NRDC Remembers Environmental Policy Pioneer Richard Ottinger

NEW YORK (February 18, 2026) – The environmental movement lost one of its earliest and most active champions with the passing of Richard Ottinger this week. The former Congressman from New York championed a healthy Hudson River, helped usher some of the foundational environmental laws through Congress, and was an early voice for clean energy and climate action over his long career.

Following is reaction from Manish Bapna, President and CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“In a career that spanned decades, Richard Ottinger mapped out solutions for some of the most vexing issues facing New York state, the country, and the world. As NRDC and the fledgling environmental movement sought champions for clean air, clean water and thoughtful energy policy, Mr. Ottinger stepped in eagerly to help. 

“Mr. Ottinger helped advance some of the most important environmental policies in U.S. history—including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act—which have had a lasting impact on the quality of life for generations of people nationwide. He helped develop the model for modern environmental advocacy through the fight to protect places like Storm King, bringing decisionmakers and disparate voices together for the greater good. His advocacy on behalf of the Hudson helped the river avoid the over-industrialized and polluted fate that damaged so many of the nation’s waterways.

“At a time when the current administration is working hard to tear down environmental policies that have protected us all for more than a half century, it is important that we also recognize and honor those who have built them up. Climate, clean energy, clean water, and public health progress have fallen out of vogue for some in Washington, D.C., but Mr. Ottinger’s impact endures. His legacy should inspire the movement in this moment, when we need it most.”

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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).