News & Commentary

Taxpayers Still on Hook for Oil and Gas Clean-up, Despite New Rule

September 25, 2023 Expert BlogTexas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, AlaskaRebecca Ramirez

BOEM's proposed rule falls short in requiring oil and gas companies to demonstrate they are financially able to fully remove and clean up platforms & pipelines.

Where Does Your Member of Congress Stand on Offshore Drilling?

September 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

The decision about the future of offshore leasing has major climate, community, and wildlife implications. NRDC has updated our digital tool to track where members of Congress stand on offshore oil and gas drilling.

How Missing Water System Boundaries Affect Our Communities

September 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaSusan Lee

The lack of public water system boundary information in the United States puts public health at risk.

Time for U.S. to Kick the Habit of Offshore Drilling

September 13, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

The Biden administration prepares a new five-year plan to lease ocean areas to fossil fuel companies for profit, and business as usual is not an option. Let's look at how we got here.

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.

NOAA Fails to Protect Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogMassachusetts, EastSarah Chasis

Stronger protection of national marine sanctuaries will help thousands of species better adapt to what the future has in store. The agency is obligated to act.

Why Coastal Access Is an Environmental Justice Issue

August 31, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesMardi Fuller

Beach access has long been shaped by multiple systemic injustices. It’s time to change that.

The Environmental Justice Movement

August 22, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalRenee Skelton, Vernice Miller, Courtney Lindwall

Environmental justice is an important part of the struggle to improve and maintain a clean and healthful environment, especially for communities of color who have been forced to live, work, and play closest to sources of pollution.

NOAA’s Proposed Seafood Rule: Too Weak to Improve Conditions

August 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesRebecca Ramirez, Sandy Aylesworth

NOAA’s Proposed Rule excludes protections for species at high-risk of illegal fishing & fails to help address human rights violations in the seafood industry.

Uranium Mining Protections Needed Across the West

August 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesGeoffrey H. Fettus

The Biden administration needs to protect communities and water supplies across the West from the dangers of uranium mining.

Marine Life: The Casualties of Offshore Drilling

August 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesZanagee Artis

The Biden Administration can protect marine ecosystems, and the Alaska and Gulf communities that rely on them, by offering no new offshore oil and gas leases.

General Iron Looms Over the Return to School

August 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

As we gear up for another school year, there's a constant worry hanging over us: the possibility of the General Iron facility starting up just across the street from George Washington High School. 

N.C. Offshore Wind Surveys Advance with Protections for Right Whales

August 11, 2023 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaDr. Francine Kershaw

NRDC is pleased to see that initial offshore wind planning surveys close to right whale calving habitat will be undertaken with protective measures in place.

Gulf Whale Artist Series: Composer Spotlights Endangered Whale

August 1, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLexi Nutkiewicz

New Orleans-based composer Cory Diane is a recent graduate from Tulane University with an M.A. in Music Composition, where their work centers on the ecological complexity and vibrancy of the Gulf of Mexico. In their contemporary electroacoustic piece “Reverie for the…

California Walks Away from Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Safe Drinking Water

July 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaCorinne Bell

The federal government has dedicated $15 billion to removing lead from our drinking water systems, but California is leaving funds on the table.

New York City: Replace Lead Drinking Water Pipes

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

One in five New Yorkers may be drinking lead-contaminated water. The New York City Council needs to replace all lead pipes within 10 years, at no cost to residents.

Environmental Groups Oppose Harmful Right Whale Vessel Strike Bills

July 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Francine Kershaw

New legislation threatens the survival of the North Atlantic right whale and undermines our bedrock conservation laws.

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.

The Disinvestment in Centreville Continues

July 7, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Ihab Mikati

Despite years of community-led advocacy, a thorough and equitable plan to solve the flooding and sewage problems in Centreville has not yet been developed, which has led to a piecemeal approach and continued disinvestment.

Remembering Roger Payne, Maestro of the Seas

July 5, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalJoel Reynolds

Celebrated whale researcher, bio-acoustician, and conservation activist combined love of science, music, and the oceans in life-long battle to save the planet.