NRDC

Clean Energy Legislation Passed by the House is a Bargain for U.S. Households, Costing Less than a Postage Stamp a Day

Sept. 16, 2009 -- Statement by Dan Lashof, Director of the Climate Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“The American Clean Energy and Security Act is a win-win for our economy and our environment. Under ACES, there will be more jobs, less global warming pollution and greater security, all for less than the cost of a postage stamp a day. These are the conclusions of ‘A Clean Energy Bargain,’ an analysis released today by NRDC.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON (September 16, 2009) – The Natural Resources Defense Council has announced its support of a bill introduced today by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) that would assist developing countries with meeting their energy needs with alternatives to both proliferation-prone nuclear energy and costly and polluting imported petroleum-based fuels.

Akaka’s bill, the Energy Development Program Implementation Act of 2009, directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to present Congress with a plan for working with developing countries to develop sustainable energy policies.    » read more »

Clean Car Standards Would Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Cut Oil Dependence and Save Americans Money at the Pump

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (September 15, 2009) – The U.S. EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced a joint proposal for national standards for greenhouse gas pollution from cars and trucks, along with strengthened fuel economy standards.

According to EPA and NHTSA, the new proposed standards will cut global warming pollution from vehicles by 30 percent, improve fuel economy to an average of about 35.5 miles per gallon, and save drivers thousand of dollars over the life of the vehicles – all while adopting a “size-based” standard favored by domestic automakers.    » read more »

Analysis Demonstrates How America Can Create 1.7 Million Jobs and Opportunities for Low-Income Families

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.    » read more »

NRDC Joins Legal Action to Challenge the Department of Interior's Decision to Remove Northern Rocky Mountain Wolves From Endangered Species List

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (June 2, 2009) – Another chapter in the legal battle over wolves was opened today when the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and a coalition of concerned conservation groups challenged the recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove protections for packs in Montana and Idaho.    » read more »

NWF and NRDC Help Notch a Win with Implications Throughout the Great Lakes

(June 1, 2009) -- A New York State Supreme Court Justice dismissed a challenge brought by shipping interests against the state’s tough new ballast water requirements, which are designed to limit the introduction of more invasive species into the Great Lakes.

Legal experts at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) hail the win as a huge victory for states in the region that have taken an aggressive stand to limit dumping of water containing biological pollution from ocean going vessels. Alien species have already cost the Great Lakes economy billions of dollars.    » read more »

New rule will protect more than 50 million acres, including the Tongass National Forest

San Francisco (May 28, 2009) – The Obama administration today announced it is issuing a one-year moratorium on road building and development on about 50 million acres of remote national forests, including the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a directive reinstating most of a Clinton-era ban against new road construction and development in national forests. The 2001 rule banned road building and logging in more than 50 million acres of remote national forests, mostly in the West.

Following is a statement by Niel Lawrence, senior attorney and forest project director for the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

Innovative Businesses, Agencies Show How to Save Money with Water Efficiency

SAN FRANCISCO (May 26, 2009) – In the midst of a third consecutive dry year, California’s water supply continues to shrink as the state’s population grows, but according to a new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the state’s commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) sector has the tools to save more than enough water to meet the annual needs of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego combined.

Some leading California businesses and institutions are already catching on – saving water and money at the same time.    » read more »

Energy and Global Warming Legislation Passes E&C Committee

Washington, DC (May 21, 2009) – The Energy and Commerce Committee today passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), a historic bill that will make significant investments in clean, renewable energy and reduce carbon pollution that causes global warming. Under the leadership of Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA), the bill cleared a major hurdle with support from a coalition of members of Congress from all parts of the nation.

Following is a statement from Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

WASHINGTON (May 19, 2009) – President Barack Obama announced today new national fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council, attended the announcement at the White House, and following are her reflections on it:

“This was a day to remember. President Obama has forged a spirit of collaboration that will put Americans behind the wheel of much cleaner, higher mileage vehicles.

"It was amazing to see the president together with heads of 10 auto makers, the President of the United Auto Workers, the Speaker of the House, and the governors of California, Michigan and Massachusetts.    » read more »

New Standards Take Landmark California Standards Nationwide

Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2009) - President Barack Obama will announce plans tomorrow to issue new national greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. These standards will deliver the benefits of California's landmark standards nationwide. Additionally California expects to receive its long awaited waiver from EPA early this summer.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (May 14, 2009) -- As momentum builds in the Energy and Commerce Committee behind comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act), Congressman Joe Barton (R-Texas) has released an alternative plan that would set back progress toward a clean energy future, according to experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council.    » read more »

Midwest Governors Provide National Leadership with Innovative Agreement to Provide Cleaner Energy and Environment

CHICAGO (May 13, 2009) – The Midwest took a giant step toward building a clean energy future for the region and the nation on Tuesday according to policy and legal experts from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).    » read more »

WASHINGTON (May 13, 2009) -- The Energy and Commerce Committee under Chairmen Waxman and Markey are prepared to move forward with clean energy and climate legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act).

Following is a statement by Dan Lashof, Director of the Climate Center for the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

CHICAGO (May 8, 2009) – The Department of Interior announced today that a controversial rule undercutting Endangered Species Act protections for the polar bear would remain in place. The special regulations issued by the Bush administration and generally called a “special rule” or a “4(d) rule” effectively waived many of the protections the polar bear would have received through its listing under the Endangered Species Act.

When Interior listed the bears as threatened last year it agreed with scientists about the impacts of Arctic warming on polar bears, yet the “special rule” excludes greenhouse gas emissions thereby limiting protection of the bears under the Endangered Species Act.    » read more »