Media Center

NC Real Estate Commission to Disclose Flood History to Buyers

March 14, 2024 Press ReleaseNorth Carolina

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission finalized the rule to require sellers to provide potential home buyers with information about flood history and risk before they buy a home, and it will go into effect July 1, 2024.

DOE Finalizes Efficiency Standards for Washers and Dryers

February 29, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued final efficiency standards for clothes washers and dryers today that will both save energy and money for consumers.

NRDC Report: Repeatedly Flooded Homes Demonstrate Policy Failures

January 9, 2024 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON – A rapidly increasing number of federally insured properties have flooded repeatedly, a sign of the need for state and federal action to improve protections for homeowners, an NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) analysis shows.

Issue Brief: Building Decarbonization Policy Must Center Housing and Health Equity  

December 22, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new issue brief released today from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) highlights how racist practices create inadequate housing quality for at-risk communities and what can be done to address this within building decarbonization policy. The brief was created…

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 Intervenes in Attack on Water Heater Efficiency Standards

November 14, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) intervened to defend a Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency standard for commercial water heaters.

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.

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…

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…

General Assembly Overrides Governor Cooper’s Veto on House Bill 488

August 17, 2023 Press ReleaseNorth Carolina

The North Carolina General Assembly overrode Governor Cooper’s veto of HB 488. The bill freezes the state’s residential building codes, as well as energy, plumbing, and mechanical codes, until 2031.

DOE’s Water Heater Standards Promise Substantial Energy Savings

July 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced updated energy efficiency standards for residential water heaters today promising substantial energy savings of 27 quadrillion BTUs ("quads") of energy over the next 30 years and reduced energy bills for consumers.

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…

California Legislature Strengthens Infrastructure Trailer Bill Package to Protect Communities and the Environment

June 27, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

California’s legislature has agreed to a significantly modified set of infrastructure trailer bills to accompany the 2023-2024 budget bills, significantly strengthening the proposed trailer bills in order to better protect communities and the environment.

NY Budget Fails to Include NY HEAT Act, But Includes All-Electric Buildings Act and EPF Funding

May 2, 2023 Press ReleaseNew York

The final New York State FY ‘24 budget has been printed and will be voted on this week. The budget will not include the NY HEAT Act, but includes the All-Electric Building Act and steady funding for the Environmental Protection…

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.

Proposed Con Ed Settlement Advances Clean Electric System, but Hinders Transition of Gas System

February 17, 2023 Press ReleaseNew York

The New York Department of Public Service filed a Joint Proposal this week for resolving the electric and gas utility rate proceedings of Con Edison, which serves New York City and Westchester County.

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…

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.