News & Commentary

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.

Extinction Findings Underscore Need for Strong ESA

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads, Katie Hobbs

Twenty-one long-missing endangered species have been declared extinct. Far from a failure of the ESA, the announcement shows the need for prompt ESA protections. 

UPDATED: Another Court Victory for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

August 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

A court sided with NRDC in its latest lawsuit to protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, paving the way for critical habitat protections. 

Federal Agencies Restore Endangered Species Protections—Mostly

June 23, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. FWS and NMFS proposed to reverse prior rollbacks of protections for imperiled species, but more is needed.

Idaho Approves Statewide Wolf Reduction Plan

May 24, 2023 Expert BlogIdaho, United StatesDr. Jennifer Sherry

Idaho advances sweeping wolf reduction plan that is out of synch with modern science, the views of the public, and the complex reality of the environment.

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. 

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

April 28, 2023 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…

USFWS Agrees: Threats to N. Rockies Wolves Deserve Attention

September 15, 2021 Expert BlogWest, Montana, IdahoAmy McNamara, Dr. Jennifer Sherry

The future of the Northern Rockies wolves remains highly uncertain. USFWS needs to act quickly to prevent a reversal of one of its greatest conservation success stories.

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.

Northern Rockies Wolves Need Federal Action

August 9, 2021 Expert BlogIdaho, MontanaDr. Jennifer Sherry

A chorus of diverse voices has united with a clear message: The federal government needs to restore protections before decades of investments and hard-earned conservation progress are lost.

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.

Six of the Worst States to Be a Wolf

May 17, 2021 Expert BlogIdaho, Utah, Montana, Wisconsin, South Dakota, WyomingDr. Jennifer Sherry

To get on a better track towards national recovery, wolves will need proactive and science-driven action by the federal government.

Idaho Legislature Defies Experts in Mad Dash to Kill Wolves

April 27, 2021 Expert BlogIdahoDr. Jennifer Sherry

The Idaho Legislature is fast tracking a bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho's wolves based on misinformed political rhetoric.

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.

"We Are the Same as the Salmon": A Story of Suffering and Perseverance

December 17, 2020 DispatchWyoming, Idaho, Oregon, WashingtonNicole Greenfield

Thirty years ago, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes led the effort to save Snake River sockeye salmon from extinction. Today, they’re still fighting for the fish’s survival—along with their own.

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.

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.

This Leader of the (Legal) Resistance Has Never Felt More Ready

December 7, 2017 NRDC in ActionWashington, D.C., Flint, Michigan, MaineJeff Turrentine

NRDC Chief Counsel Mitch Bernard takes on big polluters, climate deniers, and their powerful allies—including those who sit in the West Wing.