News & Commentary

California Legislative Roundup

September 18, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Key bills on climate accountability and health reach Newsom’s desk

U.S. DOT Finally Suspends LNG-by-Rail Rule!

September 5, 2023 Expert BlogNew Jersey, Pennsylvania, United StatesSahana Rao

The federal government has finalized a long-awaited suspension of the regulation that previously permitted LNG transport by rail across the country.

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?

DOE Shrugs as U.S. Natural Gas Exports Surge

August 11, 2023 Expert BlogLouisiana, Texas, Florida, Alaska, New Jersey, PennsylvaniaGillian Giannetti, Morgan Johnson

A decade-long expansion of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals has transformed American energy policy, altered the domestic and international gas market, and raised serious questions for climate health and communities. Yet when the U.S. government weighs these critical…

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.

California ISO Approves $7.3 Billion Investment in Transmission

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

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

The Gibbstown LNG Project Faced a Setback - Let's Stop It For Good

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogNew Jersey, PennsylvaniaSahana Rao

Despite the denial of a special permit to transport LNG by rail, the Gibbstown LNG Export Project can still proceed so long as a Trump-era rule remains in place

California Advocacy Landscape

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Environmental issues to watch in Sacramento

State Leadership Required to Bolster the Actions of CA Cities and Tackle Pollution from Buildings

May 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson, Julia de Lamare

While the 9th Circuit Court ruling threatens local government action to cut pollution from gas appliances, California policy makers have several opportunities this legislative session to reinforce that local leaders are far from alone in the important work to get…

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.

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.

AB 1167: Putting the Brakes on the Orphan Well Catastrophe

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

The measure is a step that California—facing potentially billions of dollars of orphan well cleanup liability—can’t afford not to take.

Big Oil Sets Its Pants Aflame Fighting Setbacks

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

California's SB 1137, which established a health and safety setback buffer requirement to protect communities from oil drilling operations, is being attacked by Big Oil.

This Is Not Your Father’s Automobile Industry

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDavid Doniger

Seven automakers just filed a remarkable brief defending California’s leadership vehicle emissions standards in federal court.

Bill Relief, Efficiency, and Decarb Reduce Gas Price Shocks

February 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaJulia de Lamare, Ericka Flores

The California Public Utilities Commission can and must act now to protect low-income customers.

Delaware River Commission Further Guards Basin from Fracking

December 19, 2022 Expert BlogDelaware, New Jersey, New York, PennsylvaniaSahana Rao

The Delaware River Basin Commission has moved to further protect the 13,579 square-mile watershed by finalizing new rules that, among other things, ban the discharge of fracking wastewater.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, OregonCaroline Keicher, Joe O'Brien-Applegate

Policies and programs aimed at new construction and existing buildings continue to gain traction as communities and elected officials realize the feasibility and benefits of ambitious and equity-centered action.

CA Clean Buildings Progress Report: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson

California’s progress offers a roadmap for transitioning to healthy, clean, and efficient buildings. What's next for the decarbonization leader?

LA Becomes Largest CA City to Electrify New Buildings

December 9, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesMegan Ross, Olivia Walker

Los Angeles passed a policy directing new buildings to be constructed to use all-electric energy, a critical action to achieving LA’s community-driven building decarbonization goals.