Media Center

Minnesota Declares Sept. 14 “Clean Grid Day”

September 14, 2023 Press ReleaseMinneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (September 14, 2023) – Today, as members of Minnesota’s grid operator Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) meet in Minneapolis to discuss the future of the Midwestern grid, Gov. Tim Walz declared September 14 “Clean Grid Day.” At the beginning…

Report: California Legislation Can Cut Carbon From Building Materials

September 13, 2023 Press ReleaseSan Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – The carbon emissions associated with materials used in the built environment, referred to as “embodied carbon,” are estimated to contribute up to 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions.1 According to a new report from sustainable development…

Army Corps Considers Continued Operation of Destructive Dakota Access Pipeline

September 8, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a draft environmental impact statement today for the operation of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatens the lands, water supply, and valuable cultural resources of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Biden Administration to Cancel Arctic Refuge Oil and Gas Leases

September 6, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Biden administration canceled Trump-era leases for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, eliminating an imminent threat to drill within the refuge’s 1.6-million-acre Coastal Plain.

Governor Newsom and CA Legislature Agree on Path to Clean, Reliable Energy

September 1, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

Governor Gavin Newsom and the California state legislature have announced an agreement to protect the reliability of California's energy grid amid the state's transition to clean energy. The bill centers the procurement of clean electricity, expedition of electric infrastructure projects, strengthening…

U.S. Department of Transportation Suspends LNG by Rail Rule

September 1, 2023 Press ReleaseNew Jersey, Pennsylvania

According to the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Transportation has suspended a rule promulgated by the Trump Administration that permits liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport by rail.

Governor Whitmer Addresses Energy Policy in 'What's Next Address'

August 30, 2023 Press ReleaseMichigan

Governor Whitmer outlined policy priorities for the fall today in her “What’s Next Address.”

More than 150,000 People Called on Biden Administration to Fully Restore Endangered Species Act

August 21, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

More than 150,000 people are calling on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to fully restore the Endangered Species Act (ESA), following proposed regulations that resulted from federal lawsuits challenging harmful regulations…

General Assembly Overrides Governor Cooper’s Veto on House Bill 488

August 17, 2023 Press ReleaseNorth Carolina

The North Carolina General Assembly overrode Governor Cooper’s veto of HB 488. The bill freezes the state’s residential building codes, as well as energy, plumbing, and mechanical codes, until 2031.

NRDC: EPA’s Power Plant Carbon Standards Are Essential

August 8, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency is on the right path with its proposed standards to cut carbon pollution from power plants, according to comments environmental groups will submit to the agency today.

NRDC: Fuel Economy Standards Save Drivers at the Pump

July 28, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks that will save drivers money at the pump and cut our nation’s dependence on oil.

FERC Interconnection Efforts "Raise the Floor" on Grid Decarbonization Pathways

July 27, 2023 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held a meeting on a forthcoming rule to improve interregional transmission. During their presentation, commissioners previewed efforts to standardize processes across different grid operators, increase accountability for action, and usher…

PJM Report Confirms Blackout Danger from Poor Maintenance at Gas-Fired Power Plants

July 24, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

Today PJM gave a presentation on its detailed report on Winter Storm Elliott, which caused blackouts across the Southeast and threatened much wider problems within the eastern grid. At the meeting the operator confirmed what was established in the report has long…

DOE’s Water Heater Standards Promise Substantial Energy Savings

July 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced updated energy efficiency standards for residential water heaters today promising substantial energy savings of 27 quadrillion BTUs ("quads") of energy over the next 30 years and reduced energy bills for consumers.

Feds Propose New Critical Habitat Designation for Endangered Whale 

July 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has submitted a proposed rule designating critical habitat for the highly endangered Rice’s whale. With only approximately 50 whales remaining, Rice’s whales are among the most endangered whales in the world, making this habitat designation essential…

Biden Administration Proposes Reforms to Oil and Gas Leasing on Public Lands

July 20, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a proposal today to reform several aspects of onshore oil and gas leasing. The changes include increases to royalty and bonding rates, ending non-competitive leasing and several other measures…

Report: Strong Clean Vehicle Standards Can Deliver $44 Billion in Health, Economic and Climate Benefits to New Mexicans 

July 18, 2023 Press ReleaseSanta Fe

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently announced bold action which will give New Mexicans more electric car and truck options in the coming years, and a new report shows the state can deliver the most health, jobs, and energy…

President Biden Declines to Embargo Products from Mexico for Vaquita Violation

July 18, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

President Biden announced yesterday that he will not embargo products from Mexico despite its failure to halt the illegal wildlife trade threatening the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. The decision responds to the Secretary of the Interior’s recent certification under the…

House Majority’s Bill on Environmental Funding Is Atrocious

July 18, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The razor-thin House majority, after weeks of delay and concessions to the most extreme elements of its fractured conference, has put forward its version of the annual appropriations bill that funds most of the federal government’s environmental programs and priorities. The…

Groups Welcome New Denver Mayor

July 13, 2023 Press ReleaseDenver

Environmental, racial justice and health organizations today welcomed the upcoming inauguration of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and urge him to work with City Council and regional experts to build on the city’s environmental successes with bold action addressing climate change…