News & Commentary

How Rikers Island Became a Vehicle for Justice (Once It Started Shutting Down)

May 3, 2021 DispatchNew York City, New YorkCourtney Lindwall

The Renewable Rikers plan to reimagine the site of New York City’s notorious jail complex could bring green jobs, cleaner air, and community investment to the neighborhoods most harmed by mass incarceration.

Indian Point Is Closing, but Clean Energy Is Here to Stay

April 28, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkKit Kennedy

New York will mark a milestone in the state’s evolving energy landscape when the Indian Point nuclear power plant, located just north of New York City, permanently closes this week.

Time to End New York’s Fossil Fuel–Related Tax Breaks

March 10, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader, Marisa Guerrero

Ending the tax benefits the state offers to the oil and gas industry is a critical way to simultaneously tackle the global climate crisis while saving taxpayer money.

Fracking Banned in the Delaware River Basin!

February 25, 2021 Expert BlogNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DelawareMarisa Guerrero, Kimberly Ong

The historic vote, made today by the Delaware River Basin Commission, signals a strong stance in favor of a fossil fuel–free future.

New York Announces Historic Fossil Fuel Divestment Plan

December 9, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

In a historic move, New York State announced it will divest its $225 billion Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuels—among the largest pension fund divestments ever undertaken in the nation.

A Catalyst for the Midwest’s Clean Energy Transition

December 1, 2020 NRDC in ActionKansas City (Kansas), St. Louis, Missouri, New York CityBrian Palmer

Ashok Gupta spent decades cleaning up New York’s grid and reducing its reliance on dirty fuels. Now he’s working to bring the clean energy future to the Midwest.

NRDC’s HQ Is Projected to Achieve Net-Positive Electricity

November 17, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CityMaria McCain

NRDC's headquarters now uses 100 percent solar energy to power electric consumption, any excess energy not used will be fed back into the electrical grid.

New York State Must End Tax Breaks for Fossil Fuels

October 27, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

Every year, New York State spends $1.6 billion on benefits for the oil and gas industry. We must pass legislation to stop subsidizing this dangerous industry.

NY Legislature Passes Bill to Close Fracking Waste Loophole

July 22, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRob Friedman

After years of deadlock, key legislation that regulates oil and gas waste passed the New York State Legislature this week. The legislation closes a longstanding and dangerous loophole that exempts dangerous oil and gas industry waste from New York’s existing…

Strategic Gas Planning Is Vital to NY's Climate Leadership

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkSamantha Wilt

With transparency, sufficient data, and stakeholder engagement, New York can ensure the gas system transition is as equitable, cost-effective, and certain as possible while achieving its nation-leading climate goals.

What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers?

February 27, 2020 ExplainerNew York, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

Here’s everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1.

Justice Warrior on the Affordable Energy Front

June 12, 2019 NRDC in ActionVirginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New YorkKaren L. Smith-Janssen

Dawone Robinson is righting the inequities that low-income communities of color face in accessing the benefits of energy efficiency—like more comfortable homes and lower energy bills, for starters.

St. Louis Building Code Update: Raising the Roof (Floor)

July 26, 2018 Expert BlogMissouriKatharine McCormick

St. Louis adopted the 2018 IECC, or International Energy Conservation Code, a model code that creates a floor for energy performance in new buildings. Because the IECC update addresses a wide range of energy uses in both commercial and residential…

Steps New York Must Take to Meet its Energy Efficiency Goals

July 17, 2018 Expert BlogNew YorkSneha Ayyagari, Jackson Morris

NRDC, along with a coalition of environmental advocates and energy efficiency advocates, submitted comments urging the state to fill in the gaps needed to reach its efficiency target in an equitable and effective way.

NYS Report: Significant Risks to AIM Pipeline

June 27, 2018 Expert BlogNew YorkRob Friedman

We Need an Equitable Energy Efficiency Focus in New York

April 13, 2018 Expert BlogNew YorkSneha Ayyagari, Pamela Rivera

A robust and sustainable program would increase energy affordability, improve public health, and create jobs for all New Yorkers including environmental and climate justice communities and low and moderate income households.

New Analysis: Strong NY Efficiency Target Will Save Billions

April 2, 2018 Expert BlogNew YorkSneha Ayyagari, Jackson Morris

New Yorkers could save more than $7 billion on their energy bills while avoiding 15 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution within seven years if Gov. Andrew Cuomo sets a strong energy efficiency target for the state, according to a…

Empowering Utilities to Lead on Energy Efficiency with REV

March 26, 2018 Expert BlogNew YorkSneha Ayyagari, Miles Farmer

New York’s Fossil Fuel Fight

March 15, 2018 DispatchNew YorkNicole Greenfield

The Empire State has adopted an innovative strategy to ward off an invasion of fracked-gas pipelines—and it’s working.

Court of Appeals: NYS Cannot Block Valley Lateral Pipeline

March 12, 2018 Expert BlogNew YorkKimberly Ong

This is a disappointing turn for communities in Orange County, and all New Yorkers who care about water quality and climate change.