Media Center

President Trump Undermines BAAJA As Senate Debate Begins

November 9, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The Senate voted to begin the deliberative process on the permitting reform bill today. While NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) announced opposition to BAAJA as currently written in the Manager’s Amendment over the weekend, news today that there will be…

NRDC Reaction to Governor-Elect Deb Haaland’s Win

November 9, 2026 ReactionSanta Fe

Governor-elect Deb Haaland made history last week in becoming the first female Native American to become governor. On the campaign trail, Haaland pledged to protect local water, land, and air and prevent higher energy costs for New Mexicans. In addition…

NRDC Reaction to the Defeat of Prop. 45, the anti-CEQA Bill

November 9, 2026 ReactionSacramento

California voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 45 by a margin of more than a million votes and growing. The measure would have fast-tracked a broad range of polluting projects while reducing stakeholder input and transparency.

Senate Permitting Bill Still Needs Improvements; Opposed as Written

November 8, 2026 Press ReleaseUnited States

NRDC opposes this bill as written but remains committed to working constructively with Congress and other stakeholders on this process. 

NRDC and the Responsible Data Center Development Collaborative

November 7, 2026 ReactionWashington, D.C.

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) recently began participating in the Responsible Data Center Development Collaborative, joining a diversity of stakeholders in developing a framework to minimize harms from data center development in the United States.

State Policy Blueprint: Managing Large Loads With and Without PJM IRAS

November 6, 2026 BackgrounderEastClaire Lang-Ree, Tom Rutigliano

The window is closing for states to shield customers from higher bills and an overstretched grid.

EPA-PM25-comments

November 5, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Environmental groups file comments contesting the EPA’s proposal to allow states and metro areas off the hook from having to clean up their air.

NRDC Reaction to Governor-Elect Xavier Becerra’s Win

November 4, 2026 ReactionSacramento

Governor-elect Xavier Becerra formally accepted Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton’s concession, with Becerra receiving 64 percent of the vote, so far. On the campaign trail, Becerra pledged to defend California and make energy, healthcare and housing more affordable for working…

Lowndes County Commission sued for illegal data center tax break vote

November 3, 2026 Press ReleaseAlabama

Today community group Protect Lowndes County and Alabama Rivers Alliance, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Natural Resources Defense Council, filed a lawsuit against the Lowndes County Commission for violating Alabama’s Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act…

EPA power plant repeal

November 3, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Environmental groups file comments opposing EPA’s proposal to abdicate its legal responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

At COP31, Overlap Between Self-Interest and Climate Action Has Never Been Stronger

November 2, 2026 Press ReleaseInternational

World leaders are preparing to gather for the United Nations’ annual global climate conference (COP31), which begins next week.

EPA Methane Regs Gutted

October 28, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The EPA unveiled a proposal to weaken standards that require oil and gas companies to check for leaks. Only the worst companies aren’t complying.

USDA Makes It Harder for Farmers to Lower Energy Bills

October 28, 2026 ReactionWashington, D.C.

Members of Congress are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse damaging changes to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which helps farmers and rural small businesses reduce their energy costs through investments in on-site clean energy…

Antalya AI Pledge Is an Important Start, But Needs Teeth and Must Go Further

October 27, 2026 ReactionInternational

More needed to keep up with industry's rapid-fire development and gold rush mentality.

Stratos Data Center Will Emit Air Pollution Linked to Premature Deaths and Health-Related Economic Damages for Utah and States Downwind

October 26, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Stratos, one of the world’s largest data center projects proposed for Northern Utah, would emit dangerous quantities of air pollution throughout the region that cause premature deaths, illness, and health-related economic damage, according to a new report released today.

NRDC Assessment of BAAJA, the 2026 Permitting and Transmission Bill

October 26, 2026 BackgrounderUnited States

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 is the result of years of negotiations on permitting reform. The product is a bill that combines critically important transmission and grid reforms with significant and concerning changes to federal environmental…

New England Wind Project Attacked

October 21, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

The Trump administration asked a federal judge to send back federal approval of the New England Wind offshore wind project, a move that could lead to its construction permit being rescinded.

Michigan Steps Up to Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Pollution and Save Fleets Money

October 21, 2026 BackgrounderMichiganMuhammed Patel

Michigan can cut diesel pollution and reduce fuel-cost volatility, but public funding should favor zero-emission replacements whenever possible.

Trump Administration Finalizes First U.S. Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale Off American Samoa

October 20, 2026 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Sale would open about 31 million acres of seabed beside Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, despite local opposition

California’s 2026 Legislative Priorities: End-of-Session Wrap-Up

October 19, 2026 BackgrounderCaliforniaEmely Garcia

From lower energy bills to cleaner air and stronger wildfire protections, California scored major environmental wins.