NRDC

WASHINGTON (March 5, 2009): A broad coalition of business, professional, energy, and environmental organizations released recommendations today on the role of energy efficiency in federal climate change legislation. Reducing the Cost of Addressing Climate Change Through Energy Efficiency is available at http://aceee.org/energy/climate/leg.htm.    » read more »

Reverses Bush Administration Rule on Solid Waste

WASHINGTON (March 5, 2009) -- A bill introduced yesterday would reverse a Bush administration regulation that re-classified a host of solid waste materials, including mining wastes, as “fill.” This authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permit those wastes to be dumped in waterways around the country. Joined by 114 members in the House of Representatives, Reps. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), David Reichert (R-Wash.), and John Yarmuth (D-KY) introduced the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 1310), a bill that would prevent the use of streams, lakes, and ponds as solid waste dumps.    » read more »

Environmental experts deliver first-of-a-kind progress report to Capitol

TALLAHASSEE (March 2, 2009) – While Florida has made several improvements in its efforts to restore the health of its ocean and coasts, the state still has work to do, according to a report card released today by a group of nationally and internationally recognized environmental organizations. The report card evaluated the progress the state has made in reversing the decline of its ocean and coastal resources in 2007 and 2008.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (February 26, 2009) – In response to President Obama's announcement unveiling his budget proposal, Wesley Warren, Director of Programs for the Natural Resources Defense Council, issued the following statement:

“President Obama’s budget is the first in history to make critical investments in our clean energy future and tackle global warming head on. The president’s unprecedented commitment to capping carbon emissions will create new revenue that will be used to invest in clean, alternative energy and spur our economic recovery.

“The challenges we face have brought unique opportunities, and President Obama’s bold call for a clean energy economy will create jobs at home and restore America’s place in the world as leaders and innovators.”    » read more »

Following New Administration’s Request, U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case

WASHINGTON (February 23, 2009) -- The United States Supreme Court this morning declined to consider a Bush-era rule that would have allowed a cap-and-trade approach to toxic mercury emitted by the U.S. power industry. This decision invalidates the Bush rule and sets a new course that will help protect America’s waterways from toxic mercury pollution.    » read more »

Obama Administration Reverses U.S. Position, Takes Leadership Role in Negotiations

WASHINGTON (February 20, 2009) – Representatives from more than 140 countries today committed to reduce global mercury pollution, which will help protect the world’s citizens from the dangerous neurotoxin. This agreement was propelled by the United States’ reversal in policy, which also influenced policy reversals of other countries, including China and India. The announcement is a historic step forward in the fight against mercury pollution, according to scientists and policy experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).    » read more »

Flawed Legislative Process Allowed a Handful of Lawmakers to Push Personal Agendas Instead of Solve Budget Crisis

SACRAMENTO (February 19, 2009) – Ending months of uncertainty and an unprecedented state financial crisis, California’s lawmakers passed a bi-partisan budget today. The announced plan is designed to meet the $41 billion budget shortfall through 2010, but may end up costing the state more in the long run due to partisan policy agendas designed to relax pollution standards for diesel construction equipment and a series of highway projects. A delay in clean-up of diesel emissions from off-road vehicles will cost Californians billions in healthcare costs annually.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (February 19, 2009) — President Obama completed his first international trip to Canada today with a plan for cooperation to address global warming and move our economies to cleaner energy sources. This included an agreement to work together on cleaner vehicles, a smart power grid, and carbon capture sequestration technology for coal. Significantly, tar sands oil was not included in this agreement.
Following is a statement from Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, Director of the Canada Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

WASHINGTON (February 18, 2009)—As President Obama prepares for his first international trip to Ottawa, Canada, on Thursday, it’s expected that there will be a significant focus on energy and environmental issues.

In the United States, President Obama has emphasized the need to transform America to a clean energy economy. The stimulus package signed into law yesterday has record spending for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Mr. Obama has asked EPA to review the California waiver to regulate tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks. And he has been a long supporter of a low-carbon fuel standard, similar to the one in place in California.    » read more »

Report Downplays Severity of Climate Crisis, Fails to Account for the West's Innovative Potential

WASHINGTON (February 17, 2009) -- The Western Business Roundtable’s (WBRT) report released today mischaracterizes the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), according to experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Following is statement by Ned Farquhar, Western Energy Expert for the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

WASHINGTON (February 13, 2009) – Congress came to an agreement on the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” to turn around America’s economy and advance President Obama’s transition to a clean energy future.

Wesley Warren, Director of Programs for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), issued the following statement:

“Congress really got it right with this economic recovery package that will deliver jobs and green infrastructure to America. The bill makes smart investments that will jumpstart the economy, help sustain future growth, and meet the challenges of the 21st century. We need to put America on a path to a clean-energy economy, and Congress has taken a big step forward in heeding this call.    » read more »

Grants Petition by NRDC Blocking Last-Minute Bush Move

WASHINGTON (February 10, 2009) -- The Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator Lisa Jackson announced today that it is stopping a last-minute move by the Bush administration that would have allowed industrial facilities to increase smog and soot emissions.

The Natural Resources Defense Council petitioned the EPA to block this action under the "new source review" policy of the Clean Air Act. By granting the reconsideration and administrative stay, the EPA will now have 90 days to review the policy and determine whether or not to remove the loophole -- which would prevent industries from causing further pollution.    » read more »

Utility Plans to Expedite North-South Transmission Line for Renewable Energy

WASHINGTON (February 9, 2009) – In response to increasing environmental and economic uncertainties, NV Energy announced today it is postponing the construction of a coal-fired power plant in eastern Nevada, according to a statement released by the company.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (February 5, 2009) -- President Obama announced that he is going to sign a presidential memorandum requesting that the Department of Energy set new efficiency standards for common household appliances. The president explained that through this action the Department of Energy will save in 30 years the amount of energy produced by all the coal-fired power plants in America over a two-year period.

Statement by Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council:    » read more »

Health Groups Win Victory for Children’s Safety

Feb. 5, 2009 -- NEW YORK - In a victory for children’s health and consumer safety, a federal judge today said children’s toys and childcare products laden with harmful chemicals called phthalates must come off store shelves, ruling in favor of the Natural Resources Defense Council and Public Citizen in a lawsuit against the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

NRDC and Public Citizen filed the lawsuit in December, following a CPSC attempt to create a loophole in the congressionally mandated ban, which goes into effect February 10, 2009. The loophole would have allowed retailers to stockpile and continue selling dangerous products as long as they were manufactured before the ban date.    » read more »