News & Commentary

Building a More Sustainable, Affordable Colorado with Thoughtful Housing Strategies

February 22, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Colorado, DenverAlana Miller

Land use reform proposed by Colorado leaders could deliver a triple victory for climate, air quality, and housing affordability.

Caltrans Offering 1950s-Style False Hope to I-80's Challenges

January 31, 2024 Expert BlogCalifornia, SacramentoCarter Rubin

Caltrans's I-80 CEQA analysis is flawed and reflects a concerning pattern that must change for California to reach our climate, mobility and equity goals.

Overcoming Decarbonization Barriers in Los Angeles’s Affordable Housing

January 11, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Los AngelesMichele Knab Hasson, Olivia Walker, Dr. Veena Singla

Affordable housing is among the most vulnerable and underfunded of building sectors but thoughtful design and flexible financing could help provide cleaner, healthier buildings for all.

Groundbreaking California Law Will Create Innovative Pathways for Social Housing

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEsther Portillo

The visionary social housing study bill that identifies pathways to 1.4 million stable, affordable homes for California’s most vulnerable residents just became law.

Social Housing: Los Angeles’s Chance to Fight the Housing Crisis

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesSarah Elkotbeid

The climate crisis exacerbates an already worsening housing crunch.

New Law Marks Climate Transition for California Landscapes

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEd Osann, Linda Escalante

Irrigating ornamental turf grass at non-residential locations will be phased out, beginning in 2027.

Colorado makes Buildings Cleaner, More Livable

August 24, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlejandra Mejia Cunningham, Claire Lang-Ree

With a new Building Performance Standard policy, Colorado is leading the nation with clean, healthy buildings.

California ISO Approves $7.3 Billion Investment in Transmission

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie, Peter Miller

Ambitious investment to boost transmission in support of clean energy is approved by the California Independent System Operator.

California Governor Announces Western Grid Integration as a Priority

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

NRDC looks forward to continuing the work with partners to bring western grid integration to fruition.

In Defense of Healthy Streets and Good Transit

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaCarter Rubin

MOVE Culver City has delivered safer, healthier and more sustainable streets for all. 

Smart Housing Policy Is a Climate Strategy for Colorado

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

Colorado leaders are looking for ways to expand housing availability, improve housing affordability, and ensure housing development advances climate goals, including proposed legislation from Governor Jared Polis and legislative leadership.

It’s Time to Clean the California Transportation Budget

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaZak Accuardi, Miles Muller

California's leaders must prioritize safe, equitable, zero-emissions mobility choices in this year's state budget. Here's how.

Westside Bus and Bike Projects Are a Win for Mobility and Climate

January 10, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesCarter Rubin

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is working to create a full-time dedicated bus lane and continuous protected bike lane on Venice Boulevard, an important east-west corridor.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, OregonCaroline Keicher, Joe O'Brien-Applegate

Policies and programs aimed at new construction and existing buildings continue to gain traction as communities and elected officials realize the feasibility and benefits of ambitious and equity-centered action.

2022 Sees LA Make Strides on Climate Justice

December 13, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesMegan Ross, Olivia Walker

Los Angeles is ending the year with notable progress on energy justice and building decarbonization, with plans for more in 2023.

LA Becomes Largest CA City to Electrify New Buildings

December 9, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesMegan Ross, Olivia Walker

Los Angeles passed a policy directing new buildings to be constructed to use all-electric energy, a critical action to achieving LA’s community-driven building decarbonization goals.

San Jose Says No to Minimum Parking Requirements

December 7, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, San Jose (California)Rabi Abonour

San Jose City Council took a major step towards protecting the climate and creating more affordable, livable communities.

Making Good on California's Clean Transportation Promises

November 21, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, United StatesCarter Rubin, Zak Accuardi

Environment, health, and justice groups are looking for the Governor and Legislature to ensure California's transportation investments match its lofty climate goals.

What We Need to Know to Harness the Heat Beneath our Feet

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogMassachusetts, New York, ColoradoJoe O'Brien-Applegate, Alejandra Mejia Cunningham

Victory! CO Cancels Highway Expansion, Funds Transit Instead

September 23, 2022 Expert BlogColorado, DenverAlana Miller

A plan to expand I-25 through central Denver has officially been scrapped and $100 million has instead been reallocated to transit, biking and walking investments.