News & Commentary

Earth Day Should Be Every Day!

April 21, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, United StatesChakena D. Perry

Four Chicago students share why clean water and air are human rights.

Jodhpur’s First Heat Action Plan Highlights Vulnerable Areas

April 19, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye, Dr. Kim Knowlton

The city's heat responses are being targeted towards local hot spots.

Elevate and METEC Collaborate on Peoria Home Updates

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogPeoriaAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

This is the ninth blog in a series celebrating the grant projects funded through our Clean Air Act settlement with the owners of the E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant outside Peoria, Illinois.

Army Corps' NY/NJ Storm Surge Barrier Project Must Protect Communities on Their Terms

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, New Jersey, New YorkSahana Rao, Isabel Friedman, Anna Weber

The U.S. Army Corps' latest storm surge barrier proposal for New York and New Jersey is still missing meaningful community participation and a comprehensive approach to climate adaptation.

Leveling the Playing Field Toward an Equitable Clean Freight Trucks Transition

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)Sarah Elkotbeid

Our climate and health crises are so vast and complex, we have to change the way we tackle our problems to move the needle. The Delivering Zero Emissions Communities (DZEC) clean truck accelerator program is exploring new models.

More States Adopt Building Energy Codes in India

April 10, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaPrima Madan

In a boost for energy efficient buildings, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan adopted the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017 last month. Building energy codes are effective tools to ensure energy efficiency in the construction and operation of buildings.

Rate Increases and Blackouts: Duke Energy’s Strategy for 2023

April 6, 2023 Expert BlogNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, EastLuis Martinez

Duke failed to keep the lights on last December, but it is now pursuing enormous rate increases of more than 30 percent to help pay for fossil fuels and huge executive salary raises.

A Trojan Horse That Would Subvert Climate Justice in New York

April 5, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

Senate Bill S6030 is a greenhouse gas accounting boondoggle.

Telangana Announces a Groundbreaking Cool Roof Policy

April 3, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaPrima Madan, Dr. Vijay Limaye, Sameer Kwatra, Dr. David B. Goldstein

A new state policy protects people from extreme heat and delivers substantial energy savings

Clean Cars Can Bring Over $145 Billion in Benefits to New York

April 3, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars rule can bring over $145 billion in benefits to New York. 

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.

To Lead on Climate, New York State Should Aim High on Clean Industry

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

The federal government is rolling out programs to support deployment of emerging technologies that can dramatically reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing. New York should seize the opportunity to clean up its industrial base, attract new industrial investment, and become a…

India’s Leadership Advances Heat-Health Protections

February 19, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye

As heat hazards intensify, leaders in India are taking action to protect public health.

"Natural" Gas Is Expensive and Dangerous. We Can Do Better.

February 18, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Large gas utilities in Illinois are pushing for a historically large rate increase. Now is the time to make the switch to cleaner home appliances.

Mining for Limestone on Chicago’s Southeast Side? Residents Gear Up for a Fight (Again).

February 17, 2023 DispatchIllinois, ChicagoSusan Cosier

A proposal to build an underground facility on a contaminated lot is yet another reason the city needs to address the cumulative impacts of industry on communities.

Cover Crops for Every Climate

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Midwest, East, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, TexasLara Bryant, Dr. Daniel Rath

Cover crops are adaptable, valuable, and effective enough that farmers can benefit from them in every region of the United States—even cold or dry areas.

Illinois Should Lead on Getting the Lead Out of Our Water

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisChakena D. Perry

Governor Pritzker’s speech missed an opportunity to outline a plan to protect Illinois children.

Proposed Highway Expansion Will Undercut New York Landmark Climate Law

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkMark Izeman, Isabel Friedman

A state proposal to spend $1 billion to expand a 47-mile stretch of Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan Counties runs counter to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

In War on Plastic Waste, New York City Council Strikes a Blow

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

New legislation will prevent large volumes of mostly plastic, unrecyclable waste from being generated by take-out food orders in the nation’s largest city.

Fresh Water Through Lead Pipes

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez

Though Chicago is known as "the Fresh Coast," for some Chicagoans, the water that flows through their pipes doesn't have the same reputation.