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This Is the Moment to Reimagine Public Transportation

Expert BlogUnited States, Seattle, New York CityAmanda Eaken

COVID-19 has changed many aspects of life, including the way we move through our neighborhoods. The pandemic has forced us to reimagine peoples relationship to streets with many cities launching "healthy streets" or "open streets" to allow for more land…

Renewable Rikers Island: NYC Planning Commission Testimony

Expert BlogNew York CitySara Imperiale

NRDC provided testimony to the New York City Planning Commission in support of an amendment to the City Map establishing the entirety of Rikers Island as a Public Place, a designation that would prohibit Rikers Island from being used for…

NYS to Cut PFOA/PFOS "Forever Chemicals" from Drinking Water

Expert BlogNew York, United StatesEric A. Goldstein

Public water suppliers across New York State will be required to test for and ultimately slash harmful levels of the synthetic organic chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, according to new rules just adopted by State Health officials.

NY Legislature Passes Bill to Close Fracking Waste Loophole

Expert BlogNew YorkRob Friedman
After years of deadlock, key legislation that regulates oil and gas waste passed the New York State Legislature this week. The legislation closes a longstanding and dangerous loophole that exempts dangerous oil and gas industry waste from New York’s existing…

New York Is All in on EVs

Expert BlogNew YorkKathy Harris
New York State accelerated its commitment to cutting carbon pollution from the transportation sector and improving air quality for all New Yorkers by releasing the final order on a utility-based electric vehicle charging station program, which is anticipated to reap…

NRDC Sues FERC Over Orders that Threaten NY Clean Energy

Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey
The FERC orders undermine New York’s State efforts to achieve landmark clean energy targets and also compromise efforts to replace dirty peaker plants in New York City with renewable energy and battery storage solutions, which is vitally important for reducing…

Strategic Gas Planning Is Vital to NY's Climate Leadership

Expert BlogNew YorkSamantha Wilt
With transparency, sufficient data, and stakeholder engagement, New York can ensure the gas system transition is as equitable, cost-effective, and certain as possible while achieving its nation-leading climate goals.

NYC Council Must Restore Funds for Community Composting

Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein
Restoration of $7 million to preserve community composting and related recycling outreach and education won’t solve every waste problem in New York. But it will throw a lifeline to one of the most significant, untapped anti-pollution strategies available to local…

New York Bans Utility Shutoffs during COVID-19 Emergency

Expert BlogNew YorkJoan Leary Matthews
New York is the first state to act via legislation to establish a statewide moratorium on all utility shutoffs—water, gas, electric, and telephone, including both publicly- and privately-owned utilities.

India Focus: What to Watch During Climate Week 2019

Expert BlogInternational, New York CityAnjali Jaiswal
World leaders are gathering in New York for the Climate Action Summit 2019 next week to discuss India’s ambitious actions to fight climate change.

NYS Paint Waste Bill Awaits Cuomo’s Finishing Touch

Expert BlogNew YorkEric A. Goldstein

Leftover paints—one of the more problematic items in the municipal waste stream—are likely to be fished out of millions of garages and basements from Montauk to Niagara Falls and disposed of properly, thanks to a forward-looking law recently passed by…

NY Explores More Hands-on Role in Resource Adequacy, Part 1

Expert BlogNew YorkJackson Morris, Cullen Howe

The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) is planning to launch a proceeding to explore whether the state should play a larger role in ensuring “resource adequacy,” which simply means having enough electricity to meet overall customer demand at any…