Media Center

OSHA Proposes Heat Protections for Workers

July 2, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Biden administration’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration proposed the first-ever federal standards to address the risks of heat to workers. The proposed protections, already years in the making, come as climate-fueled heat waves struck much of the…

NRDC Seeks to Defend Biden EPA Restrictions on Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water Water Utilities, Chemical Industry Challenging PFAS Rule 

July 1, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) moved to intervene to defend the Biden Administration’s restrictions on six toxic PFAS chemicals found in drinking water.

NYC Proposes Bill to Shift Cost of Lead Pipe Replacement to Property Owners

June 18, 2024 Press ReleaseNew York City

The New York City Council has proposed a controversial new bill that would require property owners to take on the task and expense of replacing all of their building’s lead water service lines within the next ten years, costing them thousands…

Let Them Drink PFAS: Chemical Industry, Water Utilities Seek to Block Protections Against Toxic “Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water

June 10, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON ­— The chemical industry and water utility trade associations filed lawsuits against the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule to limit six toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water. PFAS, known as forever chemicals, are infamous for their extreme toxicity, persistence in…

Fixing Flint: Michigan Agrees to Repair Thousands of Yards Damaged by Lead Pipe Replacement

May 29, 2024 Press ReleaseFlint

FLINT, MI – A decade after the Flint water crisis began, the State of Michigan plans to take over the remaining work on Flint’s lead pipe replacement program and will commit additional funding to complete the job, according to a…

NRDC Grades Equity in State Water Infrastructure Policies, Finds Disadvantaged Communities Face Funding Challenges

April 29, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – The Biden Administration increased federal funding for water infrastructure projects, yet even with more money available, disadvantaged communities face challenges accessing funds to maintain drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, according to new NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)…

Residents Still Waiting for Flint to Replace All Lead Pipes on 10-Year Anniversary of Water Crisis

April 24, 2024 Press ReleaseDetroit

DETROIT, Mich. – A decade after the Flint water crisis began and more than seven years after a major settlement was reached in the landmark citizen suit against the City of Flint and Michigan state officials, the City of Flint has failed…

Most Public Comments submitted on Safe Drinking Water Rule in History

February 6, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, as the public comment period closed for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to address the lead-contaminated drinking water crisis, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of comments support the…

NRDC Backs WH Pause on LNG Exports Far into the Future: "The Stakes Could Not Be Higher”

January 26, 2024 Press ReleaseUnited States, International

WASHINGTON (Jan. 26, 2024) - The Biden administration hit pause on new LNG export permits while it revaluates the criteria by which it determines whether it’s in the public interest to permit massive new projects that would expand exports of…

Radhika Fox Departing EPA [NRDC Reaction]

January 10, 2024 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Radhika Fox announced that she will be leaving the Agency next month.

FERC approves Major Milestone for Western Grid Integration

December 21, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators yesterday approved a new program that will allow utilities in the western U.S. to share resources more efficiently. The new Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) allows utilities to buy and sell electricity for the following day, helping…

NRDC: COP28 Sends Clear Message: Twilight for Fossil Fuels

December 13, 2023 Press ReleaseUnited States

WASHINGTON — Global climate talks concluded in Dubai with an agreement to triple renewable energy, double the pace of energy-efficiency gains, phase-out fossil fuels, and end deforestation and forest degradation as part of a larger long-term strategy to steadily reduce…

Countries Establish Historic Loss and Damage Fund

November 30, 2023 Press ReleaseInternational

DUBAI - On the opening day of the COP28 UN climate summit, governments adopted the governing instrument to formally establish a new fund to support particularly vulnerable countries dealing with loss and damage resulting from climate change. An initial group…

Lead Pipes Must Be Removed Under EPA’s Proposed Water Rule, Finally Fulfilling Congress’ Mandate to Set Safe Water Protections

November 30, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

A new rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today sets the stage for every lead water pipe in the nation to be replaced, with the vast majority expected to be removed in the next ten years.

U.S.–China Accord Sets Foundation of Ambition for Climate Talks in Dubai 

November 14, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C., China

The United States and China, which together account for 43 percent of world GDP and about 36 percent of global greenhouse gases, agreed Tuesday on important goals to reduce methane and the carbon pollution from burning coal and to raise…

Biden Administration Signs Off On Low-Carbon Materials for 150 Federal Projects

November 6, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — Today the General Services Administration (GSA) announced $2 billion in investments for clean materials in federal construction projects. This initiative advances commitments made a year ago to accelerate Buy Clean efforts within the GSA and Department of Transportation…

“Staggering” Health Benefits From Replacing Lead Water Pipes Could Save Nearly $1 Trillion from Avoided Health Impacts

October 25, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

Replacing every lead pipe that delivers drinking water to homes nationwide would yield hundreds of billions of dollars in avoided health costs, according to a new state-by-state analysis released today from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).

“Staggering” Health Benefits from Replacing Lead Water Pipes Could Save as Much as $6 Billion in California from Avoided Health Impacts

October 25, 2023 Press ReleaseSacramento

Replacing every lead pipe that delivers drinking water to homes in California would yield as much as $6 billion dollars in avoided health costs, according to a new state-by-state analysis released today from NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Getting the…

Michigan Set to Enact Nation’s Strongest Measures to Protect Kids from Lead in Schools and Childcare Centers

October 19, 2023 Press ReleaseMichigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign into law landmark legislation that sets the national standard for protecting kids from lead in drinking water at schools and in childcare centers by requiring these facilities to install and maintain lead-removing…

DOE Makes Vital Investment in Grid Expansion

October 19, 2023 Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Energy announced a significant investment of $3.46 billion for 58 projects across 44 states to strengthen electric grid resilience and reliability across America.