News & Commentary

How Missing Water System Boundaries Affect Our Communities

September 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaSusan Lee

The lack of public water system boundary information in the United States puts public health at risk.

Climate Week Participants Should Recognize Bioenergy as a Boondoggle

September 13, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Courtenay Lewis, Elly Pepper, Matt Williams

As Climate Week NYC begins, governments and companies shouldn't be fooled by industry claims that turning carbon-storing forests into wood pellets will save us.

Report Calls for Modernizing Hardrock Mining

September 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod

Interagency review offers a vision for improving domestic mining and addressing its historic impacts in the face of a rapidly accelerating energy transition.

How Frontline Communities Can Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act to Advance Local Priorities

September 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesElena Olmedo

A breakdown of some of the major opportunities available to community-based organizations and some actionable steps to get more involved in this space.

Community Engagement Is Fundamental to the Permitting Process

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesChristy Goldfuss

Clean energy and transmission projects can bring benefits to the communities that host them. Inviting local interests to the planning table helps ensure that.

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.  

A Resource for Energy-Burdened Communities

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesMaria Correa

Energy burden has disproportionately impacted low-income communities of color for decades. NRDC is actively working to bring justice to these communities through this mapping tool.

The Power of States in Driving Climate Action

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, IndiaDr. Vyoma Jha

Creating a new platform for knowledge exchange between the United States and India for subnational actors in the power sector.

Mapping Clean Energy in the West

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogColorado, New MexicoClaire Lang-Ree

Colorado and New Mexico can take advantage of Energy Community tax credits to build renewable energy and jumpstart an equitable workforce transition.

Strategies for Equitable Implementation of EPA's GGRF

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent

NRDC and University of New Hampshire's Center for Impact Finance release a series of sector-specific strategy guides and webinars exploring how EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) can deliver a more equitable clean energy transition.

Can the Shift to Clean Energy be Both Fast and Fair?

August 30, 2023 Expert BlogArizonaClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

A look at the promise and principles of a just transition and the impact of the recent debt ceiling deal and FAST-41.

Green Jobs for Gender Equality

August 30, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaSameer Kwatra

Guest blog by Akanksha Golchha Countries around the world affirmed their commitment to gender equality and empowering women as agents of change in the clean energy transition at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting in Goa, India. While India’s focus…

Chicago’s Historic Environmental Justice HUD Settlement

August 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, ChicagoGina Ramirez

HUD reached a first-of-its-kind settlement agreement with the city of Chicago and three Southeast Side environmental justice organizations in May 2023.

Automakers Try to Dodge Their EV Commitments

August 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesKathy Harris

Despite claims to support electric vehicles, automakers are attempting to thwart new federal standards that would accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Court Finds That Southeast Market Transmission Scheme Protects Monopolies

August 24, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesCaroline Reiser

A federal court's rejection of the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM) marks a victory for consumers in the U.S. South.

What’s the Most Energy-Efficient Water Heater?

August 22, 2023 ExplainerInternational, United StatesPatrick Rogers

The new generation of eco-friendly heat pump water heaters will reduce your home’s emissions while also shrinking your utility bills.

Breathing Easy: Truckers’ Health and the Rise of Zero-Emission Trucks

August 18, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaGuillermo A. Ortiz

Truck drivers face a hidden health crisis due to diesel exhaust emissions. Zero-emission trucks can safeguard drivers’ well-being while bringing positive changes to the industry and the planet.

IRA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: A Game-Changing Finance Program

August 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent, Jessica Russo

EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is set to catalyze billions in clean energy projects across the US, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities

Impact of Chicago’s Environmental Justice Executive Order

August 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, IllinoisGina Ramirez

The executive order is the start of a new stage of work to enact community-led policy reforms in Chicago.

N.C. Offshore Wind Surveys Advance with Protections for Right Whales

August 11, 2023 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaDr. Francine Kershaw

NRDC is pleased to see that initial offshore wind planning surveys close to right whale calving habitat will be undertaken with protective measures in place.