Media Center

EPA to Investigate Civil Rights Complaint on Cumulative Air Pollution in Albuquerque

January 21, 2025 Press ReleaseAlbuquerque, New Mexico

In response to a complaint by filed by the Los Jardines Institute and NRDC, the EPA has opened a federal civil rights investigation into whether the city of Albuquerque and its Environmental Health Department are violating the rights of its…

Trump Pushes Arctic Refuge Drilling Despite Industry and Public Opposition

January 21, 2025 Press ReleaseAlaska

The Trump administration announced a new executive order to push drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

U.S. Government Agrees to Halt Seafood Imports Tied to Deadly Bycatch of Whales, Dolphins, Other Marine Mammals

January 16, 2025 Press ReleaseUnited States, International

Conservation groups reached an agreement today that will require the United States to stop importing seafood that does not meet U.S. standards for protecting marine mammals.

Jimmy Carter was Four Decades Ahead of His Time

December 29, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Former President Jimmy Carter has died. 

Groups Seek to Defend Lead Pipe Rule Challenged by Water Utilities

December 20, 2024 Press ReleaseUnited States

Newburgh Clean Water Project, Sierra Club, and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) today moved to intervene to defend the Biden administration's lead in drinking water rule. Last week, the American Water Works Association (AWWA), a water utility trade association, challenged…

President Biden Designates Frances Perkins National Monument to Honor a Trailblazer in American History

December 16, 2024 Press ReleaseMaine

This designation recognizes Perkins’s pivotal role in shaping the New Deal and advancing labor rights that continue to benefit millions of Americans today.

New Arctic Oil-Drilling Lease Sale OK’d

December 9, 2024 Press ReleaseArctic

The Interior Department finalized a legally mandated decision to hold a lease sale for oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge, one of the nation’s most pristine and treasured wildlife refuges.

Grijalva Steps Down from House Natural Resources Committee Leadership

December 2, 2024 ReactionWashington, D.C.

House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) announced that he would step down from his leadership role in the committee in the next Congress.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Advances Critical Habitat Protection for Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebees

November 25, 2024 Press ReleaseUnited States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to designate critical habitat for the rusty patched bumblebee under the Endangered Species Act, awarding long overdue protections to places the critically endangered bee calls home.

COP 29: Countries Agree to Increase Investments for Developing World to Confront Climate Crisis

November 23, 2024 Press ReleaseInternational

The COP 29 climate summit concluded today with an agreement to invest $1.3 trillion per year by 2035 globally to reduce climate pollution and adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis.

Oregon Doubles Down on State Climate Leadership

November 21, 2024 Press ReleaseOregon

In a win for state climate leadership, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission voted today to restore Oregon’s cornerstone Climate Protection Program.

New Group of Countries Unite to Set World on Straight Line to Net Zero Emissions

November 21, 2024 Press ReleaseInternational

The European Union, Mexico, Chile, United Kingdom, Canada, Bhutan, Madagascar, Panama, Suriname, Switzerland, Norway, and Georgia announced they will set 2035 climate targets that are at least on a straight-line to their net zero targets as they bring forward their…

General Assembly Poisons Disaster Recovery Efforts with Political Power Grabs

November 21, 2024 Press ReleaseNorth Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The General Assembly returned for a special session this week with plans to pass a second round of Hurricane Helene recovery funding. The storm caused an estimated $53 billion in damage to Western North Carolina when it…

Historic U.S. Protections Proposed for Africa's Vanishing Giraffes

November 20, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C., International

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting four species of giraffes under the Endangered Species Act—the first time these towering African mammals would receive federal safeguards.

U.S. Delivers on Commitment to Support Developing Countries on Climate

November 18, 2024 Press ReleaseInternational

President Biden announced the U.S. has delivered on his promise to provide $11.4 billion annually in climate investments for vulnerable nations from this year.

As COP29 Opens After Consequential Election, U.S. Must Seize Economic Opportunity to Lead

November 8, 2024 Press ReleaseInternational, United States

World leaders are preparing to gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the next round of global climate talks (COP 29), following a consequential presidential election that will send Donald Trump—the worst climate president in U.S. history—back to the White House.

Port of Los Angeles Gets $412 Million from EPA for Cleaner Operations

October 30, 2024 ReactionCalifornia

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Port of Los Angeles $412 million to fund technologies that will cut pollution from freight operations and lead to a transition to zero-emissions technologies.

Impact Groups Address Insufficient Draft Environmental Impact Report for Dangerous Wood Pellet Project

October 22, 2024 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Today, Golden State Natural Resources released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on its industrial-scale wood pellet project proposal. The project would include two industrial-scale wood pellet plants, one in the central Sierras and another in Northern California, as well…

New Legislation Improves Protection For Migratory Birds

October 11, 2024 Press ReleaseUnited States

WReps. Jared Huffman (CA-2) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2024 today. The bill would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 to create a new permit program, authorize civil penalties up to $10,000…

California and Environmental Groups Successfully Defend Zero-Emissions Rail Rule in Latest Court Ruling

September 30, 2024 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Today, a federal district judge ruled in favor of the State of California, as well as community and environmental groups, by pausing an industry challenge to California’s In-Use Locomotive Regulation until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decides whether to…