News & Commentary

Greater Energy Equity Ahead, in both Maryland and Virginia

May 25, 2023 Expert BlogVirginia, Maryland, Richmond (Virginia)Walton Shepherd, Lucy LaFlamme, Dawone Robinson

New state laws in MD and VA will lower spiking electric bills for those least able to afford them, through better-designed home energy efficiency improvements.

Community Science Is Changing How People Can Fight Pollution

May 23, 2023 PerspectivesHouston, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, IllinoisCourtney Lindwall

Grassroots groups are collecting their own pollution data to increase accountability and demand environmental justice.

New Buildings in NY to be Electric, But the Job is Not Done

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkLauren Urbanek

New York's All-Electric Building Act makes it the first state to promote efficient electrification of new construction.

EPA Announces Detailed Framework for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent, Douglass Sims

NRDC's take on the latest from EPA's $27 Billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)

Clean Cars Yields $95 Billion in Benefits for Coloradans

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars II Program can bring over $95 billion in benefits to Colorado. 

Illinois Needs to Address Transportation Pollution—Not Widen I-55

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoMeghan Hassett, J.C. Kibbey

Illinois has a transportation pollution problem. Expanding I-55 would only worsen it, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

The EPA Tackles Power Plants’ Carbon Pollution

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLissa Lynch

The agency’s proposal to limit carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants—which until now has gone nearly unchecked—is a vital step toward combating climate change.

California Advocacy Landscape

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Environmental issues to watch in Sacramento

Colorado Legislative Roundup: 2023

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

A suite of important, yet heavily negotiated, environmental bills are making their way to Governor Polis’s desk.

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.

House Majority Threatens Historic Investment in Buildings

May 4, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Stephen Walls

H.R.1 Would Destroy Jobs and Increase Energy Waste

Clean Cars Can Bring $97 Billion in Benefits to New Jersey

May 3, 2023 Expert BlogNew JerseyYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars II Program can bring over $97 billion in benefits to New Jersey. 

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…

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. 

Failing to Meet Our Climate Goals Is Not an Option

April 26, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesNicole Greenfield

There’s more than one way the United States can nullify its climate emissions by 2050, but these strategies would make the journey a lot easier. 

How Efficiency Will Help Get Us to Net Zero by 2050

April 26, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLauren Urbanek, Luke Tonachel, Jackie Wong

Efficiency will make our transition to a clean energy future cheaper and more cost-effective—and more comfortable, too.

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.

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.

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.