News & Commentary

Groundbreaking California Law Will Create Innovative Pathways for Social Housing

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEsther Portillo

The visionary social housing study bill that identifies pathways to 1.4 million stable, affordable homes for California’s most vulnerable residents just became law.

Social Housing: Los Angeles’s Chance to Fight the Housing Crisis

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesSarah Elkotbeid

The climate crisis exacerbates an already worsening housing crunch.

California Leads on Transportation Policy, Lags on Implementation

November 8, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San DiegoZak Accuardi

California’s has led in aligning transportation policy with climate goals but key implementation gaps remain.

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

October 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

California Becomes 10th State to Limit Lawn and Garden Neonic Uses

September 19, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaLucas Rhoads

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an NRDC-sponsored bill to limit certain non-agricultural neonic uses while paving the way for additional restrictions. 

How Missing Water System Boundaries Affect Our Communities

September 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaSusan Lee

The lack of public water system boundary information in the United States puts public health at risk.

The Canal: Underserved Community Organizes for Climate Justice

August 18, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaJocelyn Rojas

Below the hills of Marin County, residents in the shoreline Canal district build toward climate resilience through community-led sea level rise adaptation.

From Highways to Healthy Communities

August 17, 2023 Expert BlogFresno, Los Angeles, CaliforniaZak Accuardi

Following the Federal-Aid Highway Act's signing in 1956, California fully built out its interstate and state highway system, expanding mobility access for car-owners, stimulating economic development, and creating thousands of jobs. But these benefits came with unacceptable and avoidable costs.

California Walks Away from Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Safe Drinking Water

July 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaCorinne Bell

The federal government has dedicated $15 billion to removing lead from our drinking water systems, but California is leaving funds on the table.

Organic Needs a Boost in the Farm Bill

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Iowa, Washington, D.C.Allison Johnson

Our public investments in organic food production have not kept pace with the organic sector’s growth – and that’s a missed opportunity for domestic economic development. The Opportunities in Organic Act would help U.S. farms meet consumer demand by reducing…

Equitable Rate Reform FAQ

June 30, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMohit Chhabra, Sylvie Ashford

Improving how we pay for shared electric system costs in California

Connecting Youth to Nature Supports Equity and Climate Change Goals

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaChris Clark

Helping youth overcome barriers and connect to blue spaces supports current equity goals and lays the foundation for a bright future in the climate movement

California Pesticide Bills on the Move—Again

June 2, 2023 Expert BlogSacramento, CaliforniaLucas Rhoads

The California Assembly  passed two bills that would help address widespread contamination of the state’s environment with pesticides like neurotoxic neonics.

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.

State Leadership Required to Bolster the Actions of CA Cities and Tackle Pollution from Buildings

May 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson, Julia de Lamare

While the 9th Circuit Court ruling threatens local government action to cut pollution from gas appliances, California policy makers have several opportunities this legislative session to reinforce that local leaders are far from alone in the important work to get…

California Accelerates its Fight Against Freight Pollution

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogSacramento, CaliforniaHeather Kryczka, Guillermo A. Ortiz

CA Addressed Plastic Waste; Now We Need Action on Toxics in Plastics

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, United StatesDr. Anna Reade, Avinash Kar, Dr. Veena Singla

Last year, California made large strides towards addressing the pressing problem of proliferating plastic waste. But the Ohio train derailment shows why we also need action on toxics in plastics. 

Reforming CA's Electric Rates for Decarbonization and Equity

April 14, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaSylvie Ashford, Mohit Chhabra

NRDC and The Utility Reform Network submitted an electric rate design proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission to promote equity and encourage beneficial electrification. This is the first stage in a regulatory process to implement income-based fixed charges.

The Lower Klamath River Will Soon Flow Freely Again

March 21, 2023 DispatchCalifornia, WestNicole Greenfield

Sparking hope for the West’s rivers and beyond, a decades-long battle leads to the world’s biggest dam removal project.

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.