News & Commentary

New EPA Drinking Water Report Issues Updated Assessment of Lead Pipes Across the Country

May 30, 2024 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

According to new data released by EPA, as of 2024 states and utilities report that there are more than nine million U.S. households drinking their water through what amounts to a lead straw. This updates a 2023 Drinking Water Infrastructure…

What DC Water's Boil Advisory Fumble Teaches Us About Lead

January 23, 2024 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

DC Water put customers at risk. Safeguards being considered by the EPA for the new Lead and Copper Rule could help—if the agency gets it right.

Equal and Equitable Access to Lead Pipe Removal Needed in New Rule

December 20, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Angela Guyadeen, Khalil Shahyd

New proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements a big step forward, but some provisions will have deep equity implications for environmental justice and low-income communities.

204 Groups Call for No New Offshore Oil and Gas Leases

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Zanagee Artis

The Biden Administration’s Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program is expected this month. It’s an opportunity for bold leadership on climate.

Oregon Must Do More to Reduce Entanglements

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogOregon, United StatesDr. Francine Kershaw

Help our West Coast marine life and ask the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to require stronger management measures.

RGGI States Learning and Sharing On Climate and Equity

June 6, 2023 Expert BlogEast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, VirginiaJackson Morris

A new report finds that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative delivers on jobs, emissions reduction, and economic benefits—and provides a framework to address equity in the future.

Congress Speaks Out Against More Offshore Leasing

July 7, 2022 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., United StatesValerie Cleland

EPA: It’s Time to Act. We need Clean Trucks Now

March 3, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, WashingtonPatricio Portillo, Heather Kryczka

Cutting tailpipe emissions and moving to zero emission vehicles can eliminate the diesel fumes causing childhood asthma, emergency room visits, and loss of life.

Orcas Lose a Grandmother, Matriarch L47

October 15, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, OregonGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

This Saturday is Orca Recovery Day and people are coming together for some healing—and to demand action.

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.

Drinking Through a Lead Straw in the District

July 29, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

According to NRDC’s new report Washington DC just distinguished itself—we are in the top 10 most lead-pipes-per-100,000 people of any state (or District) in the US. Not great news for the as many as 31,000 households drinking water through a…

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.

A Huge Push to Remove Toxic Lead in School Drinking Water

April 6, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Michigan, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

President Biden has released his bold infrastructure package, which basically declares war on lead in drinking water, both in our homes and our schools.

EPA Declines to Limit Deadly Soot Air Pollution

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Emily Davis, John Walke, Dr. Vijay Limaye

On its way out the door, the Trump Administration undermines the Clean Air Act and public health in a profound way.

These Fanciful Sea Creatures Were Carried in on the Tide

June 2, 2020 PerspectivesOregonPatrick Rogers

An Oregon community is making spectacular statues out of ocean plastic to raise awareness about a crisis at sea.

A Fearless Defender for Our Future

January 6, 2020 NRDC in ActionBoston, Washington, D.C., United StatesJeff Turrentine

President and CEO Gina McCarthy started out as a public health agent in small-town Massachusetts, rose to become head of the EPA under Obama, and now guides NRDC into its next chapter.

Up in Smoke: Oregon Wildfires Cost Billions in Health Harms

October 2, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, OregonJuanita Constible, Dr. Vijay Limaye

New research sheds light on the health costs of climate change.

Portland Makes Strides to Cut Emissions and Move Beyond Four Wheels

March 4, 2019 DispatchPortland (Oregon)Becca Cudmore

The Rose City, a winner of the American Cities Climate Challenge, will reduce emissions as it revamps its transportation system—part of a new strategic plan called Central City in Motion.

This Lawyer Is Fighting to Save Two of the World’s Most Endangered Species

September 10, 2018 NRDC in ActionOregon, CaliforniaNicole Greenfield

Oregon-based NRDC attorney Giulia Good Stefani is living her dream by working to protect orcas off her coast and vaquitas in the Gulf of California.

She Breathes In Pollution, and Fights It, in the Windy City

May 15, 2018 NRDC in ActionChicago, Illinois, Washington, D.C.Carmen Cusido

NRDC’s Gina Ramirez is helping to bring attention to the wafts of manganese dust that plague her family and neighbors on Chicago’s Southeast Side.