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Pedestrians walking past the U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Ends Chevron Deference—What Now?

ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine
For one, the ability of federal agencies like the EPA to set rules and enforce environmental protections now shrinks.
An illustration of two people lying down on grass surrounded by flowers on one side and litter on the other, with one person holding a ladybug in their hands

It’s Time to Talk about Climate Anxiety

ExplainerUnited StatesJenny Shalant
Don’t bottle it up—openly acknowledging your climate anxiety and grief gives you the power to heal and move forward.
A brightly colored illustration showing a green hydrogen hub. A container ship on a waterway and a hydrogen production and storage facility are in the foreground, a solar panel array and wind turbines are in the mid-ground, and a city and sunset sky are in the distance.

Can Hydrogen Help Combat the Climate Crisis?

ExplainerUnited StatesSusan Cosier
Hydrogen hubs across the country seek to fuel high-emission industries with cleaner energy.

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Greater Energy Equity Ahead, in both Maryland and Virginia

Expert BlogVirginia, Maryland, Richmond (Virginia)Walton Shepherd, Lucy LaFlamme, Dawone Robinson

New state laws in MD and VA will lower spiking electric bills for those least able to afford them, through better-designed home energy efficiency improvements.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022

Expert BlogCalifornia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, OregonCaroline Keicher, Joe O'Brien-Applegate
Policies and programs aimed at new construction and existing buildings continue to gain traction as communities and elected officials realize the feasibility and benefits of ambitious and equity-centered action.

Oregon Looks to “Reach” Code for Energy, Carbon Savings

Expert BlogOregonRalph Cavanagh
Senate Bill 1518, to be considered during Oregon’s “short” February 2022 legislative session, is a critical pushback against the embedded lowest common denominator aspect of building codes when it comes to energy and climate.

Portland POEM Project Models Equitable Transportation Plans

Expert BlogPortland (Oregon), OregonElizabeth Stampe

As Americans readjust to life as our communities reopen, we’re unfortunately also seeing more traffic and tailpipe pollution. But Portland, Oregon, is looking to chart a different path forward.

Saint Paul Prioritizes People, Not Parking Spaces

Expert BlogMinnesota, St. PaulZak Accuardi

Saint Paul has taken an ambitious and important step toward meeting its climate and equity goals, passing two new ordinances—one eliminating parking minimums, and the other introducing rules that prioritize safer, healthier, low-carbon transportation options in new development projects.

NRDC Sets Region Specific Water Targets for Each Office

Expert BlogUnited States, New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Bozeman, Beijing, San Francisco, Santa MonicaMaria McCain

NRDC has seen a steady decline in total water usage institution-wide and has taken steps to advance water stewardship.

How Cities Are Centering Equity in Benchmarking Policies

Expert BlogDenver, Colorado, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Seattle, WashingtonCaroline Keicher
A new resource from the City Energy Project—Incorporating Equity into Energy Benchmarking Requirements: Guidance for Policy and Program Practitioners—helps cities understand the opportunity to leverage benchmarking and transparency policies to address racial and social equity.

Fighting Inequity with Solar Power

DispatchMinneapolis, St. PaulSusan Cosier
Minneapolis’s 4d program to boost energy efficiency and affordable housing in the city is kicking it up a notch.

Energy Efficiency: Ohio's Hospitals and Low-Income Residents

Expert BlogOhioDaniel Sawmiller
Ohio's Hospitals and low-income residents have benefit greatly from energy efficiency programs. Still, Ohio lawmakers may choose to eliminate these programs and increase the energy burden—and electric bill—for both.

Columbus Strides Forward on Its Sustainable Steps Program

Expert BlogColumbus, OhioStefan Schaffer
There’s no slowing down Columbus, Ohio, as it continues to stride forward on climate action. On Energy Efficiency Day, October 7, the city celebrated a major achievement: the completion of more than 30,000 home energy audits within just two years.

Clean Energy Dominates a New Agreement Reached with DP&L

Expert BlogOhioDaniel Sawmiller
After months of debate, NRDC has joined Dayton Power and Light and a diverse group of energy stakeholders in reaching an agreement this week on a proposal to modernize the local electric grid.

Defender of Housing Justice

NRDC in ActionNew Orleans, United States, LouisianaJenny Shalant
Energy efficiency and social safety net advocate Khalil Shahyd explains why supporting affordable housing is intrinsic to the climate fight.

China, Top Player in World A/C Market, Raises Efficiency Bar

Expert BlogChinaNoah Horowitz, Alex Hillbrand
China implemented one of the world’s most stringent energy efficiency requirements for room air conditioners today. The move by the globe’s largest buyer and manufacturer of these appliances will save huge amounts of carbon-intensive electricity, putting a formidable dent in…