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Expert Blogs

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Can NY Protect Bees, Birds, People from Toxic Pesticides?

Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel
The Birds and Bees Protection Act would eliminate 80-90 percent of the neonics entering New York’s environment every year by prohibiting only those uses that provide little-to-no benefit to users or are easily replaced with safer alternatives.

DOI Announces Major Funds for Abandoned Coal Mine Cleanup

Expert BlogUnited States, East, WestJosh Axelrod
The Department of the Interior has announced $725 million for states to reclaim abandoned mine lands polluted by the legacy of coal mining; funds that will support significant job creation and critical environmental remediation.

NYC Must Enact a Universal Food Waste Composting Law

Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein
One of the top environmental challenges for Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council is to establish a sensible program for collecting and sustainably disposing of household organics—food scraps, yard waste, and food soiled paper.

Proposed Newsom Budget Doubles Down on Climate, Food, and Ag

Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook, Arohi Sharma
Governor Newsom’s newly released proposal rightfully recognizes the profound impact of climate change on our state’s food and agriculture system and the need for significant investment.

Gov Hochul Signs Bill for Safer Drinking Water in Schools

Expert BlogNew YorkJoan Leary Matthews
On December 22, 2021, Governor Hochul signed a bill (S2122-A/A-160-B) that would improve New York State’s program to reduce lead in drinking water in public schools. The bill had passed the State Legislature unanimously.

Albany Environmental Roundup: 2021 Victories and 2022 Agenda

Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

New York State secured several key environmental and public health victories in 2021—and that momentum is continuing into 2022, as we push for bills to expand the use of electric vehicles, improve energy efficiency, promote food security, and reduce toxic…

New CA Law Will Protect Residents from Toxic PFAS Chemicals

Expert BlogCaliforniaAvinash Kar

Governor Newsom’s signature today put in place a new law authored by Assembly Member Ting that bans PFAS in paper-based food packaging, requires disclosure of chemicals of concern (such as PFAS) in cookware, and prohibits misleading advertising about the presence…

The Chlorpyrifos Ban Is a Win for Science—and Children

NRDC in ActionCaliforniaNicole Greenfield
NRDC advocates and our partners spent decades fighting against a highly toxic pesticide that harms kids, farmworkers, and their families. In August, the EPA finally banned it.

CA Bill to Reduce Toxic PFAS Exposures Passed by Legislature

Expert BlogCaliforniaAvinash Kar

The California Legislature took an important step to protect Californians from toxic, “forever” PFAS chemicals by passing Assembly Bill 1200 (Ting) today. Having passed on the Senate floor 36-0, the bill now goes to the Governor.

Celebrating Year One of the Food Matters Regional Initiative

Expert BlogChicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Madison, Ohio, Baltimore, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, North Carolina, Memphis, OrlandoMadeline Keating, Darby Hoover

A year after the launch of the Food Matters Regional Initiative, we are pleased to report considerable progress and accomplishments from the 15 regional initiative participants.

CA PFAS Pollution Widespread in Disadvantaged Communities

Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Anna Reade, Susan Lee

A report published by NRDC, along with its partners Community Water Center, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles, and Clean Water Action, finds that drinking water throughout California is contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals, particularly in already overburdened communities.