News & Commentary

Western Electricity Grid Is Entering Its Day-Ahead Market Era

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, WashingtonKelsie Gomanie

NRDC is working with stakeholders to safeguard consumer interests and environmental protections as utilities from California to the Great Plains weigh proposals to share energy resources through an organized market.

Colorado Gas Customers Demand Action to Lower Bills, Emissions

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoKiki Velez, Alana Miller

Coloradans are demanding relief from high gas heating bills. Legislators can take action by reducing the state’s dependence on gas, a fossil fuel that is bad for our wallets, our climate, and our health.

Smart Housing Policy Is a Climate Strategy for Colorado

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

Colorado leaders are looking for ways to expand housing availability, improve housing affordability, and ensure housing development advances climate goals, including proposed legislation from Governor Jared Polis and legislative leadership.

Colorado’s Opportunity for Cleaner Cars

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoClaire Lang-Ree, Kathy Harris, Alana Miller

The state can lead by adopting the full Advanced Clean Cars II rule and ensuring all Coloradans have the freedom to choose quality clean vehicles.

One Year Since Court Restored ESA Protections for Wolves

February 10, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, WisconsinDr. Jennifer Sherry

Without these protections, wolf recovery could be stopped dead in its tracks—or even reversed—as we have seen happen when states with authority over wolf management work to cut populations down through aggressive measures.

Six Colorado Basin States Lay Down a Marker for California

January 31, 2023 Expert BlogArizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, WestEd Osann

The "Consensus Based Modeling Alternative" is a positive development in addressing the current water emergency. It’s unfortunate that California did not join in this recommendation.

The Race to Organize Energy Markets in the Western U.S. Is On

January 13, 2023 Expert BlogArizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, WyomingKelsie Gomanie

A western regional transmission organization would spur the development of clean electricity sources and lower costs for consumers.

In Colorado, Oil and PFAS Shouldn’t Mix

January 12, 2023 DispatchColoradoNicole Greenfield

We can add PFAS contamination to the list of ways the oil and gas industry is threatening Coloradans’ health. Two new laws aim to stop it—but are they enough?

Colorado’s Religious Communities See Climate Action as a Moral Obligation

December 22, 2022 DispatchColoradoNicole Greenfield

Whether fighting for clean air or affordable housing, several of the state’s faith leaders are uniting around the notion of protecting “home.”

States Embrace the Transition to Clean Cars

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, WashingtonKathy Harris

The federal government has made strides to help bolster the electric vehicle market, attract manufacturing, and ensure a robust charging network. But in many ways, states led the way.

Beyond Pledges: Solidifying Climate Action in Latin America

November 17, 2022 Expert BlogBrazil, Mexico, Colombia, InternationalMarilyn Kunce

Climate change and associated extreme events are amplifying factors in migration and displacement while exacerbating social, economic, and environmental burdens. Latin America is among the regions with the greatest documented need for the strengthening of early warning systems.

Colorado River Basin Tribes Address a Historic Drought—and Their Water Rights—Head-On

November 14, 2022 DispatchColoradoTim Vanderpool

Their growing inclusion in the region’s water management will likely prove priceless.

Why Colorado Needs Clean Trucks

October 21, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoClaire Lang-Ree

Colorado is poised to see cleaner air, reduced emissions, and a thriving market for zero-emission trucks with two important rules in 2023: Advanced Clean Trucks and Low-NOx Trucks.

What We Need to Know to Harness the Heat Beneath our Feet

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogMassachusetts, New York, ColoradoJoe O'Brien-Applegate, Alejandra Mejia Cunningham

Victory! CO Cancels Highway Expansion, Funds Transit Instead

September 23, 2022 Expert BlogColorado, DenverAlana Miller

A plan to expand I-25 through central Denver has officially been scrapped and $100 million has instead been reallocated to transit, biking and walking investments.

Colorado Proposes Shift from Highway Expansion to Transit

August 25, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

In what would be a win for climate, equity, and all Coloradans, the Colorado Department of Transportation has proposed canceling two highway widening projects in the Denver region and reallocating resources to transit.

NRDC Inflation Reduction Act Ad Campaign

August 17, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, WashingtonTimothy Edland

The campaign in 15 states and 14 congressional districts will educate the public about the Inflation Reduction Act and thank key senators and members of Congress for their support.

Colorado Regulators Approve Plan That Phases Out Coal by 2031

June 22, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has approved Xcel’s plan to accelerate the end of coal in the state.

Colorado Legislative Roundup 2022

June 21, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller, Sam Gilchrist

The 2022 session brought about major victories for our health and environment and big opportunities for us to continue to invest in a clean, healthy and fair Colorado for all.

Missed Opportunity as EV Charging Bill Is Vetoed in Colorado

June 10, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

In a disappointing move amid an otherwise positive legislative session for transportation, air quality, and climate, Governor Polis vetoed a bill that would have expanded EV charging for Coloradans.