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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

Connecting Youth to Nature Supports Equity and Climate Change Goals

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaChris Clark

Helping youth overcome barriers and connect to blue spaces supports current equity goals and lays the foundation for a bright future in the climate movement

Study Shows 14,000 Unplugged Oil and Gas Wells in Gulf of Mexico

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogTexas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, FloridaRebecca Loomis, Rebecca Ramirez

Industry has neglected thousands of unused oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico. They will cost an estimated $30 billion to plug and decommission.

Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing—the Next Carbon Bomb?

May 8, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

President Biden’s decision on the next offshore oil and gas leasing program is expected just as polling shows that a majority of voters do not want to expand offshore drilling.

Comments Needed to Protect Critically Endangered Whale

May 1, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLexi Nutkiewicz

Urgent action is needed to protect these critically endangered whales.

A Healthy Ocean Future Depends on Protected Areas

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnupa Asokan

Trophy fish can be an ecosystem's savior.

Meeting America’s Conservation Goals

March 30, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAlison Chase

America needs a tracking tool to encourage nature protection and access.

Diving into the Ocean Climate Action Plan

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

The Biden administration’s new plan includes a series of agency actions aimed at ocean-related climate solutions.