News & Commentary

Mercury’s Journey from Coal-Burning Power Plants to Your Plate

May 2, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesSusan Cosier

The EPA wants to lower people’s exposure to this potent neurotoxin by going after the pollutant’s biggest source. 

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.

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Nevada, Idaho, United StatesJosh Axelrod

Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced legislation that makes it easier for mining companies and others to acquire rights to federal land and to be able to use them as dumping grounds and worse. The legislation…

Here’s How EPA Should Set Buy Clean Standards For Steel

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesIan Wells, Sasha Stashwick

Buy Clean Standards must be designed correctly to lower emissions without driving domestic steel manufacturing out of business.

NRDC Analysis Charts Pathways to U.S. Climate Goals

April 26, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJacqueline Ennis

NRDC modeling finds that, by deploying five decarbonization strategies, the United States can affordably and feasibly achieve a net zero economy by 2050.

Hungry for Local Action in New Climate Law? Start Here

April 25, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, PhiladelphiaIrene Nielson

Cities can tap into millions but may not know about it yet.

IRA Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit: Debunking Five Myths

April 24, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesPete Budden, Rachel Fakhry

New evidence is in: The case for the three pillars is ironclad.

Earth Day Should Be Every Day!

April 21, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, United StatesChakena D. Perry

Four Chicago students share why clean water and air are human rights.

Our Nation—and Its National Parks—Has a Smog Problem

April 21, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new rules to address air pollution. But experts worry it’s not enough.

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.

Proposed Funding Cuts Would Take Us Backward

April 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJeff Slyfield

A 22 percent funding cut to our government agencies would slow our progress to a clean energy future.

Using Energy Efficiency to Maximize Low-Income Solar at the EPA

April 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesMarissa Ramirez, Adam Kent, Stephen Walls

$7 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for equitable solar goes further with efficiency.

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.

Rate Increases and Blackouts: Duke Energy’s Strategy for 2023

April 6, 2023 Expert BlogNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, EastLuis Martinez

Duke failed to keep the lights on last December, but it is now pursuing enormous rate increases of more than 30 percent to help pay for fossil fuels and huge executive salary raises.

Clean Cars Can Bring Over $145 Billion in Benefits to New York

April 3, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars rule can bring over $145 billion in benefits to New York. 

Diving into the Ocean Climate Action Plan

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

The Biden administration’s new plan includes a series of agency actions aimed at ocean-related climate solutions.

EPA Must Act to Limit Deadly Soot Air Pollution

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Vijay Limaye, John Walke

EPA must take action to ensure that clean and healthy air is a reality for all.

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.