News & Commentary

Farm-to-Glass Supports Organic Farming

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Michigan, Maine, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

Cheers! NRDC and our partners toasted a good cause on Capitol Hill: growing organic!

Michigan Adopts Filter First Protections for Kids

October 10, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, MichiganCyndi Roper

Michigan lawmakers approve Filter First bills providing the nation’s strongest protections against lead in drinking water at schools and childcare centers.

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.

Midwest states need a modern grid to supercharge clean energy goals

June 15, 2023 Expert BlogMinnesota, Midwest, Illinois, MichiganMeghan Hassett

Midwest states are already leading on clean energy, but achieving their goals depends on the power grid's readiness. We need the electricity system to catch up.

Western Electricity Grid Is Entering Its Day-Ahead Market Era

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, WashingtonKelsie Gomanie

NRDC is working with stakeholders to safeguard consumer interests and environmental protections as utilities from California to the Great Plains weigh proposals to share energy resources through an organized market.

EPA’s Chance Is NOW to Finally Fix the Broken Lead & Copper Rule

February 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Michigan, InternationalErik D. Olson

Americans across political lines support action to fix lead in drinking water—and here’s how it can be done.

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.

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.

States Embrace the Transition to Clean Cars

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, WashingtonKathy Harris

The federal government has made strides to help bolster the electric vehicle market, attract manufacturing, and ensure a robust charging network. But in many ways, states led the way.

A $3 Billion Milestone for the Western Grid

November 16, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, WestKelsie Gomanie

After a year of record-breaking heat waves, drought, and flooding, add to that list some good news for the Western United States: The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) is positioned to surpass $3 billion in cumulative benefits by the end…

Energy Efficiency: Key to Affordable Energy in Michigan

October 5, 2022 Expert BlogMichigan, MidwestLaura Goldberg, Valeria Rincon, Derrell E. Slaughter

Today, October 5, marks Energy Efficiency Day, an important day to reflect on the many benefits energy efficiency provides year-round. 

Cleaning Up Michigan’s Grid

August 29, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganDerrell E. Slaughter

Heat Stress Is Killing Workers. States Can Protect Them.

August 17, 2022 ExplainerUnited States, California, Oregon, FloridaNicole Greenfield

As climate change continues to progress, workers don’t have years to wait for federal rules. So local advocates are helping states create their own.

Addressing Benton Harbor’s Lead Water Crisis Took a Village—and Years

August 9, 2022 DispatchBenton HarborKyler Sumter

As in Flint, Michigan, severe lead contamination in Benton Harbor illustrates the obstacles environmental justice communities face, and why the fight for stronger federal protections continues.

Clean Energy Keeps the Lights on in Michigan

June 2, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganSamantha Williams

The electricity supply crunch during summers and other extreme weather is solvable if we confront it head-on with smart solutions in the coming months.

No Need to be Freightened of Electric Trucks

March 4, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington, New JerseyJordan Brinn, Patricio Portillo

We clarify the questions about electric truck availability, cost, and charging infrastructure, as well as concerns such as current supply chain issues.

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.

Portland Acts on Climate, Equity with Parking Fee

February 23, 2022 Expert BlogPortland (Oregon), OregonElizabeth Stampe, Sarah Elkotbeid

The city has passed a resolution to generate revenue by increasing parking rates to better capture the true cost of driving—to climate and communities—and use the revenue to bring greater equity to the transportation system.

MI’s Climate Plan Must Deliver Affordable, Efficient Homes

February 3, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganValeria Rincon, Sam Whillans, Laura Goldberg

The Michigan Healthy Climate Plan includes notable recommendations to reduce emissions but it simply does not go far enough in focus and ambition.

Oregon Looks to “Reach” Code for Energy, Carbon Savings

February 1, 2022 Expert BlogOregonRalph Cavanagh

Senate Bill 1518, to be considered during Oregon’s “short” February 2022 legislative session, is a critical pushback against the embedded lowest common denominator aspect of building codes when it comes to energy and climate.