News & Commentary

Caltrans Offering 1950s-Style False Hope to I-80's Challenges

January 31, 2024 Expert BlogCalifornia, SacramentoCarter Rubin

Caltrans's I-80 CEQA analysis is flawed and reflects a concerning pattern that must change for California to reach our climate, mobility and equity goals.

Equitable Rate Reform Is Required to Meet Our Climate Goals

January 18, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson

California is facing an electric rate crisis. A more progressive rate structure will help fairly pay for system costs while also enabling electrification.

Overcoming Decarbonization Barriers in Los Angeles’s Affordable Housing

January 11, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Los AngelesMichele Knab Hasson, Olivia Walker, Dr. Veena Singla

Affordable housing is among the most vulnerable and underfunded of building sectors but thoughtful design and flexible financing could help provide cleaner, healthier buildings for all.

Groundbreaking California Law Will Create Innovative Pathways for Social Housing

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEsther Portillo

The visionary social housing study bill that identifies pathways to 1.4 million stable, affordable homes for California’s most vulnerable residents just became law.

Social Housing: Los Angeles’s Chance to Fight the Housing Crisis

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesSarah Elkotbeid

The climate crisis exacerbates an already worsening housing crunch.

New Law Marks Climate Transition for California Landscapes

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEd Osann, Linda Escalante

Irrigating ornamental turf grass at non-residential locations will be phased out, beginning in 2027.

AB 1373: Vital to Meeting CA’s Energy Goals Reliably and Affordably

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMohit Chhabra, Merrian Borgeson

AB 1373 includes important tools to bring new and diverse energy resources online and keep California’s energy transition on track.  

California Climate & Energy Policy Update: Summer 2023

July 27, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson, Michele Knab Hasson

California has made strides in reducing emissions, spurred by the increasingly devastating impacts of climate disruption communities across the globe.

Golden State Natural Resources’ Biomass Boondoggle

July 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaRita Frost

Community leaders, environmental groups, and residents oppose greenwashed biomass production and export scheme in California.

Equitable Rate Reform FAQ

June 30, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMohit Chhabra, Sylvie Ashford

Improving how we pay for shared electric system costs in California

California ISO Approves $7.3 Billion Investment in Transmission

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie, Peter Miller

Ambitious investment to boost transmission in support of clean energy is approved by the California Independent System Operator.

California Governor Announces Western Grid Integration as a Priority

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

NRDC looks forward to continuing the work with partners to bring western grid integration to fruition.

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.

In Defense of Healthy Streets and Good Transit

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaCarter Rubin

MOVE Culver City has delivered safer, healthier and more sustainable streets for all. 

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.

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.

It’s Time to Clean the California Transportation Budget

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaZak Accuardi, Miles Muller

California's leaders must prioritize safe, equitable, zero-emissions mobility choices in this year's state budget. Here's how.

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.