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Coal: Myths and Realities, Fighting Bronx Pollution, Carbon Capture and Early Earth Day Call for Clean Energy on Capitol Hill

2010-03-12T17:26:10Z

In a News 10 Living Green story, Frances Beinecke explained the difference between the myth of ‘clean coal’ and the reality of carbon capture and storage... The National Journal quoted Lane Burt on the challenges of implementing energy efficiency; Lane participated in a energy efficiency panel for Slate earlier this week… In the New York Times City Room Blog, Al Huang spoke about a NRDC lawsuit against a sewer treatment plant in the Bronx; several of NRDC’s Bronx clients were also quoted in the post... NRDC was cited as a supporter of combining carbon capture and sequestration with enhanced oil recovery in a Greenwire article picked up by New York Times online as well… Barry Nelson emphasized in the Sacramento Bee that Governor Schwarzenegger’s appointments to the newly created Delta Stewardship Council were “extremely important”… Environment and Energy Daily reported on a pre-Earth Day rally aimed at compelling Senators to act on climate legislation; Wesley Warren was one of the speakers at the event.

New, Cleaner Trucks in NY and NJ, Water Conservation, Acid Test Screens in Virginia

2010-03-11T19:33:27Z

Bob Deans explained to Reuters that environmental groups are finding it increasingly difficult to gain media coverage because of downsizing by traditional media outlets… In the New Jersey Star-Ledger, Rich Kassel celebrated a new program in New York and New Jersey to replace older polluting trucks at ports with new, cleaner trucks… Rich was also quoted in the New York Times’ City Room blog about the smog reductions that can be achieved with the cleaner trucks…

In the Contra Costa Times, Barry Nelson compared the potential for water conservation projects in California and Australia… Barry also spoke with the Fresno Bee about the importance of political appointments to the Delta Stewardship Council, which oversees planning for the vulnerable Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in California… In a Virginia-Pilot article about NRDC’s documentary Acid Test, Lisa Suatoni explained that the film will be shown across the country in order to build support for a comprehensive climate and clean energy bill in Congress…

Frances Beinecke on Coal, Rewables to Fuel the World, Video Game Energy Use, Panhandle Airport Damage, and National Oceans Policy Would Help Great Lakes

2010-03-10T18:01:13Z

USA Today’s Green House blog quoted Frances Beinecke on NRDC’s position on "clean" coal and carbon capture and storage technology; the post also linked to Frances’ Switchboard blog… CBSNews.com featured Barbara Finamore in a video on the need for renewable energy to fuel the world through the 21st century… On NPR’s “Marketplace,” Noah Horowitz discussed the energy usage of household video game consoles…

In the New York Times, Ben Longstreth explained the negative ecological impacts of a new airport in Florida’s panhandle… Richard Schrader weighed in on the current dysfunction in New York state government in a New York Times article on the morale in Albany… On Wisconsin Public Radio, Thom Cmar argued that we need a national oceans policy to ensure the long-term viability of Great Lakes fisheries…

Possible Solution to Asian Carp Problem, Air Pollution's Health Costs, Dirty Tar Sands, Atrazine Concerns and Music Saves Mountains

2010-03-09T19:51:54Z

In a TV interview with Fox News Chicago, Henry Henderson spoke about the potential benefits of creating a physical barrier to stop the spread of Asian carp into Lake Michigan… Diane Bailey wrote a letter to the editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, commenting on the severe impacts of air pollution on the health of people throughout California… In a Greenwire interview carried by The New York Times, David Doniger allayed any fears that opposition groups would be able to “gin up a sense of crisis” over the EPA’s rulemaking process on the regulation of greenhouse gases… Audubon Magazine featured an interview with Susan Casey-Lefkowitz in a report about the ecosystem destruction that is involved in producing Canadian tar sands… In a Times Herald-Record article, Kate Sinding called for a reassessment of New York State’s hydraulic fracturing rules due to their failure to address the cumulative impacts of drilling… The Iowa Independent referenced and utilized NRDC’s recent atrazine report to highlight the growing concern over this commonly used agricultural chemical… Tonic.com took an in-depth look at NRDC’s Music Saves Mountains concert in an article that also linked to Rob Perks’ blog; the Music Saves Mountains concert will bring together some of the top musicians in the country to call for an end to mountaintop removal mining

Director James Cameron's Environmental Message, Long-Term Solution for Asian Carp, Music Saves Mountains in Tennessee

2010-03-08T18:42:28Z

In an article about Avatar’s environmental message TIME pulled quotes from an interview with James Cameron at a recent NRDC fundraiser… In a New York Times piece, Henry Henderson pushed for a “longer term” solution to the Great Lakes Asian carp crisis, suggesting that a permanent solution could “actually enhance transport and movement throughout the region”… In a USA Today online article, Dan Lashof pointed out that in Sen. Rockefeller’s bid to block the EPA’s control of greenhouse gases, the Senator cites job creation as his main reasons for the bill, not a denial of climate science…

In a Financial Times article posted online, Amy Mall commented on the growing unease over shale gas drilling techniques, arguing that as the industry expands it should be more closely regulated… In an interview with Nashville Public Radio, Allen Hershkowitz discussed how the “Music Save Mountains” concert will bring the problem of mountaintop removal mining to a larger audience; Rob Perks also spoke on the topic in a Huffington Post article on Friday... Eric Goldstein suggested in an Earth911.com story that the long term solution to plastic bag pollution is more durable products… And web site GreenandSave wrote an article about how NRDC’s SimpleSteps.org is a great resource for “information about plastic, recycling, and scary toxic chemicals that we should all try not to eat.”

Cutting Carbon Emissions...Globally

2010-03-05T17:29:02Z

In a two part opinion piece featured by China Dialogue— one of the most widely read English/Chinese online sustainability magazines — NRDC argued that even though China has the technological capabilities for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), the global community must collaborate with China to encourage a CCS revolution… In a Greenwire article carried by the New York Times, David Hawkins suggested that the coal industry’s preoccupation with debunking global warming may be to its own disadvantage…

In the Financial Times’ Energy Source blog, David Doniger spoke out against a Congressional attempt to delay EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions for two years, arguing that “it is not constructive to block the only working law on the books to curb global warming pollution and replace it with nothing”… Doniger was also quoted on the topic in an E2 Wire blog post on TheHill.com… In a Clean Skies news piece that ran on ABC last Sunday, Doniger emphasized that NRDC will support the EPA’s regulation of green house gas emissions if they get their numbers right about what emission cuts should be made… Annie Notthoff defended California’s landmark greenhouse gas law in a Sacramento Bee Capital Alert blog post, citing job creation as one of many reasons to maintain support for AB 32.

Jamaica Bay Victory, Big Gains in Energy Efficiency, Climate Legislation Update,and Fracking Concerns

2010-03-03T16:49:18Z

In an Environment News Service article, Peter Lehner commended the newly announced agreement to restore New York's Jamaica Bay… In a CNNMoney.com piece, Lane Burt explained why little energy efficiency upgrades go a long way… A DailyKos.com article about the struggle to save the whitebark pine references NRDC’s litigation as well as NRDC’s “Hotter and Drier” report… Dave Hawkins commented on the climate legislation work being done by Senators Graham, Kerry, and Lieberman in the Christian Science Monitor… Dan Lashof weighed in on Senator Joe Lieberman’s plans to draft a new climate bill on Capitol News Connection radio… In an E/The Environmental Magazine piece, Kate Sinding expressed concern about the Environmental Impact Statement on the gas drilling practice of “fracking” in New York...

Atrazine in the Water, Whitebark Pine Under Threat, E-Waste, Bonnaroo and NRDC Action Fund and Simple Steps in Toxic World

2010-03-02T20:48:10Z

Jen Sass spoke with CNN.com about NRDC’s report on the chemical atrazine in drinking water supplies; Agence France Presse cited the report in a similar article… Rebecca Riley explained why Whitebark Pine needs to be listed as an endangered species in Scientific American… In a Boston Globe article Allen Hershkowitz drew attention to the health threat consumer electronics pose when they are exported out of the U.S. and improperly disassembled…

A CNN.com story on airline recycling used an NRDC report to highlight how desperately recycling system improvements are needed… Rolling Stone reported that the Bonnaroo music festival has teamed up with NRDC Action Fund to encourage music fans to contact their senators about climate change… Feel-good-news website Tonic.com directed readers to a SimpleSteps.org interview with Meryl Streep; in the interview Meryl spoke with Simple Steps editor Wendy Gordon about raising kids in a toxic world, pesticides on food, and her personal experience as an environmental health activist…

Atrazine in Drinking Water, BPA, Water Plan for California, and Music Saves Mountains

2010-03-02T01:09:19Z

In USA TODAY Jen Sass spoke about the widespread detection of atrazine in drinking water supplies and emphasized the importance of both filtering out the chemical and phasing it out… In a 1 hour LIVE interview on KQED’s “Forum with Michael Krasny” Jen Sass discussed the health effects of BPA, where regulation of the chemical stands, and what consumers can do to protect themselves; much credit is due to Jen for making the interview happen with just 30 minutes lead time…

Grist reported on the ‘Avatar’ Q&A benefitting NRDC that James Cameron hosted in LA last week, quoting Cameron extensively on the environmental messages he wanted to push with the film… In another Associated Press piece, Doug Obegi explained that in the long-term what California needs is a water management plan that balances state, business and conservation concerns… The Associated Press wrote about an NRDC organized concert called ‘Music Saves Mountains’ aimed at raising funds to fight mountaintop mining; Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, and others will perform at the May 19th concert in Nashville… The Hill’s E2 Wire blog reported on a letter to the Senate penned by 14 environmental groups, including NRDC, calling a limit on carbon dioxide emissions “indespensible”.

Jamaica Bay Restoration, Cleaning Up Ports, Protect Whitebark Pine Trees, Wal-Mart Cuts Tons of C02, and Ban BPA

2010-02-26T19:21:46Z

On New York City's public radio station WNYC, Peter Lehner spoke about the significance of an agreement-in-principle between New York City, New York State and NRDC to restore Jamaica Bay… In the New York Times, David Pettit explained the motivation behind NRDC’s involvement in the cleanup of the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports… Andrew Wetzler was quoted throughout an Associated Press piece reporting on the lawsuit filed this week by NRDC to seek federal protection for high-elevation white bark pine trees threatened by beetle and fungus infestations due to climate change; the piece was picked up by more than 40 outlets online including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sacramento Bee, Denver Post, and numerous other western papers… Dan Lashof emphasized the significance of Wal-Mart 's newly announced push to cut 20 metric tons of carbon in an Associated Press article carried by LA Times… Gina Solomon argued that the government already has enough information to recognize that BPA has harmful and concerning health effects in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel… Mother Nature Network shared news of NRDC's newly announced environmental art prize in a column by well known society columnist Siel Ju (Green LA Girl).

End of Hummer, Restoring the Great Lakes, Benefits of Solar and Wind Power, and Reaction to EPA's C02 Decision

2010-02-25T19:50:54Z

Roland Hwang celebrated the likely end to production of the environmentally damaging GM Hummer line in USA Today… Henry Henderson commented on the Obama administration’s $5 billion plan to protect and restore the Great Lakes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel… In SF Weekly, Karen Garrison explained why researchers have studied the herring population in the wake of the Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay…

Nathanael Greene said that clean energy technologies like solar and wind should be prioritized over landfill projects that convert gas to energy in the USA Today Green House blog… Clean Skies News interviewed David Doniger about the EPA’s announcement that it will move slowly to regulate global warming pollution… NRDC’s first-ever Environmental Art Prize, which will be given out as part of NRDC’s 40th anniversary celebration, was highlighted on Tonic.com…

NRDC on EPA's Plan to Cut Emissions, Recycling Plastic Bottles, Cancer and Chemicals, and Impacts of Climate Change

2010-02-23T22:09:46Z

David Doniger spoke with the New York Times and the Washington Post about a recent letter written by EPA administrator Lisa Jackson detailing how the EPA will implement regulation of green house gases… In a New York Times article Allen Hershkowitz addressed how increased recycling of plastic bottles can help the U.S. reduce its oil dependence… In an interview with Agence France Presse, Sarah Janssen emphasized that while we still have a lot to learn about the causes of breast cancer, research suggests that higher incidence rates might come from exposure to certain chemicals… The Spanish-language newspaper El Diario ran an Op-Ed by Adrianna Quintero, in which she explained how different regions might be impacted by climate change… In an interview with WBGH, NBC News in Binghamton, NY, Rich Schrader commended the New York Senate for offering two bills that will make it easier for homeowners and consumers to “invest in conservation and clean energy materials and technologies”…

Get the Facts on Climate Change, Clean Energy Jobs to Revive the Economy, Problems with Nuclear Power Subsidies

2010-02-22T21:11:39Z

A Newsweek blog praised NRDC’s efforts to combat the spread of false information about climate change and extensively quoted the blog of Dan Lashof, co-written by Bob Deans… A Greenwire story picked up by the New York Times reported on a landmark government plan to require federal agencies to consider climate change in environmental reviews of proposed projects; NRDC has long argued in favor of this groundbreaking proposal… The Director of the Green Collar Jobs campaign for the Ella Baker Center cited NRDC data in a Q&A with the San Francisco Chronicle on what a green collar economy means for the recession…

In Scientific American, Thomas Cochran emphasized that a revival of America’s nuclear power industry would lead to escalating costs and increased hazardous waste… An NRDC report showing the link between increased automobile use and foreclosure rates was the subject a Smartmoney.com article including quotes from Jennifer Henry… David Pettit condemned a proposal to loosen California’s environmental laws for development in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune… Entertainment website The Wrap featured coverage of a James Cameron-led screening of scenes from ‘Avatar’ designed to increase awareness of the film’s environmental message and benefit NRDC…

Get Aggressive About Asian Carp, Rat Poison Dangers, Climate Action Partnership, Mistakes with Nuclear Power, Hydraulic Fracturing

2010-02-19T18:06:59Z

In a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel op-ed, Thom Cmar called for aggressive action to halt the flow of invasive Asian carp into Lake Michigan… In The Salt Lake Tribune Gina Solomon emphasized the need for stricter regulations on the rodent poison phosphine after the deaths of two Utah girls… In a Greenwire piece carried by the New York Times, Dan Lashof argued that a more streamlined Climate Action Partnership could be a positive step forward… The Christian Science Monitor quoted Jake Schmidt on U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer’s resignation and possible replacements… In Politics Daily, Thomas Cochran expressed concerns about the Obama’s administration proposal to revive nuclear power…Amy Mall spoke with The Shreveport Times about why closer federal oversight of Louisiana’s hydraulic fracturing industry is necessary…

Energy Efficiency Shines in California, NRDC on UN Official Resignation, Snowstorms and Climate Change, WeLoveBirds.org and AB32

2010-02-18T18:45:01Z

Felicia Marcus illustrated how California has proven the benefits of energy efficiency in a guest column that ran on Sustainable Industries.com… Jake Schmidt commented on the top U.N. climate change official Yvo de Boer’s decision to retire in the Associated Press… The Spanish-language newspaper La Opinión ran an Op-Ed by Adrianna Quintero, in which she clarified how recent snowstorms in the eastern U.S. are related to climate change…

The San Francisco Chronicle cited NRDC’s role in forming the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a key alliance between business and environmental groups to push for climate and clean energy legislation… The new NRDC online social network for bird enthusiasts, WeLoveBirds.org, was profiled in the Audobon Magazine blog… Peter Miller stressed in Sacramento News & Review that California’s landmark global warming law, AB 32, is essential for economic recovery and job creation…