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California Oil Disaster Brings New Urgency to Calls to Ban Drilling

Expert BlogCalifornia, United StatesValerie Cleland

We have to transition away from fossil fuels. That’s why it’s essential that Congress pass budget reconciliation with offshore drilling provisions—and enact President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

New Energy Efficiency Rules Will Cut Carbon & Lower Costs

Expert BlogCaliforniaLara Ettenson, Mohit Chhabra

With the sixth annual Energy Efficiency Day planned for Wednesday, it’s a good time to remember that efficiency is one of the most effective ways to fight dangerous climate pollution and catalyze action to address historic underinvestment in vulnerable communities.

Boston Passes Equitable Building Performance Standard

Expert BlogBoston, MassachusettsEmily Barkdoll

Becoming climate neutral by 2050 will have enormous implications for Bostonians: better air quality, reduced electricity bills, and a lower energy burden are just a few ways in which the standard will improve lives across the city.

LA County Takes Historic Steps to Phase Out Oil Drilling

Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesDamon Nagami

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to start the process of phasing out oil drilling in unincorporated parts of the County, including within the largest urban oil field in the country.

California Forging Ahead on Zero Emission Buildings

Expert BlogCaliforniaPierre Delforge

The California Energy Commission (CEC) took a major stride toward zero-carbon emissions buildings in the 2022 update of the statewide building energy code that will require new buildings to use less energy and cut carbon pollution.

Michigan's Gas Giveaway

Expert BlogMichiganAmulya Yerrapotu

The Michigan Legislature is currently considering a massive giveaway to gas utilities, tucked away in the state budget. This proposal would allocate $250 million of taxpayer money towards paying for gas utility infrastructure expansions, with no specification on how many…

Culver City Votes to Phase Out Oil Drilling

Expert BlogCaliforniaDamon Nagami

The Culver City Council voted 4-1 last Thursday night to phase out oil drilling within its portion of the Inglewood Oil Field. This vote was a bold and unprecedented step that residents and advocates have been pushing toward for many…

It’s Time to End Subsidies for New Gas Hook-Ups

Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson

California utility customers contribute over $100 million every year to subsidize gas connections for new customers. But it doesn’t make sense to keep extending gas pipelines as California moves away from using fossil fuels that add to the climate problem…

New Electric Rates Put Power Back in Californians' Hands

Expert BlogCaliforniaAlejandra Mejia Cunningham, Mohit Chhabra
California’s policy makers and IOUs are now taking action to reward Californians for using electricity at the times when it is cleanest and most plentiful, by introducing time-varying pricing plans.

Time to Repeal New England’s Anti-Consumer Dirty Energy Rule

Expert BlogEast, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, ConnecticutBruce Ho
The arcane Minimum Offer Price Rule threatens to frustrate New England's efforts to tackle the climate crisis while raising electricity bills by $3 billion dollars over 10 years.

Building for “a Climate Damn Emergency”

Expert BlogCaliforniaPierre Delforge
The California Energy Commission is working on its 2022 update to the state building code, which encourages all-electric new construction. NRDC and a broad coalition supports the CEC's direction, but asks it to go further to help fight the climate…

Taking the Gloves Off in California Battle Over Oil

Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

Armed with millions of dollars to pay lobbyists and a well-oiled astroturf machine to create the illusion of public support, the state's oil industry has successfully leaned on the state’s legislators to stay away from any meaningful reform efforts.