News & Commentary

Powering Up Californians Act Is Signed into Law

October 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaMax Baumhefner, Merrian Borgeson

Governor Newsom approves new law that will prepare the electrical grid and reduce the time needed to energize EV charging stations and electrify buildings.

California Is Short-Changing Climate-Friendly Mobility

October 4, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaCarter Rubin

A new NRDC report finds that California only allocates 18.6% of transportation funds to low-carbon mobility choices. Read the full report here.

New Transit Service Funding in California—and How States Can Find More

September 27, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaZak Accuardi

Advocates fought for funding to preserve transit service in California, winning a partial victory—and secured new guidance that could unlock billions more

Washington State Acts on Snake River Restoration

August 30, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, WashingtonGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

If the federal government proposes a pathway to comprehensive Snake River restoration, we will all benefit from the important planning and progress underway in Washington State.

CARB Must Reform LCFS Program

August 23, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez

Will CARB listen to the community voices calling for change to the LCFS Program?

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.

From Highways to Healthy Communities

August 17, 2023 Expert BlogFresno, Los Angeles, CaliforniaZak Accuardi

Following the Federal-Aid Highway Act's signing in 1956, California fully built out its interstate and state highway system, expanding mobility access for car-owners, stimulating economic development, and creating thousands of jobs. But these benefits came with unacceptable and avoidable costs.

Clean Cars Yield $44 Billion in Benefits for New Mexicans

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogNew MexicoYeh-Tang Huang, Kathy Harris, Alexis Mena

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars II Program can bring $44 billion in benefits to New Mexico. 

A Full Colorado Clean Cars Brings $20 Billion in Additional Benefits

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoYeh-Tang Huang, Alana Miller, Kathy Harris

A new fact sheet shows that adopting a full Colorado Clean Cars program can bring $20 billion of health and environmental benefits to the state. 

How New Mexico Can Move Forward on Climate and a Just Transition

June 21, 2023 Expert BlogNew MexicoNoah Long, Alexis Mena

The bottom line is that, without significant new action, the state will not meet its targets to cut emissions and will not protect New Mexican communities from the clear, present, and increasing consequences of climate change.

Want to Save the Planet? Save the Bus

June 7, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose (California)Zak Accuardi

California's leaders have an opportunity to lead on clean transportation by prioritizing public transit—but the bus is leaving the station soon. 

Clean Cars Yield $95 Billion in Benefits for Coloradans

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Colorado Clean Car program can bring over $95 billion in benefits to the state. 

Colorado's Win for Clean Trucks

May 5, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, ColoradoClaire Lang-Ree

Colorado voted to adopt historic standards to promote clean trucks in the state, which will reduce harmful air pollution from trucks and buses. It's time for other Western states to move forward with these safeguards.

California Accelerates its Fight Against Freight Pollution

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogSacramento, CaliforniaHeather Kryczka, Guillermo A. Ortiz, Patricio Portillo

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Proposed Highway Expansion Will Undercut New York Landmark Climate Law

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkMark Izeman, Isabel Friedman

A state proposal to spend $1 billion to expand a 47-mile stretch of Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan Counties runs counter to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.