News & Commentary

Running on Empty: Is California Doing Enough on Drought?

April 12, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaTracy Quinn

Pacific Institute’s report, Untapped Potential, shows communities are using less water, even with an increase in population. The report also shows that we still have significant opportunities to continue to improve water efficiency and develop cost-effective supplies.

Honey, the VAs Shrunk the Delta Flows

April 11, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

Since the State Water Resources Control Board began its public process to update the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan in 2008, the amount of water proposed for the Bay-Delta environment has continuously shrunk.

Gas Price Relief Shouldn’t Only Be for Drivers

March 23, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

NRDC stands ready to work on policies that mitigate price spikes while advancing transportation alternatives, reducing air pollution, and supporting the most vulnerable Californians.

NRDC Testifies on Banking and Climate Risks

March 23, 2022 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesRich Schrader

NRDC testifies about the unique and impactful role that the banking and financial services sector can play in combatting the global climate crisis.

How Regenerative Agriculture Can Mitigate Drought

March 22, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

This is how we can help California farms and ranches be part of a drought mitigation strategy.

Drought Shows that CA’s Water Rights System Is Bankrupt

March 21, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

The only way out of this cycle of destruction—other than praying for rain, which is not a strategy—is to reduce water deliveries and diversions in order to maintain adequate carryover storage in Shasta and upstream reservoirs this year.

Learning about CA's Water Rights is the First Step to Reform

March 8, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

There is a growing recognition of the need to reform California’s water rights system, which is deeply inequitable, unsustainable, and all but broken.

EPA: It’s Time to Act. We need Clean Trucks Now

March 3, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, WashingtonPatricio Portillo, Heather Kryczka

Cutting tailpipe emissions and moving to zero emission vehicles can eliminate the diesel fumes causing childhood asthma, emergency room visits, and loss of life.

Proposed Port Expansion Puts South Oxnard Community at Risk

February 14, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaNatalia Ospina, Heather Kryczka

Five reasons the Environmental Impact Report is incomplete.

Let Us Breathe! A Vision for a Healthy Oxnard

February 10, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaNatalia Ospina, Heather Kryczka

Learn how an industrial project threatens a community-led vision for health and justice in a coastal California community, and support residents by submitting a comment letter by Feb. 14th.

Get Ready for Climate Whiplash from DWR’s February Forecast

January 31, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation hasn’t and DWR need to reconsider the water supply allocations announced to date and limit water allocations to human health and safety until there is more certainty about how much water there will be this…

Western Climate Initiative: OR & WA Add Caps to CA's AB32

January 4, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Oregon, Washington, WestRalph Cavanagh

In 2021, fifteen years after California made climate history by becoming the first US state to adopt an economy-wide carbon emissions cap, Oregon and Washington completed a West Coast hat trick by becoming the second and third. Well, almost.

New York Adopts ACT Rule Bringing Clean Trucks to the State

December 31, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkPatricio Portillo, Kathy Harris

New York is closing out 2021 with a big climate and clean air win—becoming the fifth state in the country to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule.

California Drought: Deja Vu All Over Again

December 6, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

It’s time for California's State Water Resources Control Board and other decisionmakers to take the reins of drought management away from Department of Water Resources.

Clean Truck Rules Will Benefit Southern New England

November 30, 2021 Expert BlogMassachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode IslandKathy Harris, Patricio Portillo

The states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island stand to see $12.7 billion dollars in net societal benefits, improved health and air quality, and increased investments over the next 30 years through adoption of Clean Truck Programs in their states.

For Thousands of Years, Indigenous Tribes Have Been Planting for the Future

November 30, 2021 DispatchIowa, Canada, Pennsylvania, OklahomaSusan Cosier

With yields of biodiversity and a more climate-resilient food supply, a movement is sprouting in BIPOC communities across North America to save heirloom seeds and preserve culture.

On Climate, Pittsburgh Puts Its Money Where Its Goals Are

November 19, 2021 Expert BlogPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaJay Orfield, Irene Nielson

Transforming city budgets to address climate change will be essential to meeting our climate goals, and Pittsburgh has taken a first step.

New York Must Act on Clean Trucks

November 17, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkKathy Harris, Patricio Portillo

The future of clean, zero-emission trucks is now in the hands of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Following a robust comment period, the State must decide whether to move forward with the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule. 

Will Los Angeles Finally Put an End to Oil Drilling in Neighborhoods?

November 12, 2021 DispatchLos AngelesNicole Greenfield

For close to a decade, the STAND-L.A. coalition has been calling on the city to stop extracting oil near homes and schools. Victory, at long last, is within reach.

New Yorkers—Vote Yes for Clean Air and Water!

September 16, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkCorinne Bell, Joan Leary Matthews

On November 2nd, New Yorkers can lead a new wave of state environmental rights amendments if they decide that the state should officially recognize everyone’s right to clean air and water.