News & Commentary

Shifting Federal Funding to Communities: ECJ Program Could Be a Historic Opportunity

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Chantelle "Ella" Mendonsa

The EPA ECJ program grants directed over $2 billion to marginalized communities to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.

EPA: Neonics Likely Driving 200+ Species Toward Extinction

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. EPA's unprecedented findings confirm that widespread neonic pesticide use threatens critical pollinators, other wildlife, and whole ecosystems. 

Seattle Orders Building Standard and Walk Zone for Climate

November 1, 2021 Expert BlogSeattle, WashingtonElizabeth Stampe

Speaking from Glasgow at the international COP-26 climate meeting, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced an executive order to cut Seattle’s greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s two largest sources: transportation and buildings.

NRDC Sets Region Specific Water Targets for Each Office

August 10, 2021 Expert BlogUnited States, New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Bozeman, Beijing, San Francisco, Santa MonicaMaria McCain

NRDC has seen a steady decline in total water usage institution-wide and has taken steps to advance water stewardship.

DC Water’s Own Data Suggest Widespread Lead Contamination

June 25, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

Lead pipes throughout the country, including Washington DC, leach and contribute to widespread contamination. Paradoxically, due to a confusing and inadequate system of safeguards, Washington DC is in compliance with federal drinking water regulations for lead.

How Cities Are Centering Equity in Benchmarking Policies

April 20, 2021 Expert BlogDenver, Colorado, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Seattle, WashingtonCaroline Keicher

A new resource from the City Energy Project—Incorporating Equity into Energy Benchmarking Requirements: Guidance for Policy and Program Practitioners—helps cities understand the opportunity to leverage benchmarking and transparency policies to address racial and social equity.

Lowe’s Bans PFAS in Fabric Protector Sprays

March 29, 2021 Expert BlogCalifornia, WashingtonSujatha Bergen

In a step forward for public health, Lowe’s has banned the sale of fabric protectors that contain toxic PFAS chemicals in its stores.

Bipartisan States Commit to Clean and Healthy Transportation

December 21, 2020 Expert BlogMassachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Washington, D.C.Bruce Ho

A bipartisan group of Eastern states announce an agreement to modernize transportation.

Public Transit Is in Crisis, but Essential to our Recovery

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogNew York City, Washington, D.C., San FranciscoAnn Shikany

Local and national advocates call on Congress to include emergency aid for transit in a relief package before 2020 ends.

Biden Plan Promises Better Buildings, for Climate and Equity

November 17, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Khalil Shahyd, Lauren Urbanek

The incoming Biden-Harris administration faces four interlocking crises that must be tackled head-on.

Mussels Help Keep Watch on Pollution in Puget Sound

August 20, 2020 DispatchWashingtonStarre Vartan

The humble bivalves, which concentrate everything from heavy metals to cancer drugs in their tissues, provide an ideal way for scientists to monitor nearshore water health.

Sustainable Design in NRDC's Washington, D.C. Office

June 23, 2020 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Maria McCain

Join us on Tuesday, July 14th for a virtual open house at our newly renovated Washington, D.C. office!

Free Bus Service Is the Hot New Thing in Transit

March 3, 2020 DispatchOlympia, WashingtonStarre Vartan

Olympia, Washington, is the latest city to roll out a fare-free bus system, with traffic congestion, equity, and the climate in mind.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to Help Transition Homes off Oil

September 27, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, SeattleMaria Stamas

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, with a unanimous City Council, passed a law to help homes with oil-fueled heating sources transition to clean, electric heat.

As the DOE Abandons a Toxic Mess Threatening the Columbia River, the Yakama Nation Fights Back

September 18, 2019 DispatchWashingtonLora Shinn

The DOE wants to dodge its cleanup duties by reclassifying the nuclear waste contaminating a site along Washington’s Columbia River. Not only is it a reckless move, but it may violate treaty-protected indigenous rights.

Principles for Parks and Equitable Development

August 28, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, MemphisSasha Forbes, AICP

Assets in our communities that offer us increased connectivity, shelter, and planned outdoor spaces can act as triggers that escalate land values which usually price out existing residents, often low-income and people of color, and more often renters. But communities…

The March for Equity, the Environment, and Women Are One, Says This Advocate

January 19, 2018 NRDC in ActionFlorida, Miami, Washington, D.C.Nicole Greenfield

NRDC’s Sasha Forbes talks environmental justice, and why women are often at the helm of this work.

This Is How We Stand Up to Trump

December 20, 2017 NRDC in ActionUnited States, Washington, D.C., Utah, Michigan, CaliforniaNicole Greenfield

Meet a handful of the NRDC staffers who resisted Trump’s attacks and defended our environment in 2017—and who won’t stop fighting anytime soon.

A Veteran of Uphill Battles

March 13, 2017 NRDC in ActionWashington, D.C., United States, CanadaJordan Davidson

NRDC’s chief program officer, Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, knows that resistance takes persistence—and a lot of collaboration.

Healing the Anacostia's Troubled Waters

March 11, 2016 NRDC in ActionWashington, D.C., MarylandJeff Turrentine

After two centuries of neglect, NRDC is helping revitalize Washington, D.C.'s forgotten river.