News & Commentary

Pollinators Notch Big Wins in Minnesota

May 26, 2023 Expert BlogSt. PaulLucas Rhoads

In a historic 2023 session, Minnesota reined in pesticide use, increased pollinator habitat, and built momentum toward additional protections. 

FERC and PJM Should Not Bail Out Generators That Failed the “Elliott Test”

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesTom Rutigliano

As the region faces changing weather and tighter reserve margins, it needs dependable energy supplies. Power plants that fail when needed should be held accountable.

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?

Community Science Is Changing How People Can Fight Pollution

May 23, 2023 PerspectivesHouston, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, IllinoisCourtney Lindwall

Grassroots groups are collecting their own pollution data to increase accountability and demand environmental justice.

A Climate Strategy for India Scales Up

May 22, 2023 NRDC in ActionIndiaJeff Turrentine

With the formation of its affiliate in New Delhi, NRDC rises to meet the sustainability challenges of the world's fastest-growing economy.

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.

Shared Knowledge Is Power in the Northern Mariana Islands

May 22, 2023 DispatchInternationalShelia Hu

As Indigenous groups seek to comanage the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, elders help the next generation find opportunity on the islands in science and conservation. 

COVER Act Will Modernize Crop Insurance

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lara Bryant

The COVER Act, led by Senator Brown (D-OH) and Representative Sean Casten (D-IL), is a bipartisan bill that offers farmers a $5 per acre good stewardship discount on crop insurance if they plant cover crops to improve their soil health.

FERC Takes Important Steps to Improve Siting of Transmission Lines

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesChristy Walsh

There is an urgent need to quickly build large-scale transmission projects. Federal backstop siting authority is one tool to get it done.

There Is No Infrastructure Week Without Healthy Workers

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJuanita Constible

The workers building our clean energy economy need strong, enforceable heat standards without delay. 

Clean Cars Yield $95 Billion in Benefits for Coloradans

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Colorado Clean Car program can bring over $95 billion in benefits to the state. 

House Agriculture Approps Bill Would Gut Key Farm Programs

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, PennsylvaniaAllison Johnson, Matthew Kaplan, Jeff Slyfield

Congress should go back to the drawing board and build a budget that supports a healthy food system, conservation, and rural energy

Indigenous-led Collaborations Are Transforming Conservation

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee Boan

The pressure is immense and the clock is ticking to ensure the course correction needed to stave off the worst climate and biodiversity impacts predicted for our industrialized world. A new collective, called the Restore, Assert, Defend (or RAD) Network…

Newly released Food Waste Reduction State Model Policy Toolkit

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins

Zero Food Waste Coalition toolkit outlines the gold standard for state policy to reduce food loss and waste, including model language for a dozen policies.

Illinois Needs to Address Transportation Pollution—Not Widen I-55

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoMeghan Hassett, J.C. Kibbey

Illinois has a transportation pollution problem. Expanding I-55 would only worsen it, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

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. 

The EPA Tackles Power Plants’ Carbon Pollution

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLissa Lynch

The agency’s proposal to limit carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants—which until now has gone nearly unchecked—is a vital step toward combating climate change.

The Farm Bill Needs Opportunities in Organic

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Vermont, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

The Opportunities in Organic Act will put organic in reach for more producers and consumers.

Colorado Legislative Roundup: 2023

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

A suite of important, yet heavily negotiated, environmental bills are making their way to Governor Polis’s desk.

Expiring Confusion About Food Date Labels

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins

The Food Date Labeling Act would standardize date labels on food packaging and reduce confusion about their meanings which is a leading cause of food waste.