Media Center

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…

California Legislature Strengthens Infrastructure Trailer Bill Package to Protect Communities and the Environment

June 27, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

California’s legislature has agreed to a significantly modified set of infrastructure trailer bills to accompany the 2023-2024 budget bills, significantly strengthening the proposed trailer bills in order to better protect communities and the environment.

California PUC Finalizes Solar Net Metering Decision

December 15, 2022 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission issued its final decision for Net Billing Tariff today, which establishes the state’s approach to solar rooftop and storage incentives and rates for the next five years.

NRDC Statement on Passage of the Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act SB 54

June 30, 2022 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature passed, and Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. NRDC supports the bill now that it prohibits counting so-called "chemical recycling" as recycling, restricts shipment of material…

NRDC Statement on Governor Newsom’s May Budget Revision

May 13, 2022 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his May revision to the 2022-2023 budget proposal today. The proposal now goes before the legislature which must approve a final 2022-2023 California budget by June 15.

Community Solar Bill Clears First Legislative Hurdle

April 27, 2022 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – A bill to increase access to renewable energy for more Californians, such as through community solar with storage, passed through the Assembly Utilities and Energy committee today. If passed, the bill will provide clean energy access and bill…

Governor Newsom Proposes FY 2022-23 Budget Prioritizing Climate Resilience

January 10, 2022 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom announced the administration’s proposed budget today, highlighting an ongoing public health and science-based response to the coronavirus pandemic, support for children, families, schools and vulnerable communities, and investments to improve our state’s resiliency in the face…

Report: The Role of Uber and Lyft in Sustainable Cities

November 17, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO — As office workers return to downtown areas, cities must tackle the traffic and pollution associated with Uber and Lyft, according to a new report and issue brief. Moving Forward: The Role of Transportation Networking Companies in a…

San José Carbon Neutral Resolution a Bold Step Forward

November 9, 2021 Press ReleaseSan Jose (California)

SAN JOSÉ — The San José City Council voted today to approve the Carbon Neutral by 2030 Resolution. This Resolution commits San José to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, updating the city's climate plans and resources to…

Delivering Zero Emissions Communities Program Announces Winning Cities

August 23, 2021 Press ReleaseChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)

SAN FRANCISCO — Chicago, San Diego, and San José have won spots in the newly-launched Delivering Zero Emissions Communities program. Through this one-year accelerator program, the cities will join with community partners to take bold, concrete, and immediate action toward…

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

California Certifies Groundbreaking Citizen Initiative Aimed at Reducing Plastics Waste

July 20, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Conservation groups joined forces today in applaud the certification of the California Recycling and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act for the November 2022 statewide ballot. Nearly 900,000 California voters signed petitions to put the measure on the ballot that…

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.

Governor Newsom Announces a Suite of Climate Actions

September 23, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento – Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the State of California will ensure 100 percent electric passenger vehicles by 2035, as well as a host of additional actions.

NRDC Statement on Impact of CA Budget Cuts on Climate Programs

May 14, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento - Governor Gavin Newsom announced significant revisions today to his state budget proposal amid the coronavirus pandemic. Facing an estimated $54 billion budget deficit, the governor outlined a series of proposals to close the gap by cutting spending, drawing…

NRDC Sues Over Department of Energy’s New Rule Hampering Energy-Saving Standards

April 14, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO – The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sued the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today over its new energy efficiency standards-setting process that will impede future efforts to make America’s appliances and equipment more efficient, significantly harming consumers…

Lighting Industry Sues to Block California’s Jan. 1 Expanded Light Bulb Efficiency Standards

December 19, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Two lighting industry trade associations are suing California in a desperate attempt to block the state’s updated light bulb efficiency standards from going into effect on January 1. The lawsuit puts at risk the billions of dollars Californians…

Governor Newsom Vetoes Trump Defense Bill

September 30, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento – California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1 the California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019 today, after the bill passed by wide margins in both the State Senate and Assembly.

NRDC on WaterFix Announcement: “Successful End of Fight”

May 2, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento, CA– The State of California announced the withdrawal of permits and applications for the California WaterFix Project, the proposal to construct two massive tunnels under the Delta that would cost tens of billions of dollars and divert even more…

Are Leading TV Manufacturers Exploiting Weaknesses in the Federal Energy-Use Test to Hide True Energy Costs?

September 21, 2016 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO – There are flaws in the government’s method for testing the energy use of televisions and three major TV manufacturers representing half of the U.S. market appear to be exploiting them, which could cost owners of recently purchased…