News & Commentary

Newsom Admin Faces Difficult Tests on California Water This Fall

September 30, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDoug Obegi

The Newsom Administration is expected to respond to upcoming tests of sustainable water management.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to Help Transition Homes off Oil

September 27, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, SeattleMaria Stamas

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, with a unanimous City Council, passed a law to help homes with oil-fueled heating sources transition to clean, electric heat.

The Snow Must Go On

September 25, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKate Poole

Climate change is bringing many changes to California’s water system, but one of the most concerning is the loss of the Sierra snowpack caused by warming temperatures.

Public Banks Will Help Fight Climate Change!

September 24, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaJulia Prochnik

Public Banks restore economic power to local communities, empowering them to invest in projects that fight climate change and improve their quality of life.

San José Adopts Strongest Building Code Among Large Cities

September 18, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaMaria Stamas, Pierre Delforge

The San José City Council voted today to adopt requirements for builders that will provide San José residents with clean, affordable energy in buildings.

Blueprint of a Buyout: Harris County, Texas

September 17, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, TexasAnna Weber

Harris County’s program may be a harbinger of the future, when Americans are displaced by flooding and frustrated by the uncertainties of relocation assistance.

California Legislature Passes Landmark Nonfloating Oil Bill

September 12, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaAnn Alexander

The legislature has rightfully recognized, in passing the bill, that nonfloating oil is a disaster waiting to happen.

San Jose’s Proposed Building “Reach Code,” Explained

September 4, 2019 Expert BlogCalifornia, San Jose (California)Pierre Delforge, Maria Stamas

San Jose is reaching for a modern, more sustainable building energy code this September with an important opportunity before its City Council members: to adopt requirements for builders that will provide San Jose residents with clean, affordable energy in buildings…

SLO Could Pass the Next Landmark Clean Energy Building Code

August 29, 2019 Expert BlogCaliforniaPierre Delforge

San Luis Obispo could become one of the first cities in the state to pass policy aimed at transitioning to zero-emission electric homes and businesses that are cleaner, safer, and more affordable for their occupants.

New CA Lawn Sprinkler Standards = Huge Water & Energy Savings

August 14, 2019 Expert BlogCaliforniaEd Osann

California officials have adopted one of the most important and consequential water-saving measures ever implemented by any state, establishing an efficiency standard for new spray sprinklers that will reduce irrigation system misting and overspray that is common around urban landscapes.

Keeping Water Demand in Check

August 13, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Los AngelesEd Osann

A new tool is shedding light on a growing mismatch between the supply and demand of fresh water.

In Los Angeles, Renters Want Their Own Green New Deal

August 8, 2019 DispatchLos AngelesKaren L. Smith-Janssen

Residents of the city’s affordable housing units don’t normally get prioritized for energy efficiency upgrades. That’s about to change.

Cities Fight to Keep Courts Open for Claims Against Big Oil

August 1, 2019 Expert BlogCalifornia, Baltimore, Rhode IslandDavid Hawkins, Pete Huffman

Federal appeals courts will soon hear important cases brought by municipal governments grappling with the mounting costs of climate change.

CA's $1 Billion for Efficiency Now Open to Electrification

August 1, 2019 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted to update an efficiency policy to allow access to funding if an appliance saves energy and reduces air pollution, regardless of the technology.

As Temperatures Soar in India, One City’s Efforts Are Saving Lives

July 23, 2019 NRDC in ActionAhmedabad, Hyderabad, New Delhi, IndiaNicole Greenfield

The western city of Ahmedabad is preparing residents to cope with the longer and more intense heat waves sweeping across South Asia—and inspiring other Indian cities and states to follow suit.

How to Do High Road Infrastructure: 10 Lessons from L.A.

May 15, 2019 Expert BlogLos AngelesDouglass Sims

In honor Infrastructure Week, guest blogger Dena Belzer, CEO of Strategic Economics reports out on her conversation with Cris Liban of LA Metro, on lessons learned for planning, designing, building and operating High Road infrastructure.

L.A. Takes a Fresh Look at Recycled Water

May 13, 2019 DispatchLos AngelesLauren Evans

Facing dwindling freshwater supplies, the city is ready to stop dumping millions of gallons into the Pacific—and to follow Orange County’s lead.

In Nighttime Shots of Massive Wildfires, a Photographer Shows Us the Light

January 15, 2019 PerspectivesWest, United StatesPatrick Rogers

Stuart Palley’s award-winning images depict a devastating and natural ecological process—but one we are all very much a part of.

In the Pacific Northwest, Testing Out New Wildfire Defenses on the Front Lines

October 30, 2018 DispatchWest, Washington, OregonLora Shinn

Where quick-spreading fires are the “new normal,” some state officials and communities are willing to try whatever it takes to prevent—or better prepare for—the next big blaze.

Getting an Energy Efficiency Boost in Georgia

October 5, 2018 Expert BlogGeorgiaLamisa Chowdhury

Building owners—with a leg up from enlightened power companies—can make a difference in their residents’ health and quality of life through energy efficiency upgrades, especially when it comes to multifamily affordable housing.