News & Commentary

States Commit to Clean and Healthy New Buildings

May 17, 2022 Expert BlogWashington, ColoradoAlejandra Mejia Cunningham

These are two states that have recently felt the devastating consequences of the climate crisis and are now taking action to ensure their homes and buildings stop relying on polluting fossil fuels quickly as possible.

Putting the Brakes on Toxic “Forever Chemicals” in Maryland

April 29, 2022 Expert BlogMarylandTom Hucker

An important new law in Annapolis stops the introduction of new toxic PFAS into the Maryland environment.

NRDC Wraps Up the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session

March 30, 2022 Expert BlogWashingtonRalph Cavanagh

Despite ongoing challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic and remote legislative operations, we concluded Washington State’s short legislative session with notable successes for the climate and environment.

No Need to be Freightened of Electric Trucks

March 4, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington, New JerseyJordan Brinn, Patricio Portillo

We clarify the questions about electric truck availability, cost, and charging infrastructure, as well as concerns such as current supply chain issues.

EPA: It’s Time to Act. We need Clean Trucks Now

March 3, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, WashingtonPatricio Portillo, Heather Kryczka

Cutting tailpipe emissions and moving to zero emission vehicles can eliminate the diesel fumes causing childhood asthma, emergency room visits, and loss of life.

Saving Salmon—from One Generation of Fisherwomen to the Next

March 1, 2022 DispatchOregon, Washington, WestNicole Greenfield

Keyen Singer, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, carries on a maternal legacy of conserving salmon and preserving culture. Their efforts could soon pay off.

Western Climate Initiative: OR & WA Add Caps to CA's AB32

January 4, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Oregon, Washington, WestRalph Cavanagh

In 2021, fifteen years after California made climate history by becoming the first US state to adopt an economy-wide carbon emissions cap, Oregon and Washington completed a West Coast hat trick by becoming the second and third. Well, almost.

WA & OR Solidify West Coast Vehicle Electrification

November 30, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, OregonPatricio Portillo, Dr. Simon Mui

Adopting the Clean Trucks Program in Oregon and the Advanced Clean Trucks and Zero Emission Vehicle Programs in Washington solidifies the West Coast as one of the world’s biggest markets for electric vehicles.

Seattle Orders Building Standard and Walk Zone for Climate

November 1, 2021 Expert BlogSeattle, WashingtonElizabeth Stampe

Speaking from Glasgow at the international COP-26 climate meeting, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced an executive order to cut Seattle’s greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s two largest sources: transportation and buildings.

Senator and WA Governor Join Forces to Tackle Snake Dams

November 1, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, WestGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Washington Governor Jay Inslee answered advocates’ calls to energize the decades-long push to save our iconic salmon from extinction.

Orcas Lose a Grandmother, Matriarch L47

October 15, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, OregonGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

This Saturday is Orca Recovery Day and people are coming together for some healing—and to demand action.

Maryland Workers Need Strong, Enforceable Heat Protections

September 23, 2021 Expert BlogMarylandTeniope Adewumi-Gunn

Heat-related health harms are entirely preventable, yet heat stress is a major occupational hazard in Maryland. Maryland workers urgently need a strong, enforceable occupational heat standard that protects their right to a safe and healthy working environment.

Celebrating Year One of the Food Matters Regional Initiative

August 30, 2021 Expert BlogChicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Madison, Ohio, Baltimore, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, North Carolina, Memphis, OrlandoMadeline Keating, Darby Hoover

A year after the launch of the Food Matters Regional Initiative, we are pleased to report considerable progress and accomplishments from the 15 regional initiative participants.

Washington State Adds Emergency Rules to Protect Workers from Heat and Wildfire Smoke

August 13, 2021 DispatchWashingtonLora Shinn

But many advocates point out that to fully address our new climate reality, we also need national solutions.

Sockeye Salmon Dying, Temperature Rises on Snake River Dams

July 28, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, OregonGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

Columbia River Basin sockeye salmon are migrating upriver from the ocean, but new underwater videos show that this summer the fish have large chunks of flesh missing and bulbous growths across their bodies. The fish are rotting to death in…

Monster Heat Wave Harming Health in Pacific Northwest

June 30, 2021 Expert BlogOregon, WashingtonJuanita Constible

Workers and other at risk populations need better protections from extreme heat.

The West Coast: Carbon Free by 2045 . . . or Earlier

June 28, 2021 Expert BlogWest, California, Oregon, WashingtonRalph Cavanagh

HB 2021, Oregon’s “100% Clean Electricity” bill just approved by the legislature and sent to Governor Brown’s desk for signing, aligns with New York for the most aggressive state clean electricity goal in the country—zero greenhouse gas emissions in the…

Washington State Amps Up Controls on HFC Emissions

May 17, 2021 Expert BlogWashingtonChristina Theodoridi

Ambitious new law in Washington sets a maximum limit—or, global warming potential (GWP), threshold on the HFCs used in stationary air conditioning and refrigeration, and mandates that a refrigerant management program be created to combat HFC releases from large existing…

Setting the Stage for an EV Future in Washington State

May 3, 2021 Expert BlogWashingtonDr. Simon Mui, Noah Long

Washington State has passed two leading laws on electric vehicles as the state moves toward a new goal of all new passenger vehicles being zero-emitting by 2030.

Quieting Puget Sound for Endangered Southern Resident Orcas

April 27, 2021 Expert BlogWashingtonRegan Nelson

Quiet Sound, an innovative new program to reduce vessel noise in Puget Sound, receives crucial state funding.