in many areas people are using water faster than it can be replenished. More than 100 million acres of land have been developed in the United States, and with development and sprawl increasing faster than population growth, the risks to water supply and quality are growing. Low impact development, or LID, is a simple and cost-effective green development strategy that can help cities, states, and even individuals meet the water supply challenge, clean up our existing water resources, and, in many places in the West, curb global warming pollution by reducing the amount of electricity used to supply water. Get document in pdf.
A Clear Blue Future How Greening California Cities Can Address Water Resources and Climate Challenges in the 21st Century: Issue Paper; This NRDC and UCSB analysis shows that implementing low impact development, or LID, practices at new and redeveloped residential and commercial properties in parts of California can increase water supplies by billions of gallons each year, providing an effective and much-needed way to mitigate global warming’s impact on California.
Keep Our Beaches Clean Prevent the Beachwater Pollution That Makes Swimmers Sick: Fact Sheet; Beach vacations are an annual summer event for many families. But beachgoers at polluted beaches around the country may bring back an unwanted souvenir from their trip: ear infections, stomach flu, skin rashes, and other illnesses that are caused by polluted beachwater. To help keep our beaches clean, NRDC supports improved beachwater testing to detect the pathogens that can cause health problems in swimmers. Bills now pending in Congress would provide funding for much-needed beach cleanup efforts and help ensure that the public is notified promptly when beaches are unsafe for swimming. These bills will help make sure that our beaches are safe for swimming every day.
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From Crisis to Opportunity How China is addressing climate change and positioning itself to be a leader in clean energy: Fact Sheet; China and the United States are the world’s largest emitters of global warming pollution. As both nations face ever-growing energy service needs and an increasing dependence on foreign oil, their joint leadership is crucial to addressing global climate change and moving the world to a clean energy economy. With global warming already taking a toll on China’s agricultural production, water supplies, and coastal cities, a major shift in energy patterns is urgently needed. The country is already moving to take advantage of its manufacturing prowess to retool itself as a leader in the clean energy technologies of the future: wind and solar; advanced coal technology; electric vehicles, advanced batteries, and high-speed rail; smart grid technology; and more energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Get document in pdf.
Testing the Waters 2009 A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches: Report; NRDC's annual survey of water quality and public notification at U.S. beaches finds that pollution caused the number of beach closings and advisories to hit their fourth-highest level in the 19-year history of the report. The number of 2008 closing and advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches topped 20,000 for the fourth consecutive year, confirming that our nation's beaches continue to suffer from serious water pollution that puts swimmers at risk. The 2009 survey is based on information reported for 2008.
Scaling Up Investment in Energy Efficiency with a Federal Energy Efficiency Financing Facility (FEEFF): Fact Sheet; Despite the numerous benefits that stem from increasing energy efficiency and distributing clean power generation technologies in the buildings sector, current levels of investment fall far short of what is achievable and necessary. In today’s economic climate, many worthwhile projects are simply unable to obtain the financing they need and it is unclear whether existing government programs such as loan guarantees will be sufficient to overcome this shortfall. Creating a complementary Federal Energy Efficiency Financing Facility (FEEFF) to support investment in efficiency projects would provide access to much-needed capital and help move our nation toward a clean energy economy. Get document in pdf.
Moving America toward a Clean Energy Economy and Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Legislative Tools: Testimony; Testimony of David G. Hawkins, Director of Climate Programs, NRDC, before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing on Moving America toward a Clean Energy Economy and Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Legislative Tools, July 7, 2009. Get document in pdf.
Fever Pitch Mosquito-Borne Dengue Fever Threat Spreading in the Americas: Issue Paper; Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that may worsen with global warming. Dengue has increased over the past several decades, probably because of urbanization and population growth, rapid international travel and trade, and widespread poverty. By 2085, an estimated 5.2 billion people are projected to be at risk for dengue because of climate change–induced increases in temperature and humidity. This July 2009 NRDC issue paper finds that two types of mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue fever can now be found across at least 28 states. As temperatures rise, the potential for transmission of this dangerous disease may increase in vulnerable parts of the United States.
Efficiency Can Lower Natural Gas Prices Faster and Cheaper than Drilling: Fact Sheet; Efficient use of natural gas -- the cleanest-burning of all fossil fuels -- can result in substantially lower emissions of global warming pollution than many alternatives. But this doesn’t mean we need to drill more natural gas in wild places. Investments in natural gas efficiency cost less than drilling and happen faster than increasing supplies -- lowering bills for the average consumer right away. Get document in pdf.
A Clean Energy Economy for Missouri Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources: Issue Paper; Within Missouri's borders, dispersed across the state, are vast resources of wind, land, and water—all the ingredients needed for Missouri to become a national leader in new energy development, creating tens of thousands of good jobs and substantial new sources of income for farmers. This June 2009 issue paper examines the potential for renewable energy resource development in Missouri and its benefits to rural communities.
Communities Tackle Global Warming A Guide to California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375): Issue Paper; California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, or SB 375, is the nation's first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with global warming. SB 375 is an important step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous California. Locating housing closer to jobs and transportation choices and creating walkable communities can reduce commute times and cut millions of tons of global warming pollution, while improving quality of life.
Global Solutions to Global Warming Recommendations for Leaders and Policy Makers in the United States and China: Issue Paper; Two nations play a vital role in efforts to curb global warming and secure the world’s energy supply: The United States of America and the People's Republic of China. Together, they account for more than 40 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use, more than 35 percent of the world's energy consumption, and more than 30 percent of the world's economic output, making their involvement in addressing the global warming crisis critical. As both nations suffer through tough economic times and commit to extraordinary economic stimulus packages, we are presented with an excellent opportunity to turn promises into real action. In this June 2009 issue paper, NRDC recommends nine key steps for the Obama administration, the U.S. Congress, and leaders in China to strengthen U.S.–China climate change and energy engagement at this unique time.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) Legislation to build the clean energy future: Index of Fact Sheets; The American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, has the major ingredients to generate millions of jobs, break our dependence on oil and reduce the pollution that causes global warming. Comprehensive energy and climate legislation will create the incentives necessary to build the clean energy economy and help make America a leader for the 21st century.
Reducing Pollution Outside of the Carbon Cap: The Role of Offsets and Complementary Policies: Fact Sheet; Reducing overall domestic emissions at least 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and at least 80 percent by 2050 will require emissions reductions not only from large stationary sources of global warming pollution such as power plants, industrial
facilities, and fuel refineries, but also from those sources that are individually too small or dispersed to include under the cap, such as agricultural emissions from the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Similarly, there are means for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2)—that is, absorbing it out of the atmosphere and storing it safely—in carbon “sinks” such as soils and forests that are difficult to account for under a cap. The United States must adopt alternative mechanisms such as mandatory policies, incentives, and domestic and international offsets to drive emissions reductions and carbon sequestration in these “uncapped sectors” both domestically and abroad. Get document in pdf.
Effective and Practical Disclosure Policies NRDC Paper on Workshop to Identify Key Elements of Disclosure Policies for Health Science Journals: Issue Paper; Among the editors and staff of environmental and occupational health sciences journals, there is a recognized need for disclosure policies that are simple, clear, and effective. The goal of such policies is to provide sufficient information about any existing competing interests so that readers may exercise judgment about the objectiveness of the information. This June 2009 paper outlines NRDC's recommendations for effective and practical disclosure policies. Get document in pdf.
Making Every Drop Work Increasing Water Efficiency in California’s Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) Sector: Issue Paper; Reliable and adequate access to water is critical for businesses and their surrounding communities. Across the nation, water shortages are triggering growing concern and an acceleration of efforts to increase water use efficiency. Adopting water-efficient technologies and practices that reduce consumption holds great potential for commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) water users. In this May 2009 issue paper, NRDC recommends a number of available and cost-effective measures that can help stretch limited water supplies, save businesses money, reduce energy consumption, improve water quality, and protect local, regional, and statewide ecosystems.
Checklist for Cars Today's 'To Do' List to Put America on the Road to Clean Transportation: Fact Sheet; America’s commuters just have to look at the morning gridlock to see that our nation’s transportation infrastructure is no longer working. Clogged roads, smog-filled air, and transportation restrictions that fuel our oil dependence and contribute about one-third of our global warming pollution are all indicators that we need to move beyond our outdated approaches to getting around. Cutting-edge solutions available today will make transportation easier, cheaper, and cleaner. NRDC has developed a three-part checklist for adopting smart transportation policies that can carry us into a clean energy future. Get document in pdf.
The Time Has Come for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act: Legislative Analysis; The U.S. law to control toxic chemicals is a failure. Essentially unchanged since 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has made it almost impossible for the EPA to get information on the health or environmental risks of industrial chemicals, or to restrict the use of dangerous substances. Chemical companies are rarely required to test the toxicity of their products, are allowed to shield critical information from the public, and are able to sell even dangerous products under an “innocent until proven guilty” approach to regulation. As a result, the TSCA has been ineffective -- regardless of the administration in power. However, recent developments have created tremendous opportunity for chemical policy reform.
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Eat Green Our everyday food choices affect global warming and the environment: Fact Sheet; What we eat matters. The food choices we make every day have a big effect on the environment. The good news is that even small changes in what we buy and eat can add up to real environmental benefits, including fewer toxic chemicals, reduced global warming emissions, and preservation of our ocean resources. Eating “green” can also mean eating fresher, healthier foods while reducing your grocery bill and supporting our farmers. Get document in pdf.
America’s Underwater Parks The Marine Life Protection Act Safeguards Our Special Undersea Places: Fact Sheet; NRDC is supporting the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) to ensure that California has a system of marine protected areas along its coast to help the rich web of ocean life thrive. Get document in pdf.
Congress Must Protect Our Communities and Natural Resources from the Worst Impacts of Global Warming: Fact Sheet; We must prepare for--and prevent against--the worst impacts of global warming by acting now to protect our communities and natural systems. Fortunately, Congress is on the brink of considering legislation that can guard our natural resources and our health against global warming pollution. NRDC has developed a set of recommendations that can help policy makers put the best systems in place to protect our communities and natural resources. Get document in pdf.
Protecting Wolves in the American West Removing Endangered Species Act protections threatens the survival of Northern Rocky Mountain wolves.: Fact Sheet; To many Americans, wolves represent wild nature that has been lost in many parts of the country. These magnificent animals are once again at risk. The Bush Administration's proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protections -- to "delist" wolves -- threatens to return Northern Rocky Mountain wolves to the brink of extinction by allowing states to kill more than 60 percent of the current wolf population. NRDC recommends action at both the state and federal levels to maintain the long-term health of wolves in the Northern Rockies. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of NRDC on the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" Presented before the U.S. House of Representatives, April 2009: Index; Testimony of NRDC president Frances Beinecke, David G. Hawkins and David Doniger before the U.S. House of Representatives on the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009"
Picking a Clean Energy Plan NRDC's Plug-In Alternative is More Efficient than the Pickens Plan: Fact Sheet; From oil price volatility to global warming and national security concerns, it is clear that our current reliance on oil is unsustainable. Even oil industry veteran T. Boone Pickens has proposed a plan (the “Pickens Plan”) to rapidly reduce oil dependency by increasing wind power and using natural gas to power vehicles. NRDC agrees with the urgency behind the Pickens Plan and supports the broad expansion of clean, renewable electricity. But the Pickens Plan does not contemplate the full range of options. We believe that pursuing the best outcome rather than preselected technologies will reveal more effective ways to put our natural gas resources to work. As one example, we examine here an alternative proposal, “The Plug-in Alternative,” that would get the most mileage out of our renewable and clean-burning energy sources while sharply reducing our dependence on dirtier sources like oil and coal. Get document in pdf.
Poison on Pets II Toxic Chemicals in Flea and Tick Collars: Issue Paper; Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on products designed to kill fleas and ticks on household pets, especially dogs and cats. While some of these products are safe, others leave harmful chemical residues on our pets' fur and in our homes. These chemicals are highly hazardous to animals and humans, can damage the brain and nervous system, and cause cancer. The April 2009 paper Poison on Pets II details a first-of-its-kind study by NRDC showing that high levels of pesticide residue can remain on a dog's or cat's fur for weeks after a flea collar is put on an animal. Residue levels produced by some flea collars are so high that they pose a risk of cancer and damage to the neurological system of children up to 1,000 times higher than the EPA's acceptable levels.
Building a sustainable biomass industry in California without sacrificing our unique natural heritage Sustainable biofuels can be a boon to our economy and our environment: Fact Sheet; Renewable energy such as biofuels—specifically biomass that is sustainably harvested—can be a boon for our economy and our environment. But biofuels done wrong can actually destroy ecosystems and increase global warming pollution, so it is critically important that all biofuels production include necessary environmental safeguards. California is in a position to get biofuels right with the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), which would require oil companies to reduce the global warming pollution footprint of the vehicle fuels they sell. A groundbreaking new study commissioned by NRDC shows that California can ramp up biofuels production to meet the goals of the LCFS without sacrificing our most sensitive lands. Get document in pdf.
Comments to the Mineral Management Service regarding Seismic Activity: Comments; In March 2009, NRDC submitted comments to MMS regarding the environmental effects of multiple geological and geophysical exploration activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. A Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for these seismic activities is required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and sets forth several recommendations to MMS for consideration in the PEIS. Get document in pdf.
Testimony Concerning Efforts to Address Urban Stormwater Runoff: Testimony; Testimony of Nancy Stoner, co-director of NRDC's Water Program, before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on the barriers to full, effective implementation of green infrastructure as an integral part of water and wastewater resources management in communities across the country, March 19, 2009. Get document in pdf.
Cap 2.0: Policy Solutions for Curbing Global Warming and Building the Clean Energy Economy: Fact Sheet; The current economic crisis presents enormous challenges for American workers and virtually every sector of our economy. The crisis, however, also provides a tremendous opportunity to address the threat of global warming in a way that ensures long-term environmental and economic sustainability. In the next 20 years, the United States will invest more than $3 trillion in our energy infrastructure -- electric power plants, fuel refineries, and transmission and transportation infrastructure -- and trillions more on reducing the energy consumption of buildings, appliances, and vehicles. If we follow the Cap 2.0 policy recommendations, we can avert the growing climate crisis by reducing emissions of global warming pollution and redirect our resources toward cleaner and energy-efficient technologies that will strengthen our position in the global economy, create millions of quality jobs, and bolster our national security by cutting our reliance on fossil fuels. Get document in pdf.
AB 32 and You How California’s Global Warming Solutions Act Delivers Smart Solutions to Californians: Fact Sheet; California is leading the country in its effort to curb global warming with the implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). In December 2008, the California Air Resources Board unanimously adopted the state's plan outlining steps to a cleaner and more prosperous future. This visionary plan, the most comprehensive of its kind, will recharge California's economy, improve public health and air quality, help Californians use energy more efficiently, and make the state the hub of clean energy technology development—all while curbing global warming. Get document in pdf.
Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act (CLEAN-TEA) H.R. 1329 can reduce emissions from transportation: Legislative Analysis; The transportation sector is the second-largest and fastest-growing contributor to global warming pollution in the United States, in large part due to steadily rising number of miles that cars and trucks travel each year. Despite some stagnation in the last year because of the economy, driving—or the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rate—has grown by three times the rate of population growth over the past 15 years and is expected to grow by 40 percent by 2030, largely because we’ve designed the vast majority of our communities in ways that give people no other option but to drive everywhere. While there has been a federal focus on increasing fuel economy of vehicles and decreasing carbon content in fuels, these strategies alone will not be enough to slow and reverse overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. The number of miles that vehicles travel is the critical, but often forgotten, “third leg” of the transportation stool. Get document in pdf.
Comments on which children's products are subject to the requirements of CPSIA Section 108: Testimony; Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, submitted these comments on which children's products are subject to the requirements of Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), Section 108 to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on March 25, 2009. Get document in pdf.
Comments on which children's products are subject to the requirements of CPSIA Section 108, Phthalates in Children’s Products: Testimony; Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, submitted these comments on which children's products are subject to the requirements of Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), Section 108 to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on January 12, 2009. NRDC's comments pertain to the last two sections of CPSC's request for information: a. Toxicity of Phthalates and Phthalate Alternatives and b. Exposure to Phthalates and Phthalate Alternatives. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of Daniel A. Lashof on Addressing Price Volatility in Climate Change Legislation Before the Committee on Ways and Means, United States House of Representatives, March 26, 2009: Testimony; While modest allowance price fluctuations are expected and can be beneficial, excessive volatility driven by unnecessary market uncertainty or market manipulation is problematic and should be avoided. This can be accomplished by including the following features in climate legislation: A comprehensive cap covering the broadest feasible set of emission sources; Banking of emission allowances; Effective carbon market regulation; Ample access to high quality offsets; Robust complementary measures to promote energy efficiency, cleaner transportation options, and energy supply technology transformation; An allowance price floor established through a reserve price in the primary allowance auction; A strategic offset and allowance reserve made available at a trigger price set to avoid undue economic harm. Get document in pdf.
Water Efficiency Saves Energy Reducing Global Warming Through Water Use Strategies: Fact Sheet; The collection, distribution, and treatment of drinking water and wastewater nationwide consume tremendous amounts of energy and release approximately 116 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year--as much global warming pollution each year as 10 million cars. The energywater connection is particularly strong in the driest regions of the United States, such as the Southwest, where significant amounts of energy are used to import water. Solutions exist to cut both water and energy use. Through water efficiency measures, we can help to protect dry areas from drought, lower consumers’ utility bills, and reduce global warming pollution. Get document in pdf.
Limit to Producing "Cheap" Coal Makes Liquid Coal Plans Unworkable: Fact Sheet; While the coal industry has been aggressively promoting the development of a large liquid coal industry in the United States, it is unrealistic to expect that customers could be supplied with domestic coal at reasonable prices. According to the most recent Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Outlook report, if the liquid coal industry grew to the size proposed by industry lobbyists, the United States would have to import coal beginning in just six years. The increased demand created by a liquid coal industry could raise electricity rates as well as increase emissions of global warming pollution, bringing costs that far outweigh the benefits that would come from a large domestic liquid coal industry. Get document in pdf.
Rebuilding for a Clean Energy Economy Congress and the New Administration Can Create Jobs Through Renewable Energy: Fact Sheet; There has been a lot of bad news about the economy in recent months. But now some good news: America can generate millions of high-paying jobs and create a cleaner environment with one win-win solution—renewable energy. Ramping up renewable energy will bring new jobs to U.S. workers and address the increasingly urgent need for action on global warming. Congress and the new administration should move quickly to pass strong climate legislation that will set a science-based declining cap on global warming pollution and create a new market for clean energy that will put people to work. Get document in pdf.
Testimony on Nuclear Energy Developments: Testimony; Statement of Thomas B. Cochran, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, and Christopher E. Paine, Director of NRDC's nuclear program, on Nuclear Energy Developments before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, March 18, 2009. Get document in pdf.
More Water, Less Waste Improving Global Sanitation and Freshwater Access with Waterless Toilets and Rainwater Harvesting: Fact Sheet; Around the world, temperatures are rising and sources of freshwater are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Two and a half billion people already lack access to basic sanitation, and nearly one billion people lack access to safe drinking water. Adding to the problem, global warming is expected to lead to more floods and more droughts, both of which reduce the availability of safe, clean freshwater for drinking, sanitation, irrigation and other basic needs. Fortunately, there are technologies such as waterless toilets and rainwater harvesting that can be deployed immediately -- and costeffectively -- to improve sanitation, protect existing supplies of freshwater, and create new sources of safe water. Get document in pdf.
Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Destroys Communities: Fact Sheet; Mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining is one of the world’s most destructive practices for extracting fossil fuels. This extreme method of strip mining is scarring the landscape and threatening communities. All across Central Appalachia -- between the hollows of West Virginia, bordering the Blue Ridge of Virginia, beyond the bluegrass of Kentucky, and above the smoky vistas of Tennessee -- companies are tearing down mountains to access the coal below. In the process they are clear-cutting miles of forests, filling the rivers with coal mining waste, polluting the waters with toxic runoff, and sacrificing the safety of the people who call this region home. MTR coal mining sites, which can exceed 10 square miles, have already leveled more than 470 summits so far. Get document in pdf.
Testimony on California’s Proposed Low-Carbon Fuel Standard: Testimony; Testimony of Roland J. Hwang, NRDC's Transportation Program Director, at the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee informational hearing on California's Proposed Low-Carbon Fuel Standard, March 16, 2009. Get document in pdf.
The Billion Gallon Challenge How America Can Produce One Billion Gallons of the Best Biofuels By 2014: Fact Sheet; To avoid the worst impacts of global warming, we need to make low-carbon biofuels work. But the best biofuels have yet to make the jump from the lab to the pump. As a first step, policy makers should stop spending tax dollars on the dirty biofuels of yesterday and start paying for performance, while maintaining our existing safeguards and standards. But that’s not enough. We need to jumpstart the best biofuels and make them work for our economy and our environment. We need a Billion Gallon Challenge. Get document in pdf.
Herseth Sandlin Bill (H.R. 1190) Turns Biofuels into Dirty Fuels: Legislative Analysis; Herseth Sandlin Bill (H.R. 1190) Turns Biofuels into Dirty Fuels Current law ensures the Renewable Fuel Standard's five-fold increase in biofuels results in better fuels, not just different dirty fuels. The Herseth Sandlin bill would strike critical safeguards established by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) and turn an important step forward into a counterproductive leap backward. Get document in pdf.
Reconsideration of California’s Request for a Waiver of the Motor Vehicle Emission Standards for Greenhouse Gases, 2009-2016: Testimony; Testimony of David Doniger, senior attorney and policy director of the NRDC Climate Center, before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0173, March 5, 2009 Get document in pdf.
Reconsideration of California’s Request for a Waiver of the Motor Vehicle Emission Standards for Greenhouse Gases, 2009-2016: Testimony; Testimony of Roland J. Hwang, NRDC vehicles policy director and vehicle technology expert, before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0173, March 5, 2009 Get document in pdf.
21st Century Water Planning: The Importance of a Coordinated Approach: Testimony; Testimony of Nancy K. Stoner, co-director of NRDC's water program before the House Science Committee, March 4, 2009. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of Barbara Finamore, Senior Attorney and China Program Director, Natural Resources Defense Council: Testimony; On March 4, 2009, Barbara Finamore testified before the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming in the United States House of Representatives. The hearing was titled, "Preparing for Copenhagen: How Developing Countries are Fighting Climate Change" Get document in pdf.
Fueling the Clean Energy Economy Solving Global Warming Pollution in the Transportation Sector: Fact Sheet; For nearly 100 years, the United States has operated its transportation system with primarily one fuel: oil. As a result, the transportation sector is now the second largest source of U.S. global warming pollution, contributing 28 percent of all emissions. To solve global warming cost-effectively, we need a trio of policies to drive solutions in each of these areas: 1) an upstream cap on fuel emissions; 2) performance standards for clean, effi cient vehicles, clean fuels, and low-carbon transportation planning that we strengthen periodically; and 3) incentives to overcome market barriers to widespread adoption of low-carbon technologies, practices, and designs. Get document in pdf.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Policy Report Card: Issue Paper; The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition is a group of organizations, including NRDC, working together to conserve, protect, and restore Florida's coastal and marine environment. The Florida Coastal and Ocean Policy Report Card provides a detailed analysis and evaluation of the legislative and government actions taken in Florida during 2007 and 2008 toward the goals of curbing unwise coastal development, protecting coastal and marine habitats, implementing and enforcing coastal and ocean pollution laws, protecting marine ecosystems, ensuring robust and plentiful fisheries and marine species, reducing global warming pollution and strengthening coastal and ocean governance in Florida.
Five Simple Steps for Saving Money, Energy, and the Environment: Guides for Building Owners, Managers and Tenants: Index of Fact Sheets; NRDC and the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) jointly produced this pair of fact sheets to provide building owners and managers and their tenants with tips for improving energy efficiency. Working together, NRDC and REBNY are delivering practical recommendations for saving energy—in individual apartments and throughout entire buildings—to a wide and influential audience.
Repower America with Clean Energy Don't Choose Dirty Fuels Such As Tar Sands, Oil Shale or Liquid Coal: Fact Sheet; Congress must stop oil and gas companies from opening up our Western lands to dirty fuels like tar sands, oil shale, and liquid coal Get document in pdf.
Safeguarding our Oceans in a Warming World Addressing Global Warming and Ocean Acidification: Fact Sheet; From rising sea levels and higher temperatures to more extreme weather events and ocean acidification, global warming pollution presents a serious threat to our already-stressed ocean systems. Treasured oceans and beaches, food staples, recreation, and employment are all at risk in the coming decades. To avoid the worst impacts, federal and state governments must protect our oceans by reducing global warming emissions and enacting policies that will boost the ability of natural systems to weather the ongoing and expected changes brought on by global warming and ocean acidification. Climate and energy legislation expected to be passed by Congress presents an opportunity to take a major step toward that goal. Get document in pdf.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act An Opportunity to Repower America with a Green Economy: Legislative Analysis; The economic recovery package is a first step toward repowering America with green jobs, refueling our nation with clean energy, and rebuilding the country’s aging transportation and water infrastructure. As the bill moves into its final stages, Congress has a great opportunity to make a serious commitment to energy independence, reducing carbon emissions and protecting our environment while also creating millions of new jobs. In order to assure that these goals are met, NRDC supports the inclusion of these provisions in the final American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Get document in pdf.
Support Renewable Energy Grants Program In House Economic Recovery Bill: Legislative Analysis; For almost two decades, production and investment tax credits have been the primary tool used by the federal government to encourage extensive deployment of clean energy technologies such as wind, solar, and geothermal, and the production of high efficiency appliances.1 Unfortunately, the current economic climate is drastically reducing profits and thus tax liabilities, which is limiting the effectiveness of these tax credits. Without smart federal action, the construction of new renewable power projects and the manufacture and purchase of new, super-efficient appliances will plummet. Get document in pdf.
Regulating Trading in the Carbon Market: Fact Sheet; America needs strong climate policy that will boost the economy and reduce dangerous global warming pollution. A key piece of successful climate legislation will be a carbon market that allows non-polluting companies to trade carbon credits. But unregulated or self-regulated trading involves important risks. Climate legislation should require strong carbon market regulations to ensure success. Get document in pdf.
Developing the Technology of the Future Federal Climate Legislation Can Maximize Low-Carbon Technology Innovation: Fact Sheet; America needs strong federal action to contain the threat of global warming. But a series of barriers stand in the way of the technology innovation needed to develop a clean energy economy at the lowest possible long-term cost to society. Strategically increasing research, development, and demonstration (known as RD&D) funding for low-carbon technologies can help to overcome these barriers and jumpstart innovation. Get document in pdf.
Kick-Starting Building Efficiency A Policy Workplan for Maximizing the Economic Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Fact Sheet; The buildings sector is the largest source of global warming pollution in the United States, including emissions from generating the electricity used in buildings. Buildings and the appliances within them currently account for roughly one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and that number is on the rise. Fortunately, buildings also offer the quickest and most cost-effective opportunity to reduce global warming pollution while yielding direct economic benefits, saving consumers money and boosting U.S. industry. Energy efficiency measures such as retrofitting existing buildings and increasing the energy efficiency of new buildings can generate net savings using technology that exists today. NRDC recommends a clear set of policy solutions for reaping the immediate benefits of building efficiency. Get document in pdf.
Why Cap and Invest is Better Than a Carbon Tax: Fact Sheet; While there is widespread support for the goal of reducing our emission of global warming pollution by 80 percent by 2050, there is a vigorous debate about the best means for reaching that goal. Advocates for a carbon tax suggest that it would be simpler and more transparent than a cap and invest system, but such arguments often compare a “real-world” cap and invest design with an idealized carbon tax. When factoring in the pressure for special accommodations in the legislative process that will undoubtedly face either system, a cap and invest program is preferable to implementing a carbon tax. The following list offers five reasons, including greater certainty where it counts and more flexibility where it is needed, why a cap and invest system will best help us meet the urgent goal of reducing global warming pollution. Get document in pdf.
Powering Up Renewable Electricity NRDC's Roadmap for Immediate and Cost-Effective Renewables Deployment: Fact Sheet; Renewable electricity is the energy of the future — it can reduce global warming emissions, moderate the long-term cost of power and help ensure our energy independence and national security by phasing out fossil fuels. To realize these benefits, we must cap carbon emissions which will put a price on global warming pollution while simultaneously helping to launch emerging renewables into the marketplace. Get document in pdf.
Cap 2.0: Investing in America: Analysis; America and the world have reached a crucial juncture on climate change. Comprehensive climate legislation that caps greenhouse gas emissions while spurring a surge in clean energy investments is the best way to achieve the reductions necessary to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of global warming. A "cap-and-invest" strategy would create millions of jobs, make America more secure and restore the United States to a position of world leadership in technology and innovation. Learn more about NRDC's policy recommendations for the next generation of climate legislation, Cap 2.0.
Repowering America: Building a Bridge from Crisis to a New Energy Economy: Fact Sheet; The global financial crisis presents challenges for the U.S. economy unlike any seen in generations. While spending alone will not deliver us from this difficult period of slowing economic activity, smart and targeted investment in repowering America can. We can create millions of jobs, improve our energy security, and reduce the harmful effects of climate change by putting a price on carbon emissions and investing in the industries that will form the base of our clean energy future. Get document in pdf.
NRDC Follow-up Comments to the December 15, 2008 CEC Hearing on TV Efficiency Standards: Testimony; Written comments by NRDC senior scientist Noah Horowitz submitted on January 14, 2009 as a follow-up to oral testimony provided during the December 15, 2008 CEC hearing on the proposed minimum efficiency standards for new TVs sold in California. Get document in pdf.
Clean Energy Saves Americans Money Clean Energy is the Real Solution to Unpredictable Oil Prices: Fact Sheet; Clean energy is cheaper and cleaner than oil, and the amount of fuel we can get from clean energy measures dwarfs what can be scraped from drilling. New NRDC analysis shows that, unlike dirty fuel options, clean energy strategies can actually save drivers money while reducing our oil dependency and slashing global warming pollution from the transportation sector. Get document in pdf.
Investing in Our Recovery Repowering America with a 'Cap and Invest' Climate Plan: Fact Sheet; We must focus our efforts on an economic recovery plan that provides needed short-term stimulus and lays the groundwork for a stable, long-term recovery. Enacting a cap and trade system to limit global warming pollution is an essential component of a comprehensive plan to repower America. Passing legislation to cap global warming pollution can spur investment, create millions of jobs, and help pull our lagging economy forward by providing the opportunity to borrow against the value of future pollution allowances and creating the market signals needed to trigger a surge of clean energy investments. Get document in pdf.
Clean Energy: The Solution to Volatile Gas Prices: Fact Sheet; Newly updated NRDC analysis shows that the oil savings from clean energy measures can far outpace the potential oil production of drilling in America's protected areas. The real solution to volatile gas prices and oil dependency is a strategy that relies on energy efficiency, clean fuels, and transportation choices such as commuter rail -- not drilling. Get document in pdf.
Why We Need Bees Nature's Tiny Workers Put Food on Our Tables: Fact Sheet; Many people think of bees simply as a summertime nuisance. But these small and hard-working insects actually make it possible for many of your favorite foods to reach your table. From apples to almonds to the pumpkin in our pumpkin pies, we have bees to thank. Now, a condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder is causing bee populations to plummet, which means these foods are also at risk. Get document in pdf.
Unlocking the Power of Energy Efficiency in Buildings Energy Efficiency is the Fastest, Cheapest and Cleanest Energy Resource We Have: Fact Sheet; Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, and cleanest energy resource we have. Efficiency saves consumers and businesses money on their energy bills, reduces global warming pollution and keeps American energy dollars here. America has the largest efficiency reserves in the world, and buildings are our largest source of efficiency that is just waiting to be tapped. Get document in pdf.
Cleaning Up Diesel Trucks in California Millions in Funding Available Each Year: Fact Sheet; Heavy-duty trucks in California are the largest single source of diesel pollution, leading to thousands of illnesses and deaths each year. Pollution from diesel trucks was responsible for roughly 1,500 premature deaths in 2005, and the costs of this loss of life in addition to disease, lost work days, and school absences adds up to $12 billion per year. However, diesel pollution could easily be prevented through upgrades to the existing truck fleet, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is seeking to do just that with the upcoming diesel truck regulation. While truck owners may be wary of the added costs of upgrades that will be required, much funding has been made available by the state to offset those costs. Get document in pdf.
Deepest Cuts Repairing Health Monitoring Programs Slashed Under the Bush Administration: Issue Paper; When it comes to protecting public health from dangerous contaminants, the Bush Administration has left a legacy of dismal failure. We rely on the government to monitor contaminants and hazardous residues to ensure that our food, water, air, communities, and consumer products are safe. For decades, federal agencies charged with safeguarding health and the environment have tracked pollution, required industry reporting, and monitored disease rates. These programs provide the foundation for all health and environmental protection. Without adequate monitoring, the public, the scientific community, and the government are unaware of the hazards around us. New NRDC research in this December 2008 issue paper shows that the Bush Administration has dangerously slashed federal environmental and health monitoring programs.
Danger in the Nursery Impact of Tar Sands Oil Development in Canada’s Boreal on Birds: Report; Each spring more than half of America's birds flock to the Canadian Boreal forest to nest. There, tens of millions of birds -- as many as 500 breeding pairs per square mile of forests, lakes, river valleys, and wetlands -- spend the winter. Yet almost all the biggest oil companies are mining and drilling important Boreal forest and wetlands to access thick, low-grade petroleum. As much as an area the size of Florida is endangered. This December 2008 report from NRDC, The Pembina Institute and the Boreal Songbird Initiative describes how Canada and the United States must protect migratory birds and bird habitat from this new form of high-impact energy development.
Lowering the Cost of Play Improving Energy Efficiency of Video Game Consoles: Issue Paper; Today, more than 40 percent of all homes in the United States contain at least one video game console. Recognizing that all that gaming could add up to serious demand for electricity, NRDC and Ecos Consulting performed the first ever comprehensive study on the energy use of video game consoles. In this November 2008 issue paper, NRDC provides recommendations for users, video game console manufacturers, component suppliers and the software companies that design games for improving the efficiency of video game consoles already in homes as well as future generations of machines yet to hit the shelves.
Exhibits: U.S. Forest Service Efforts to Avoid Environmental Review: Testimony; The following exhibits pertain to testimony presented by Nathaniel Lawrence, NRDC senior attorney, on June 28, 2007, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests & Public Lands of the Committee on Natural Resources.
Health Risks to Children and Communities From Recent EPA Proposals and Decisions on Air and Water Quality: Testimony; Testimony submitted to hearings before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senate on February 6, 2007.
The 35th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act: Successes and Future Challenges: Testimony; Testimony of Peter Lehner, Executive Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, House of Representatives on October 18, 2007.
Toxic Communities: How EPA's IRIS Program Fails The Public: Testimony; Testimony of Linda Greer, PH.D Director, Health Program Natural Resources Defense Council before the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight at hearing entitled: Toxic Communities: How EPA's IRIS Program Fails the Public.
Testimony from Jennifer Sass on EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program: Testimony; Jennifer Sass, NRDC Public Health Program, testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee about EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, September 18, 2008.
Bibliography of Works by Thomas B. Cochran: Index; Dr. Thomas B. Cochran is a senior scientist in the nuclear program and holds the Wade Greene Chair for Nuclear Policy at NRDC. His publications, presentations and testimony are collected here.
Missing Protection Polluting the Mississippi River Basin's Small Streams and Wetlands: Report; Our nation's rivers, streams, and small bodies of water -- which have long been protected by the Clean Water Act -- are now in danger because of a series of misguided court decisions. Recent interpretations of the law suggest that many waters historically protected from pollution can now be polluted or destroyed without a permitting process to limit the environmental impact of discharges into the waters. This October 2008 issue paper discusses the particular danger of this change in interpretation in relation to the problem of nutrient pollution in the Mississippi River Basin.
Tax credits for Energy-efficient Commercial Buildings Extension of the tax credits for energy-efficient commercial buildings, homes, and appliances will save Americans money and reduce global warming pollution: Legislative Analysis; The cheapest, cleanest and quickest response to global warming and high natural gas prices is to target energy efficiency. Studies have shown that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce global warming pollution.
An Uneven Shield The Record of Enforcement and Violations Under California's Environmental, Health and Workplace Safety Laws: Issue Paper; California leads the nation in setting standards to protect the health of families, communities and the environment. Yet too little is publicly known about how effectively these standards are enforced, or how officials respond when violations occur. This October 2008 report examines data on known violations and law enforcement responses under six critical pollution, health and workplace safety programs, and finds that enforcement of California's environmental and health laws varies widely across the state.
Building the Wheels of the Clean Energy Economy Public Transportation for the 21st Century: Fact Sheet; In too many cities and towns across the nation, Americans are spending more time in their cars—and stuck in traffic—when traveling between home, work, and school. This dangerous reliance on our vehicles, which keeps us addicted to oil and causes serious pollution, is a threat to our health, environment, and national security. Developing a modern, efficient public transportation infrastructure will create millions of jobs, reduce our reliance on foreign oil, combat global warming and serve as the foundation of the clean energy economy. Get document in pdf.
Finding the Balance The Role of Natural Gas in America's Energy Future: Issue Paper; This October 2008 issue paper discusses how investments in natural gas efficiency cost less and can bring benefits to the market faster than trying to increase supplies through drilling. The paper also provides recommendations for policy solutions that can provide short-term benefits and long-term energy solutions by incentivizing energy efficiency and supporting development of renewable energy sources.
Testimony of Mae Wu on Bottled Water: Testimony; NRDC Attorney Mae Wu testifies before a Senate subcommittee that the bottled water that millions of Americans drink each day is allowed to contain more toxic chemicals than tap water. Wu calls for testing bottled water and labels that would let the public know what they're actually drinking.
Offshore Drilling Threatens Our Beaches, Oceans, Coastal Communities and Marine Life: Legislative Analysis; President Bush and some members of Congress are pressing to open offshore areas that have been protected from oil drilling for many years, including the east and west coasts and Florida.
Fish Out of Water: Issue Paper; In April 2008, state and federal agencies took the unprecedented step of completely closing the commercial fishery for Chinook salmon. And California now faces the possibility of becoming a state where salmon fishing is a thing of the past and where wild, locally caught California salmon permanently vanishes from restaurant menus and supermarkets. This July 2008 issue paper examines the operation of water management projects in the state as one of the most significant -- and reversible -- causes of the fishery collapse and provides comprehensive policy recommendations for restoring and sustaining this treasured resource.
NRDC Follow-up Comments on July 2008 CEC TV Standards Hearing: Testimony; Supplemental written comments in reference to the CEC's rulemaking to establish minimum energy performance standards for new televisions sold in California, submitted by Noah Horowitz, NRDC senior scientist, July 18, 2008. Get document in pdf.
Trout in Trouble The Impacts of Global Warming on Trout in the Interior West: Issue Paper; Global warming is the single greatest threat to the survival of trout in America's interior west. If nothing is done to reduce human-produced greenhouse gas emissions -- the primary culprit behind global warming -- trout habitat throughout the Rocky Mountain region could be reduced by 50 percent or more by the end of the century, bringing fewer opportunities for anglers to enjoy sportfishing and resulting in serious economic consequences for those who depend on the fishing, recreation and tourism industry for their livelihoods.
Tapping into Stranded Domestic Oil Enhanced Oil Recovery with Carbon Dioxide Is a Win-Win-Win: Fact Sheet; The country has a significant, untapped win-win-win opportunity to stimulate our economy and reduce our dependence on imported oil while actually helping to protect wild places and reduce global warming pollution: a process known as carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR). According to industry research CO2-EOR would give America access to large, domestic oil resources—potentially more than four times the proven U.S. reserves, or up to 10 full years of our total national consumption. But without the stimulus of climate protection legislation, CO2 for oil recovery is likely to remain in short supply and most of this domestic oil resource will stay in the ground. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of Nathanael Greene, Director of Renewable Energy Policy, on Biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard: Testimony; In this testimony presented before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, Nathanael makes the case for protecting key environmental safeguards in the RFS and proactively addressing the food vs fuel debate through reforming the biofuels tax credits and import tariffs by making them performance based and technology neutral.
The Real Solution to High Gas Prices Clean energy and greater efficiency can provide long-lasting relief from high gas prices.: Index; As many Americans are feeling the real pain of high gas prices, oil companies and the Bush administration are peddling a "drill everywhere" remedy that would not have a significant impact on domestic energy production or prices for at least a decade. The only real solution is to develop alternative sources of energy and to use energy more wisely. Congressional support for clean energy technologies, expanded public transportation and greater efficiency for the vehicles of tomorrow -- and those on the road right now -- will take us down the closest and fastest road to relief.
Testimony of Michael Goo on the Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act: Testimony; Testimony of Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, United States House of Representatives hearing on "The Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act," July 10, 2008.
Temperatures Rising Global Warming Turns up the Heat on Human Health: Fact Sheet; Heat waves are becoming more frequent and more severe as a result of global warming. Higher temperatures will have serious effects on human health. Get document in pdf.
Congressional Testimony of Deron Lovaas, Vehicles Campaign Director: Future Federal Role for Surface Transportation: Testimony; In this testimony, delivered before the Senator Environment and Public Works Committee, Lovaas discusses the role of the federal government in determining transportation policy. With high gas prices at the pump affecting families across the country, he offers an in-depth analysis of policy prescriptions to lessen our addiction to oil, and create a more economically and environmentally sustainable transportation sector.
Boosting the Benefits Improving Air Quality and Health by Reducing Global Warming Pollution in California: Issue Paper; California has the opportunity to combat global warming while simultaneously improving air quality and public health throughout the state. Measures being considered under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) could save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of other negative health impacts each year -- saving billions of dollars in healthcare costs. NRDC analysis shows that strategies for reducing global warming pollution -- cleaner cars and trucks, energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart growth -- also reduce air pollution and bring tremendous short- and long-term health "co-benefits."
Testimony of George Peridas on "Spinning Straw Into Black Gold: Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide": Testimony; Written testimony of George Peridas, Ph.D., Science Fellow, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, submitted to the Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Unites States House of Representatives hearing on "Spinning Straw Into Black Gold: Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide," June 12th, 2008.
Testimony of Michael Goo on Legislative Proposals to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Testimony; Testimony of Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives hearing on legislative proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, June 19, 2008.
Job Opportunities in a Green Economy States can gain from fighting global warming: Fact Sheet; Curbing global warming is the work of a generation; specifically, the work of millions of people, performing the jobs needed to build the green economy. Clean energy investments will create opportunities for welders, sheet metal workers, machinists, truck drivers, and others -- and the benefits of those new jobs would spread to a much wider swatch of the economy. The following fact sheets outline potential green job opportunities in a select number of states.
More Effective and Economical Pest Control Integrated Pest Management: Fact Sheet; Integrated pest management (IPM) is a proven, cost-effective strategy to combat pest problems without unnecessary pesticides. By correcting conditions that lead to pest problems and using least-toxic pesticides only when necessary, IPM provides more effective pest control, often without increasing costs. Get document in pdf.
Protect Our Friendly Skies Gassing up on tar sands, liquid coal, and oil shale would sharply increase aviation emissions: Fact Sheet; The aviation industry should not use dirty fuels and should instead focus on emission reduction techniques. Get document in pdf.
The Cost of Climate Change What We'll Pay if Global Warming Continues Unchecked: Report; New research shows that if present trends continue, the total cost of global warming will be as high as 3.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Four global warming impacts alone -- hurricane damage, real estate losses, energy costs, and water costs -- will come with a price tag of 1.8 percent of U.S. GDP, or almost $1.9 trillion annually (in today's dollars) by 2100. The longer we wait, the more painful -- and expensive -- the consequences will be.
Testimony of Michael Goo on the EPA's New Ozone Standards: Testimony; Testimony of Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, United States House of Representatives hearing on the "EPA's New Ozone Standards," May 20, 2008.
Testimony from Linda Greer on Mercury Legislation: Testimony; Testimony from Linda Greer, senior scientist and director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's public health program, on mercury legislation before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, May 13, 2008.
Statement on the Amended Renewable Fuel Standard: Testimony; Testimony by Nathanael Greene before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality on the importance of the minimum lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions standards and land and wildlife safeguards in the recently amended renewable fuel standard.
Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the U.S. - 2006: Report; The Benchmarking project uses public data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest power producers in the United States. The sortable databases provided here contain emissions data for four power plant pollutants: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and carbon dioxide. The information presented here was compiled and analyzed in collaboration by NRDC; Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG), a New Jersey-based electric utility; Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), a California-based energy utility; and CERES, a national coalition of environmental and investor groups.
Chemicals in Plastic Bottles How to Know What’s Safe for Your Family: Fact Sheet; A guide to what plastics are safe for your family, and what the government needs to do to ensure strong protections. Get document in pdf.
Compact Fluorescent Lights Are Safe for Your Home: Fact Sheet; CFLs are safe, and can help your family save energy and money. Get document in pdf.
Global Warming and Our Health Addressing the Most Serious Health Impacts of Climate Change: Fact Sheet; Global warming will affect human health around the world. We need to be prepared for the health effects of a warming planet. Get document in pdf.
Preparing for Global Warming A Framework for Protecting Community Health and the Environment in a Warmer World: Fact Sheet; We must start now to protect against and prepare for the effects of global warming on our world. Get document in pdf.
Putting Biofuels on the Right Track Renewable Fuels Standard Safeguards Protect Wildlife and the Environment: Fact Sheet; RFS safeguards can ensure that biofuels are done right, and don't just become another dirty fuel Get document in pdf.
Testimony of Nathaniel Lawrence on S. 2593, the Forest Landscape Restoration Act: Testimony; Submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate, April 1, 2008.
Testimony of Heather Taylor-Miesle Presented to a Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee: Testimony; Testimony of Heather Taylor-Miesle, Deputy Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, to a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee regarding funding needs for various environmental agencies to combat global warming, March 13, 2008.
Florida Needs a Healthy Oceans Act We can revive the world's oceans, starting with a Healthy Oceans Act.: Fact Sheet; We depend on the ocean for food, recreation, and jobs, but now pollution, overexploitation, and habitat degradation are pushing the world’s oceans into a silent state of collapse. In Florida, ocean deterioration has led to beach closings, dying reefs, fewer fish for commercial and recreational fishing, and dangerous chemicals in some of the state’s seafood. Fortunately, solutions are available that can help revive the world’s oceans, starting with passing a national Healthy Oceans Act. Get document in pdf.
Hotter and Drier The West's Changed Climate: Report; Human activities are already changing the climate of the American West. This report by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization (RMCO) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), drawn from 50 scientific studies, 125 other government and scientific sources, and our own new analyses, documents that the West is being affected more by a changed climate than any other part of the United States outside of Alaska. When compared to the 20th century average, the West has experienced an increase in average temperature during the last five years that is 70 percent greater than the world as a whole. Responding quickly at all levels of government by embracing the solutions that are available is critical to minimizing further disruption of this region’s climate and economy.
Stop the Slaughter Yellowstone’s Buffalo Herd Must Be Protected: Fact Sheet; The Montana Department of Livestock and the National Park Service are killing the thousands of buffalo that roam in Yellowstone National Park, claiming with little evidence that the buffalo could transmit disease to cattle in the area. NRDC is fighting to protect Yellowstone buffalo from senseless killing and to safeguard the park’s wildlife resources for future generations. Get document in pdf.
There Is No Such Thing as "Clean Coal" Coal Mining Can Have Disastrous Impacts on Human Health and the Environment: Fact Sheet; Coal mining has serious impacts on our health and the environment. Clean energy options such as energy efficiency can meet energy demands without the dangerous effects of coal. Get document in pdf.
When the Treatment is Toxic Pesticides in Head Lice Prescriptions: Fact Sheet; Lindane--a dangerous insecticide--is often used in medication to treat head lice and scabies. The U.S. should adopt bans on lindane to protect the public and the environment. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of David Doniger from February 28th Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Developing Countries Adaptation to Climate Change: Testimony; Summary of testimony of David D. Doniger, Climate Center Policy Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, February 28, 2008.
Bibliography of Works by Robert S. Norris: Index; Dr. Robert S. Norris is senior research associate with NRDC in Washington, DC. His principal areas of expertise include all aspects of the nuclear weapons programs of the United States, Soviet Union/Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. His publications, presentations and testimony are collected here.
Testimony of David Doniger on the Oversight of EPA Administrator Johnson's Denial of Waiver for California's Global: Testimony; Testimony of David Doniger, Policy Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Environment and Public Works Committee, United States Senate on January 24, 2008.
Stop Electrocuting Patagonia NRDC's campaign to protect Chile's wild places: Index; Chile's Patagonia, one of the most pristine places left on the planet, is being threatened by plans for a massive hydro-electric scheme that calls for dams to be built on the region's largest rivers and for construction of the world's longest power transmission line. NRDC is working with local, national, and international partners to bring smarter solutions and viable alternatives to discussions on the future of this treasured region.
Smart Cities: Solutions for China's Rapid Urbanization: Issue Paper; During the next two decades, the number of Chinese residents migrating from rural to urban areas will be roughly equivalent to the relocation of the entire current population of the United States. As China's own leaders recognize, without careful planning this urban transformation may bring disastrous consequences. Grounded in experiences in both the United States and China, this December 2007 issue paper provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for the implementation of smart growth strategies that promote more efficient use of land, services, and resources.
The New Energy Economy Putting America on the Path to Solving Global Warming: Issue Paper; How America and the world respond to global warming and our growing demand for energy -- and whether we respond in time -- will determine what kind of planet we have for generations to come. Fortunately, many of the technologies and policy tools we need to make the shift to cleaner energy solutions already exist, and we can deploy them without harming the economy. NRDC outlines six energy-sector opportunities that can help America reduce global warming pollution. The next step is decisive action by the U.S. government to facilitate these investments and reduce our global warming pollution the necessary 80 percent, or 10.6 billion tons, by 2050.
Driving on Fumes: Issue Paper; Diesel pollution is well known to be hazardous to human health. Groups at particular risk include workers in diesel industries, such as trucking and rail, and communities located near major sources of diesel pollution, such as ports and freeways. This December 2007 issue paper summarizes the alarming findings of one of the first investigations to measure drivers' exposure levels to diesel soot inside trucks serving our nation's ports.
Miles to California, How Far Has Your Food Traveled?: Index; People are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. How your food is grown, stored, transported, processed and cooked can all influence how it affects climate and the environment. Transportation-related impacts are particularly important for imported foods. NRDC calculated the transportation impacts of importing fresh produce and wine widely consumed in California, directly comparing the climate and air quality emissions from importing these foods instead of growing and consuming them in California. Our analysis shows that -- all else being equal -- locally grown foods are a better choice.
Testimony of David Hawkins on America's Climate Security Act of 2007: Testimony; Testimony of David Hawkins, Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, Hearing on America's Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191, November 13, 2007.
Safe Water in Peril Addressing the Effects of Global Warming on Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation: Fact Sheet; More than one billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and more than two billion people live without improved sanitation. To avoid an outright global water catastrophe, local, national, and global leaders must reduce pollution to minimize further climate change while preparing vulnerable communities to deal with the changes in climate that are already occurring or are unavoidable. Get document in pdf.
Testimony on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Testimony; Testimony of Amy Mall, Senior Policy Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), on the applicability of federal requirements that protect public health and the environment to oil and gas development. Presented to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, United States House of Representatives, October 31, 2007.
Drilling Down Protecting Western Communities from the Health and Environmental Effects of Oil and Gas Production: Report; Oil and gas production releases pollution that can have serious impacts on people's health and the surrounding air, water, and land. Although these operations are frequently located near homes, schools, and other community resources, the oil and gas industry enjoys numerous exemptions from provisions of federal laws intended to protect human health and the environment. This October 2007 report provides a comprehensive assessment of these loopholes, which allow oil and gas companies to continue polluting despite the risks, and describes the available, often economical solutions for using technology to reduce environmental contamination. The report also includes personal stories from people living in communities affected by oil and gas drilling.
Testimony of Frances Beinecke on America's Climate Security Act: Testimony; Testimony of Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Subcommittee on Public and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection, Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, Hearing on America's Climate Security Act, October 24, 2007.
Testimony on Implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS): Testimony; Testimony by NRDC Senior Policy Analyst, Nathanael Greene, before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, October 24, 2007. This testimony address the environmental promises and challenges of biofuels, the general policies needed to get biofuels right and the changes to the proposed expanded renewable fuels standard needed to drive the market for the best biofuels technologies.
Safe at Home: Issue Paper; Every summer, images of wildfires dominate TV screens and newspaper headlines. Yet despite the effort -- and the money -- that goes into emergency response, fires destroy hundreds of homes and whole neighborhoods in the American West during wildfire season. This 2007 issue paper outlines NRDC's pilot study of fire protection in the Love Creek community in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and describes how Western communities and homeowners can protect themselves against fire threats with proven techniques known as "firewise" measures. In addition, we recommend changes to federal fire policy to prioritize community and resident safety.
Sneezing and Wheezing How Global Warming Could Increase Ragweed Allergies, Air Pollution and Asthma: Issue Paper; Global warming isn't just making our planet hotter. Scientific studies have also shown that our changing climate could mean more ozone pollution in some areas and intensify the health problems stemming from allergenic pollen such as ragweed. This is bad news for allergy sufferers and asthmatics because both ragweed and ozone have been linked to respiratory problems such as asthma and to allergic symptoms in adults and children -- and studies show that people exposed to both ragweed and ozone are likely to become sicker than people exposed to just one of these pollutants. New NRDC research -- the first to map areas within the United States where ragweed and unhealthy ozone pollution overlap -- shows that 110 million Americans live in areas with both ragweed and ozone problems.
Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health Coal-fired power plants threaten the environment and your health.: Index; Burning coal releases enormous amounts of harmful pollutants into the air and water, with serious health consequences. Waste generated by coal-fired power plants contains hazardous pollutants that can contaminate our drinking water and cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive problems. This index of fact sheets describes the health hazards of our continued reliance on coal.
Dangerous Disposals Keeping Coal Combustion Waste Out of Our Water Supply: Fact Sheet; Coal combustion waste released as pollution by power plants can make drinking water in nearby communities unsafe. Stronger protections are needed to regulate this waste, and to ensure that more polluting power plants are not needed. Get document in pdf.
Global Warming Heats Up the Insurance Industry: Fact Sheet; A changing climate means instability for the insurance industry. Get document in pdf.
What’s Coming Out of the Tap? How to Ensure That Your Family’s Drinking Water Is Safe: Fact Sheet; Despite the many sources of pollution that can affect drinking water, with a little research, proper testing, and treatment (if necessary) you can help to ensure that the water you and your family drink is safe. NRDC is joining with local communities to keep drinking water clean and to curb pollution long before it reaches your tap. Get document in pdf.
Clearing the Air: Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners: Issue Paper; Air fresheners have become a staple in many American homes and offices, marketed with the promise of creating a clean, healthy and sweet-smelling indoor atmosphere. But this September 2007 issue paper shows that many of these products contain phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) -- hazardous chemicals known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. To protect consumers, government action to conduct more thorough tests and enact basic measures to limit exposure to phthalates is urgently needed.
Back from the Brink How NRDC Helped Save the Ozone Layer: Issue Paper; September 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the world’s most effective environmental treaty -- the Montreal Protocol. Back from the Brink: How NRDC Helped Save the Ozone Layer describes how a team of NRDC scientists and lawyers played a crucial role in creating this landmark environmental protection.
Global Warming Science: An Annotated Bibliography A summary of recent findings on the changing global climate.: Index; In recent years, scientists have added considerably to the large body of evidence that shows that human activity is changing the global climate, raising temperatures and affecting ecosystems around the world.
U.S. Forest Service Efforts to Avoid Environmental Review: Testimony; Testimony presented by Nathaniel Lawrence, NRDC senior attorney, on June 28, 2007, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests & Public Lands of the Committee on Natural Resources.
Getting Biofuels Right Eight steps for reaping real environmental benefits from biofuels: Fact Sheet; America's transportation sector is the key link between our ever-growing dependence on oil and global warming pollution. The oil that powers our cars and trucks accounts for two-thirds of our total oil use and generates one-third of the U.S. carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. Energy efficiency is the cleanest, cheapest, and fastest way to cut oil demand, but it is only a part of the package. NRDC research shows that liquid motor vehicle fuels made from plant matter, such as ethanol, butanol, and biodiesel, can be a large and important tool for ending our dependence on oil and stopping global warming—but only if we get them right. Get document in pdf.
New Orleans Environmental Quality Test Results: Analysis; Results of NRDC's monitoring for mold, contaminated soil, particulates and other substances of health concern in the New Orleans area following Hurricane Katrina.
Katrina’s Wake: Arsenic-Laced Schools and Playgrounds Put New Orleans Children at Risk: Issue Paper; When Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans in August 2005, the levee failures inundated the city -- particularly its most vulnerable neighborhoods -- with a hazardous sea of fuel, sewage and chemicals. Two years after the storm, a team of researchers from NRDC, working in partnership with local community groups, has found that hazardous levels of arsenic are still present in the soil at several locations in New Orleans -- including schools, playgrounds and residential areas. This August 2007 issue paper reveals that people in New Orleans are still returning home to communities that have not been adequately cleaned up, and offers solutions on a federal and local level for charting a safer course for New Orleans.
California Takes on Power Plant Emissions SB 1368 Sets Groundbreaking Greenhouse Gas Performance Standard: Fact Sheet; California is ensuring a clean energy future by adopting the world's first greenhouse gas emissions performance standard for power plant investments. Senate Bill SB 368 requires that any new long-term financial investment in "baseload" generation resources -- those workhorse power plants that supply electricity around the clock -- made on behalf of California customers must be in clean energy sources. Get document in pdf.
Safeguarding Alaska's Arctic Wilderness: Index; Oil and gas drilling, coal mining and invasive development are combining with global warming's effects to wreak havoc on Alaska's vast, remote Arctic landscape. NRDC is working with Alaskan Native communities to protect this wilderness area and the whales, bears and other diverse wildlife that depend on it.
Accelerating the Greening of China Promoting Cutting-edge Environmental Solutions in China: Index; In the past three decades, China's explosive growth has resulted in serious environmental problems with impacts beyond China's borders. NRDC is working with key Chinese government agencies, research institutes, lawyers and environmental groups to help promote cutting-edge environmental solutions in China. These factsheets describe NRDC's work to help address some of China's most pressing environmental challenges.
Support a Ban On U.S. Mercury Exports: Legislative Analysis; The United States should take strong measures against global mercury contamination by adopting a ban on the export of surplus mercury to the world market.
In Hot Water: Water Management Strategies to Weather the Effects of Global Warming Water Management Strategies to Weather the Effects of Global Warming: Report; Drought and dry conditions withering the western United States are likely to persist and intensify, jeapordizing the region's water supply and water quality, compromising the health of rivers and lakes, and increasing the risk of flooding for Western communities. As stewards of these scarce resources, water managers can lead the response to the effects of global warming on water in the West. This NRDC report breaks new ground by analyzing the effects of global warming on a full range of water management tools and offering recommendations to meet the challenge. As the hotter, drier weather already afflicting the region becomes more common, officials responsible for keeping the taps flowing will need to take bold measures now, including conservation and efficiency, and supporting measures to control and reduce global warming in the future.
The Next Generation of Hybrid Cars Plug-in Hybrids Can Help Reduce Global Warming and Slash Oil Dependency: Fact Sheet; Plug-in hybrid vehicles are the next new technology that can help Americans use less gas at the pump. Get document in pdf.
Driving It Home: Choosing the Right Path for Fueling North America's Transportation Future Choosing the Right Path for Fueling North America's Transportation Future: Report; North America faces an energy crossroads. With the world fast approaching the end of cheap, plentiful conventional oil, we must choose between developing ever-dirtier sources of fossil fuels -- at great cost to our health and environment -- or setting a course for a more sustainable energy future of clean, renewable fuels. This June 2007 report explores the full scale of the damage done by attempts to extract oil from liquid coal, oil shale, and tar sands; examines the risks for investors of gambling on these dirty fuel sources; and lays out solutions for guiding us toward a cleaner fuel future.
Global Warming Threatens Wildlife Climate change threatens species from your backyard to the Arctic.: Index; Global warming is pushing wildlife over the brink. From melting sea-ice throughout the Arctic to increases in infectious diseases and loss of food, evidence of the impacts of global warming on wildlife is mounting. This index collects fact sheets on global warming's effects on threatened species.
Costa Rica: Setting the Pace for Reducing Global Warming Pollution and Phasing Out Oil: Fact Sheet; Already a world leader in renewable energy use and tropical forest conservation, Costa Rica has declared the goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country. To achieve this goal, Costa Rica must reduce its dependence on oil and increase investment in domestic renewable energy production and demand reduction strategies. Get document in pdf.
Saving Jamaica Bay: Fact Sheet; New York City's Jamaica Bay is plagued by an array of harms ranging from overdevelopment on its borders to water pollution to invasive plant and animal species. A unified effort on the part of government and residents is needed to restore this natural gem and to save one of the city's last wild places. Get document in pdf.
The Beaufort and Chukchi Seas Protecting America’s Arctic: Fact Sheet; Aggressive government interest in leasing areas to the oil and gas industries in the zone referred to as the “Arctic Ring of Life”—home to millions of migratory birds, polar bears, beluga whales, endangered bowhead whales, and thousands-year-old Inupiat (Eskimo) culture—threatens the sustainability of this ecosystem and the livelihood of Alaska Native communities. Get document in pdf.
A Golden Opportunity: California’s Solutions for Global Warming California's Solutions for Global Warming: Report; The landmark California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, also known as AB 32, is the most ambitious global warming solutions law in the nation. The state’s next step: putting in place the specific measures that will bring emissions levels back to 1990 levels by 2020 to meet AB 32’s limit. This June 2007 report describes how California is protecting the state from global warming pollution while growing its economy and encouraging the innovative clean technology industry.
Testimony on Boucher Discussion Draft: Testimony; Statement of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives on May 24, 2007.
Testimony on Coal Gasification: Testimony; Testimony of Antonia Herzog, Staff Scientist, Climate Center, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate on May 24, 2007.
Nanotechnology: Small Science, Big Consequences: Issue Paper; From mascara to tennis balls to baby wipes, tiny nanoparticles are hidden in many of the products that we use every day. But much is still unknown about the effects of nanotechnology on human health and the environment. This May 2007 NRDC issue paper presents the latest research on the potential risks of nanotechnology and outlines a framework for regulating these still-untested chemicals.
Porpoise in Peril Help protect the most endangered small marine mammal in the world: Fact Sheet; NRDC is working to prevent the extinction of the vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus), the world’s smallest porpoise and now its most endangered small marine mammal. The main threat to vaquitas is the accidental entanglement in nets set for fish and shrimp that is exported from Mexico to U.S. consumers. Immediate action must be taken to protect this critically endangered porpoise. Get document in pdf.
Threathened Species, Global Warming and How CITES can Help: Fact Sheet; Global warming is pushing wildlife over the brink; CITES should take action to protect the world's species. Get document in pdf.
Testimony on the Implications of the Supreme Court's Decision Regarding EPA's Authorities with Respect to Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act: Testimony; Testimony of David Doniger, NRDC's Policy Director and Senior Attorney, before the Committee on Environment and Public Works on April 24, 2007.
Testimony on S. 731 and S. 962: Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Testimony; Testimony of David G. Hawkins, NRDC's Climate Center Director, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Unites States Senate on April 16, 2007.
Florida’s Coastal and Ocean Future A Blueprint for Economic and Environmental Leadership: Issue Paper; With tourism, fishing and recreational sport bringing billions of dollars into Florida each year, the coast is Florida's economic engine. But now the state's unique beaches are being threatened by pollution, unsustainable development and overfishing that are leading to plummeting fish catches, outbreaks of harmful algae, dying marine life and beach closures. This issue paper, originally published in September 2006 and updated in April 2007, provides a blueprint for how local leaders and decision makers can -- and must -- take action to protect Florida’s marine and coastal ecosystems. Since its original publication, 160 businesses and organizations have endorsed the Blueprint. The 2009 Florida Coastal and Ocean Policy Report Card provides a detailed analysis and evaluation of the legislative and government actions taken in Florida during 2007 and 2008 toward the goals outlined in this issue paper.
Testimony on S.987, the Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007: Testimony; Testimony of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resource, United States Senate on April 12, 2007.
Global Warming’s Effects on Florida’s Oceans and Coasts Demand Immediate Action: Fact Sheet; NRDC and our partners are fighting to revive and protect Florida's thriving coastal and ocean economy by promoting measures that will reduce global warming pollution and protect coastal habitats and restore robust fisheries. Get document in pdf.
Polar Bears on Thin Ice: Fact Sheet; The polar bear's Arctic habitat is rapidly disappearing due to global warming. The international community must take action to protect the polar bear from global warming and other man-made threats. Get document in pdf.
Keeping Our Waters Clean in the Monterey Bay Region How Smaller Communities Can Prevent Toxic Runoff: Fact Sheet; Stormwater runoff is a leading source of coastal pollution in California, damaging the environment and threatening public health. NRDC developed a three-part strategy of prevention, monitoring and enforcement that can help smaller and midsized cities deal with this toxic stormwater runoff before it pollutes local waterways and puts public health at risk. This effective and straightforward plan has already been adopted, and once fully implemented, will successfully manage runoff in coastal communities along the Monterey Peninsula in California.
Testimony on Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Testimony; Testimony of David G. Hawkins, NRDC's Climate Center Director, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives on March 6th, 2007.
If You Build It, They Will Come Americans Want Smart Growth Alternatives to Conventional Transportation: Fact Sheet; Smart growth land-use strategies, also known as location-efficient development or “new urbanism,” can save Americans saving thousands of dollars a year in transportation costs, improve quality of life, and provide significant benefits for the environment. Get document in pdf.
Testimony on U.S. 10-Year Energy Research and Development Outlook: Testimony; Testimony of David G. Hawkins, NRDC's Climate Center Director, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives on February 28th, 2007.
New Nuclear Power Plants Are Not a Solution for America’s Energy Needs: Index; New nuclear power plants are unlikely to provide a significant fraction of future U.S. needs for low-carbon energy. NRDC favors more practical, economical and environmentally sustainable approaches to reducing both U.S. and global carbon emissions, focusing on the widest possible implementation of end-use energy-efficiency improvements, and on policies to accelerate commercialization of clean, flexible, renewable energy technologies.
More Integrated Pest Management Please: Issue Paper; This February 2007 issue paper recommends specific actions for how Congress and USDA can increase the quantity and quality of Integrated pest management (IPM) assistance to farmers to improve air, water, soil and habitat.
Science Panel's Latest Climate Report Underscores Need for Swift Action: Analysis; Key findings and implications of the Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Why Coal Liquids Are Not A Viable Option To Move America Beyond Oil: Fact Sheet; Liquid coal is a polluting process that releases large quantities of global warming pollution into our air. America should instead pursue clean energy options such as efficiency, smart growth, and renewable fuels. Get document in pdf.
Morro Bay-Cayucos Sewage Treatment Plant and Sea Otter Habitat: Fact Sheet; The threatened California sea otter numbers just 2,700 statewide. The Morro Bay/Cayucos sewage plant in California has dumped pollutants into the ocean for more than two decades -- directly into bay waters that are a hotspot for sea otter deaths. Although the construction time for the Morro Bay sewage plant upgrade to meet basic federal standards is less than two and a half years, plant officials do not intend to complete the project until March 2014. The plant's own documents show that a faster, more efficient upgrade is not only possible, but would be less expensive as well.
San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act: Legislative Analysis; Last year, a historic settlement was reached to restore flows and salmon populations to California's second longest river, the San Joaquin, and approved by the federal court.
Treating America's Oil Addiction A Clean, Renewable Path to Energy Security: Fact Sheet; Our future depends on reducing our oil demand now. Get document in pdf.
Water for the World Solving the Decade’s Most Pressing Environmental Health Problem: Fact Sheet; Lack of safe drinking water and sanitation is the single largest cause of illness in the world. In 2005, the United States passed landmark legislation to address the need for affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation, and NRDC now calls on Congress to provide the necessary funding. Get document in pdf.
New York State's Strained Ocean Resources Commercially and culturally vital, New York's shorelines, beaches and fisheries are in trouble.: Fact Sheet; Healthy, diverse ocean ecosystems are an important part of New York's coastal heritage and economic well-being. Yet these ocean systems are severely strained from pollution, destruction of productive marine habitat, and overfishing.
Trash Landings How Airlines and Airports Can Clean Up Their Recycling Programs: Report; The U.S. airline industry discards enough aluminum cans each year to build 58 Boeing 747 airplanes, along with thousands of tons of plastics, magazines and newspapers. All of this waste represents unrealized potential for airlines and airports to save money, reduce global warming pollution and improve efficiency. The December 2006 report Trash Landings: How Airlines and Airports Can Clean Up Their Recycling Programs presents the findings from NRDC's yearlong study of the airline industry and outlines clear steps that airlines and airports -- and other large municipal operations -- can take to put effective recycling initiatives into place.
The Paper Business, Present and Future: Index; This index of information on paper and forestry shows where there's room for improvement, and why there's hope ahead.
Coal in a Changing Climate This index collects policy documents about the implications of the world's reliance on coal.: Index; This index collects policy documents about the implications of the world's reliance on coal.
Losing Ground: Western National Parks Endangered by Climate Disruption: Report; National parks in the American West face an unprecedented threat from climate change. Rising temperatures, prolonged drought, severe wildfires and diminished snowfall are already affecting these parks; without action to curb climate change, cherished Western landscapes could be drastically altered.
Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows: Report; This May 2006 report is a policy guide for decision makers looking to implement green stormwater strategies to stop water pollution at its source. It includes nine case studies of cities that have successfully used green infrastructure techniques to reduce runoff and combined sewer overflow (CSO) pollution to create a healthier urban environment.
If You Don’t Buy African Ivory, Why Would You Buy Amazon Mahogany?: Fact Sheet; High consumer demand for mahogany has boosted prices and the illegal trade of these majestic trees from Peru to the United States, bringing disastrous impacts for indigenous peoples who rely on the forests, endangered species losing their habitat, and the long-term viability of commercial mahogany. Get document in pdf.
Strip Mining for Oil in Endangered Forests: Fact Sheet; Big oil interests are scraping away hundreds of thousands of acres in North America’s Boreal forest to produce tar sands oil, and in the process consuming large amounts of natural gas and generating three times as much global warming pollution as conventional crude oil production. Greater efficiency and renewable fuels are far better, cleaner ways to meet our energy needs. Get document in pdf.
Lost and Found: Missing Mercury from Chemical Plants Pollutes Air and Water: Issue Paper; Mercury is an invisible, odorless poison that can pollute oceans and rivers, contaminate our food and seep into the air, potentially causing severe health problems when ingested by humans. A major source of this pollution is chlor-alkali chemical manufacturing plants. Not only do these plants release harmful mercury into the environment, but they also cannot account for tons of mercury "lost" each year -- mercury which likely ends up in the air we breathe. This April 2006 NRDC issue paper reveals new sampling evidence that mercury emissions near the nation’s oldest and most polluting plants sometimes exceed government safe levels for chronic exposure, raising concerns for the health of residents who live near facilities in Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana.
Biofuels: The Growing Solution to Energy Dependence and Global Warming The Growing Solution to Energy Dependence and Global Warming: Index; In the fight to stop global warming and break our addiction to oil America needs to employ all our ingenuity. We need more efficient vehicles and we need a clean and renewable alternative to oil. Biofuels produced and used responsibly can be a component of a strategy to beat back global warming. This index collects NRDC studies, analyses and other policy materials that answer some of the most pressing questions about these fuels.
Peddling Plutonium: Analysis; This March 2006 analysis from NRDC's nuclear program finds the Bush administration’s "vision" of a taxpayer-funded global enterprise to extract and recycle plutonium to be unaffordable, uneconomic, unrealistic, unreliable and unsafe.
Harboring Pollution The Dirty Truth about U.S. Ports: Report; Marine ports in the United States are major hubs of economic activity and major sources of pollution. This March 2004 report by NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air assesses efforts at the 10 largest U.S. ports to control pollution, and provides an overview of policy and practical pollution mitigation recommendations. For more detailed analysis and technical recommendations, see the August 2004 report, Harboring Pollution: Strategies to Clean Up U.S. Ports, which contains practical strategies and policies for port operators, regulatory agencies and community-based organizations to reduce harmful pollution.
Yellowstone's Grizzlies Still Need Protection: Index; NRDC issue briefings and fact sheets explain why removing Yellowstone's grizzlies from the endangered species list puts bears in jeopardy.
Ethanol: Energy Well Spent A Survey of Studies Published Since 1990: Literature Review; America’s oil dependence threatens our security, economy, and environment. In the face of these concerns, ethanol is earning increasing attention as a cleaner, renewable and domestically produced alternative to fossil fuels for transportation. This February 2006 literature review of existing research on ethanol production concludes that ethanol does successfully capture and deliver renewable energy and can indeed help us reduce our dangerous addiction to fossil fuels.
A Hydrogen Future? An Economic and Environmental Assessment of Hydrogen Production Pathways: Issue Paper; Hydrogen is being touted as the fuel of the future, but how it is produced matters. This NRDC issue paper identifies current and possible future sources of hydrogen, and examines the cost and environmental impacts of different methods of hydrogen production. The least expensive and most developed methods in use today are not necessarily environmentally sustainable. The analysis suggests that hydrogen will not provide an immediate solution to America’s energy and climate crises.
Sounding the Depths II: The Rising Toll of Sonar, Shipping and Industrial Ocean Noise on Marine Life: Report; Ocean noise produced by military sonar, oil and gas exploration, and shipping traffic can have impacts on marine life ranging from long-term behavioral change to hearing loss to death. This November 2005 NRDC report reviews the science, surveys the leading contributors to the problem, and suggest what might be done to reduce the impacts of noise on the sea -- before the proliferation of noise sources makes the problem unmanageable.
Position Paper: Commercial Nuclear Power: Issue Paper; This October 2005 paper examines the issues that prevent nuclear power from becoming a leading means to combat global warming pollution. In its present state, the nuclear power industry suffers from too many security, safety and environmental exposure problems, not to mention excessive costs, to be a viable alternate energy source.
Comments on CARB's Regulations to Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Motor Vehicles: Comments; Official comments from NRDC's global warming and clean-cars experts on the draft regulations for implementation of AB 1493, California's landmark law requiring automakers to reduce heat-trapping exhaust from new vehicles by about 30 percent over the next decade.
After Katrina: New Solutions for Safe Communities and a Secure Energy Future: Report; The devastation and human suffering left behind by Hurricane Katrina has given America a task not faced since the Chicago fire, San Francisco earthquake, or perhaps even the Civil War -- the challenge of rebuilding one of its major cities. This September 2005 NRDC report represents the combined efforts of our best experts on public health, toxic waste, urban design, coastal protection, energy security and global warming to offer up a set of policies and practices to protect the safety and well-being of Gulf Coast residents -- and all Americans -- today, during the recovery period, and onward into a healthier, more sustainable future.
Environmental Policy Discussions After Hurricane Katrina: Index; Hurricane Katrina spurred widespread debate about environmental policies: those that may have contributed to the devastation and those that can help avert future disasters. As we work to ensure that our leaders take away the right lessons from this disaster, and respond with real solutions, we will update this page with NRDC recommendations and analyses.
In the Tank How Oil Prices Threaten Automakers' Profits and Jobs: Report; This July 2005 report from NRDC and noted auto industry analysts says that sales, profits and American jobs are at risk if Detroit's three big automakers continue with their SUV-reliant business strategy in the face of higher oil prices.
In the Tank: How Oil Prices Threaten Automakers' Profits and Jobs How Oil Prices Threaten Automakers' Profits and Jobs: Report; This July 2005 report from NRDC and noted auto industry analysts says that sales, profits and American jobs are at risk if Detroit's three big automakers continue with their SUV-reliant business strategy in the face of higher oil prices.
Energy Use in Consumer Products and Opportunities for Energy Savings: Index; Home energy consumption will rise unless manufacturers take steps to improve energy efficiency for electronics such as big-screen televisions, cable boxes and digital video recorders. NRDC studies measure the energy use of commonly owned electronics to see how much energy could be saved through product innovation. This index of NRDC information by product category presents research on energy saving options and policy recommendations.
Democracy in Action: The Energy Permitting Process Under NEPA: Testimony; Testimony of NRDC senior attorney Sharon Buccino at hearing on permitting of energy projects, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, May 25, 2005.
EPA's Proposed Policy on Sewage Dumping During Wet Weather Conditions: Testimony; The proposed policy will worsen water quality, expose the public to greater risk of illness and death from waterborne pathogens and toxic chemicals, and adversely affect the economy.
An Environmental Agenda for the 109th Congress: Issue Paper; This NRDC policy paper, issued in early 2005, summarizes the top environmental priorities NRDC sees ahead for the 109th Congress.
Medicines from the Deep: Issue Paper; Medical research suggests that novel compounds from the deep sea hold tremendous promise for treating human disease, highlighting the need to protect the fragile deep ocean bottom from destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling.
Cleaning Up Today's Dirty Diesels Retrofitting and Replacing Heavy-Duty Vehicles in the Coming Decade: Issue Paper; Stringent new federal standards for diesel fuel and emissions will provide significant health benefits. But these benefits will not be fully realized for 20 years unless effective programs are put in place to replace and retrofit today's fleets of dirty diesel vehicles. The most effective such programs will concentrate on urban areas, where people are exposed to more vehicle pollution, and on cleaning up the oldest, dirtiest vehicles first. This November 2004 NRDC issue paper details compelling arguments for instituting retrofit and replacement policies today and provides a roadmap for getting started.
An Alternative Path to Grizzly Recovery in the Lower 48 States: Issue Paper; This May 2004 NRDC policy paper outlines a practical plan for restoring grizzly bear populations in the lower 48 states by preserving grizzly habitat, anticipating and resolving conflicts between humans and bears and increasing public participation in grizzly protection. The paper presents an alternative to the current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan for grizzly protecton.
The Environmental Record of the 108th Congress: Issue Paper; The 108th Congress was called to order on January 7, 2003, and adjourned on December 8, 2004 (more than two full months after scheduled adjournment). We recount the major environmental battles and outcomes below.
Hybrids and the Future of Detroit: Presentation; Presented before the 2005 Automotive News Congress by Roland Hwang, vehicles policy director with NRDC's air & energy program, on January 18, 2005.
Rewriting the Rules (2005 Special Edition): Report; The Bush administration took nearly 150 actions to undermine environmental protections over the past year, consistent with its historic assault on the nation's environmental safeguards. This January 2005 NRDC report assesses the Bush presidency's first-term environmental policies, and previews battles expected during the administration's second term.
U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Issue Paper; A review of post-Cold War policy, force levels, and war planning.
Pollution Unchecked: A Case Study of Greene County, Pennsylvania: Report; Southwestern Pennsylvania's Greene County suffers from serious air and water pollution, and cancer rates in this predominantly low-income Appalachian community are substantially higher than state and national averages. This December 2004 report details the results of NRDC's investigation into the county's pollution problems, and finds that despite the obvious health risks county residents face, state and federal officials have repeatedly allowed inadequate monitoring of air and water pollution and have made no significant effort to collect data on possible health effects linked to pollution in Greene County.
Hidden Danger Environmental Health Threats to the Latino Community: Report; Pollution in the United States poses health risks for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or country of origin. A large percentage of U.S. Latinos, however, live and work in urban and agricultural areas where they face heightened danger of exposure to air pollution, unsafe drinking water, pesticides, and lead and mercury contamination. These hazards can cause serious health problems, including an increased risk of asthma and cancer; waterborne diseases such as giardiasis, hepatitis, and cholera; and neurological and developmental problems. This October 2004 NRDC report underscores the urgent need for government action on these environmental health threats.
Toward a Clean Energy Future in China In-depth policy papers and analyses from NRDC's China clean energy project.: Index; Clean energy is a cornerstone of China's future -- sustainable energy development will bring tremendous social, economic and environmental benefits to the people of the world's largest nation. This index collects policy papers and other technical documents from NRDC's clean-energy experts.
Creating the California Cleantech Cluster How Innovation and Investment Can Promote Job Growth and a Healthy Environment: Issue Paper; Cleantech is a relatively new industry that uses innovative technology to create economically compelling, environmentally friendly products and services -- everything from alternative energy generation and wastewater treatment to "green" consumer products. This September 2004 paper by NRDC and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) demonstrates that a cleantech cluster can be a major driver for investments and job growth in California. It offers concrete recommendations for making California a leading center for the cleantech industry.
Nuclear Insecurity: A Critique of the Bush Administration's Nuclear Weapons Policies: Report; This September 2004 report assesses the Bush administration's nuclear weapons policies and concludes that they have made the United States more vulnerable, not more secure. The report finds that these policies undermine the U.S. effort to combat terrorism by diverting resources from the real threats of our time, squandering billions of dollars on Cold War–era weapons and new nuclear warheads, and perpetuating the arms race. The report offers recommendations for a more responsible nuclear policy, including: honoring the U.S. commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, scrapping plans for nuclear bunker busters, and stopping the deployment of the unproven missile defense system.
Energy Down the Drain The Hidden Costs of California's Water Supply: Report; In the western United States, there is a close connection between water and power resources. Water utilities use large amounts of energy to treat and deliver water, and even after utilities deliver water, consumers burn more energy to heat, cool and use it. This August 2004 report from NRDC and the Pacific Institute shows how water planners in California have largely failed to consider the energy implications of their decisions, and suggests a model for how policymakers can calculate the amount of energy consumed in water use. Integrating energy use into water planning can save money, reduce waste, protect our environment and strengthen our economy.
Heat Advisory How Global Warming Causes More Bad Air Days: Report; Comprehensive analysis by medical experts showing that global warming would cause more summertime smog and higher pollen levels, which in turn might bring more asthma attacks, more hospitalizations, and limitations on time outdoors.
Comments on DOE's Draft SW/SPEIS for Continued Operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Comments; Submitted in writing to the U.S. Department of Energy/NNSA by Christopher E. Paine, NRDC senior nuclear program analyst, May 26, 2004.
The Future Role of Nuclear Power in the United States: Presentation; Presented to the Western Governors' Association North American Energy Summit, April 15, 2004, by Thomas B. Cochran, director of NRDC's nuclear program.
Is Hydrogen the Solution? Hydrogen fuels have long-term promise, but we need to act now to relieve dependence on foreign oil and reduce global warming pollution.: Issue Paper; Global warming pollution and dependence on foreign oil are urgent problems, and hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells vehicles have received much attention as potential solutions. This April 2004 NRDC policy paper outlines some dangers in leaning heavily on a "hydrogen economy" in the near term, and details other solutions that will be crucial to addressing energy security, air quality, and efforts to stop global warming over the next few decades.
Weaponeers of Waste: The Bush DOE's Nuclear Weapons Complex and Stockpile Stewardship: Report; This April 2004 report from NRDC's nuclear program finds that the U.S. nuclear "stockpile stewardship" program is spending billions on nuclear weapons research and production projects that are over budget and years behind in meeting their goals. Despite the end of the Cold War, the Bush administration is spending 12 times more on nuclear weapons research and production than on nonproliferation efforts to retrieve, secure and dispose of nuclear weapons materials worldwide.
The Bush Administration's Nuclear Energy Research and Development Program: Index; This index collects NRDC policy papers and analyses relating to the Bush administration's policies regarding nuclear-energy issues.
Recycling Returns: Ten Reforms for Making New York City's Recycling Program More Cost-Effective: Report; After suspending glass and plastic recycling in the summer of 2002 due to record budget deficits, New York City has restored its full recycling program. This April 2004 NRDC report, shaped by a steering committee of representatives from 10 environmental and consumer groups, recommends strategies to make recycling more economically stable, while helping to expand New York's recycling program.
Harboring Pollution Strategies to Clean Up U.S. Ports: Report; U.S. seaports are the largest and most poorly regulated sources of urban pollution in the country. This August 2004 report by NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air provides practical strategies and policies for port operators, regulatory agencies, and community-based organizations to reduce health-endangering air and water pollution, noise and light pollution that disrupts communities near ports, and harm to marine habitats. The report also provides information on the health effects of pollution from ports and a comprehensive overview of policies governing U.S. marine ports. A companion report, Harboring Pollution: The Dirty Truth about U.S. Ports, grades the activities of the ten largest U.S. ports in the areas of air and water quality, land use, and community relations.
Swimming in Sewage The Growing Problem of Sewage Pollution and How the Bush Administration Is Putting Our Health and Environment at Risk: Report; This February 2004 report from NRDC and the Environmental Integrity Project describes the emerging environmental and public health crisis resulting from our nation's failure to effectively treat sewage, presents seven case studies from around the country that illustrate how exposure to sewage pollution has killed or seriously injured people and harmed local economies, and recommends solutions to America's sewage problem.
Iran Develops Nuclear Technologies in Secret for 18 Years: Report; On November 10, 2003, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued a 30-page confidential report on Iran's nuclear activities. The report revealed that for the past 18 years Iran has secretly developed technologies for producing weapon-usable highly enriched uranium and plutonium. Read the report on NRDC's website.
The ABC News Nuclear Smuggling Experiment: The Sequel: Fact Sheet; This briefing paper provides information about NRDC's role in an ABC News investigative report on U.S. Customs' inability to detect smuggled nuclear weapons material. NRDC loaned ABC News the depleted uranium it used in its report. The briefing paper covers the properties of uranium, radioactive shielding, and how closely ABC's "experiment" reflects the potential for terrorists to smuggle weapon-grade uranium into the country.
Hearing on Future Options for Generation of Electricity from Coal June 24, 2003: Testimony; Presented before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center, on June 24, 2003.
The Bush Administration's Nuclear Weapons Policies: Index; This index collects NRDC policy papers and analyses relating to the Bush administration's policies regarding nuclear-weapons issues.
What's On Tap? Grading Drinking Water in U.S. Cities: Report; This June 2003 NRDC study of drinking water quality in 19 U.S. cities finds that pollution and deteriorating, out-of-date plumbing are sometimes delivering drinking water that might pose health risks to some residents -- and unless steps are taken now, tap water will get worse. The report issues grades to each municipal water system studied in three problem areas -- water quality and compliance, source water protection, and right-to-know compliance -- and outlines a plan for protecting the nation's drinking water supply.
Is Landfill Gas Green Energy?: Issue Paper; This May 2003 NRDC paper looks at the health impacts from burning landfill gas, the sustainability of landfill gas, and the ability of the subsidies to promote landfilling over recycling.
The Moscow Treaty: Index; The documents in this index offer analyses from NRDC's nuclear progam of serious deficiencies in the "Moscow Treaty" -- the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty signed by Presidents Bush and Putin in May 2002.
Wildfires in Western Forests: Issue Paper; This May 2003 NRDC policy paper summarizes the best available science and analysis on Western wildfires and woodland community protection.
Energy Efficiency Leadership in California: Preventing the Next Crisis Preventing the Next Crisis: Report; California's energy crisis of 2001 would likely have been much more painful and protracted had not the state's residents and businesses, nonprofit organizations, government and utilities united behind the most successful statewide energy conservation campaign in history. And today, instead of slipping back into old habits, Californians are sustaining much of the conservation seen during the crisis, even accounting for the dampening effect of a slower economy. This April 2003 report from NRDC and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group details how California has modeled some of the best possible ways that states can protect their economies and environments by working to reduce demand for electricity. The report also spotlights untapped savings that California should also be reaching for.
Environmental Characteristics of Smart Growth Neighborhoods: Issue Paper; These studies, published in October 2000 and February 2003 for NRDC in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, suggest that the environmental benefits of smart growth are real and can be measured.
Improving Appliance Efficiency: Index; This index collects NRDC documents outlining policies and practices that will promote appliance efficiency.
Holding the Line: The Environmental Record of the 107th Congress: Report; This December 2002 report tracks the environmental record of the 107th Congress and identifies issues to watch in the 108th.
Cape May to Montauk: A Coastal Protection Report Card: Report; The Atlantic coastlines of New York and New Jersey are imperiled today by widespread pollution and unchecked coastal development. This December 2002 NRDC study grades 169 localities and a half-dozen state and federal agencies for their effectiveness at controlling pollution and managing coastal sprawl.
Index of NRDC Nuclear Data: Index; Detailed NRDC data dealing with nuclear stockpiles, materials, and forces.
Clean Water at Risk: An Assessment of Bush Administration Water Protection Rollbacks: Report; An October 2002 NRDC report -- issued on the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water Act -- that assesses the impact this landmark environmental law has had on the safety and environmental health of the nation’s waterways and documents the Bush administration's sustained attack on clean water protections.
America's Gas Tank: The High Cost of Canada's Oil and Gas Export Strategy: Report; Canada, not Saudi Arabia, is the single largest supplier of oil and gas to the United States. This October 2002 report from NRDC and the Sierra Club of Canada shows that U.S. demand for fossil fuels is destroying Canadian air, land and water resources, and recommends that Canada aggressively adopt renewable energy sources, protect wilderness areas from fossil fuel exploitation, and pass tougher laws to limit pollution from the oil and gas industry.
Fueling the Future: A Plan to Reduce California's Oil Dependence A Plan to Reduce California's Oil Dependence: Report; California's demand for gasoline is expected to grow by 30 percent by 2020, a pace the state's refineries will not be able to keep up with. This September 2002 report says that motorists will face higher prices and volatility at the gas pump unless the state reduces petroleum demand through a combination of fuel efficiency, advanced vehicle technologies, public education and smart growth.
Wildlife Species and Their Habitat: The Adverse Impacts of Logging: Report; This supplement to NRDC's End of the Road report provides additional detail on the specific effects of logging on North American wildlife, as studied and recorded in independently peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Wetlands at Risk: Imperiled Treasures How a Supreme Court Decision Jeopardizes Millions of Acres of Waters and Wetlands.: Report; America's wetlands, which provide critical wildlife habitat as well as pollution and flood control, are drained, filled and polluted at an alarming rate. This July 2002 report from NRDC and the National Wildlife Federation looks at the potentially damaging consequences of a January 2001 Supreme Court decision regarding "isolated wetlands," and illustrates the vital role these areas play in ecosystems across the United States.
Out of the Gutter Reducing Polluted Runoff in the District of Columbia: Report; Every time it rains, Washington, D.C. -- like most major cities -- is plagued by stormwater runoff, which has gravely contaminated the city's three major rivers (the Potomac, the Anacostia, and Rock Creek). To clean up the pollution, the city's Water and Sewer Authority is relying on conventional stormwater management practices, which are costly and outdated. In this July 2002 report, NRDC recommends instead that WASA adopt an approach called low-impact development, which would use "green" roofs, strategically placed beds of native plants, rain barrels, and other measures to soak up rain and prevent it from washing directly into waterways. NRDC is also urging the local government and WASA to restructure the city's flat stormwater fee, protect environmentally sensitive lands, restore the urban forest, and encourage water conservation and water reuse techniques.
The Consequences of Nuclear Conflict between India and Pakistan: Analysis; NRDC's nuclear experts think about the unthinkable, using state-of-the-art nuclear war simulation software to assess the crisis in South Asia.
Environment in the Crosshairs: Assessing Federal Legislation in 2001 (107th Congress): Report; This February 2002 NRDC report describes the battles waged by the 107th Congress over public lands, water and health. Tracking major environmental legislation throughout 2002, the report concludes that the political agenda of both the House leadership and the White House has been to weaken environmental protections and policies at every turn, and only the leadership of the Senate has prevented the worst from occurring.
The Cheney Energy Task Force Records A review and analysis of the proceedings leading to the Bush administration's formulation of its May 2001 energy policy.: Index; In the spring of 2002, under order from a federal judge, the U.S. Department of Energy released to NRDC roughly 13,500 pages relating to previously secret proceedings of the Bush administration's energy task force. The records, available here in their entirety, show that government officials sought extensive advice from utility companies and the oil, gas, coal and nuclear energy industries, and incorporated their recommendations, often word for word, into the energy plan.
The Environmental Impacts of the World Trade Center Attacks: Report; The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, perhaps the worst episode in the history of New York City, also created a significant environmental health emergency. This February 2002 report lays out the facts, as best as we know them at this point, regarding both the environmental impacts of the attacks and the response of government officials to the ensuing environmental emergency. It also sets forth recommendations for improving New York's readiness for future environmental health emergencies.
The Environmental Impacts of the World Trade Center Attacks: Report; The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, perhaps the worst episode in the history of New York City, also created a significant environmental health emergency. This February 2002 report examines the facts regarding both the environmental impacts of the attacks and the response of government officials to the ensuing environmental emergency. It also sets forth recommendations for improving New York's readiness for future environmental health emergencies.
Gridlock on the National Forests: Testimony; Testimony of Nathaniel Lawrence, NRDC senior attorney, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health (Committee on Resources).
The National Fire Plan: Testimony; Testimony of Nathaniel Lawrence, NRDC senior attorney, before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Policy Reports and Analyses: Fact Sheet; In-depth information on the controversy over opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, from NRDC's lawyers, scientists and analysts.
Solving Sprawl Models of Smart Growth in Communities Across America: Report; Sprawl is taking a grave toll on our environment and the way we live, giving us mind-numbing traffic, ugly strip development, fragmented communities, and loss of open space. In the seemingly disconnected jumble of subdivisions and empty downtowns, a sense of place seems harder and harder to find. But this November 2001 book from NRDC, Solving Sprawl, offers an inspiring contrast to these grim trends. Through 35 real-world stories, the book illustrates how people in cities, suburbs, and rural areas have found profitable, community-oriented alternatives to sprawl.
Feeling the Heat in Florida Global Warming on the Local Level: Report; Accelerated climate change may seem like a remote concern to most Floridians, but in fact, global warming threatens the beautiful coastal communities and tourist-driven prosperity the state is known for. This October 2001 NRDC report finds that global warming in Florida will lead to coastal floods, saltwater contamination of underground drinking water supplies, more frequent wildfires, declining crop yields, and severe deterioration of the state's unique Everglades and coral-reef ecosystems. While the worst effects won't come for several decades, the report makes it clear that state officials should begin preparing now and reduce the pollution that causes global warming.
Stormwater Strategies: Community Responses to Runoff Pollution: Report; A report documenting some of the most effective strategies being employed by communities around the country to control urban runoff pollution, which is among the top sources of water contamination today. The collection of 100 case studies is intended to serve as a guide for local decisionmakers, municipal officials, and environmental activists; it is also a resource for citizens concerned about the quality of their local environment. Also available: a CD ROM version that includes color photographs and new case studies on "low-impact development" solutions.
Clean Getaway Toward Safe and Efficient Vehicles: Report; No one chooses a vehicle because it gets poor gas mileage. Rather, we buy our cars and trucks to get to work, to school, to play, and to get there safely. This July 2001 NRDC report describes how proven automotive technologies now make it possible to dramatically increase the fuel economy of cars and light trucks without compromising safety, performance, or consumer choice. It also explains how raising the corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) standards will benefit consumers' pocketbooks, the public's health, and the nation's economy.
Cesspools of Shame How Factory Farm Lagoons and Sprayfields Threaten Environmental and Public Health: Report; This July 2001 report from NRDC and the Clean Water Network documents how animal waste from factory farms threatens human health and our nation's rivers. Most factory farms store animal waste in open lagoons as large as several football fields. Lagoons routinely burst, sending millions of gallons of manure into waterways and spreading microbes that can cause gastroenteritis, fevers, kidney failure, and death. This report lists the track records of the largest polluters and recommends existing technology that is safer and more sustainable.
Climate Change Technology and Policy Options July 10, 2001: Testimony; Presented before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center, July 10, 2001.
Hostile Environment: How Activist Judges Threaten Our Air, Water, and Land: Report; In the past decade, several federal judges have placed their own political agenda above the clear mandates of our environmental laws. Ignoring congressional statutes and legal precedent, they have put new hurdles in the way of environmental regulators and closed courthouse doors to citizens who would sue polluters. This July 2001 NRDC report tracks these developments, and charges that appointing new activist judges to the bench could signal a death sentence for many environmental protections.
The U.S. Nuclear War Plan: A Time for Change: Report; A June 2001 report from NRDC's nuclear program assessing the U.S. nuclear war planning process and the assumptions and logic of the SIOP, or Single Integrated Operational Plan, a Cold War relic that continues to guide U.S. nuclear war plans. Using customized computer software and a vast aggregation of declassified and open-source data to closely approximate the tools that SIOP planners use, NRDC has simulated a U.S. attack against Russian nuclear forces and attacks against Russian cities. The report includes a description of the history, evolution and working process of SIOP; detailed descriptions of the NRDC nuclear war simulation model and target database; and policy recommendations.
Slower, Costlier and Dirtier A Critique of the Bush Energy Plan: Report; This May 2001 NRDC report is an extensive analysis of the Bush administration energy plan that was released on May 17. NRDC's energy experts found it heavily biased in favor of the most polluting fossil fuels -- coal and oil -- at the expense of the environment and public health. Furthermore, the plan would have no impact on energy prices, and no practical effect on U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil. The fact is that the United States can meet its energy needs without undermining environmental safeguards or ruining the last remaining pristine wilderness areas in the country.
California's Contaminated Groundwater Is the State Minding the Store?: Report; Despite the importance of groundwater to its population and economy -- and ample evidence of dangerous groundwater-contamination problems that will be expensive to address -- California does not effectively monitor or protect its groundwater supplies. This April 2001 report documents the lapses in the state's data gathering, monitoring, and protection of this vital resource, and makes recommendations for reforms.
Keeping Oceans Wild How Marine Reserves Protect Our Living Seas: Report; Marine reserves are like national parks, and they are critical to keeping the world's oceans healthy and productive. This NRDC report demonstrates how placing important ocean areas off-limits is already reaping tremendous benefits, and shows how each of us can participate in protecting marine life and habitat for the future.
The Legislative Record: Environment and the 106th Congress: Report; This February 2001 report analyzes major environmental legislative activity in the 106th Congress and evaluates progress by subject area. The report concludes that the environmental legacy of the 106th Congress lies largely in its failure to take any meaningful action to protect public health and the environment.
No Breathing in the Aisles Diesel Exhaust Inside School Buses: Report; This February 2001 study from NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air shows that children who ride a diesel school bus may be exposed to up to four times more toxic diesel exhaust than someone traveling in a car directly in front of it. The study found that excess exhaust levels on school buses were 23 to 46 times higher than levels considered to be a significant cancer risk according to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and federal guidelines.
Priority Ocean Areas for Protection in the Mid-Atlantic: Findings of NRDC's Marine Habitat Workshop: Report; In September 2000, NRDC organized a workshop that brought scientists together to identify specific priority ocean areas in the mid-Atlantic for protection. This report summarizes the results of the scientific workshop in order to foster better understanding, management, and protection of marine species and habitat in federal waters of the mid-Atlantic. The report includes maps reflecting priority areas recommended by each participating scientist.
Another Cost of Sprawl: The Effects of Land Use on Wastewater Utility Costs: Report; A 1998 NRDC study that adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that low-density sprawl development is costly, inefficient, and inequitable.
Poisons on Pets Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products: Report; This report highlights the potential health hazards to humans and pets from flea collars and other flea and tick control products. The report recommends that the EPA ban the use of an entire class of these products -- those using organophosphates. It also offers recommendations for pet owners on combating fleas and ticks with a variety of simple non-chemical steps and/or by applying safer products, including insect growth regulators.
Drawdown: Groundwater Mining on Black Mesa: Report; For more than 40 years, Peabody Western Coal Company has been draining billions of gallons of potable, pristine groundwater from an aquifer under the Black Mesa plateau in Arizona -- water that serves as the primary source of drinking water for the area’s Hopi and Navajo residents. In 2000, NRDC published an assessment of the damage caused by this groundwater mining and determined that the Navajo aquifer showed signs of serious decline after years of pumping by Peabody. This 2006 update to the original report concludes that material damage is still present in Black Mesa and that the aquifer shows signs of continuing damage and deterioration. NRDC also considers the role of the federal government in addressing the damage and recommends actions that would help conserve Black Mesa's water supply.
Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?: Report; A petition to the FDA and attached report on the results of NRDC's four-year study of the bottled water industry, including its bacterial and chemical contamination problems. The petition and report find major gaps in bottled water regulation and conclude that bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water.
National Ignition Facility and Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship Resource Page: Index; An archive of documents and related NRDC commentary intended to promote public awareness of both the U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear "Stockpile Stewardship" strategy and the National Ignition Facility, a laser facility under construction that constitutes a major component of the department's strategy.
When Peer Review Fails: The Roots of the National Ignition Facility Debacle: Report; A report from NRDC's nuclear program detailing serious problems with the National Ignition Facility, a laser facility under construction by the Department of Energy at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, including enormous cost overruns as well as the likely inability of the project to achieve its primary mission -- fusion ignition. The report, written by NRDC senior researcher Christopher Paine, also offers recommendations regarding the future of the NIF.
Developments and Dollars: An Introduction to Fiscal Impact Analysis in Land Use Planning: Report; This guide provides citizens, planners, local officials and others concerned with sprawling development and growth issues with tools they need to examine the likely impacts of development proposals on local taxes and municipal budgets. It also offers advice on accounting practices sometimes used to make development appear more attractive to local governments than it really is.
Unwelcome (Human) Neighbors: Sprawl and Wildlife: Issue Paper; A policy paper detailing how roads and sprawling neighborhoods are replacing pristine wildlife habitats at an alarming pace, putting the survival and reproduction of plants and animals at risk.
Paving Paradise: Sprawl and the Environment: Report; Make no mistake about it: to expand metropolitan areas into the countryside at rates many times faster than population growth, as we have been doing over the past five decades, is not good for the environment. Whether we can improve the pattern in the coming decades will be critical because, in the first half of the 21st century, the U.S. population is expected to grow by half. That anticipated growth of some 130 million people is equivalent to the current population of France and Germany combined. Where will these new citizens live, work, and shop? How important is it that we, as environmentalists who care about sustainability, bring resources to bear on the shape of America's future urban development?
Arsenic and Old Laws A Scientific and Public Health Analysis of Arsenic Occurrence in Drinking Water, Its Health Effects, and EPA's Outdated Arsenic Tap Water Standard.: Report; A scientific and public health analysis of arsenic occurrence in drinking water, its health effects, and EPA's outdated arsenic tap water standard. A report analyzing data collected by water systems in 25 states between 1980 and 1998 and compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The study finds that millions of Americans drink tap water from systems that have been shown to contain arsenic, a known toxin and carcinogen, at average levels that pose unacceptable cancer risks.
At the Crossroads: Environmental Threats and Opportunities in the 106th Congress: Report; A report offering a comprehensive review of environmental legislation Congress is expected to consider in 2000. The report includes a summary and analysis of each pending legislative proposal on the environment, a short review of various "regulatory reform" bills, charts showing the legislative status of each pending environmental and regulatory reform bill, and a list of laws and appropriations riders affecting the environment that were passed in 1999.
End of the Road: The Adverse Ecological Impacts of Roads and Logging A Compilation of Independently Reviewed Research: Report; An annotated bibliography providing an overview of primary research, almost all from peer-reviewed journals, documenting the adverse impacts of roads and logging on North American forest ecosystems.
Tall Tales of the Test Ban Opposition: Analysis; A reply to the September 1999 letter to Senator Lott from Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty opponents. By Christopher E. Paine, senior researcher in NRDC's nuclear program.
Preventing Industrial Pollution at its Source: Report; A report detailing a project undertaken by NRDC, Dow Chemical, and a group of five community activists to reduce waste and emissions at Dow's Midland, Michigan, chemical manufacturing plant. The project, begun in late 1996 and completed in April 1999, aimed to achieve 35 percent reductions in pollution emission through pollution prevention -- manufacturing process improvements that decrease waste before it is generated. The project exceeded that goal, achieving emissions reductions of 43 percent.
Preventing Industrial Pollution at its Source A Final Report of the Michigan Source Reduction Initiative: Report; A report detailing a project undertaken by NRDC, Dow Chemical, and a group of five community activists to reduce waste and emissions at Dow's Midland, Michigan, chemical manufacturing plant. The project, begun in late 1996 and completed in April 1999, aimed to achieve 35 percent reductions in pollution emission through pollution prevention -- manufacturing process improvements that decrease waste before it is generated. The project exceeded that goal, achieving emissions reductions of 43 percent.
Under Attack: New York's Kensico and West Branch Reservoirs Confront Intensified Development: Report; A report finding that encroaching development and inadequate protection by city and state officials threaten New York City's two most important reservoirs.
Facing Reality: Resuming Nuclear Test Explosions Would Harm U.S. and International Security: Analysis; A January 1999 response to the Cato Institute's policy paper on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty entitled "The Costs Outweigh the Benefits." By Christopher E. Paine, senior researcher in NRDC's nuclear program.
Settlement of the Contempt Action Against the Department of Energy: Litigation; The landmark settlement of a ten-year lawsuit involving the Department of Energy's program to manage radioactive waste and the cleanup of environmental contamination caused by nuclear weapons production in the United States. The suit was filed by NRDC's nuclear program on behalf of NRDC and 38 other citizen groups. As part of the settlement, the department agreed to provide a $6.25 million technical assistance fund for communities affected by the cleanup program as well as an Internet database providing access to information on the progress of the cleanup.
America's Animal Factories How States Fail to Prevent Pollution from Livestock Waste: Report; A report examining the environmental and health consequences of pollution from industrial livestock farms in 30 states, as well as the widely varying efforts to curtail it.
Damage Report: Environment and the 105th Congress: Report; A report on the action -- and inaction -- of the 105th Congress on environmental issues. In particular, the report highlights the fact that the most important environmental battles of this Congress occurred not over proposals to revise environmental statutes, but over provisions buried in federal spending bills.
Trouble on the Farm: Growing Up with Pesticides in Agricultural Communities: Report; A report examining the disproportionate exposure to dangerous pesticides borne by children of farmers and farm workers, and the related threats to their health.
Efficient Wood Use in Residential Construction A Practical Guide to Saving Wood, Money, and Forests: Report; The online excerpts of this handbook summarize the advantages of several wood-efficient approaches to design, material selection, and construction for residential applications, and describe the extensive practical and resource information for builders, architects, engineers, developers, lenders, and insurers provided in the print version.
Endocrine Disruption: An Overview and Resource List: Issue Paper; This paper provides an introductory explanation of the ways in which synthetic chemicals in the environment can interfere with the natural hormonal systems of humans and other living things. It also describes the implications of and approaches to addressing the problem, and provides extensive print and online reference listings.
Fields of Change: A New Crop of American Farmers Finds Alternatives to Pesticides: Report; A study profiling 22 farmers from 16 states who, despite significant barriers, are switching from conventional pest management to profitable alternative agricultural practices that substantially reduce pesticide use.
Exhausted by Diesel How America's Dependence on Diesel Engines Threatens Our Health: Report; This report describes the impacts of diesel exhaust on human health, makes recommendations and includes success stories about alternatives to diesel fuel.
Taking Stock: Worldwide Nuclear Deployments 1998: Report; A report providing, for the first time, authoritative estimates of the sizes and locations of the nuclear arsenals of the U.S., Russia, Britain, France and China. The report contains detailed descriptions, including maps and tables, of today's arsenals, and describes the events that have led to the consolidation of weapons storage sites. The authors also project likely trends for the future.
Does the U.S. Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship Program Pose a Proliferation Threat?: Analysis; An article that first appeared, in shorter form, in the journal Science and Global Security. By Christopher E. Paine, senior researcher and co-director, and Matthew G. McKinzie, project scientist, with NRDC's nuclear program.
Our Children At Risk: The Five Worst Environmental Threats to Their Health: Report; A report identifying the special vulnerability of children to environmental hazards and highlighting the growing evidence pointing to a link between pollution and childhood illnesses. The report makes recommendations, at both the policy and personal levels, for the protection of the next generation.
The Rise and Fall of the Third ICF Review A Case Study of Bias and Conflicts of Interest in a National Academy of Sciences Review of the National Ignition Facility: Report; A case study of bias and conflicts of interest in a National Academy of Sciences review of the Department Of Energy's National Ignition Facility.
End Run: The U.S. Government’s Plan for Designing Nuclear Weapons and Simulating Nuclear Explosions under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: Report; A report on the U.S. Government's plan for designing nuclear weapons and simulating nuclear explosions under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Explosive Alliances: Nuclear Weapons Simulation Research at American Universities: Report; A report on the Department of Energy's awarding of U.S. nuclear weapons program research contracts to universities. The report includes policy recommendations on this issue.
The Internet and the Bomb: A Research Guide to Policy and Information about Nuclear Weapons: Report; A research guide documenting online resources in the nuclear weapons field -- news, government decisions, background reference materials, facts and data about a full range of U.S. government programs.
Too Good To Throw Away: Recycling's Proven Record: Report; A report detailing the environmental benefits of recycling and addressing the claims of a small but vocal chorus of special interests that have tried to cast doubt on its value.
Hook, Line, and Sinking: The Crisis in Marine Fisheries: Report; A report documenting the plight of marine fisheries worldwide, with particular emphasis on United States waters. The report gives detailed information about the status of fish populations in the U.S., evaluates the factors contributing to fish depletion both domestically and internationally, and concludes with recommendations to reverse the decline.
NRDC's Washington, DC Eco-Office Tomorrow's Workplace, Today: Report; This report contains information on environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building materials and technologies used in the construction of NRDC's Washington, D.C. office. The report includes product listings and contact information useful to building industry professionals and others interested in "green" architecture and design.
Risky Business Hidden Environmental Liabilities of Power Plant Ownership: Report; A ranking of the "environmental liability" for all major U.S. utilities.
Breath-taking Premature Mortality Due to Particulate Air Pollution in 239 American Cities: Report; Excerpts from a groundbreaking May 1996 NRDC report on premature mortality due to particulate air pollution in 239 American cities.

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DOs and DON’Ts for Creating Carbon Price Safeguards: As the Senate takes up energy and climate legislation, many are considering the best approach to meet a strong cap on carbon emissions while assuring that carbon allowance prices remain reasonable and that market abuses are prevented. The core...
Top 10 Reasons the Senate Should Pass Climate and Energy Legislation This Year: The House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) at the end of June. The House bill is not perfect (no legislation is), but it addresses concerns about cost, consumer protection, regional impacts, and industrial competitiveness...
Analysis of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES): An analysis of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), outlining the potential of the legislation for creating millions of jobs, breaking our dependence on oil, and reducing the pollution that causes global warming. The...

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