News & Commentary

Risky Realities—Recognizing the Harms of Global LNG Expansion

December 4, 2023 Expert BlogInternational, United States, Africa, MexicoJamie Lee, Mima Holt

Liquefied natural gas should be phased out in tandem with other fossil fuels, paving the way for renewable energy to meet international climate and sustainable development goals.

Michigan Adopts Filter First Protections for Kids

October 10, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, MichiganCyndi Roper

Michigan lawmakers approve Filter First bills providing the nation’s strongest protections against lead in drinking water at schools and childcare centers.

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

October 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

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.

EPA’s Chance Is NOW to Finally Fix the Broken Lead & Copper Rule

February 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Michigan, InternationalErik D. Olson

Americans across political lines support action to fix lead in drinking water—and here’s how it can be done.

Time to Fast-Track Africa’s Clean & Equitable Energy Future

November 1, 2022 Expert BlogInternational, AfricaShruti Shukla

The Biden administration must prioritize – at COP27 and beyond – providing the necessary tools for Africa to equitably decarbonize and sustain its economic potential in the face of rising climate impacts. At COP27 and beyond, leaders need to show…

Addressing Benton Harbor’s Lead Water Crisis Took a Village—and Years

August 9, 2022 DispatchBenton HarborKyler Sumter

As in Flint, Michigan, severe lead contamination in Benton Harbor illustrates the obstacles environmental justice communities face, and why the fight for stronger federal protections continues.

Time to End Consumers Energy’s Use of Coal

April 13, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganDerrell E. Slaughter

Consumers Energy wants to speed up the retirement of its remaining coal plant—the J.H. Campbell Power Plant, located just outside of Grand Rapids—as part of its plan to become carbon-neutral by 2040.

From Memphis to the White House, This Advocate Is Confronting Redlining and Environmental Injustice

October 25, 2021 DispatchMemphis, FlintShelia Hu

LaTricea Adams, who founded Black Millennials for Flint, is now pushing the Biden administration to remediate the impacts of our country’s historically racist policies.

Divine Intervention Should Not Be Required for Safe Water

September 24, 2021 Expert BlogMichiganCyndi Roper

Benton Harbor has been in the news lately for its elevated lead levels in drinking water, but the problem has gone on for at least three years. Here is Rev. Edward Pinkney's take on the situation in the form of…

Michigan's Gas Giveaway

July 6, 2021 Expert BlogMichiganAmulya Yerrapotu

The Michigan Legislature is currently considering a massive giveaway to gas utilities, tucked away in the state budget. This proposal would allocate $250 million of taxpayer money towards paying for gas utility infrastructure expansions, with no specification on how many…

The Rubber Stamp Allowing Pipelines to Pollute Clean Water

June 21, 2021 Expert BlogNorth Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, MichiganAmy Mall

A Huge Push to Remove Toxic Lead in School Drinking Water

April 6, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Michigan, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

President Biden has released his bold infrastructure package, which basically declares war on lead in drinking water, both in our homes and our schools.

MI Lawmakers Introduce Lead in Water Protections for Kids

February 25, 2021 Expert BlogMichiganCyndi Roper

These bills would help to ensure that Michigan children can access lead-free drinking water at schools and childcare centers.

An Ally in the Fight for Safe, Affordable Drinking Water for All

November 30, 2020 NRDC in ActionDetroit, Illinois, Flint, Chicago, MichiganNicole Greenfield

Detroit native Jeremy Orr combines his personal experience and community organizing roots with his legal expertise to help communities of color in Michigan and Illinois dismantle environmental racism.

800,000-Plus Risk Water Shutoffs in the Great Lakes State

November 24, 2020 Expert BlogMichiganCyndi Roper

An estimated 800,000 Michiganders throughout the state are known to be behind on their water bills and could face water shutoffs, according to new data compiled by NRDC in collaboration with the People's Water Board Coalition.

Bold Protections Against Toxic Forever Chemicals in Michigan’s Tap Water

July 23, 2020 Expert BlogMichiganCyndi Roper

The state has joined the ranks of states that are leading the way in protecting public drinking water from PFAS.

Flint Map Shows Progress, Reveals Where Lead Likely Remains

June 25, 2020 Expert BlogFlint, MichiganStacy Woods

New map documents progress of pipe removal program and offers residents critical information to protect their health

The Fight for Equitable Access to Water and Electricity Has Never Been More Urgent

June 3, 2020 NRDC in ActionDetroit, Michigan, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

In the midst of a pandemic, NRDC advocates are stepping up their work to prevent the risk of mass utility shutoffs, now and for the long-term.

Michigan Takes First Step to Address Lead in School Drinking Water

March 3, 2020 Expert BlogMichiganCyndi Roper

Investments in the Filter First approach provides health protections for children in schools and childcare centers; investments in programs that simply test for lead in drinking water do not.