News & Commentary

San Jose’s Bold New Plan for Climate-Friendly Transportation

October 6, 2020 Expert BlogCalifornia, San Jose (California)Elizabeth Stampe

San Jose has adopted a bold new plan to help residents get around this famously sprawling city in ways that are low-cost, low-carbon—and now, safe and fun.

The Christmas Tree: Dominion’s Rent-seeking “Re-Reg" of 2007

October 6, 2020 Expert BlogVirginiaWalton Shepherd

How Virginia's Lobbyist-written "Re-Regulation" Act Transformed a Basic Utility Service Into a Virginian-funded Corporate Welfare Scheme

The Clean Energy Expert Bringing Black Voices to the Table

October 5, 2020 NRDC in ActionCaliforniaRasheena Fountain

As NRDC’s California state lead for clean energy and equity, Alexis Cureton is working to ensure that communities of color help shape energy policy, both inside and outside of the energy sector.

Offshore Wind: The Missing Link in California’s Energy Mix?

July 29, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaSergio Sanchez Lopez

As a renewable source, offshore wind can help California to solve its carbon reduction puzzle. However, its development has a unique set of challenges—environmental, regulatory and economic.

Advancing Park Equity in Los Angeles and Beyond

July 27, 2020 Expert BlogLos AngelesDamon Nagami

Experts discuss how they fight against systems of power that have decided who does—and does not—get to have access to parks, open spaces, and nature.

California Seeks to Reduce Inequity in Access to Nature

July 22, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaDrevet Hunt, Damon Nagami

Natural spaces like rivers, beaches, wetlands, and forests are critical to human health and well-being. California's legislature is poised to take action to ensure access to nature for all its citizens by enacting AB3030.

Dominion's Post-ACP Clean Energy Awakening: Fact or Fiction?

July 14, 2020 Expert BlogVirginiaWalton Shepherd

With the ACP cancelled, is Dominion now truly a "clean energy company" willing to prioritize energy efficiency, or will it just look for new ways to stick Virginians with higher bills?

States, NGOs Ask Court to Restore State Clean Car Standards

June 29, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaDavid Doniger

Here's why the Trump administration's attempt to block California's Clean Car Standards is headed for a multi-car pile up in the courts.

The Pathway to New All-Electric Low Income Housing in CA

June 29, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson

A key question for equity, health, and the environment is how to ensure that affordable housing providers are supported in building efficient, emissions-free all-electric homes.

California Makes History with Clean Trucks Rule

June 25, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaPatricio Portillo

In a groundbreaking win, CARB adopted the world’s first zero-emission commercial truck requirement, the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. The rule, which requires truck makers to sell an increasing number of clean, zero-emission trucks in California in place of dirty diesel…

AB 345: Please Keep Off the Astroturf

June 23, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

AB 345, which passed the California Assembly and is now pending in the Senate, would require regulators to establish setback buffers to keep drilling operations away from homes, schools, playgrounds, and hospitals. 

All Californians Deserve Clean Tech Access: Keep EPIC Funded

June 23, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaSergio Sanchez Lopez

It's crucial to continue supporting the development of technologies that contribute to our clean energy goals while helping low-income communities save money and continued access to the benefits of technological advancements.

Defender of Energy Efficiency—and Equity

February 3, 2020 NRDC in ActionGeorgia, Detroit, Michigan, Baltimore, Maryland, Norfolk, VirginiaKeith Mulvihill

Dawone Robinson, regional director of NRDC’s Energy Efficiency for All Project, works to create opportunities for low-income communities of color to save energy and money.

Keeping the Lights On with Clean Energy

November 14, 2019 Expert BlogCaliforniaPeter Miller

California needs to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. But we need to do it as much as possible with clean resources, to avoid further burdening vulnerable communities that have historically hosted polluting facilities and to reduce our climate pollution…

3 E’s: The Top 3 Climate Action Items for VA Leaders in 2020

November 9, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, VirginiaWalton Shepherd

Here’s how Virginia’s new climate and clean energy majority can tackle climate change and energy equity right out of the gate.

CA Approves $55M for EV Charging at Parks, Beaches & Schools

November 7, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaMiles Muller, Max Baumhefner

AB 936: The Path to California’s New Oil Spill Protections

October 16, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaAnn Alexander

It is our fervent hope that the cleanup preparation measures required by AB 936 never become necessary, as California moves toward transitioning away from oil.

California's Clean Truck Rule: First of its Kind and Long Overdue

October 4, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaPatricio Portillo

California is launching a new rule to tackle one of the largest sources of pollution: medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Everyone Can Benefit from Electric Homes: Here’s How

October 3, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaAlexis Cureton

Equitable Building Electrification: A Framework for Powering Resilient Communities helps California stave off the climate crisis.

San Jose Ups Its Biking Game

September 30, 2019 DispatchSan Jose (California)Corey Binns

In this sprawling Bay Area city, more than half the carbon footprint comes from cars and trucks. So the city is focusing on growing its network of safe bike paths—and fast.