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Bristol Bay Salmon: A “Vitally Important Economic Engine”

Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer
A new report quantified the economic benefits of Bristol Bay’s wild salmon, which generate $2.2 billion in value, support 15,000 American jobs, and supply 57 percent of the world’s sockeye salmon. Bristol Bay’s wild salmon are also the lifeblood of…

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…

Pebble Mine: Investors Beware

Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds
After denial of federal permit, Canadian owner of embattled Bristol Bay mining scheme doubles down on assurances to potential investors, ignoring intensifying support of demand by Alaskans for permanent protection of Bristol Bay fishery.

A Tale of Two Grids: Texas and California

Expert BlogCalifornia, TexasRalph Cavanagh

Although both California and Texas recently faced traumatic weather events, the consequences for electric system reliability were dramatically different. 

Bristol Bay Tribes Target Pebble Mine in New Ad

Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

United Tribes of Bristol Bay ran a full-page ad today in Politico urging President Biden to stop the Pebble Mine and protect Bristol Bay.

Fossils and Nukes: The Downsides to Congress’ Latest Actions

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Josh Axelrod, Geoffrey H. Fettus
With the passage of significant energy and climate legislation as part of an end-of-year spending package, Congress cobbled together legislation with both major climate wins (including the phase-down of HFCs) and problematic handouts for the fossil fuel industry and dangerous…

HFC Phasedown Marks Top Climate Win of 116th Congress

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.David Doniger, Alex Hillbrand
Year-end omnibus legislation includes a bill to phase down HFC super-pollutants—the biggest action this Congress has taken to meet the climate crisis.

CA Rules to Save Bees From Spooky Pesticides Need More Work

Expert BlogCaliforniaDaniel Raichel

As other nations act (and the Trump administration dithers) on restrictions to protect bees, birds, fish, and water supplies from neurotoxic neonicotinoid insecticides (AKA, “neonics”), California once again finds itself in the position of trailblazer.

Pebble Mine: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Following Army Corps of Engineers’ release of Pebble’s flawed final environmental impact statement, opposition digs in, Alaskan coalition urges EPA veto, House votes to cut off funding for permitting, Senators Manchin and Cantwell speak out, and Northern Dynasty’s share value…

California Seeks to Reduce Inequity in Access to Nature

Expert BlogCaliforniaDrevet Hunt, Damon Nagami
Natural spaces like rivers, beaches, wetlands, and forests are critical to human health and well-being. California's legislature is poised to take action to ensure access to nature for all its citizens by enacting AB3030.

California-Chile Water Nexus 1: Urban Drought Solutions

Expert BlogCaliforniaAmanda Maxwell, Tracy Quinn
Though the two places are separated by thousands of miles, a quick glance at California and central Chile reveals striking similarities. Both share a long Pacific coastline, large agriculture economies, and similar Mediterranean climates perfect for wine growing, leading to…