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.

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…

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

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.

Assemblymember Kalra Introduces Bill to Make California a Leader in Ending Deforestation Through Sustainable Government Purchasing

February 4, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Following a year of a record-breaking number of devastating fires in tropical forests around the world and the continued degradation of boreal forests in North America, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and bill co-sponsors, Friends of the Earth…

Groups Support Legal Action Calling for Oversight of Metal Shredding Facilities

January 8, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

OAKLAND – Environmental justice and conservation groups filed an amicus brief today in calling on the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) to regulate metal shredding facilities throughout the state.

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.

Court Derails Trump Administration’s Efforts to Take More Water from Bay-Delta

May 12, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – The Federal Court for the Eastern District of California granted in part a preliminary injunction yesterday against the Trump Administration’s efforts to increase water diversions from California’s Bay-Delta, which threaten endangered species including winter-run Chinook salmon, Delta Smelt…

California Delivers Blow to Trump Administration’s Plan for Extinction in Bay-Delta

April 21, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – The California Attorney General, representing Governor Newsom and the State of California, filed a motion today in federal court for a preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of the Trump Administration’s biological opinions (permits under the Endangered Species…

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…

L.A. City Council Members Aim to Prevent Amazon Deforestation

February 26, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz (5th District) and David Ryu (4th District) presented a motion today to put an end to City purchases of products derived from the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest. The Councilmembers further…

Trump Rolls Back Endangered Species Act Protections During Trip to California

February 19, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – During a visit to California today, President Trump moved forward with implementing Endangered Species Act permits (known as biological opinions) that dramatically weaken environmental protections for salmon and other imperiled species in California’s Bay-Delta Watershed. The State of…

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…

NRDC’s 100th Suit Against the Trump Administration Seeks to Protect California Salmon and Endangered Species

December 3, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Today a coalition of fishing and conservation groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s Endangered Species Act permits (known as biological opinions) for the operations of the Central Valley…

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.

Trump Administration California Water Letter is Galling

September 26, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO – The Trump Administration sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom with claims that California is failing to live up to its Clean Water obligations. The letter comes a week after the Trump Administration threatened to withdraw…

Fishing and Conservation Groups Sue Country’s Largest Agricultural Water District Over Illegal Plot to Raise Shasta Dam

May 14, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, a coalition of fishing and conservation groups filed a lawsuit against Westlands Water District for unlawfully aiding efforts by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to raise Shasta Dam. The destructive project would flood critical parts of the…

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…

NRDC Sues 2 California Cities for Failure to Implement Water-Efficient Landscaping Requirements

December 19, 2017 Press ReleaseCalifornia

With Half of All Urban Water Being Used Outdoors, Strong Landscape Standards Are Critical to Preserving California’s Water Supplies