News & Commentary

A New York Climate Justice Activist with Roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains

December 11, 2020 DispatchNew York City, Washington, D.C.Carmen Cusido

WE ACT’s director of environmental health and education, Taylor Morton, who found their path to environmental justice work through a childhood spent in nature, wants to help the next generation get outside without fear.

New York Announces Historic Fossil Fuel Divestment Plan

December 9, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

In a historic move, New York State announced it will divest its $225 billion Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuels—among the largest pension fund divestments ever undertaken in the nation.

Public Transit Is in Crisis, but Essential to our Recovery

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogNew York City, Washington, D.C., San FranciscoAnn Shikany

Local and national advocates call on Congress to include emergency aid for transit in a relief package before 2020 ends.

A Catalyst for the Midwest’s Clean Energy Transition

December 1, 2020 NRDC in ActionKansas City (Kansas), St. Louis, Missouri, New York CityBrian Palmer

Ashok Gupta spent decades cleaning up New York’s grid and reducing its reliance on dirty fuels. Now he’s working to bring the clean energy future to the Midwest.

The Story of Colonialism and Climate Change Told Through Centuries of Indigenous Artworks

November 24, 2020 PerspectivesNew York CityIngrid Abramovitch

Two exhibits at the Brooklyn Museum explore Native perceptions of nature and themselves.

NRDC’s HQ Is Projected to Achieve Net-Positive Electricity

November 17, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CityMaria McCain

NRDC's headquarters now uses 100 percent solar energy to power electric consumption, any excess energy not used will be fed back into the electrical grid.

Climate Wins!

November 12, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, San Antonio, Denver, Columbus, CincinnatiHilary Firestone

Voters make it clear that the climate matters in this year’s local elections.

Columbus Strides Forward on Its Sustainable Steps Program

November 9, 2020 Expert BlogColumbus, OhioStefan Schaffer

There’s no slowing down Columbus, Ohio, as it continues to stride forward on climate action. On Energy Efficiency Day, October 7, the city celebrated a major achievement: the completion of more than 30,000 home energy audits within just two years.

EV Charging Programs Set for Approval in Michigan and Ohio

October 29, 2020 Expert BlogMichigan, Ohio, MidwestMax Baumhefner

Utility regulators in Michigan and Ohio are set to approve programs that will help electrify cars, trucks, and buses in the state to the benefit of all utility customers.

These Farmer-Activists Are Fixing Our Racist and Unjust Food System

October 27, 2020 DispatchNew YorkNicole Greenfield

Black Farmer Fund is part of a collaboration of New York–based groups working to repair a system that has long discriminated against BIPOC farmers.

New York State Must End Tax Breaks for Fossil Fuels

October 27, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

Every year, New York State spends $1.6 billion on benefits for the oil and gas industry. We must pass legislation to stop subsidizing this dangerous industry.

Clean Energy Dominates a New Agreement Reached with DP&L

October 23, 2020 Expert BlogOhioDaniel Sawmiller

After months of debate, NRDC has joined Dayton Power and Light and a diverse group of energy stakeholders in reaching an agreement this week on a proposal to modernize the local electric grid.

A Hopeful Vision for the Future of Columbus and Some of Its Most Historic Neighborhoods

October 21, 2020 DispatchColumbusNicole Greenfield

Elijah Carter, a 31-year-old retail professional who recently bought and made energy-efficient upgrades to his first home, discusses the importance of energy efficiency education in cities like his native Columbus, Ohio.

New York Gives Big Boost to Renewable Energy

October 15, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkCullen Howe

The Public Service Commission issued an important order, which sets out a roadmap for achieving the state’s ambitious goal of obtaining 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

New York Pathways to Bus and Truck Electrification

October 9, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkKathy Harris

To achieve New York’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), New York needs to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector—the largest source of emissions in the…

This Is the Moment to Reimagine Public Transportation

September 18, 2020 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

September 2, 2020 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…

Repeal Ohio’s House Bill 6

August 31, 2020 Expert BlogOhioDaniel Sawmiller

Ohio lawmakers could take action this week to repeal House Bill 6 which has been called the "worst energy bill of the 21st century."

The Entrepreneurs Transforming Scraps Into a Fashion Statement

August 18, 2020 DispatchNew York CityLauren Evans

A new generation of designers and resource specialists is springing up around the textile waste created by the fashion industry—and taking it to market.

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

July 30, 2020 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.