Media Center

Flint Hearing Reinforces Need for Federal Court to Restore Safe Drinking Water

March 17, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC (March 17, 2016) – The second congressional hearing of the week on the Flint water crisis showcased Michigan Governor Snyder and EPA Administrator McCarthy laying blame for the disaster at each other’s feet today.

EPA Moves to Limit Methane Emissions

March 10, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (March 10, 2016) – The Obama Administration today announced plans to limit methane emissions from existing industrial oil and gas facilities. The following is a statement from David Doniger, director of the climate and clean air program at the…

Environmental Protections at Risk as South Coast Air Quality Board Ousts its Leader

March 4, 2016 Press Release

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF. (March 4, 2016) — Board members of the South Coast Air Quality Management District today ousted Executive Officer Barry Wallerstein after 18 years of service. Chief Financial Officer Michael O'Kelly was named interim Executive Officer.

Bee Loss Threatens Global Food Supply, Says U.N. Report

February 26, 2016 Press Release

CHICAGO, IL (February 26, 2016) – A United Nations assessment of the current state of pollinators finds troubling news for bees, butterflies, bats, and other creatures responsible for pollinating our food supply, as many species are facing extinction. Under threat…

NRDC Sues EPA to Force it to Limit Toxic Chemical in Drinking Water

February 18, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (February 18, 2016) – The Natural Resources Defense Council sued the Environmental Protection Agency in federal court in New York today to force it to set limits on perchlorate.

Governor Pledges $176.6 million for Exide Clean-Up

February 17, 2016 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SACRAMENTO (February 17, 2016) — California Governor Jerry Brown today announced that he’d seek $176.6 million in additional funding for clean-up in the community around the now-closed Exide lead-acid battery recycling plant.

After More Than 40 Years, EPA Will Act on Hazardous Industrial Spills

February 17, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (February 17, 2016) – The Environmental Protection Agency will put in place new safeguards to help protect communities from dangerous chemical spills at tens of thousands of industrial facilities nationwide, under the terms of a legal settlement approved by…

SoCal Gas Temporarily Stops Natural Gas Leak from Aliso Canyon Well

February 11, 2016 Press ReleaseCalifornia

PORTER RANCH, CALIF. (February 11, 2016) – Southern California Gas today announced it has temporarily stopped the leak that has been spewing natural gas into Porter Ranch and surrounding communities since October.

Obama Budget Sets Priorities to Continue Progress

February 9, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (February 9, 2016) – President Obama today submitted a budget proposal that would double funding for clean energy research, create a $1.65 billion fund for infrastructure projects to lessen the impacts wrought by climate change, impose a $10-per-barrel tax…

Clean Power Plan Will Prevail on Legal Merits

February 9, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (February 9, 2016) -- The Supreme Court today blocked implementation of President Obama's Clean Power Plan, pending litigation in the lower courts over a challenge by the coal industry.

NRDC, Allies Urge Supreme Court to Deny Industry’s Bid to Block Carbon Pollution Limits

February 4, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (February 4, 2016) -- The Natural Resources Defense Council today urged the U.S. Supreme Court to deny a coal industry request to block President Obama's Clean Power Plan, saying the industry’s assertions of irreparable harm have no substance.

Flint Hearing Most Notable for Key Absences

February 3, 2016 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (February 3, 2016) – The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing today to explore the Flint water crisis.

A Fix for Flint: Groups File Federal Lawsuit to Secure Safe Drinking Water in Flint

January 27, 2016 Press Release

FLINT, Mich. – A coalition of local citizens and national groups filed suit today seeking federal court intervention to secure access to safe drinking water for the people of Flint, Michigan.

NRDC Statement on Federal Standard for Methane Pollution on Public Lands

January 22, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 22, 2016) – The federal Bureau of Land Management today released a standard to address methane pollution from oil and gas industry operations on public lands.

Clean Power Plan Ruling a “Huge Win” for Clean Air and Climate Action

January 21, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (January 21, 2016) –The U.S. Court of Appeals today rejected a stay requested by opponents seeking to block implementation of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, which will cut dangerous carbon pollution from America’s power plants.

EPA Action is Good but Flint's “Poisoned Pipes” Need Fixing

January 21, 2016 Press Release

CHICAGO (January 21, 2016) – The Environmental Protection Agency just released an emergency Safe Drinking Water Act order to address the ongoing drinking water issues in Flint, Michigan, four months after the Natural Resources Defense Council, ACLU of Michigan and…

Obama Vetoes GOP bid to Kill Clean Water Rule

January 20, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (January 20, 2016) — President Obama has acted promptly to veto a measure passed by the Republican-led Congress designed to kill the Clean Water Rule.

House Resolution Against Clean Water Protections Puts Polluters Before People

January 13, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON (January 13, 2016) — House Republicans today passed legislation attacking clean water protections. Today’s action—a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act –-blocks the Clean Water Rule, the Obama administration’s landmark action adopted last year. Because the Senate…

Cuomo Lays Out Promising Clean Energy, Environmental Goals in 2016 State of the State Address

January 13, 2016 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 13, 2016) – Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced plans to grow the state’s clean energy economy and protect its environment in his annual State of the State address.

EPA Is “Part of the Problem” In Flint

January 13, 2016 Press Release

CHICAGO (January 13, 2016) – Press reports published today reveal a disappointingly passive response from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address concerns about drinking water in Flint, MI before and since the city was gripped by a lead poisoning…