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…

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…

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

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…

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.

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…

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 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…

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…

Report: Computer Energy Use Could be Cut in Half at Little Cost and With No Performance Loss, While Slashing Carbon Pollution

July 28, 2016 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO & WASHINGTON, D.C. – Electricity use by computers can be cut in half using off-the-shelf technology with no impact on performance, and at negligible cost, according to a new Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) analysis released today. Also…

NRDC Joins PG&E, Labor & Other Enviro Groups in Historic Proposal to Replace California Nuclear Plant with Efficiency, Renewables

June 21, 2016 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO—The Natural Resources Defense Council today signed a historic proposal with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), labor unions, and other environmental groups to replace Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant with zero-emissions energy--including energy efficiency, wind, and solar power--within…

New Report: Ultra High-Definition TVs Could Add $1 Billion To Viewers’ Annual Energy Bills

November 17, 2015 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Nov. 17, 2015) – The latest ultra high-definition (UHD) televisions use an average of 30 percent more energy than their high-definition (HD) predecessors, which could add $1 billion to U.S. viewers’ annual utility bills if energy-saving improvements…

California’s Energy Efficiency Success Story: $90 Billion in Utility Bill Savings, Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs, and 40+ Polluting Power Plants Avoided

August 20, 2015 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 20, 2015) – California’s 40-year commitment to energy efficiency has saved Californians $90 billion on their utility bills, created hundreds of thousands of efficiency jobs, and will have avoided the pollution from 41 power plants by the…

California Public Utilities Commission Makes a Bad Call for San Diego, Approves Natural Gas Power Plant in Carlsbad

May 21, 2015 Press ReleaseCalifornia

LOS ANGELES (May 21, 2015) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) erred today by overruling its own staff’s recommendation and approving a giant pollution-emitting power plant in San Diego. By a vote of 4-1, the commission adopted a proposal…

Re-Imagining Watts 50 Years After the Riots

May 19, 2015 Press ReleaseCalifornia

LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2015) — Fifty years after the Watts Uprising, a coalition of community groups today launched Watts Re:Imagined – a sustainable redevelopment vision for the South Los Angeles neighborhood. The plan draws on the region’s rich historical…