News & Commentary

NYS to Cut PFOA/PFOS "Forever Chemicals" from Drinking Water

July 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesEric A. Goldstein

Public water suppliers across New York State will be required to test for and ultimately slash harmful levels of the synthetic organic chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, according to new rules just adopted by State Health officials.

New Reports Show RGGI Protects Kids’ Health and Saves Money

July 29, 2020 Expert BlogEast, United StatesBruce Ho

Two new reports show the tremendous benefit of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—a Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region power sector program—and how it’s paying dividends for the climate, children’s health, and families’ finances.

NY Legislature Passes Bill to Close Fracking Waste Loophole

July 22, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRob Friedman

After years of deadlock, key legislation that regulates oil and gas waste passed the New York State Legislature this week. The legislation closes a longstanding and dangerous loophole that exempts dangerous oil and gas industry waste from New York’s existing…

NRDC Food Matters Launches Two Regional Initiatives

July 13, 2020 Expert BlogEast, United StatesDarby Hoover, Madeline Keating

Starting with the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, we are launching a Food Matters Regional Initiative, with the goal of furthering larger-scale change related to food waste at a regional level.

NRDC Sues FERC Over Orders that Threaten NY Clean Energy

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

The FERC orders undermine New York’s State efforts to achieve landmark clean energy targets and also compromise efforts to replace dirty peaker plants in New York City with renewable energy and battery storage solutions, which is vitally important for reducing…

NYC Council Must Restore Funds for Community Composting

June 27, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

Restoration of $7 million to preserve community composting and related recycling outreach and education won’t solve every waste problem in New York. But it will throw a lifeline to one of the most significant, untapped anti-pollution strategies available to local…

Report Finds Neonics Pose Big Risks to Bees as Losses Mount

June 25, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesDaniel Raichel

Summertime is normally a great time for bees, but last summer saw record bee losses. A new report from Cornell may shed light on why.

Take Action to Protect Bees During National Pollinator Week

June 22, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, New JerseyDaniel Raichel, Lucas Rhoads

This Pollinator week, let’s heed the science and skip the fluff. Here’s how you can take action now to protect pollinators and human health.

New York Bans Utility Shutoffs during COVID-19 Emergency

June 18, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkJoan Leary Matthews

New York is the first state to act via legislation to establish a statewide moratorium on all utility shutoffs—water, gas, electric, and telephone, including both publicly- and privately-owned utilities.

Reflections on the First Earth Day and What’s Ahead for New York

April 21, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, NRDC's New York Political Director reflects on attending the first Earth Day event in New York City in 1970, and far the city has come thanks to New York's leadership on climate.

Environment Tops List of NY Budget Negotiations

March 18, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

The environment—including the proposed Environmental Bond Act--is a top priority for New York State.

NC's Missing the Big Picture on Climate Resilience

December 11, 2019 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore

NC is applying for $168 million from HUD's CDBG-MIT fund. But NC is proposing to focus on a narrow range of projects and missing the larger opportunity to use these funds to make much-needed changes to a range of local…

Though Latest Newark Test Results Are Encouraging, NRDC Says “Trust But Verify”

September 23, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, New Jersey, NewarkNRDC

The fight for safe water for all of the city’s residents continues on.

Newark's Bottled Water Plan Denies Thousands Safe Water

September 20, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, New JerseyErik D. Olson

Newark, New Jersey has a serious lead problem. So why is Newark denying bottled water to tens of thousands of residents who need it?

A Lack of Balance: Runoff and Harmful Algal Blooms

September 9, 2019 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los Angeles, New JerseyCorinne Bell

There’s a lot local agencies and regulators can do to help prevent algae blooms that threaten public health.

Stand Up for Safe Drinking Water in New York State

September 9, 2019 Expert BlogNew YorkKimberly Ong

Get harmful chemical contaminants out of New York State's drinking water.

Dominion’s Rising Cost to Virginia's Economy and Environment

September 7, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, VirginiaWalton Shepherd

Observers in the energy regulatory world were shocked last week at the finding of a staggering $277 million in overcollections by Dominion, the state’s largest regulated monopoly.

With Dorian, NC Faces Same Hog Waste Threat as in Florence

September 5, 2019 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaValerie Baron

As Hurricane Dorian approaches a year later, not much has improved for North Carolinians since Hurricanes Florence and Michael.

Court Denies At-Risk Residents Bottled Water in Newark

August 30, 2019 Expert BlogNew Jersey, NewarkNRDC

The decision will leave pregnant women and those with young children in the city’s eastern service area at risk for exposure to lead-contaminated tap water.

Something in the North Carolina Farm Act Stinks

August 29, 2019 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaValerie Baron

The bill contains sneaky giveaways to big agribusiness buried deep within the legislative text.