News & Commentary

CA Assembly Passes Climate-Resilient Food & Farming Bill

June 1, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

To help reduce agriculture-related emissions and create a more resilient food system, Assemblymember Lori Wilson introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 408, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024. The Assembly passed AB 408, sending…

Idaho Approves Statewide Wolf Reduction Plan

May 24, 2023 Expert BlogIdaho, United StatesDr. Jennifer Sherry

We urge IDFG and all state wolf management programs to take a more objective and balanced approach and to avoid sweeping wolf reduction policies that are out of synch with the latest scientific knowledge, the views of the public, and…

The Proposed Colorado River Deal: A Short-Term Band-Aid for a Long-Term Problem

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Arizona, Nevada, MexicoDr. Mark Gold

The Colorado River conservation proposal from Arizona, California, and Nevada reduces diversions by 1 million acre feet a year. Is this enough to make river management sustainable?

California ISO Approves $7.3 Billion Investment in Transmission

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie, Peter Miller

Ambitious investment to boost transmission in support of clean energy is approved by the California Independent System Operator.

California Governor Announces Western Grid Integration as a Priority

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

NRDC looks forward to continuing the work with partners to bring western grid integration to fruition.

The Farm Bill Needs Opportunities in Organic

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Vermont, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

The Opportunities in Organic Act will put organic in reach for more producers and consumers.

California Advocacy Landscape

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Environmental issues to watch in Sacramento

Triangle T Water District and the Absurdities of CA Water

May 3, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

While it may not be an outlier, the absurdity of the Triangle T Water District is a great example of why people say that in California, water flows uphill towards money.

State Leadership Required to Bolster the Actions of CA Cities and Tackle Pollution from Buildings

May 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson, Julia de Lamare

While the 9th Circuit Court ruling threatens local government action to cut pollution from gas appliances, California policy makers have several opportunities this legislative session to reinforce that local leaders are far from alone in the important work to get…

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Nevada, Idaho, United StatesJosh Axelrod

Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced legislation that makes it easier for mining companies and others to acquire rights to federal land and to be able to use them as dumping grounds and worse. The legislation…

California Accelerates its Fight Against Freight Pollution

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogSacramento, CaliforniaHeather Kryczka, Guillermo A. Ortiz, Patricio Portillo

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.

DWR’s Latest Misinformation About the Delta Conveyance Project

April 25, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

Delta Tunnel Project Would Not Have Increased Water Supply in 2023

The Bill That Could Connect California to Sun, Wind, and Savings Across the West

April 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie

A bill making its way through the California State Legislature would start the process of fully integrating the western electricity grid.

A Healthy Ocean Future Depends on Protected Areas

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnupa Asokan

Trophy fish can be an ecosystem's savior.

CA Addressed Plastic Waste; Now We Need Action on Toxics in Plastics

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, United StatesDr. Anna Reade, Avinash Kar, Dr. Veena Singla

Last year, California made large strides towards addressing the pressing problem of proliferating plastic waste. But the Ohio train derailment shows why we also need action on toxics in plastics. 

In Defense of Healthy Streets and Good Transit

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaCarter Rubin

MOVE Culver City has delivered safer, healthier and more sustainable streets for all. 

California’s Climate Whiplash

April 17, 2023 ExplainerCaliforniaNicole Greenfield

The state broke snowfall records after three of its driest years ever. Now floods wreak havoc. These swings are the new normal—and they’re very hard to manage.

Poor-Quality HVAC Installs Are Costing Us. A Solution Is Within Reach.

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson

Only 10 percent of HVAC installations in California receive a permit—resulting in higher energy bills, climate emissions, and health and safety risks in homes. The state legislature can act now by passing SB 795 (Stern) to improve permit compliance.

Reforming CA's Electric Rates for Decarbonization and Equity

April 14, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaSylvie Ashford, Mohit Chhabra

NRDC and The Utility Reform Network submitted an electric rate design proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission to promote equity and encourage beneficial electrification. This is the first stage in a regulatory process to implement income-based fixed charges.