News & Commentary

EPA: Neonics Likely Driving 200+ Species Toward Extinction

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. EPA's unprecedented findings confirm that widespread neonic pesticide use threatens critical pollinators, other wildlife, and whole ecosystems. 

President Biden Celebrates Pebble Veto: “The Mine Will Not Be Built.”

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

In the Rose Garden celebration of conservation achievements, President Joe Biden elevated the Pebble Mine veto—calling the Bristol Bay fishery “a marvel,” citing scientific consensus of unacceptable risk from large-scale mining, and thanking Alaska Natives and the broad-based coalition for…

Illinois Needs to Address Transportation Pollution—Not Widen I-55

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoMeghan Hassett, J.C. Kibbey

Illinois has a transportation pollution problem. Expanding I-55 would only worsen it, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

It’s Time for IMO to Regulate Underwater Ship Noise

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogInternationalRegan Nelson

To protect ocean biodiversity, the International Maritime Organization must take action to require commercial ships to reduce underwater noise.

The Gibbstown LNG Project Faced a Setback - Let's Stop It For Good

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogNew Jersey, PennsylvaniaSahana Rao

Despite the denial of a special permit to transport LNG by rail, the Gibbstown LNG Export Project can still proceed so long as a Trump-era rule remains in place

NY Bills to Ban Harmful PFAS Chemicals & Protect Our Health

May 12, 2023 Expert BlogAlbanyKate Donovan

The New York State legislature only has a few short weeks left in the 2023 session to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from consumer products to protect communities. 

Getting Federal Energy Permitting Right

May 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesChristy Goldfuss

The Biden administration’s plan for a modern review and approval process would go a long way toward fixing a flawed system. Here’s what it will take to get this right.

The EPA Tackles Power Plants’ Carbon Pollution

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLissa Lynch

The agency’s proposal to limit carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants—which until now has gone nearly unchecked—is a vital step toward combating climate change.

The Farm Bill Needs Opportunities in Organic

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Vermont, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

The Opportunities in Organic Act will put organic in reach for more producers and consumers.

Moving from Uncertainty to Opportunity for Oil and Gas Workers

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogLouisianaClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

A recent report from True Transition captures a range of oil and gas worker experiences and finds potential for a skills transfer between fossil fuel and renewable energy jobs.

California Advocacy Landscape

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Environmental issues to watch in Sacramento

World Bank’s Sector Notes Lack Sufficient Detail to Ensure Full Paris Agreement Alignment

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogInternationalJake Schmidt

The World Bank Group "Paris Alignment" methodology is a mixed picture that encourages the consideration of the needed sectoral transitions but will require more details to fully align with the Paris Agreement.

Green Climate Fund Pledge Tracker

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogInternationalJoe Thwaites

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is undergoing its second replenishment round in 2023. Keep track of all the pledges here.

Expiring Confusion About Food Date Labels

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins

The Food Date Labeling Act would standardize date labels on food packaging and reduce confusion about their meanings which is a leading cause of food waste.

Colorado Legislative Roundup: 2023

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

A suite of important, yet heavily negotiated, environmental bills are making their way to Governor Polis’s desk.

Clean Cars Are a Win All-Around

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesBritt Carmon, Kathy Harris

As NRDC's Kathy Harris testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the EPA’s newly proposed regulations for light- and medium-duty vehicles mean many environmental and consumer benefits. 

The Debt Limit: How Do We Get Out of This Mess?

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesKyle T. Jones

The United States is on the brink of a devastating debt default, but a bold new effort is underway in the House to help pave the way to fiscal sanity.

Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing—the Next Carbon Bomb?

May 8, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

President Biden’s decision on the next offshore oil and gas leasing program is expected just as polling shows that a majority of voters do not want to expand offshore drilling.

Colorado's Win for Clean Trucks

May 5, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, ColoradoClaire Lang-Ree

Colorado voted to adopt historic standards to promote clean trucks in the state, which will reduce harmful air pollution from trucks and buses. It's time for other Western states to move forward with these safeguards.

House Majority Threatens Historic Investment in Buildings

May 4, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Stephen Walls

H.R.1 Would Destroy Jobs and Increase Energy Waste