Media Center

California Bill Passes to Reduce GHG Emissions from Cement

September 9, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – A bill aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the production of cement is headed to Governor Newsom’s desk today after passing out of the state legislature. Cement is a major source of local air pollution and California's…

Groups Sue EPA for Stronger Clean Air Protections

September 8, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON — NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council), together with Sierra Club and the Environmental Integrity Project, sued the Environmental Protection Agency today to force it to fulfill its Clean Air Act obligations and require states to close polluter loopholes…

California Passes Nation’s First Building Code that Establishes Pollution-free Electric Heat Pumps as Baseline Technology; Leads Transition Off of Fossil Fuels in New Homes

August 11, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

A majority of the state’s new homes and buildings estimated to be gas-free starting in 2023, cutting climate pollution and delivering significant air quality gains

DOE Proposes Repeal of Illegal Dishwasher Rule

August 3, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – The Department of Energy (DOE) today moved to repeal a Trump-era rule that allowed certain new dishwashers to be made and sold without any limits on energy and water consumption.

Boston City Council Hearing Shows Broad Support for Cutting Climate Emissions from Buildings

July 22, 2021 Press ReleaseBoston

BOSTON -- Today the Boston City Council held a public hearing on an ordinance amendment introduced last month which would require existing buildings 20,000 square-feet and larger to reduce their carbon footprint over the next 30 years. Boston is only…

DOE Proposes Reversal of Trump-Era Showerhead Rule

July 16, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON (July 16, 2021) – The Department of Energy (DOE) moved today to protect consumers from shower products that waste energy and water and increase their utility bills. In a notice today, DOE announced a proposed rule to eliminate a…

Ohio Lawmakers Vote to Restrict Freedom of Local Governments to Shape Energy Future

June 24, 2021 Press ReleaseOhio

The Ohio Senate passed HB201 today, a gas industry backed bill focused on keeping Ohio communities reliant on methane gas hookups which have negative impacts on health and climate, by limiting local governments’ freedom to make energy infrastructure decisions in…

Colorado First State to Pass Labor-Backed Electrification Policy

June 21, 2021 Press ReleaseColorado

DENVER — Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB21-246 today, making his state the first in the nation to pass an electrification policy with support from organized labor. The Colorado BlueGreen Alliance-backed legislation will help Coloradans upgrade to efficient electric appliances…

Denver Releases Renewable Heating and Cooling Plan

June 15, 2021 Press ReleaseDenver

DENVER — The Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) released a Renewable Heating and Cooling Plan today showing how Denver residents can heat and cool their homes and businesses efficiently with clean electricity. The Plan describes opportunities…

CO Legislators Pass 4 Bills to Reduce Building Emissions, Cut Utility Costs

June 8, 2021 Press ReleaseColorado

DENVER — Colorado legislators passed three bills today and four total this session to help Coloradans cut energy waste and power their homes and businesses with clean electricity. In addition to reducing utility bills, cutting down on indoor air pollution…

Michigan Lawmakers Attempting to Prevent Local Governments from Making Energy Choices

May 25, 2021 Press ReleaseMichigan

Michigan lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 4575) that would prohibit the state’s local governments from making choices about the continued use of fossil gas in homes and buildings, limiting their options to meet their residents’ health, energy, and economic…

DOE Takes Steps on Overdue Efficiency Standards for Light Bulbs

May 20, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON– The U.S. Department of Energy issued a Request for Information (RFI) notice today re-evaluating its prior determination that the Secretary of Energy was not required to implement the statutory backstop requirement for general service lamps (GSLs).

EPA’s Swift Move on HFCs to Deliver Huge Health and Climate Benefits

May 3, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency proposed rules today to phase down the production and import of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – the super potent heat-trapping pollutants used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and myriad other applications – by 85 percent over the…

New Guide Charts Path to High-Road Clean Energy Jobs

April 13, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

San Francisco — As the Biden-Harris administration looks to create good union jobs and tackle climate change at the same time, a new guide charts how cities can incorporate workforce development and equity goals into their climate action plans.

NRDC, Industry, Others Urge EPA to Curb Climate-Damaging HFCs

April 13, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – Environmental groups, the state of Colorado and industry associations today are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to quickly implement a major new climate law by restricting the use of super climate polluting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in air conditioning, refrigeration…

Biden DOE Takes Steps to Reverse Harmful Energy Efficiency Standards Process Changes

March 31, 2021 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today began unraveling the Trump administration’s harmful and illegal changes to the process for establishing national energy efficiency standards for America’s appliances and equipment, which will avoid significant harm to consumers and…

NV Senate Committee Introduces Energy Savings Bill (SB382) to Cut Carbon, Save Money

March 26, 2021 Press ReleaseNevada

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee introduced the Energy Savings bill (SB382) today. This bill–which has already garnered support from local business, consumer, and environmental organizations–would make it easier for Nevada homes and businesses to keep…

CLEAN Future Act Strives to Boost Jobs, Justice and Climate Action

March 2, 2021 Press Release

WASHINGTON – House energy and environment leaders are expected to introduce broad-ranging legislation today addressing the climate crisis by cutting climate emissions in half by 2030, boosting jobs for workers, protecting communities burdened by pollution and putting the United States…

Virginia’s Historic Bill Will Cut Tailpipe Pollution

February 19, 2021 Press Release

WASHINGTON – Virginia’s Senate passed “Clean Cars Virginia” legislation today, putting the measure on a sure path to becoming law. This measure will ensure that people can purchase vehicles that pollute less and save them money at the pump.

New Report Shows Benefits of Clean Cars in Nevada

February 16, 2021 Press Release

RENO — A report released today shows that Nevada can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10.8 million metric tons and avoid more than 900 tons of health-threatening pollutants every year by 2050 by getting more Nevadans driving clean…