News & Commentary

Congress: Protect the Clean Air Act from Plastic Polluters

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalDaniel Rosenberg, Katie Hobbs

Congress’ critical role in addressing the plastic crisis: Don't support plastic polluters' plans to remove Clean Air Act restrictions on incinerating plastic.

Biden Administration Must Redo Its Assessment of Dakota Access Pipeline

October 24, 2023 Expert BlogNorth Dakota, South DakotaDr. Michele Bustamante, Amy Mall, Dr. Matthew McKinzie, Dr. Jennifer Sass, Dawn Woodard

The recent Draft Environmental Impact Statement ignores the threats to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s drinking water source and violates tribal treaty rights and sovereignty in a severe environmental injustice.

Success of Hydrogen Hubs Requires a Step Increase in Transparency

October 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesErik Kamrath, Pete Budden

The Department of Energy should foster trust by sharing more information about the planned hubs and their impacts on the climate and local communities.

Hubs Rollout Underscores Need for Climate-aligned Policies

October 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesPete Budden, Rachel Fakhry

For the sake of the climate and communities, DOE and the selected hubs must redouble their focus on truly clean production and high value end-uses.

A New Colorado River Threat

October 13, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod, Zanagee Artis

The Wildcat Loadout expansion could load 100,000 barrels of oil per day onto trains traveling beside the Colorado River and destined for Gulf Coast Refineries.

Green Procurement Programs for Steel Cannot Merely Lock in the Status Quo

September 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesIan Wells

Low-carbon procurement programs must encourage decarbonization across the steel industry.

NRDC Stands with Striking Autoworkers

September 20, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesSam Gilchrist

NRDC is committed to supporting the UAW, and we pledge to work with the union to ensure no worker is left behind in the transition to the clean car economy.

Water Is Life—from Standing Rock to Oaxaca’s Mixtecan Highlands

September 18, 2023 PerspectivesMexico, West, South DakotaElybeth Sofia Alcantar

A geographer sees a familiar pattern of government-backed energy projects devastating Indigenous communities and violating tribal sovereignty.  

New Report Details Strategies for Tackling Building Embodied Carbon

September 13, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaLauren Kubiak, Jaden Kielty

A new report released today from Arup in partnership with NRDC details the policies adopted and needed to reduce emissions from embodied carbon in California.

From Dams to DAPL, the Army Corps’ Culture of Disdain for Indigenous Communities Must End

September 13, 2023 PerspectivesUnited States, MidwestTroy Pretends Eagle

The prophesied “Seventh Generation” is here—demanding justice for tribes and protecting what they have left. 

Partnering with Beavers to Adapt to Climate Change

August 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, WestAmy McNamara

Beavers and their habitat increase ecosystem health and help people and wildlife adapt to a warmer planet.

A Trailblazer for Tribal Sovereignty

August 16, 2023 NRDC in ActionUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

NRDC Board member John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, has devoted his career to asserting the legal and civil rights of Native Americans.

The Role of Inert Anodes in Aluminum Decarbonization

August 10, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesIan Wells

Inert anodes can play a key role in eliminating emissions from primary aluminum production.

DOE Must Use Its Industrial Demonstrations Program Strategically

August 4, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesIan Wells, Christina Theodoridi

The U.S. Department of Energy should focus the program’s spending on bold projects.

The Supreme Court Gets Clean Water Supremely Wrong

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jon Devine

The Supreme Court got the facts, the law, and the policy wrong in its recent ruling attacking wetland protections under the Clean Water Act.

New Analysis: The 3 Pillars Will Support Large Hydrogen Deployment

June 20, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesRachel Fakhry

New study finds that clean hydrogen deployment under the 3 pillars is nearly identical compared to loose rules, while avoiding huge amounts of carbon pollution. This crumbles claims that the 3 pillars will kill the industry in the crib.

What the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA Ruling Means for Wetlands and Other Waterways

June 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

How the twisting of words in the Clean Water Act spells disaster.

A Blueprint for Advanced Industrial Manufacturing in New York

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

New York can lead the nation in low-carbon industrial manufacturing. Here is how.

The Proposed Colorado River Deal: A Short-Term Band-Aid for a Long-Term Problem

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Arizona, Nevada, MexicoDr. Mark Gold

The Colorado River conservation proposal from Arizona, California, and Nevada reduces diversions by 1 million acre feet a year. Is this enough to make river management sustainable?

Lawmakers Propose Modern Approach to U.S. Mining

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod

Representative Raul Grijalva and Senator Martin Heinrich today are introducing legislation to tackle the historic harms and inequities of U.S. mining law and to chart a path forward on mineral supplies as we look to rapidly electrify our economy.