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Aerial view of the National Petroleum Reserve in northwestern Alaska

The Biden Administration Protects Millions of Acres of Arctic Alaska

Latest NewsAlaskaJenny Shalant
The new Special Areas Rule in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska could boost biodiversity and empower Indigenous Peoples to defend the lands they’ve relied on for generations.
Two adults and a child walk along a sandy shoreline

“Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home

ExplainerUnited StatesMolly M. Ginty, Courtney Lindwall
These toxic chemicals are so common in consumer products and manufacturing that they’re everywhere—including inside our bodies.
A river with green trees on either side, with yellow hills in the background

In Planning for Climate Change, Native Americans Draw on the Past

ExplainerUnited States, CanadaTim Vanderpool
Across North America, Indigenous tribes and nations are consulting their traditional ecological knowledge to help prepare for a warming world.

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Kern County’s Self Imposed Deja-vu

Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

Kern County's violations of environmental law result in a second courtroom defeat for its industry-friendly oil drilling ordinance. 

Now Is the Time to Go All In on California Water Reuse

Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDr. Mark Gold
The state now has the country’s most robust, comprehensive water reuse regulations—and it must commit to investing in water reuse facilities for a more climate-resilient future.

California Misses Opportunity to Protect Kids from Lead in Water

Expert BlogCaliforniaAngela Guyadeen, Corinne Bell
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent veto of AB 249 means the state will not take action to protect kids from lead in their drinking water while attending school. Timing of veto is troubling given alarming data that one in four…

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

CA Legislature Turning Off Tap on PFAS “Forever” Chemicals

Expert BlogCaliforniaAvinash Kar

The end of the legislative session in California brought welcome news on PFAS, a class of toxic “forever” chemicals consisting of 12,000+ chemicals. Several pieces of legislation addressing this toxic and persistent class of chemicals moved forward.

CA Bill Directs Federal Funds to Remove Lead in Water

Expert BlogCaliforniaCorinne Bell

AB 1931 would direct hundreds of millions of federal dollars to removing lead sources from our drinking water system. But the state and water utilities need to recognize they have a problem first.

CA PFAS Pollution Widespread in Disadvantaged Communities

Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Anna Reade, Susan Lee

A report published by NRDC, along with its partners Community Water Center, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles, and Clean Water Action, finds that drinking water throughout California is contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals, particularly in already overburdened communities.

California’s Lead Problem: Partials Aren't Good Enough

Expert BlogCaliforniaCorinne Bell

President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is a big opportunity for California to create high quality water-related jobs, to protect Californians, and to right the state’s course on lead pipe replacements.

NRDC Sets Region Specific Water Targets for Each Office

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

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

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.

The Bay-Delta Salmon Crisis That Didn’t Have to Be

Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole
Enough with playing politics with the heart of California’s freshwater system. It is well past time for both the state and federal governments to update standards for salmon management in the Bay-Delta.