News & Commentary

Walking the Talk: How Will Canada Halt and Reverse Biodiversity Loss?

July 19, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee Boan

NRDC is working with Canadian and international environmental non-governmental organizations to provide recommendations for how Canada can develop a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan that aligns with its commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

The Senate Must Defend the Success of DOE Clean Energy Programs

July 19, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Sangina Wright

The House’s Energy and Water bill contains harmful provisions for U.S. households, U.S. competitiveness in the global clean energy race, and our climate fight. 

A Tale of Two Capacity Auctions—and Still Too Much Coal

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, IllinoisMeghan Hassett

A capacity price spike impacted Illinoisans’ electricity bills last June. What has MISO done to prevent it from happening again? It’s a mixed bag—with too many fossil fuels inside.

The Supreme Court Gets Clean Water Supremely Wrong

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jon Devine

The Supreme Court got the facts, the law, and the policy wrong in its recent ruling attacking wetland protections under the Clean Water Act.

Midwest states need a modern grid to supercharge clean energy goals

June 15, 2023 Expert BlogMinnesota, Midwest, Illinois, MichiganMeghan Hassett

Midwest states are already leading on clean energy, but achieving their goals depends on the power grid's readiness. We need the electricity system to catch up.

A Blueprint for Advanced Industrial Manufacturing in New York

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

New York can lead the nation in low-carbon industrial manufacturing. Here is how.

Strengthen Power Plant Carbon Standards for Greater Climate Benefit

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin, Sophia Ahmed

Power plants have operated without accountability for their carbon emissions for too long. The proposal represents a good first step, however, the EPA should seize the opportunity to strengthen the standards in both scope and speed. This approach will help…

Breaking Through the PJM Interconnection Queue Crisis

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogEastDana Ammann

NRDC analyzes the outlook for new transmission in PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. grid operator, and the impact of reforms designed to ease the logjam of projects awaiting approval to connect to the grid. 

Moving from Uncertainty to Opportunity for Oil and Gas Workers

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogLouisianaClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

A recent report from True Transition captures a range of oil and gas worker experiences and finds potential for a skills transfer between fossil fuel and renewable energy jobs.

Hungry for Local Action in New Climate Law? Start Here

April 25, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, PhiladelphiaIrene Nielson

Cities can tap into millions but may not know about it yet.

Auditor Calls for Canada’s Transparency on Logging Emissions

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogOttawaJennifer Skene

Canada's Environment Commissioner found that the Government of Canada has failed to transparently report on the climate impact of industrial logging, with potentially sweeping ramifications for its forest policymaking. 

Rate Increases and Blackouts: Duke Energy’s Strategy for 2023

April 6, 2023 Expert BlogNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, EastLuis Martinez

Duke failed to keep the lights on last December, but it is now pursuing enormous rate increases of more than 30 percent to help pay for fossil fuels and huge executive salary raises.

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.

SPP Must Rework Rules That Penalize Wind and Solar Power

March 28, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, United StatesCaroline Reiser, Natalie McIntire

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) rejection of Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) proposal gives SPP a new opportunity to create an accreditation process that does not discriminate against renewable resources.

To Lead on Climate, New York State Should Aim High on Clean Industry

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

The federal government is rolling out programs to support deployment of emerging technologies that can dramatically reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing. New York should seize the opportunity to clean up its industrial base, attract new industrial investment, and become a…

IPCC Report Leaves No More Room for Climate Denial in Logging

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogCanada, United States, InternationalJennifer Skene

Industrial logging is a significant driver of global climate change. Ignoring its emissions is a dangerous new form of climate denial.

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.

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 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.