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Weaker Building Codes in North Carolina's Future.

Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore
North Carolina already has some of the weakest building codes in the nation when it comes to protecting people from hazards and disasters, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Division of Building Sciences. But the state’s legislature is determined…

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

Expert BlogWest, Nevada, Idaho, United StatesJosh Axelrod
Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced legislation that makes it easier for mining companies and others to acquire rights to federal land and to be able to use them as dumping grounds and worse. The legislation…

St. Louis Launches SiLVERS EV Shuttle Service for Seniors

Expert BlogSt. Louis, MissouriStefan Schaffer

In the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), St. Louis is thinking outside the box: On September 30, the city celebrated the launch of the innovative St. Louis Vehicle Electrification Rides for Seniors (SiLVERS), an equity-minded program that will provide EV…

Decarbonized Buildings & Vehicles Create Good Missouri Jobs

Expert BlogMissouriGabrielle Habeeb, Ashok Gupta

Eliminating carbon emissions from our building and transportation sectors will be critical to maintaining a healthy and livable climate. Decarbonizing these sectors is putting Missourians to work while investing in a cleaner, more climate resilient future.

Sharing the Road: Safer Streets Means Safe for Everyone

ExplainerUnited States, California, Missouri, Atlanta, San Jose (California), St. Louis, GeorgiaDan Reed
As they incorporate equity into transportation planning, a number of U.S. cities are making room for bicyclists, pedestrians, scooters, and wheelchairs in every part of town.

St. Louis Charges Toward Clean Air with Electric Vehicles

Expert BlogSt. Louis, MissouriKelly Blynn, Stefan Schaffer
St. Louis continues to set a brisk pace on its path toward clean transportation: In February, Mayor Lyda Krewson signed an executive order that formally begins the transition for the city fleet, requiring city departments to prioritize acquiring EVs over…

Biden Can Protect Communities, Halt Mountain Valley Pipeline

Expert BlogWest Virginia, Virginia, North CarolinaAmy Mall
We have new leadership in Washington under President Biden, and his administration should take action to send the Mountain Valley Pipeline right where it belongs—into the dustbin of history.

Cities Are Leading the Way: 2020 Wins & Look Ahead

Expert BlogUnited States, Charlotte, Honolulu, Pittsburgh, St. LouisJay Orfield, Kimi Narita
Cities made tremendous progress in their climate challenge goals throughout a difficult 2020. Now, cities are eyeing all that is possible in the new year.

House Climate Crisis Action Plan Gets a Lot Right on Biomass

Expert BlogNorth CarolinaSasha Stashwick

Established science now shows that burning biomass from forests for electricity is not a climate solution within timeframes relevant to addressing climate change. The Select Committee’s plan recognizes this science and squarely positions its policies in contrast to those of…

Urban Innovator

NRDC in ActionCharlotte, North Carolina, St. Petersburg, Florida, St. Paul, Minnesota, Austin, TexasKeith Mulvihill
Through her work in the buildings sector, Wendy Lee helps propel cities into a fairer and more energy-efficient future.

NC's Missing the Big Picture on Climate Resilience

Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore

NC is applying for $168 million from HUD's CDBG-MIT fund. But NC is proposing to focus on a narrow range of projects and missing the larger opportunity to use these funds to make much-needed changes to a range of local…

Mayor Lyda Krewson Is Leading the Fight on Climate Change

Expert BlogUnited States, MissouriStefan Schaffer
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson made a pretty audacious announcement at an October 22 event on climate change at Washington University: the city has made so much progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, she thinks it is time to set…

St. Louis Building Code Update: Raising the Roof (Floor)

Expert BlogMissouriKatharine McCormick

St. Louis adopted the 2018 IECC, or International Energy Conservation Code, a model code that creates a floor for energy performance in new buildings. Because the IECC update addresses a wide range of energy uses in both commercial and residential…

Controversial New Pipelines May Slice Through the Southeast

DispatchVirginia, West Virginia, North CarolinaRobynne Boyd
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline—and the Mountain Valley Pipeline, with a similar path—could tear up land and negatively impact people throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.