News & Commentary

California Forecasts Electricity Resource Needs Through 2035

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

It is increasingly important to ensure that electricity procurement and transmission processes are effectively poised to help California reach its ambitious climate goals.

Cover Crops for Every Climate

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Midwest, East, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, TexasLara Bryant, Dr. Daniel Rath

Cover crops are adaptable, valuable, and effective enough that farmers can benefit from them in every region of the United States—even cold or dry areas.

It’s Time to Clean the California Transportation Budget

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaZak Accuardi, Miles Muller

California's leaders must prioritize safe, equitable, zero-emissions mobility choices in this year's state budget. Here's how.

CA Electric Rates Should Support Equity and Climate Goals

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaSylvie Ashford, Mohit Chhabra

The California Public Utilities Commission has started a process to better align electric rates with the state’s climate and equity goals.

New Program Will Help Ensure Reliable Electricity in the West

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogCanada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, WestKelsie Gomanie

The Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) is designed to provide benefits for customers, utilities, and the environment.

Colorado’s Opportunity for Cleaner Cars

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoClaire Lang-Ree, Kathy Harris, Alana Miller

The state can lead by adopting the full Advanced Clean Cars II rule and ensuring all Coloradans have the freedom to choose quality clean vehicles.

To Prevent More Wildfires, New Mexico Needs Climate Action

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogNew MexicoClaire Lang-Ree

These wildfires were a blazing warning sign about our changing climate we must not ignore.

Big Oil Sets Its Pants Aflame Fighting Setbacks

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

California's SB 1137, which established a health and safety setback buffer requirement to protect communities from oil drilling operations, is being attacked by Big Oil.

This Is Not Your Father’s Automobile Industry

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDavid Doniger

Seven automakers just filed a remarkable brief defending California’s leadership vehicle emissions standards in federal court.

Getting Smart About Transmission Lines: A Southwest Story

February 13, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, ArizonaCullen Howe

Ten West Link demonstrates how we can build infrastructure in a way that is Smart from the Start, a methodology that enables us to build the renewable energy projects we need while protecting wild spaces.

How California’s Water Rights System Gouges You and Me

February 6, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

It's time for California’s water managers to reform this antiquated system and prioritize water for human health and safety and for the shared environment over water for farms.

NRDC Announces its California Advocacy Team

February 5, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

NRDC is pleased to share that we have a newly formed California Advocacy and Government Affairs team for the 2023-24 legislative session.

Western Electricity Market Approval Points to Decarbonization and Consumer Savings

February 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

The California Independent System Operator just took an important next step toward integrating the western grid to better ensure reliability, facilitate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and lower costs to consumers.

Bill Relief, Efficiency, and Decarb Reduce Gas Price Shocks

February 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaJulia de Lamare, Ericka Flores

The California Public Utilities Commission can and must act now to protect low-income customers.

Climate Whiplash – California Flooding During Drought

January 13, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

While this year is off to a good start in terms of water supply, sadly it’s too early to declare that the drought is over.

The Race to Organize Energy Markets in the Western U.S. Is On

January 13, 2023 Expert BlogArizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, WyomingKelsie Gomanie

A western regional transmission organization would spur the development of clean electricity sources and lower costs for consumers.

In Colorado, Oil and PFAS Shouldn’t Mix

January 12, 2023 DispatchColoradoNicole Greenfield

We can add PFAS contamination to the list of ways the oil and gas industry is threatening Coloradans’ health. Two new laws aim to stop it—but are they enough?

It's Time for Clean Vehicles in New Mexico

January 12, 2023 Expert BlogNew MexicoClaire Lang-Ree

New Mexico could see public health and economic benefits if the state adopts the Advanced Clean Truck rule, the Heavy-Duty NOx Omnibus rules, and the Advanced Clean Cars II rule.

Westside Bus and Bike Projects Are a Win for Mobility and Climate

January 10, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesCarter Rubin

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is working to create a full-time dedicated bus lane and continuous protected bike lane on Venice Boulevard, an important east-west corridor.

Colorado’s Religious Communities See Climate Action as a Moral Obligation

December 22, 2022 DispatchColoradoNicole Greenfield

Whether fighting for clean air or affordable housing, several of the state’s faith leaders are uniting around the notion of protecting “home.”