News & Commentary

5 Things to Know About CA Bill to Curb Bee-Killing Neonics

February 15, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaLucas Rhoads

Widespread neonic use is a leading cause of pollinator declines and linked with bird losses, ecosystem collapse, and risks to human health.

Proposed Port Expansion Puts South Oxnard Community at Risk

February 14, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaNatalia Ospina, Heather Kryczka

Five reasons the Environmental Impact Report is incomplete.

Will CA Finally End Subsidies for New Gas Connections?

February 14, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson

California is well overdue to cut the more than $100 million in annual subsidies for new gas connections to homes and buildings, which is currently under consideration at the Public Utilities Commission. 

Let Us Breathe! A Vision for a Healthy Oxnard

February 10, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaNatalia Ospina, Heather Kryczka

Learn how an industrial project threatens a community-led vision for health and justice in a coastal California community, and support residents by submitting a comment letter by Feb. 14th.

Iowa Group Protects Bee Habitat Amid ESA Battle

February 9, 2022 Expert BlogIowa, MidwestLucas Rhoads

While NRDC and our partners are in court fighting to win habitat protections for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, the Bur Oak Land Trust is also taking matters into its own hands.

A Turning Point in the Fight to Protect New Mexico’s Greater Chaco Region

February 1, 2022 DispatchNew MexicoKeith Mulvihill

The Biden administration’s proposal to prohibit new oil and gas leasing and drilling in the area comes after years of exploitation that’s had devastating health and cultural impacts on Indigenous communities.

LA City Council Votes Unanimously to End Urban Oil Drilling

January 28, 2022 Expert BlogLos AngelesDamon Nagami

This watershed moment demonstrates the power of community engagement and momentum.

New Jersey Enacts Groundbreaking Neonic Legislation

January 19, 2022 Expert BlogNew JerseyLucas Rhoads

New Jersey has enacted legislation that significantly curtails use of neonicotinoid pesticides, or "neonics," insect-killers that are a leading cause of mass bee losses, contribute to declines in birds and other wildlife, and pose risks to human health.

China’s Top Industries Can Peak Collective Emissions in 2025

January 18, 2022 Expert BlogChinaJake Schmidt

Joint research by NRDC and Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning (CAEP) finds that China’s top coal-consuming sectors—power, steel, cement, and coal-chemicals—can collectively peak both coal consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in 2025.

Not Even Yellowstone Wolves Are Safe from State Persecution

January 8, 2022 Expert BlogMontana, WyomingDr. Jennifer Sherry

The growing death toll for Yellowstone wolves is a revealing microcosm of the larger mismanagement of wolves occurring across multiple states.

California Leads the Way in Fighting the Biodiversity Crisis

December 22, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaSandy Aylesworth, Helen O'Shea

California once again has an opportunity to lead the country with visionary conservation efforts that put equity and access at the forefront of decision making.

Philadelphia Gas Utility Explores Business Diversification

December 9, 2021 Expert BlogPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaEmily Barkdoll, Mark Szybist

Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability and Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), the City-owned gas utility, have released a report summarizing the findings from the Philadelphia Gas Works Business Diversification Study, an exploration of pathways for PGW, its workers, and its customers to…

WA & OR Solidify West Coast Vehicle Electrification

November 30, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, OregonPatricio Portillo, Dr. Simon Mui

Adopting the Clean Trucks Program in Oregon and the Advanced Clean Trucks and Zero Emission Vehicle Programs in Washington solidifies the West Coast as one of the world’s biggest markets for electric vehicles.

Gibbstown Ends, Not with a Bang but with a Whimper?

November 30, 2021 Expert BlogNew JerseyKimberly Ong

While the Department of Transportation proposed rescinding the LNG by rail rule, the Department must still adopt this proposal.

Despite Climate Dangers, Offshore Leasing Continues in Gulf

November 17, 2021 Expert BlogUnited States, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, AlabamaValerie Cleland, Lauren Kubiak

This morning, the Biden administration held the largest offshore oil and gas lease sale in U.S. history. Though the Biden administration has been bold on climate in other ways, this latest action is profoundly disappointing.

Haaland Takes Important Step to Protect Sacred Chaco Canyon from Fossil Fuel Extraction

November 15, 2021 Expert BlogNew MexicoNRDC

The move is a major win in the larger fight to safeguard the Greater Chaco region, but permanent protection is still needed.

Will Los Angeles Finally Put an End to Oil Drilling in Neighborhoods?

November 12, 2021 DispatchLos AngelesNicole Greenfield

For close to a decade, the STAND-L.A. coalition has been calling on the city to stop extracting oil near homes and schools. Victory, at long last, is within reach.

If You Build It, They Will Suffer

November 2, 2021 Expert BlogLouisianaAmy Mall, Sujatha Bergen

A Louisiana Community Gives Voice to the Costs of Fossil Fuel Production

Senator and WA Governor Join Forces to Tackle Snake Dams

November 1, 2021 Expert BlogWashington, WestGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Washington Governor Jay Inslee answered advocates’ calls to energize the decades-long push to save our iconic salmon from extinction.

No Longer a Laggard: California's Bold Setback Proposal

October 29, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

Californians have the opportunity now to make their views known about the proposed regulation—what’s excellent, and what needs improvement.