Media Center

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.

NRDC Announces EPA Environmental Justice Leader as New Senior Vice President for Environmental Health

November 17, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Tejada will lead the organization’s Environmental Health division, serving as the chief visionary and strategist for NRDC’s advocacy to protect human health.

NRDC: National Climate Assessment a Full-Body Scan of Climate Hazard and Harm

November 14, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration released the Fifth National Climate Assessment, pulling together the most authoritative science to document and detail the rising costs and mounting damage the climate crisis is inflicting nationwide.

240 Groups Urge Biden Administration to Take Bold Action on Plastic Pollution

November 9, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

As negotiations for a global plastics treaty are scheduled to resume in Nairobi, Kenya, 240 U.S. environmental, public health, and other NGOs sent a letter to the Biden administration today calling for stricter limits on plastic pollution and a crackdown…

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…

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…

Reducing Lead in Tap Water Would Yield Billions in Previously Ignored Health and Other Benefits, Far Surpassing Costs

May 10, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – Cutting lead levels in drinking water would yield at least $9 billion in annual health benefits and other benefits that taken together exceed costs by at least 35-fold, according to a new analysis by researchers at Harvard’s T.H…

Court Rules EPA Must Regulate Perchlorate

May 9, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, today unanimously ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision against regulating the toxic chemical perchlorate in drinking water was illegal.

EPA Moves to Cut Toxic Air Pollution from Coal Plants

April 5, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency today proposed to strengthen its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards to cut pollution from power plants that burn coal and oil, enhancing air quality and better protecting public health. 

Federal Highway Administration’s Wrong Turn

March 16, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

New guidance from the Federal Highway Administration fails to live up to President Biden’s executive orders to advance equity and consider climate impacts in federal actions.

Historic PFAS Drinking Water Regulations Proposed by EPA

March 14, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to set limits on the amounts of six toxic “forever” chemicals found in drinking water.

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…

NRDC Expands Food Matters City Partnerships to Reduce Food Waste Across the U.S.

January 18, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

NEW YORK, NY – After more than seven successful years of working in over 20 select cities on food waste reduction, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is expanding its Food Matters program across the United States. This next phase of…

3M Ending PFAS Manufacturing Paves Way for Chemical Market Shift

December 21, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

ST. PAUL, MINN.– Leading chemical manufacturer 3M announced it will exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of the “forever chemical” across its product portfolio by the end of 2025. 3M’s decision signals a…

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…

EPA Grants NRDC’s Petition to Remove Neurotoxin in All Pet Flea Collars

October 12, 2022 Press ReleaseUnited States

NEW YORK – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is banning all pet flea collars containing the pesticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), a member of the class of organophosphates that damages the developing brains and nervous systems of young children, toddlers and fetuses…

Judge Approves Multi-Million Dollar Clean-Up for Penobscot River

October 11, 2022 Press ReleaseMaine

BANGOR, ME — Today, a Federal District Court in Maine approved a settlement that requires Mallinckrodt US LLC to pay for mercury remediation in the Penobscot River Estuary, concluding a more than two decade long legal fight led by Maine…

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…