Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund The world’s largest floating solar energy plant, in Huainan, China Imagine China/Newscom In Sonoma, California, the most important renewable resource will always be grapes. Sonoma’s vineyards, framed by picturesque rolling green hills, produce some of the best wines on the planet; tourists flock to the region to sample […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Trump has announced plans to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement. He based the decision on advice from a small cadre of lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry masquerading as policy experts. In another blog, I’ve detailed the most egregiously inaccurate information in Trump’s speech announcing a withdrawal […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Barely a day after the New York Times reported on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s “blazing start” at rolling back Obama-era health and environmental safeguards, Pruitt got his first comeuppance from America’s independent courts. On the eve of our national holiday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund I like bees and other pollinators. Every morning I enjoy a soy milk latte from my bee mug. I also like farmers and yummy farm-grown foods that are made from bee- pollinated crops and wildflowers that are pollinated by honeybees and wild bees. That’s why I care about […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund States can breathe a sigh of relief. In a groundbreaking decision, a federal appeals court has affirmed the legality of Connecticut’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and related clean energy initiatives. In its June 28, 2017 ruling, a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund On June 27th, House Republicans released an unacceptable Energy and Water appropriations bill that should dispel any belief that the GOP-run Congress will somehow stop reckless spending cuts in the Trump era. Sure, the cuts they propose to important civilian energy programs aren’t as bad as what President […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund The administration announced yesterday that it will start creating a new five-year plan for offshore oil and gas development. In yet another attack on our environment and health, President Trump is working to open additional ocean waters to oil and gas drilling. Yesterday, Interior Department officials said that […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Welcome to our weekly Trump v. Earth column, in which onEarth reviews the environment-related shenanigans of President Trump and his allies. Olivier Tabary/Shutterstock As Clear as a Prairie Pothole When reporters ask Donald Trump about climate change, he usually mumbles something incoherent then changes the subject by touting, say “crystal […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Carlos Barria/Reuters Our modern-day P.T. Barnum of dirty energy that harms our health and environment could hardly hide his glee. Speaking on June 28 at the Department of Interior, President Trump crowed that the United States has a “near limitless supplies of energy” and is on “the cusp” […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Glacier National Park’s Cut Bank campground Jonathan C. Wheeler/Flickr Today is Congressman Jason Chaffetz’s last day in office. The Republican from Utah is quitting his career in public service to cash in as a Fox News talking head. But during his final months as a representative, Chaffetz did […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund It’s that time of year again: the days are getting warmer and the annual ENERGY STAR Top Cities rankings are released. Once again, we find that the top five cities with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings are all cities that have benchmarking policies in place. Moreover, 11 […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund India Green News: Star Power: Industries in Maharashtra to Now Get Ratings Based on Emissions; India Extends Transmission Charge Exemption for Solar Projects; Impact of BS VI Rollout on Indians Victim to Hazardous Air Quality India Green News is a selection of news highlights about environmental and energy […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund The Trump administration has announced that early next week it will launch the planning process for a new Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, with the goal of effectively tearing up the Obama Administration approved program and opening our oceans and coasts to offshore […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund We are one step closer to victory in the Hudson River—The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it is suspending its process to consider siting ten new anchorage grounds, places where large ships can anchor, in the Hudson River, until it has conducted a Ports and Waterways Safety […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Traverse City, Michigan: One of the 16 Michigan cities supporting the Paris Climate Agreement. Innisfree Hotels President Donald Trump may have called for a withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, but Michigan’s cities, businesses, and universities have announced their intent to fulfill the agreement goals anyway. Mayors Local action […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund This blog was written in partnership with Adam Macon, Our Forests Aren’t Fuel Campaign Director at the Dogwood Alliance. Standing forests are a critical tool in the fight against climate change. Cutting trees down to use as fuel in energy production–known as biomass energy or bioenergy–is one of the […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt often says he’s committed to “the rule of law,” and that “regulations should be regular.” His M.O., however, has been neither regular nor lawful. Making things irregular. Photo by Gage Skidmore / Flickr. Creative Commons Much of the attention has been on […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund The administration is moving to repeal the Clean Water Rule, which protects drinking water for one-third of Americans. William Britten/iStock It’s summer, when Americans take to the nation’s rivers, beaches, lakes, and streams for recreation and enjoyment that reminds us of the vital link between clean water and […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund © Ian Kennedy At the Western Governors’ Association’s biannual meeting in Whitefish, Montana today, the governors passed a resolution that would undermine the Endangered Species Act—one of our nation’s most important laws. The governors claim they “applaud the principles and intent” of the Act and simply want to “improve” it. […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund With the launch of an updated Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017, India has reaffirmed its commitment towards a more resilient and energy efficient built environment. Building energy codes provide specifications for designing and constructing buildings so that they consume less energy without sacrificing comfort for the occupants. […]