News & Commentary

Overcoming Decarbonization Barriers in Los Angeles’s Affordable Housing

January 11, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Los AngelesMichele Knab Hasson, Olivia Walker, Dr. Veena Singla

Affordable housing is among the most vulnerable and underfunded of building sectors but thoughtful design and flexible financing could help provide cleaner, healthier buildings for all.

Municipal Compost Is Key for Regenerative Farms and Sustainable Cities

December 5, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Daniel Rath, Darby Hoover

Compost is a physical reminder that soils, farms, and farmers are all part of a larger food system inextricably linked with municipalities and urban areas

What Is the Justice40 Initiative?

December 4, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

This Biden administration directive is the historic effort to ensure that federal climate, clean energy, and infrastructure investments reach the communities who need them most.

Groundbreaking California Law Will Create Innovative Pathways for Social Housing

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEsther Portillo

The visionary social housing study bill that identifies pathways to 1.4 million stable, affordable homes for California’s most vulnerable residents just became law.

Social Housing: Los Angeles’s Chance to Fight the Housing Crisis

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesSarah Elkotbeid

The climate crisis exacerbates an already worsening housing crunch.

New Law Marks Climate Transition for California Landscapes

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEd Osann, Linda Escalante

Irrigating ornamental turf grass at non-residential locations will be phased out, beginning in 2027.

Energy Efficiency and Electrification Take Center Stage in New Jersey

October 4, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New JerseyJoe O'Brien-Applegate, Eric Miller

With historic commitments from Governor Phil Murphy, backed by robust programs, New Jersey is becoming a leader in clean, efficient buildings

How Frontline Communities Can Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act to Advance Local Priorities

September 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesElena Olmedo

A breakdown of some of the major opportunities available to community-based organizations and some actionable steps to get more involved in this space.

A Resource for Energy-Burdened Communities

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesMaria Correa

Energy burden has disproportionately impacted low-income communities of color for decades. NRDC is actively working to bring justice to these communities through this mapping tool.

Shifting Federal Funding to Communities: ECJ Program Could Be a Historic Opportunity

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Chantelle "Ella" Mendonsa

The EPA ECJ program grants directed over $2 billion to marginalized communities to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.

Strategies for Equitable Implementation of EPA's GGRF

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent

NRDC and University of New Hampshire's Center for Impact Finance release a series of sector-specific strategy guides and webinars exploring how EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) can deliver a more equitable clean energy transition.

Colorado makes Buildings Cleaner, More Livable

August 24, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlejandra Mejia Cunningham, Claire Lang-Ree

With a new Building Performance Standard policy, Colorado is leading the nation with clean, healthy buildings.

IRA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: A Game-Changing Finance Program

August 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent, Jessica Russo

EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is set to catalyze billions in clean energy projects across the US, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities

Connect to Build: Frontline Organizations and Federal Infrastructure Funding Opportunities

August 3, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesMikyla Reta

Through a series of interviews, SPARCC explores how organizations are interacting with new federal funding and what approaches are helping them move the needle toward equity and justice.

Mapping Urban Heat Islands Is Helping These Neighborhoods Adapt

August 1, 2023 DispatchRaleigh, North Carolina, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

The Urban Heat Island mapping campaign is the largest national effort of its kind to identify why one section of a city can feel so different from another on any given summer day.

Biden Administration Set to Invest $20 Billion in Clean Energy Finance

July 14, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent, Douglass Sims, Sarah Dougherty

EPA invites applications through October under two of three Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) investments

Better Energy Options for Chicago: Clean and Affordable Buildings

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, Illinois, MidwestMeghan Hassett

A thoughtful transition toward clean and affordable buildings would help reduce high energy bills and indoor air pollution harming Chicago residents.

EPA Announces the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All Program

June 30, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent, Isabelle Elizondo

$7 billion for solar to deliver meaningful benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities across the country

Equitable Implementation of EPA's GGRF

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAdam Kent

To facilitate equitable implementation of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, NRDC is co-producing a series of sector-specific strategy guides and webinars

Affordable Housing Briefing Featuring Dan Solomon

June 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Sabrina Johnson

Discriminatory and exclusionary policies have led to deep disparities in housing for marginalized communities throughout the United States. Architect Dan Solomon explains how improved building policies can lead to housing justice.