News & Commentary

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.

The Bill That Could Connect California to Sun, Wind, and Savings Across the West

April 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

A bill making its way through the California State Legislature would start the process of fully integrating the western electricity grid.

Poor-Quality HVAC Installs Are Costing Us. A Solution Is Within Reach.

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson

Only 10 percent of HVAC installations in California receive a permit—resulting in higher energy bills, climate emissions, and health and safety risks in homes. The state legislature can act now by passing SB 795 (Stern) to improve permit compliance.

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.

Colorado Gas Customers Demand Action to Lower Bills, Emissions

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoKiki Velez, Alana Miller

Coloradans are demanding relief from high gas heating bills. Legislators can take action by reducing the state’s dependence on gas, a fossil fuel that is bad for our wallets, our climate, and our health.

Leveling the Playing Field Toward an Equitable Clean Freight Trucks Transition

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)Sarah Elkotbeid

Our climate and health crises are so vast and complex, we have to change the way we tackle our problems to move the needle. The Delivering Zero Emissions Communities (DZEC) clean truck accelerator program is exploring new models.

AB 1167: Putting the Brakes on the Orphan Well Catastrophe

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

The measure is a step that California—facing potentially billions of dollars of orphan well cleanup liability—can’t afford not to take.

Riparian Forests: How California Farmers Can Protect Waterways

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

California can work with growers to scale up riparian forest buffers along farm and rangelands to help sequester carbon, protect waterways, and improve biodiversity.

NRDC Sues to Close Huge California Pesticide Loophole

February 19, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaLucas Rhoads

NRDC has sued the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for its failure to regulate crop seeds treated with pesticides. These "treated seed' uses are major sources of widespread pesticide contamination, and pose threats to pollinators, other wildlife, and people. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

CA's New Scoping Plan Affirms Organic Ag as Climate Solution

December 16, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook

The first-ever inclusion of organic farming in state climate policy.