News & Commentary

Recent Chemical Disasters Impel Stronger Federal Safety Regs

October 25, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, New Jersey, Louisiana, North CarolinaSahana Rao

End the Threat to Bristol Bay This Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 10, 2022 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day we honor and celebrate the culture and resilience of Native peoples throughout the United States.

Environmental Wins Abound in NY’s 2022 Legislative Session

July 14, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

Read our recap of the environmental wins that passed in New York State's 2022 legislative session. With the tools to prevent climate catastrophe being dismantled at the federal level, this kind of bold action at the state level is more…

Mount Vernon: Where Environmental Injustice Became a Sewage Nightmare

June 27, 2022 NRDC in ActionNew YorkNicole Greenfield

For decades, residents of this majority-Black suburb of New York City have been dealing with a noxious infrastructure crisis with little recourse. Finally, they’re getting some relief.

Toward a Renter's Right to Heat-Safe Housing

June 9, 2022 Expert BlogNew York City, Maryland, United StatesSam Whillans

Everyone deserves to stay safe and cool during extreme heat waves.

What Is Congestion Pricing?

May 25, 2022 ExplainerUnited States, New York City

Fees charged for driving on busy city roads reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality while also generating sorely needed funding for the transit systems that many people rely on for their daily commutes.

An Earth Day “To Do” List for NYC’s Mayor & Council Speaker

April 20, 2022 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

We offer six sensible, cost-effective recommendations that will attack the climate crisis, reduce pollution across all five boroughs, and improve the quality of life for all city residents.

Historic NY Funding to Tackle Mount Vernon Sewage Crisis

April 15, 2022 Expert BlogNew York, Mount VernonSahana Rao

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $150 million in funding for the City of Mount Vernon to fix its failing sewer infrastructure.

EPA: It’s Time to Act. We need Clean Trucks Now

March 3, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, WashingtonPatricio Portillo, Heather Kryczka

Cutting tailpipe emissions and moving to zero emission vehicles can eliminate the diesel fumes causing childhood asthma, emergency room visits, and loss of life.

An Environmental Justice Advocate Inspires Others to Become Agents of Change

February 22, 2022 DispatchNewark, New JerseyKyler Sumter

Yvette Jordan is teaching communities impacted by environmental injustice about the power of speaking up.

Preventing Fire Deaths Demands Confronting Energy Insecurity

January 26, 2022 Expert BlogNew York City, United StatesSam Whillans

The horrific fires in Fairmount and the Bronx are a wake-up call: We need to take bold action to confront energy insecurity.

Clean Trucks Rules Are NJ’s First Step

December 20, 2021 Expert BlogNew JerseyKathy Harris, Patricio Portillo

By adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule—which requires an increasing number of zero-emission truck sales each year in the state—New Jersey took a major step to reduce harmful air pollution.

Albany Environmental Roundup: 2021 Victories and 2022 Agenda

December 14, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

New York State secured several key environmental and public health victories in 2021—and that momentum is continuing into 2022, as we push for bills to expand the use of electric vehicles, improve energy efficiency, promote food security, and reduce toxic…

Gibbstown Ends, Not with a Bang but with a Whimper?

November 30, 2021 Expert BlogNew JerseyKimberly Ong

While the Department of Transportation proposed rescinding the LNG by rail rule, the Department must still adopt this proposal.

Community Members Urge NYC to Preserve African Burial Ground

October 12, 2021 Expert BlogNew York, New York CitySahana Rao

The Flatbush African Burial Ground Coalition is fighting to protect a historic burial ground in Brooklyn, where remains of individuals of African descent were discovered. This sacred space must be safeguarded from disturbance and development—here's how you can help.

PennEast Gas Pipeline Cancelled by Developers

September 27, 2021 Expert BlogNew York, New Jersey, Delaware, PennsylvaniaSahana Rao

Development of the PennEast Pipeline has been put on hold! This fracked gas pipeline would be disastrous for the Delaware River Basin and would exacerbate the climate crisis—here’s how we can stop the pipeline permanently.

Safer Drinking Water in Schools: NY Leg. Votes for Our Kids

June 10, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkJoan Leary Matthews

The New York State Legislature passed a bill (S2122-A / A160-B) in the closing days of this legislative session to require more stringent measures to reduce lead in drinking water in schools. This is a huge victory for kids!

How Rikers Island Became a Vehicle for Justice (Once It Started Shutting Down)

May 3, 2021 DispatchNew York City, New YorkCourtney Lindwall

The Renewable Rikers plan to reimagine the site of New York City’s notorious jail complex could bring green jobs, cleaner air, and community investment to the neighborhoods most harmed by mass incarceration.

Brief Filed in Lawsuit to Protect Delaware River from PCBs

May 3, 2021 Expert BlogNew Jersey, PennsylvaniaMarisa Guerrero, Julia Jonas-Day

Water quality in the Delaware River is under threat of PCB chemical pollution from a proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal. To protect the river, NRDC filed an amicus brief in a federal lawsuit challenging the facility's dredging and construction…

Alaska Natives Lead a Unified Resistance to the Pebble Mine

April 20, 2021 DispatchAlaskaNicole Greenfield

The effort to stop a massive mine project in Bristol Bay, Alaska, has been a decades-long fight for the region’s Indigenous People. Five tribal leaders share their experiences.