Media Center

Report: U.S. Must Ban Seafood From 11 Nations Over Whale, Dolphin Deaths 

November 30, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

A report issued today by conservation groups finds that 11 nations have at least some fisheries that fail to meet U.S. standards for preventing whale and dolphin bycatch. Entanglement in fishing gear kills hundreds of thousands of marine mammals around…

DOT is Putting Transportation on the Right Track 

November 27, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Transportation released a key rule last week that will require states to measure greenhouse gas pollution from highway systems and set targets to lower those emissions.

Biden Administration Signs Off On Low-Carbon Materials for 150 Federal Projects

November 6, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — Today the General Services Administration (GSA) announced $2 billion in investments for clean materials in federal construction projects. This initiative advances commitments made a year ago to accelerate Buy Clean efforts within the GSA and Department of Transportation…

Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Protect Californians and Pollinators from Dangerous Neurotoxins

October 11, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

With the support of Governor Newsom and persistence from the state legislature, California has passed AB 363, which bans over the counter sales of lawn and garden neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides by 2025, limiting their use to trained professionals. The bill…

EPA Cuts HFC Use in Air Conditioning, Supermarket Refrigerators

October 6, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – In a move supported by both environmental groups and industry associations, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized standards that will phase out the most climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in key applications -- from aerosols to heat pumps; supermarket refrigerators to…

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…

Senator Welch Introduces Bill to Reduce Barriers to Organic Agriculture

May 11, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Senator Peter Welch and eleven other senators introduced a bill to reduce barriers to organic agriculture, and a House companion bill led by Congressman Jimmy Panetta is expected soon. The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023 is designed to help…

Leading NGOs Launch Coalition to Advocate for Food Waste Policy

April 26, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC), and ReFED have partnered to launch the Zero Food Waste Coalition, a national effort focused on informing and influencing policy at…

Advocates Defend ‘the Birds and the Bees’ with Nation-Leading Legislation

February 27, 2023 Press ReleaseAlbany

A coalition of organizations flocked to Albany to rein in toxic neonic pesticides.

Groups File Lawsuit to Require California to Regulate Pesticide-Treated Seeds 

February 21, 2023 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Legal challenge calls on state Department of Pesticide Regulation to close loophole on unregulated sale, use of pesticides on seeds.

New York City Votes to “Skip the Stuff” in Take-Out Orders

January 19, 2023 Press ReleaseNew York City

NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Council voted (43-7) today in favor of the “Skip the Stuff” bill (Intro 0559), which would prohibit takeout and delivery services from providing plastic utensils, condiments, or napkins unless explicitly requested by…

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.

New York City Council Holds Hearing on “Skip the Stuff” Legislation

December 12, 2022 Press ReleaseNew York City

NEW YORK — Today, the New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection held a public hearing on the proposed “Skip The Stuff” bill (Intro 0559), which would prohibit takeout and delivery services from providing plastic utensils, condiments…

NYC Climate Week Panel Focused on Climate-Friendly Buildings

September 21, 2022 Press ReleaseNew York City

NEW YORK, NY – During NYC Climate Week, dozens of New Yorkers attended “Efficiency + Electrification + Affordability: The Recipe for Equitable, Climate-friendly Buildings”. The event included an expert panel that discussed how New York State can lead the way…

Padilla, Chu Join Union Workers in Los Angeles to Push for Federal Heat Stress Protections

August 30, 2022 Press ReleaseLos Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — As temperatures soar to triple digits in areas of Southern California, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) were in Los Angeles today along with union representatives and workers to advocate for federal…

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…

Recertification of Lobster Fishery Would Harm Right Whales, Mislead Consumers

June 27, 2022 Press ReleaseEast

NEW YORK – Conservation groups acted today to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale by formally objecting to a determination that the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery should be recertified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard…

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.

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…

NY Becomes Second State in the Nation to Reduce Plastic Waste in Hotels

December 23, 2021 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, NY -- Governor Kathy Hochul made New York the second state in the nation to eliminate millions of single-use bottles in hotel rooms. Bill S543/A5082 prohibits hotels and motels with more than 50 rooms from providing single-use plastic toiletry…