News & Commentary

A Garden Grows in Newark—and a Community Grows Around It

February 7, 2020 DispatchNewarkJeff Turrentine

How an urban farm became an anchor for the city’s South Ward.

Defender of Energy Efficiency—and Equity

February 3, 2020 NRDC in ActionGeorgia, Detroit, Michigan, Baltimore, Maryland, Norfolk, VirginiaKeith Mulvihill

Dawone Robinson, regional director of NRDC’s Energy Efficiency for All Project, works to create opportunities for low-income communities of color to save energy and money.

With Family Roots in the Mines, He’s Championing Illinois’s Clean Energy Future

January 31, 2020 NRDC in ActionMichigan, Illinois, Chicago, PeoriaNicole Greenfield

With grassroots groups and other partners, J. C. Kibbey is fighting for one of the country’s most ambitious climate bills—and a just transition away from coal.

These Prehistoric Fish Are Making a Slow Comeback in the Midwest

January 23, 2020 DispatchWisconsin, MichiganSusan Cosier

Conservationists, fishers, and fans of the iconic lake sturgeon have seen some success in their efforts to revive the population, including through hand-rearing and releasing the babies—and yes, spearing the big ones.

San Antonio Finds the Key to Flood Control in Its Gardens

December 23, 2019 DispatchSan Antonio, TexasAnne N. Connor

As climate change brings heavier rains, local officials and developers are managing the deluge of stormwater runoff with some low-tech—and pretty—solutions.

Fighting the Tide of Watered Down Justice

December 4, 2019 NRDC in ActionFlint, Michigan, Newark, New JerseyNicole Greenfield

Nearly three years after winning a $97 million legal settlement that required the city of Flint to replace its lead water service lines, NRDC is still on the ground holding officials accountable, and using similar tactics as we demand clean…

3 E’s: The Top 3 Climate Action Items for VA Leaders in 2020

November 9, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, VirginiaWalton Shepherd

Here’s how Virginia’s new climate and clean energy majority can tackle climate change and energy equity right out of the gate.

Michigan Drinking Water Protections Should Be EPA's Minimum

October 16, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, MichiganJeremy Orr

On the same day that Michigan’s most protective in the nation lead in drinking water rule cleared a major legal court challenge, the Trump Administration’s EPA actually pushed protections for the rest of America further back.

Michigan's New Lead Rule Exposes Drinking Water Inequality

October 7, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, MichiganJeremy Orr

New drinking water sampling protocols required by Michigan's revised Lead & Copper Rule are exposing inequalities in safe drinking water enforcement.

What Can We Do to Fix the Drinking Water Problem in America?

October 7, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, Flint, Newark, Michigan, New Jersey

Seth Siegel, author of the new book “Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink,” says we must change people’s mind-sets and get to the root of the issue to ensure safe drinking water for everyone.

Blueprint of a Buyout: Blue Acres Program, New Jersey

September 26, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, New JerseyAnna Weber

One state-run program has achieved faster timelines than most FEMA-funded buyouts, but this has required extensive resources, staff time, and experience.

Though Latest Newark Test Results Are Encouraging, NRDC Says “Trust But Verify”

September 23, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, New Jersey, NewarkNRDC

The fight for safe water for all of the city’s residents continues on.

Newark's Bottled Water Plan Denies Thousands Safe Water

September 20, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, New JerseyErik D. Olson

Newark, New Jersey has a serious lead problem. So why is Newark denying bottled water to tens of thousands of residents who need it?

Blueprint of a Buyout: Harris County, Texas

September 17, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, TexasAnna Weber

Harris County’s program may be a harbinger of the future, when Americans are displaced by flooding and frustrated by the uncertainties of relocation assistance.

Faith's Call to Virginia Climate Action

September 13, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, VirginiaDawone Robinson

Karenna Gore and William Barber, III will moderate a forum on how we can help repair our damaged climate and create solutions.

A Lack of Balance: Runoff and Harmful Algal Blooms

September 9, 2019 Expert BlogCalifornia, Los Angeles, New JerseyCorinne Bell

There’s a lot local agencies and regulators can do to help prevent algae blooms that threaten public health.

Dominion’s Rising Cost to Virginia's Economy and Environment

September 7, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, VirginiaWalton Shepherd

Observers in the energy regulatory world were shocked last week at the finding of a staggering $277 million in overcollections by Dominion, the state’s largest regulated monopoly.

The Long List of Issues with DTE's Long-Term Energy Plan

September 4, 2019 Expert BlogMichiganAriana Gonzalez

Highlights from our testimony.

Court Denies At-Risk Residents Bottled Water in Newark

August 30, 2019 Expert BlogNew Jersey, NewarkNRDC

The decision will leave pregnant women and those with young children in the city’s eastern service area at risk for exposure to lead-contaminated tap water.

Showing Migrating Monarch Butterflies Some Southern Hospitality

August 26, 2019 DispatchMexico, Texas, HoustonRobynne Boyd

Non-native tropical milkweed fuels monarchs on their journey through southern states, but when cooler weather hits, the plant can bring parasites and starvation. Here’s what butterfly-loving southerners can do.