Media Center

Most Public Comments submitted on Safe Drinking Water Rule in History

February 6, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, as the public comment period closed for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to address the lead-contaminated drinking water crisis, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of comments support the…

NRDC Backs WH Pause on LNG Exports Far into the Future: "The Stakes Could Not Be Higher”

January 26, 2024 Press ReleaseUnited States, International

WASHINGTON (Jan. 26, 2024) - The Biden administration hit pause on new LNG export permits while it revaluates the criteria by which it determines whether it’s in the public interest to permit massive new projects that would expand exports of…

Radhika Fox Departing EPA [NRDC Reaction]

January 10, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Radhika Fox announced that she will be leaving the Agency next month.

FERC approves Major Milestone for Western Grid Integration

December 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators yesterday approved a new program that will allow utilities in the western U.S. to share resources more efficiently. The new Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) allows utilities to buy and sell electricity for the following day, helping…

NRDC: COP28 Sends Clear Message: Twilight for Fossil Fuels

December 13, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON — Global climate talks concluded in Dubai with an agreement to triple renewable energy, double the pace of energy-efficiency gains, phase-out fossil fuels, and end deforestation and forest degradation as part of a larger long-term strategy to steadily reduce…

Countries Establish Historic Loss and Damage Fund

November 30, 2023 Press ReleaseInternational

DUBAI - On the opening day of the COP28 UN climate summit, governments adopted the governing instrument to formally establish a new fund to support particularly vulnerable countries dealing with loss and damage resulting from climate change. An initial group…

Lead Pipes Must Be Removed Under EPA’s Proposed Water Rule, Finally Fulfilling Congress’ Mandate to Set Safe Water Protections

November 30, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

A new rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today sets the stage for every lead water pipe in the nation to be replaced, with the vast majority expected to be removed in the next ten years.

U.S.–China Accord Sets Foundation of Ambition for Climate Talks in Dubai 

November 14, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C., China

The United States and China, which together account for 43 percent of world GDP and about 36 percent of global greenhouse gases, agreed Tuesday on important goals to reduce methane and the carbon pollution from burning coal and to raise…

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…

“Staggering” Health Benefits from Replacing Lead Water Pipes Could Save as Much as $6 Billion in California from Avoided Health Impacts

October 25, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

Replacing every lead pipe that delivers drinking water to homes in California would yield as much as $6 billion dollars in avoided health costs, according to a new state-by-state analysis released today from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Getting the…

“Staggering” Health Benefits From Replacing Lead Water Pipes Could Save Nearly $1 Trillion from Avoided Health Impacts

October 25, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Replacing every lead pipe that delivers drinking water to homes nationwide would yield hundreds of billions of dollars in avoided health costs, according to a new state-by-state analysis released today from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).

Michigan Set to Enact Nation’s Strongest Measures to Protect Kids from Lead in Schools and Childcare Centers

October 19, 2023 Press ReleaseMichigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign into law landmark legislation that sets the national standard for protecting kids from lead in drinking water at schools and in childcare centers by requiring these facilities to install and maintain lead-removing…

DOE Makes Vital Investment in Grid Expansion

October 19, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Energy announced a significant investment of $3.46 billion for 58 projects across 44 states to strengthen electric grid resilience and reliability across America. 

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…

California Could Lose Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Lead Contamination Protections (Again)

September 29, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

Public health and environmental organizations urged stronger State leadership in efforts to remove lead from drinking water infrastructure throughout California. In a support letter, the organizations called on the California State Water Resources Control Board to address the state’s disturbing…

FERC Demands Gas Reliability Legislation following “Unprecedented” Gas Outages in Winter Storm Elliott

September 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a much-awaited report assessing the failures of gas generators throughout the eastern U.S. during Winter Storm Elliott, concluding that Congress and state legislatures need…

NRDC Digital Tool Tracks Political Opposition to Offshore Drilling

September 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is launching an updated digital tool today to help people track where their Members of Congress stand on offshore oil and gas drilling. The Biden administration is expected to release a final five-year plan for federal…

Minnesota Declares Sept. 14 “Clean Grid Day”

September 14, 2023 Press ReleaseMinneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (September 14, 2023) – Today, as members of Minnesota’s grid operator Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) meet in Minneapolis to discuss the future of the Midwestern grid, Gov. Tim Walz declared September 14 “Clean Grid Day.” At the beginning…

Army Corps Considers Continued Operation of Destructive Dakota Access Pipeline

September 8, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a draft environmental impact statement today for the operation of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatens the lands, water supply, and valuable cultural resources of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Governor Newsom and CA Legislature Agree on Path to Clean, Reliable Energy

September 1, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

Governor Gavin Newsom and the California state legislature have announced an agreement to protect the reliability of California's energy grid amid the state's transition to clean energy. The bill centers the procurement of clean electricity, expedition of electric infrastructure projects, strengthening…