Natural Resources Defense Council News

Tracking Tool Spotlights Repetitive Flood Loss Homes Receiving U.S. Taxpayer Funds

Passaic County in New Jersey is not in the hurricane belt nor is it on the banks of a major river, and yet 810 properties there received $170 million of taxpayer money through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since …

Manufacturer to Halt Production of Pesticide Linked to Brain Damage in Children

The manufacturer of a commonly used pesticide that has been linked to brain damage in children will stop making the chemical this year. Corteva Inc. said Thursday that it will end production of chlorpyrifos by the end of this year. …

Climate Groups Warn About Virginia Tax Cut for Homes in Flood-Prone Areas

A measure approved by Virginia voters this week to cut taxes on homes in flood-prone areas of the flood-prone commonwealth has climate experts warning that it might encourage people to remain in vulnerable areas – and could spread to other …

Group Sues Newark Over Lead Levels in Drinking Water

An environmental group has sued the city of Newark, N.J., alleging officials violated federal safe drinking water laws by not adequately monitoring and testing a water system that contained what it termed “dangerously high” lead levels. The lawsuit by the …

Groups Say Flint Violating Legal Settlement Over Tainted Water

Plaintiffs in a landmark legal settlement related to Flint’s lead-tainted water are accusing the city of failing to comply with the deal and are asking a federal judge to enforce it. The Natural Resources Defense Council and American Civil Liberties …

Trump Administration Begins Repeal of Obama Clean Power Plan

When President Barack Obama unveiled his plan to pare emissions from U.S. power plants two years ago, he stressed the long-term health benefits: 3,600 fewer premature deaths, 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children and a decline in hospital visits. Now, …

Gene Creating Antibiotic-Resistant Superbug Detected in at Least 19 Countries

Just two months ago, researchers in China identified a gene that can make bacteria resistant to a last-resort antibiotic called colistin. It was a bombshell discovery for people who follow superbugs. Now that gene has been detected in at least …

California Wants Half Its Power from Renewable Energy by 2030

Gov. Jerry Brown dramatically increased California’s climate-change goals, committing the state to use renewable energy for half its electricity and make existing buildings twice as energy-efficient in just 15 years. Brown tried for an even stronger measure that also would …

‘Ridesharing’ a Climate Change Solution around the Corner

The solution to reducing carbon emissions may be just around the corner. Car sharing can reduce gas consumption and could ultimately help in the battle to curb climate change, according to a Natural Resources Defense Council director, who maintains that …

EPA Finds Little Evidence Fracking Contaminates Drinking Water

Fracking for shale oil and gas has not led to widespread pollution of drinking water, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency draft report said on Thursday, although it warned some drilling activities could potentially cause health risks. The study, requested by …