Media Center

Pittsburgh To Remove Lead Water Pipes by 2026 in Legal Settlement with Community Groups

March 27, 2020 Press Release

Agreement Prioritizes Homes with Highest Risk from Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water

Gina McCarthy: EPA Grants “Open License to Pollute”

March 26, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON –The Environmental Protection Agency today issued an “enforcement discretion policy” that would allow industry to pollute without fear of enforcement actions. The following is a statement by Gina McCarthy, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “This…

Gina McCarthy: Stimulus Bill is Much Needed. More Work to Do

March 25, 2020 Press Release

The following is a statement by Gina McCarthy, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, on the COVID-19 stimulus bill announced today by the congressional leadership:

Maryland Phasing Out Chlorpyrifos Use

March 20, 2020 Press Release

ANNAPOLIS, M.D.—The Maryland General Assembly announced that virtually all use of chlorpyrifos—a pesticide linked to learning disabilities in children—will be phased out in the state by the end of 2020, following years of pressure from public health, farmworker and community groups.

Groups Sue EPA Over Yet Another Approval of Glyphosate, Despite Dangers to Humans, Bees and Butterflies

March 20, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

SAN FRANCISCO – The Natural Resources Defense Council and Pesticide Action Network North America today filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide in the United States.

More than 180,000 Americans Oppose Trump’s Plan to Cripple Migratory Bird Protections

March 19, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON — Conservation groups submitted more than 180,000 public comments today opposing the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

PA Senate Sends Petrochemical Bill to Gov. Wolf’s Desk

March 18, 2020 Press Release

HARRISBURG, P.A. – The Pennsylvania State Senate today sent HB 1100 – a bill that would give tax breaks to fossil fuel plants that use fracked gas to manufacture petrochemicals – to Governor Wolf’s desk for signature. This comes at…

Electricity Customers Pay Billions for Unneeded Power

March 16, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON – The electricity grid operator PJM’s capacity market has been overcharging tens of millions of customers to prop up unneeded dirty power plants, a new analysis found.

Court Approves Settlement Requiring EPA Rules on Most Dangerous Chemical Spills

March 13, 2020 Press Release

New York, N.Y. – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York approved a consent decree between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a coalition of community and environmental organizations, including the Environmental Justice Health Alliance for…

Court Rules in Favor of California and Denies Trump Administration Claims that California’s Coordination with Quebec in Cutting Climate Pollution is Unconstitutional

March 12, 2020 Press ReleaseCalifornia

Sacramento – Today, a federal district court issued an order granting California’s motion for summary judgment and rejecting the U.S. motion on two constitutional claims that California’s coordination with Quebec to reduce climate pollution is unlawful. The order by Judge…

New York City Council’s New Report Lays Out Bold Climate Actions

March 12, 2020 Press Release

NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson released today a comprehensive sustainability report that lays out strong and sensible strategies to help New York City fight climate change and build a livable city for all, especially…

NRDC’s Gina McCarthy: Oregon Climate Executive Order Reflects Urgency of Our Time

March 10, 2020 Press Release

SALEM, OR — Oregon Governor Kate Brown today signed an executive order to reduce the state’s climate change emissions, after Republicans walked out of the state legislative session for the second year in a row to prevent the passage of…

STATEMENT: NEPA Rollback Would Stifle Speech and Spur Pollution, Environmental Justice and National Environmental Groups Charge

March 10, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration’s move to undermine a foundational environmental protection would largely silence the public and expose low-income communities, tribal communities, and communities of color to a disproportionate amount of harmful pollution, according to a coalition of U.S…

Latest Vaquita Death Comes as US Expands Seafood Ban

March 9, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON – According to credible media reports, another vaquita was found drowned after being trapped in illegal gillnets in the Gulf of California, potentially bringing the total population of the small porpoises to nine individuals. The death came just before…

Virginia Advances Climate Action, Must Address Energy Efficiency

March 6, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON - Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is slated to soon sign the “Virginia Clean Economy Act,” a bill approved by the General Assembly that will significantly expand renewable energy and address climate change.

U.S. Government Expands Mexican Seafood Ban to Save Vaquita Porpoise

March 4, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON — The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced today that it will ban imports of Mexican shrimp and other seafood caught in the habitat of the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. The action is being taken under the Marine…

NRDC’s Gina McCarthy: EPA’s Dangerous New Proposal Ignores Science

March 4, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week broadened its plans to limit scientific studies that traditionally have been used in designing safeguards to protect public health.

Senate Panel Releases Major but Mixed Energy Package

February 27, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2020) – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today introduced a bipartisan energy package that combines elements of several dozen previously considered bills addressing the nation’s energy supply, renewable energy, electricity grid, conservation and mining.

Michigan Advances Stronger Standards on “Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water

February 27, 2020 Press Release

LANSING, MI ­– Michigan’s proposed standards to reduce “forever chemicals” contaminating drinking water for millions of people across the state were advanced today in a vote by the Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC). The standards now head to the Joint…

NRDC’s Gina McCarthy on Devastating Proposed EPA Budget Cut

February 27, 2020 Press Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler will testify before the U.S. House subcommittee on environment and climate change today to argue in support of President Trump’s devastating proposed 27% cut to the agency’s budget.