News & Commentary

Colorado Lawmakers Must Approve Landmark Proposal to Fund Public Transit

April 30, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

SB24-230 offers a tremendous opportunity to fund transit service through a fee on oil and gas production in Colorado—linking a key source of climate and ozone pollution with a key solution.

Of Colorado's Wetlands Protection Bills, Only HB 1379 Gets the Job Done

April 29, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoSam Gilchrist

Colorado urgently needs to step up to safeguard our wetlands and streams left vulnerable by the Sackett decision.

Reports of Sickening Water Conditions at Pontiac, Illinois Prison

April 9, 2024 Expert BlogIllinoisIhab Mikati, Sahana Rao

People imprisoned in Pontiac report using makeshift filters to protect themselves from water that is often described as oily, swampy, and brown or black.

Q&A: We Can’t Wait 40-Plus Years for Chicago to Get the Lead Out

January 10, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, ChicagoChakena D. Perry

The city with the most lead service lines in the nation has been given 40 years—or more—to replace its lead pipes, according to the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements proposal.

The Uinta Basin Railway Would Be a Bigger Carbon Bomb Than Willow

December 13, 2023 ExplainerUtah, Colorado, United StatesNicole Greenfield

The project could sabotage U.S. climate goals, send oil-filled trains along the Colorado River, and pollute the air from Utah to the Gulf Coast.

EPA Wants Lead Pipes Out in a Decade: Chicagoans Could Wait 40+ Years

December 5, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoChakena D. Perry

Chicago's lead pipes could be replaced by 2067 or later based on the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements proposal.

The Fight for Safe Drinking Water Doesn’t Start at the Top

October 24, 2023 NRDC in ActionChicagoShelia Hu

True activism begins with the people—and that’s where you’ll find policy advocate Chakena D. Perry.

After 43 Years, My Parents Finally Have Lead-Free Water

October 23, 2023 PerspectivesChicagoGina Ramirez

In Chicago, an environmental justice advocate recounts what it took to get the lead pipes dug up in her childhood home.

Colorado's Test and Chase Law Turns to the Chase

October 11, 2023 Expert BlogColorado, DenverCorinne Bell, Kin Lo

Chicago Advocates and Organizers Rally Together to Get the Lead Out

October 5, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, ChicagoAngela Guyadeen

A first-of-its-kind event in Chicago demonstrates solidarity among a wide range of supporters for safe drinking water—and they’re calling for immediate action.

Mapping Clean Energy in the West

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogColorado, New MexicoClaire Lang-Ree

Colorado and New Mexico can take advantage of Energy Community tax credits to build renewable energy and jumpstart an equitable workforce transition.

General Iron Looms Over the Return to School

August 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

As we gear up for another school year, there's a constant worry hanging over us: the possibility of the General Iron facility starting up just across the street from George Washington High School. 

Better Energy Options for Chicago: Clean and Affordable Buildings

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, Illinois, MidwestMeghan Hassett

A thoughtful transition toward clean and affordable buildings would help reduce high energy bills and indoor air pollution harming Chicago residents.

A Tale of Two Capacity Auctions—and Still Too Much Coal

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, IllinoisMeghan Hassett

A capacity price spike impacted Illinoisans’ electricity bills last June. What has MISO done to prevent it from happening again? It’s a mixed bag—with too many fossil fuels inside.

The Disinvestment in Centreville Continues

July 7, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Ihab Mikati

Despite years of community-led advocacy, a thorough and equitable plan to solve the flooding and sewage problems in Centreville has not yet been developed, which has led to a piecemeal approach and continued disinvestment.

Colorado's Historic Win for Building Electrification

June 28, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoClaire Lang-Ree

The Public Utilities Commission in Colorado approved a budget of over $429 million for new building electrification and energy efficiency programs for customers of Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest utility, in a recent proceeding. This decision is a win for Coloradans…

Midwest states need a modern grid to supercharge clean energy goals

June 15, 2023 Expert BlogMinnesota, Midwest, Illinois, MichiganMeghan Hassett

Midwest states are already leading on clean energy, but achieving their goals depends on the power grid's readiness. We need the electricity system to catch up.

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.

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.

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.