Media Center

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…

Approval of Scoping Plan Paves Way to Bold Climate Action

December 19, 2022 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, NY – Today New York’s Climate Action Council voted on a final iteration of the Scoping Plan containing its recommendations for implementing the state’s landmark 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Act tasked the Council with developing…

NRDC Report: Stronger California Heat Stress Rule Can Guide National Worker Protections Against Deadly Heat

September 14, 2022 Press ReleaseCalifornia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As excessive heat fueled by climate change continues endangering millions of people nationwide, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) today released a report showing that improvements to California’s 17-year-old outdoor worker heat stress rule—one of the nation’s oldest…

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…

Denver Releases Climate Protection Fund 5 Year Plan

November 4, 2021 Press ReleaseColorado

DENVER — The Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency released a 5 Year Plan to allocate the Climate Protection Fund. Denver voters approved the Fund in November 2020 by passing Ballot Measure 2A, which created an additional 0.25%…

360,000 Lead Pipes May Deliver Water to Homes in New York

July 19, 2021 Press ReleaseNew York

New York, NY – New York has 360,000 lead pipes delivering water to people’s homes statewide, the fourth highest number of any state in the nation, according to a new survey from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). New York State has committed, although not entirely allocated, $5 billion in…

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…

Governor Newsom Proposes California Comeback Plan

May 14, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom proposed his $100 billion California Comeback Plan today – the biggest economic recovery package in California history. Among other priorities, the proposal allocates financial resources to help consumers struggling with utility debt and address the…

Governor Newsom Declares Drought Emergency in Two California Counties

April 21, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom today proclaimed a State of Emergency in Sonoma and Mendocino counties as California and much of the West face drought and near-drought conditions that threaten the economy, public health, and ecosystems. The declaration allows…

Groups Recommend Steps for Just Transition Roadmap

February 10, 2021 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO – A group of community, business, faith, and environmental advocates sent a letter to Governor Newsom’s administration leaders today, providing suggestions for an inclusive public process and five key recommendations for studies concerning the transition away from fossil…

New York States Moves 70 x 30 Climate Goal Forward

October 15, 2020 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York State Public Service Commission today issued an order that implements a key component of the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLPA) – obtaining 70 percent of New York’s electricity from clean energy…

Governor Newsom Announces Executive Order to Address Biodiversity Crisis

October 7, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento - Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order announcing new actions in the fight against climate change and to protect biodiversity. The Executive Order includes a statewide “30 by 30” conservation goal, which was the focus of Assembly bill…

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…

Court Rules in Favor of California and Denies Trump Administration Claims that California’s Coordination with Quebec in Cutting Climate Pollution is Unconstitutional

March 12, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento – Today, a federal district court issued an order granting California’s motion for summary judgment and rejecting the U.S. motion on two constitutional claims that California’s coordination with Quebec to reduce climate pollution is unlawful. The order by Judge…

State Water Board proposes plan to provide relief for Californians struggling to pay water bills

February 26, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO - California residents and clean water advocates commend the State Water Board for releasing its proposed plan for a statewide water affordability program on Tuesday.

Unprecedented Lawsuit: Non-Profit Sues More Than Half of California’s Cities and Counties

December 18, 2019 Press ReleaseCalifornia

LOS ANGELES – The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a lawsuit yesterday alleging that more than half of all cities and counties in California have failed to comply with the state’s water-efficiency regulations under the Water Conservation in Landscaping…

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…

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