News & Commentary

Equal and Equitable Access to Lead Pipe Removal Needed in New Rule

December 20, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Angela Guyadeen, Khalil Shahyd

New proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements a big step forward, but some provisions will have deep equity implications for environmental justice and low-income communities.

Driving Ambition, Action, and Equity at COP28: Part 1

December 14, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jake Schmidt, Brendan Guy, Joe Thwaites, Jennifer Skene

World leaders in Dubai sent a clear signal: the end of the fossil fuel era has begun, and the world is rapidly transitioning to a clean energy economy. This helps put the world on a firmer pathway in this decisive…

How Management Affects Carbon Stored in Forest Soils

December 5, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Carolyn Ramírez

This World Soil Day, let’s take a minute to appreciate how forests, and specifically forest soils, store carbon.

Why the Willow Project Is a Bad Idea

November 13, 2023 Latest NewsAlaskaJeff Turrentine

The oil drilling proposal would be disastrous for Alaska and the planet (not to mention President Biden’s climate legacy). 

Biggest Grid Operator Can Curb Carbon and Keep Lights On

November 8, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin

A new analysis finds that the nation’s largest grid operator, PJM, can keep our air conditioner and heaters running while meeting EPA’s power plant carbon pollution standards – even during the hottest and coldest weeks. What’s more, they can do…

Unrealistic Assumptions Yield Unrealistic Results

November 2, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin

A new analysis from the EFI Foundation, examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon standards for power plants, ignores a key aspect of the rule: flexibility. EPA’s proposed standards are centered on flexibility, offering states and power plant multiple tools and…

People-Centric Approaches to Climate Solutions

October 31, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaSameer Kwatra

Local climate action and people-centric approaches are critical to building on the ground capacities of communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

P&G Shareholders Signal Discontent Over Forest Failures

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogOhio, Washington, D.C.Shelley Vinyard

At P&G's October 10th annual shareholder meeting, shareholders with tens of billions of dollars' worth of shares voted against company leadership over its failure to address risks associated with its forest sourcing.

The World Is Mobilizing Against Big Biomass

October 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Courtenay Lewis, Elly Pepper, Rita Frost

This week, communities around the world will highlight that the production and export of forest-based biomass threatens communities and the climate.

Michigan Adopts Filter First Protections for Kids

October 10, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, MichiganCyndi Roper

Michigan lawmakers approve Filter First bills providing the nation’s strongest protections against lead in drinking water at schools and childcare centers.

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

October 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

Taxpayers Still on Hook for Oil and Gas Clean-up, Despite New Rule

September 25, 2023 Expert BlogTexas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, AlaskaRebecca Ramirez

BOEM's proposed rule falls short in requiring oil and gas companies to demonstrate they are financially able to fully remove and clean up platforms & pipelines.

Climate Week Participants Should Recognize Bioenergy as a Boondoggle

September 13, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Courtenay Lewis, Elly Pepper, Matt Williams

As Climate Week NYC begins, governments and companies shouldn't be fooled by industry claims that turning carbon-storing forests into wood pellets will save us.

P&G's Board Needs an Overhaul

September 11, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Shelley Vinyard

Descendants of P&G's founders are calling for their fellow shareholders to oppose four members of P&G's Board of Directors because of the company's unsustainable sourcing practices.

204 Groups Call for No New Offshore Oil and Gas Leases

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Zanagee Artis

The Biden Administration’s Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program is expected this month. It’s an opportunity for bold leadership on climate.

Shifting Federal Funding to Communities: ECJ Program Could Be a Historic Opportunity

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Chantelle "Ella" Mendonsa

The EPA ECJ program grants directed over $2 billion to marginalized communities to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.

Mapping Clean Energy in the West

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogColorado, New MexicoClaire Lang-Ree

Colorado and New Mexico can take advantage of Energy Community tax credits to build renewable energy and jumpstart an equitable workforce transition.

UPDATED: Another Court Victory for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

August 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

A court sided with NRDC in its latest lawsuit to protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, paving the way for critical habitat protections. 

CDFA Soil Biodiversity Report: A Path to Protecting Our Living Soils

August 17, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Arohi Sharma

Soil biodiversity is both vital to our farms and under threat, and a new California report outlines paths forward for protecting it.

DOE Shrugs as U.S. Natural Gas Exports Surge

August 11, 2023 Expert BlogLouisiana, Texas, Florida, Alaska, New Jersey, PennsylvaniaGillian Giannetti, Morgan Johnson

A decade-long expansion of U.S. liquefied natural gas export terminals has transformed American energy policy.