NRDC

Shipping Industry Must Use Cleaner Fuel, Says Court

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 1, 2009) – Starting today, California will require ocean-going vessels to switch to progressively cleaner fuels despite a legal challenge mounted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA). Yesterday, the Eastern District of California denied PMSA’s motion for summary judgment, which if granted, would have derailed clean fuel rules designed to significantly reduce toxic emissions from ships that visit California’s ports. NRDC and Coalition for Clean Air are defendant-intervenors in the lawsuit PMSA filed on April 27, 2009.

New BLM Maps Propose Areas for Solar Energy Development

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

San Francisco, CA (June 29, 2009) – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and U.S. Senator Harry Reid today announced a series of initiatives, including proposed “Solar Energy Study Areas,” that would expedite the development of solar energy on public lands in the western United States. The Bureau of Land Management believes that the selected areas, which have high solar energy potential and are located near existing transmission lines and other infrastructure, have low levels of conflict with natural resources.

U.S. EPA Grants Landmark California Emissions Waiver

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO, CA/WASHINGTON, DC (June 30, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is expected to grant California the waiver to implement its landmark clean cars program to cut global warming pollution from vehicles by 30 percent by 2016.

House Passes ACES: A Dramatic Breakthrough for Clean Energy and Climate Protection

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC (June 26, 2009) - For the first time in history, the House of Representatives has passed a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill. Clean energy and climate is one of President Obama's top priorities and this is a significant step toward moving this legislation to the President's desk.

Report Provides Blueprint for Communities to Tackle Global Warming

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (June 25, 2009) –The most authoritative report providing a blueprint for how communities can tackle global warming was released today by the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report is a guide to California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, or SB 375, the nation’s first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with global warming.

David Goldston Joins NRDC Staff in Washington As Director of Government Affairs

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2009) -- The Natural Resources Defense Council announced today that David Goldston, the former Chief of Staff of the U.S. House Committee on Science, will join the NRDC staff in the newly created position of Director of Government Affairs on July 6.

National Clean Energy Legislation Cuts Electricity Bills

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2009) -- According to an analysis released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans across the country will save on their monthly electricity bill under the American Clean Energy and Security Act. NRDC experts say most consumers will save money under the legislation’s energy-efficiency and consumer protection provisions.

Senior House Members Join Unprecedented Coalition to Support the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2009) -- Congressional leaders united today on Capitol Hill with representatives from diverse constituencies, including business, labor, faith, veterans, sportsmen, and environmental groups, to urge the House to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).

Clean-Energy Investment Provides Economic Boost, More Jobs, and Expanded Opportunities

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2009) -- As clean energy and climate legislation moves through Congress, new data show that a $150 billion investment in clean energy could create a net increase of 1.7 million American jobs and significantly lower the national unemployment rate. According to the analysis, shifting to a clean-energy economy will help millions of low-income Americans by creating more accessible job opportunities -- with the potential for advancement -- and by lowering utility bills and transportation costs.

New U.S. Government Report Confirms Urgent Need for Clean Energy and Climate Action

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (June 16, 2009) – A new national scientific report on the domestic impacts of climate change reinforces the urgency of moving forward with strong climate and energy legislation, according to experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council. According to the report, “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” by the interagency Global Climate Research Program, the impacts from global warming are already being felt across the United States.

California Proposes Listing of 30 Chemicals as Causing Cancer or Reproductive Harm

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

San Francisco, CA (June 12, 2009) - Under pressure from a coalition of labor and environmental groups, California today proposed to list 30 toxic chemicals as known to cause cancer and reproductive harm. The announcement follows a ruling in favor of the Natural Resources Defense Council, United Steelworkers and Sierra Club, and against the California Chamber of Commerce, in a suit over California's duty to list these chemicals.

President Obama Announces Ocean Protection Plan

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2009) - President Obama today announced he will begin the process of creating a national policy for our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. In a memorandum, President Obama established a taskforce to provide recommendations for the policy and its implementation within the next 90 days, as well as to develop a framework for effective marine spatial planning in the next 180 days.

Administration Sends Mixed Signals on Mountain Top Removal Mining

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Washington (June 11, 2009) – The administration's announcement today fails to address the destructive impact of mountaintop removal, according to experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Obama Administration officials announced that they are taking “unprecedented steps to reduce the environmental impacts of mountaintop coal mining” in the six Appalachian states of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The announcement focuses on plans to coordinate reviews of mountaintop removal permits among the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, and Army Corps of Engineers.

U.S. and Canadian Green Leaders Unite

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (June 4, 2009) - For the first time, CEOs from 30 environmental groups based in the United States and Canada have agreed to work together to address key environmental problems threatening both countries. Their collaboration parallels the emerging threats that intertwine Canadian and American economic and environmental health, including the impacts of climate change, tar sands oil production and Arctic development. The groups will also work in partnership during the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen later this year.