News & Commentary

Fresh Water Through Lead Pipes

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez

Though Chicago is known as "the Fresh Coast," for some Chicagoans, the water that flows through their pipes doesn't have the same reputation.

Mining for Limestone on Chicago’s Southeast Side? Residents Gear Up for a Fight (Again).

February 17, 2023 DispatchIllinois, ChicagoSusan Cosier

A proposal to build an underground facility on a contaminated lot is yet another reason the city needs to address the cumulative impacts of industry on communities.

In War on Plastic Waste, New York City Council Strikes a Blow

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

New legislation will prevent large volumes of mostly plastic, unrecyclable waste from being generated by take-out food orders in the nation’s largest city.

New Program Will Help Ensure Reliable Electricity in the West

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogCanada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, WestKelsie Gomanie

The Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) is designed to provide benefits for customers, utilities, and the environment.

Supercharge EmPOWER to Ensure No Marylander Gets Left Behind

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogMarylandDeron Lovaas, Sam Whillans

Creating a low-income energy savings target can ensure that Maryland’s energy efficiency program works toward equity—not against it.

Will New York Squander Its Opportunity for a Just Transition?

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

New York’s clean energy transition is threatened by state laws that perpetuate, promote, and subsidize fossil gas use.

New Yorkers Highlight Opportunities to Grow SNAP Incentives

February 14, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkSahana Rao, Margaret Brown, Sara Imperiale

SNAP incentives play an essential role in addressing challenges around fresh, healthy food affordability and access, provide much needed markets for local farmers, and drive local economic development.

New York Is Exposing the Fashion Industry for What It Is: a Climate Nightmare

February 13, 2023 DispatchNew York, New York City, InternationalNicole Greenfield

The state’s Fashion Act seeks to set a new trend of holding big brands accountable for their exploitation of workers and the environment.

New NRDC Analysis: PA Needs RGGI and a Stronger AEPS

February 13, 2023 Expert BlogPennsylvaniaJacqueline Ennis, Jackson Morris

PA should stay in RGGI and expand its AEPS to cut emissions and help its renewables industry thrive.

New Year, New Opportunity to Get The Lead Out of Our Water

February 6, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisAngela Guyadeen, Chakena D. Perry

The slow pace of lead service line replacement has serious public health consequences. Will 2023 be the year Illinois accelerates its lead service line replacement work?

2023 Environmental Opportunities for New York State

February 2, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkIsabel Friedman, Rich Schrader

Following the environmental successes in 2022, we've outlined several legislative opportunities.

US Faith Leader to Visit UK, Urging: Cut Carbon Not Forests

February 2, 2023 Expert BlogInternational, South CarolinaElly Pepper

"Instead of harming vulnerable communities of color in the U.S., the U.K. should be rapidly shifting to secure, cheap, clean renewable energy like wind and solar.”

Prioritize Environmental Justice in Chicago

January 31, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez

We need a real commitment to ensure that environmental racism will not be tolerated in Chicago.

New Jersey Adopts First-of-a-Kind Low Carbon Concrete Law

January 31, 2023 Expert BlogNew JerseySasha Stashwick

The passage of the law is the end result of an unwavering awareness-raising and advocacy campaign.

North Carolina’s First Carbon Plan is a Dud—What Now?

January 30, 2023 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaLuis Martinez

The North Carolina Utilities Commission tries to make a decision without making any decisions in its new North Carolina Carbon Plan.

New York Can Cut Emissions, Create Jobs with Industrial Decarbonization

January 24, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkIan Wells

Policymakers now have the opportunity to capture billions in new federal incentives, grow the state’s clean industrial economy, and save and create good jobs through investing in industrial decarbonization.

Breathing Easier at Home: Q&A on Going Electric in Chicago

January 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez, Valeria Rincon

A new analysis reveals that electrifying household appliances could save Chicago residents thousands of dollars and help them breathe cleaner air.

The Race to Organize Energy Markets in the Western U.S. Is On

January 13, 2023 Expert BlogArizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, WyomingKelsie Gomanie

A western regional transmission organization would spur the development of clean electricity sources and lower costs for consumers.

RGGI Is PA's Path Forward on Climate in 2023

January 10, 2023 Expert BlogPennsylvaniaMark Szybist, Jackson Morris

The task now is to defend the regulation in court and, critically, implement an equitable investment plan that fully realizes RGGI’s promises for Pennsylvania.

Defense Bill Compromise for Northern Nevada Lands and Tribes

January 4, 2023 Expert BlogNevadaBobby McEnaney, Katie Hobbs

This year's annual defense bill contained an expansion of the Fallon Naval Air Station in northern Nevada—a compromise that strives to resolve complex land use issues and protect the environment.