The working materials in the NRDC Document Bank are listed in reverse chronological order. For additional policy materials including reports and issue papers, see the Issues section of the main NRDC site.
Roland Hwang's Presentation from the Washington DC Auto Show
Transportation Director Roland Hwang’s Presentation from the Washington DC Auto Show, Jan 25, 2012.
NRDC Comments on the NYS revised draft environmental impact statement for fracking.
These comments were submitted by NRDC on the NYS revised draft environmental impact statement for fracking.
- ene_12011201a.pdf This document was submitted on behalf of NRDC only.
- ene_12011201b.pdf This document was submitted on behalf of NRDC and Riverkeeper only.
- ene_12011201c.pdf This document was submitted by NRDC, together with Catskill Mountainkeeper, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Earthjustice, and Riverkeeper.
- ene_12011201d.pdf This document was submitted by NRDC, together with Catskill Mountainkeeper, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Earthjustice, Riverkeeper and the Sierra Club.
Transportation Director Roland Hwang Speech to Automative News Congress
NRDC Transportation Director Roland Hwang explains the key benefits of the Obama Administration's proposed 54.5 mpg fuel efficiency standard.
Keystone Rider Fact Sheet Dec. 2011
The Keystone XL rider in H.R. 3630 would rubber stamp Keystone XL tar sands pipeline while blocking efforts to protect America’s landowners, fresh water and environment.
NRDC Comments to EPA on Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels, June 2011
Comments from NRDC, Earthjustice, and Sierra Club on the Environmental Protection Agency’s development of UIC Class II permitting guidance for hydraulic fracturing activities that use diesel fuels in fracturing fluids.
Comments on the EPA’s proposal for new Clean Air Act rules for the oil and gas industry, November, 2011
These comments were submitted to the U.S. EPA by NRDC, Sierra Club, Earthjustice and other groups in response to EPA’s proposed new rules to limit air emissions from the oil and gas industry. While we support the new rules, these comments detail our concerns about where the EPA’s proposal falls short. Comments address both NSPS and NESHAPs.
Washington Post Keystone XL pipeline ad to President Obama
This ad, which calls on President Obama to say No to the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, was featured in the Washington Post Friday, November 4, 2011.
Green Group letter to President Obama regarding Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Shale Gas Subcommittee, November 3, 2011
Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Timeline
This document provides a timeline of the proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline project, including activities by activist groups, concerned citizens and legislators in opposition to the project.
FDA documents provided to NRDC
This document includes excerpts of email correspondence and tables between FDA and EPA staff members referencing the development of the Protocol for determining when Gulf of Mexico waters could be re-opened to fishing after the BP Oil Spill Disaster. The correspondence was provided to NRDC in response to a Freedom of Information Act in request and personal identifiers were redacted by NRDC.
Is the Trans Alaska Pipeline System in Danger of Being Shut Down?
In this report we analyze whether the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is in danger of being shut down due to declining throughput. We first provide background information on TAPS, including the operating challenges that TAPS has faced thus far, forecasts of TAPS future throughput and its estimated useful life with and without additional investment in the pipeline. We then assess the Low Flow Impact Study ("LoFIS") recently released by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company ("Alyeska"), the owner of TAPS. Finally, we analyze the projected economic benefit to the pipeline owners from making an investment in the pipeline in order to reduce the minimum throughput.
New State-Based Polling Reveals Support Strong Lighting and Appliance Efficiency Standards.
New State-Based Polling Reveals Support Strong Lighting and Appliance Efficiency Standards. According to new Public Policy Polling survey results, voters in Illinois, Maine, Michigan and Ohio solidly support energy efficiency technologies and would like the government to play a leading role in setting higher standards for appliances, light bulbs, and other household products.
- ene_11091501a.pdf Illinois Survey Results
- ene_11091501b.pdf Maine Survey Results
- ene_11091501c.pdf Michigan Survey Results
- ene_11091501d.pdf Ohio Survey Results
Federal Actions to Reduce Energy Use in Transportation
Congressional work on transportation policy remains stalled out. Thankfully the Administration can take important steps -- in addition to boosting auto fuel economy standards -- towards a more oil-independent transportation sector. Specifically, the US Department of Transportation can take action under current SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Affordable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users) legislation. This report by NRDC and High Street Consulting recommends the following key strategies: shifting transportation costs from fixed to variable pricing; investing in more fuel-efficient forms of transportation such as bike lanes and public transit; and providing incentives for strategic land use development that minimizes household travel burdens. Find out more about what DOT can do to reduce traffic gridlock despite Congressional gridlock by reading the full report.
Comments to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Subcommittee on Natural Gas, July 2011
NRDC Recommendations for the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Natural Gas Subcommittee
Toxic Power: How Power Plants Contaminate Our Air and States
The electric sector is the largest source of industrial emissions of toxic air pollution in the United States, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all reported toxic pollution from industrial sources in 2009. This analysis exposes the leading role power plants play as toxic polluters and for the "Toxic 20" states with the most toxic pollution from power plants.
- air_11072001a.pdf Presentation: How Power Plants Contaminate Our Air and States
- air_11072001b.pdf Map
Comparison of Baldwin Hills Oil Field Restrictions
This chart explains the additional health and environmental safeguards that NRDC and community groups achieved through their July 2011 settlement of four lawsuits over oil drilling near the Baldwin Hills neighborhoods of south Los Angeles. The settlement’s provisions, when added to existing safeguards in the 2008 Community Standards District, provide residents with significantly greater protections from the effects of oil drilling than existed previously.
Public Comments on the TransCanada Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
These comments, submitted to the State Department on June 6, 2011 by Sierra Club, NRDC, and other groups detail our concerns about the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, and about the deficiencies in the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Key areas of concern include the State Department’s inadequate consideration of greenhouse gas emissions, pipeline safety, environmental justice issues in refinery communities, and alternative routes that avoid the Ogallala Aquifer and Nebraska Sandhills. This pipeline would bring up to 900,000 barrels per day of dirty, high-carbon tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The State Department should not grant a Presidential Permit for this project as it is not in the national interest.
NRDC and its partners' statement for the record for the House Committee on Natural Resources hearing addressing renewable energy permitting issues
NRDC's statement for the record for a June 1, 2011 House Committee on Natural Resources' oversight hearing, addressing the contention that federal permitting processes are forestalling the deployment of renewable energy technologies derived from solar, wind, and geothermal generation. NRDC indentifies and quantifies prevailing factors, other than permitting, that are broadly impeding the greater adoption of these types of renewable utility scale projects.
New Jersey Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Poll
A poll of New Jersey residents on support for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) from Public Policy Polling.
Group Letter to Lisa Jackson from 34 Groups on Keystone XL Supplemental Draft Environmental Statement
On May 24, 2011, 34 groups sent a letter to Lisa Jackson regarding the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, asking EPA to hold strong on their concerns about the pipeline, and to request field hearings along the right of way. The letter also thanks EPA and Administrator Jackson for their engagement on Keystone XL thus far and outlines concerns with the supplemental review, and how it does not address many of the concerns expressed by EPA about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance – Chile Levelised Cost of Energy presented to NRDC
NRDC commissioned Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) to prepare an assessment, with Chilean data provided by Valgesta Energía (Valgesta), of the “levelised cost of energy” (LCOE) comparing a wide range of power generation technologies in Chile. The analysis demonstrates that “nonconventional renewable energy” (NCRE) technologies, which are often assumed to be uniformly more costly, actually provide affordable choices right now – particularly wind, geothermal, mini-hydro biomass and biogas. The full report is available here in English and Spanish.
- ene_11052401a.pdf BNEF ENG
- ene_11052401b.pdf BNEF ESP
NRDC letter to HUD and USDA on building codes and loan 4-21-2011
Request for HUD to Comply With Requirement that All Houses Securing Loans Insured by the Federal Housing Administration Must Meet the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code Standards.
Group Letter to HUD and USDA on building codes and loans 4-26-2011
Model energy codes for houses subject to Federal Housing Administration and US Department of Agriculture mortgage programs.
Comments submitted by NRDC and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network regarding the Commission‘s Draft Natural Gas Development Regulations
NRDC's joint comments, together with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, concerning the draft regulations for natural gas drilling issued by the Delaware River Basin Commission.
Green Group Letter to President Obama on Oil Spill Commission recommendations
On May 30, 2010, thirteen environmental leaders joined the Natural Resources Defense Council in calling on President Obama to announce, on or before the 1-year mark of the BP Gulf oil disaster, the steps his Administration will take to implement the recommendations of his National Oil Spill Commission.
Group letter to Gov Cuomo, 3/29/11
41-group sign-on letter calling on Cuomo not to rush out revised environmental impact statement
Mayoral Letter to State Department on Keystone XL
More than two dozen American mayors from around the United States have sent a letter expressing concern over the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The letter was sent March 24, 2011.
The Technology to Reach 60 mpg by 2025: Putting Fuel-Saving Technology to Work to Save Oil and Cut Pollution
Technical working paper by NRDC and the Union of Concerned Scientists titled “The Technology to Reach 60 mpg by 2025: Putting Fuel-Saving Technology to Work to Save Oil and Cut Pollution” describes car and light truck vehicle technology and sales mix to meet a model year 2025 fuel economy standard of 60 mpg and a greenhouse emissions standard of 143 gCO2/mile. The paper was submitted to Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as an appendix to NRDC comments to the Notice of Intent to Conduct Joint Rulemaking 2017 and Later Model Years Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards (Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–0799 and NHTSA–2010–0131).
Comments on Notice of Intent to Conduct Joint Rulemaking 2017 and Later Model Years Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFÉ Standards
Comments on Notice of Intent to Conduct Joint Rulemaking 2017 and Later Model Years Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFÉ Standards. Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, submitted October 31th, 2010 by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (Docket No. EPA–HQ–OAR–0799 and NHTSA–2010–0131).
Comments on the Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan to be Undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (February, 2011)
NRDC comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan. NRDC commends EPA for taking a broad, lifecycle approach to assessing the risks to drinking water from all stages of the hydraulic fracturing process. The practice of hydraulic fracturing is becoming increasingly widespread, making it inextricably linked with all stages of drilling an oil or gas well.
Tar Sands Pipeline Safety Risks Report Map
This map details the Lakehead pipeline system and proposed Keystone XL pathway, highlighting areas particularly vulnerable to damage from pipelines weakened by diluted bitumen tar sands oil.
Comment letter to Dept of Interior on Shell drilling permits for the Gulf of Mexico
Comments from NRDC and several other Gulf and national organizations to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement in response to Shell Offshore Inc’s request for exploratory drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.
Letter of Opposition to Keystone XL Pipeline sent to President Obama
More than 80 groups expressed concern about the proposed Keystone XL pipeline in this letter sent to President Obama on February 4, 2011. The pipeline would pump more than 600,000 barrels of dirty tar sands oil from Alberta to Texas over serious objections from communities along its nearly 2,000 mile path. A decision on the Presidential Permit is expected from the Department of State, though EPA as expressed concerns about the pipeline’s impact and the Department of Energy has stated that the pipeline is unnecessary.
Environmental Community Letter to President Obama Regarding Natural Gas Production
While natural gas is cleaner burning than other fossil fuels, it is still a fossil fuel and its exploration and production comes with a host of environmental and health threats. This letter outlines environmental and health concerns regarding onshore natural gas production and the principles that must guide national policy. This is an updated version of the letter sent to the President and includes an additional signatory.
Notice of Appeal for FirstEnergy BayShore Plant, 12/17/2010
Five groups are appealing pollution permits for a coal plant in Lake Erie’s Maumee Bay that currently kills 60 billion fish on the grounds that the State of Ohio is not requiring the best available technology to eliminate the problem as required by law.
November 2010 Keystone XL Letter from Green Group Leaders
On November 24, 2010, 31 Green Group leaders -- including Peter Lehner from NRDC -- sent a letter to Secretary of State Clinton calling for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, with adequate time for public review. An SEIS is necessary because the Draft EIS was so deficient, and because there has been new information and significant changes to the Project since the publication of the Draft EIS.
"Extend and Expand Critical Clean Energy Tax Incentives"
Congress should enact critical clean energy tax incentives, which have bipartisan support, create jobs, save consumers money on their energy bills, and enhance America’s economic competitiveness.
Community Sign on Letter for Clean Energy Tax Incentives
17 environmental groups signed-on to a letter urging congress and the president to extend clean energy tax incentives, increase the total amount of tax credits available, and end the corn ethanol tax credit.
RGGI Supporters
A list of businesses and organizations that support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the Northeast.
Letter to Congressional leadership from broad coalition opposing corn ethanol subsidies
A broad coalition of organizations, including Freedomworks, MoveOn, environmental advocates, budget hawks, religious organizations, hunger and development groups, food producers, agricultural industry representatives and dozens of others from all parts of the political spectrum sent a letter to Congressional leadership on Nov. 29 2010 stating their opposition to an extension of the $6 billion a year Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) for gasoline refiners who blend corn ethanol into gasoline. Given growing concerns about budget deficits, the letter highlighted the wastefulness and redundancy of continuing to subsidize gasoline refiners for something they are already required to do under the Renewable Fuels Standard, cited consensus among experts that eliminating the tax credit would have little impact on domestic ethanol production, prices or jobs, and called on Congress to let the VEETC expire at year-end.
Setting the Record Straight: Lifecycle Emissions of Tar Sands
Rebuttal to an industry consultant study (CERA) which claims tar sands emits only 5%-15% more emissions.
Leahy Letter on Keystone XL
Eleven prominent US Senators have added their voices to the growing concern about the risks of proceeding with permitting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. In a letter to Secretary Clinton, they ask her to answer a series of detailed questions on the environmental and economic impacts of the massive dirty oil pipeline that would run from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Letter to BP CEO on Gulf Science Funds
Letter from NRDC Executive Director Peter Lehner to the CEO of BP, urging him to release their pledged funding for independent scientific research to the best available institutions.
NRDC lawsuit against federal housing financing regulators over PACE clean energy financing programs
Official complaint for NRDC lawsuit to stop federal housing regulators from obstructing programs that make energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects affordable for American homeowners.
Comments submitted by NRDC on the Hydraulic Fracturing Study to be Undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency
Comments submitted on September 28, 2010 by Kate Sinding, Amy Mall, and Briana Mordick on the hydraulic fracturing study to be undertaken by the EPA.
- ene_10092901a.pdf Comments
- ene_10092901b.pdf Appendix A
- ene_10092901c.pdf Appendix B
- ene_10092901d.pdf Appendix C
- ene_10092901e.pdf Appendix D
SAVING MONEY AT THE GAS PUMP: State-by-State Consumer Savings from Stronger Fuel Efficiency and Carbon Pollution Standards
Included in this factsheet are the cost savings to consumers resulting from raising car and light truck fuel efficiency standards to 60 mpg and tightening carbon pollution standards to 143 grams/mi by model year 2025. The net savings calculations account for the cost of cleaner vehicle technologies and fuel savings at the pump. The factsheet provides the volume of fuel saved per state and the money saved per state and per household would occur in 2030. The factsheet was written by UCS and NRDC.
Survey Results on Voters Support for Stricter Fuel Efficiency Standards
Voters strongly support requiring the auto industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars, pickup trucks, minivans, and SUVs. They also support -- in overwhelming numbers -- requiring the auto industry to increase the average fuel efficiency standard to 60 miles per gallon, a policy which they deem important for our country to act on now. Support for increased fuel efficiency is robust because voters believe achieving this standard is possible without undue cost and because they see increased efficiency as bringing along with it a variety of valuable benefits, including more jobs, less pollution, lower fuel costs, and reduced dependence on Middle East oil.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Petition
Petition asking the EPA to reconsider its 1988 Regulatory Determination regarding wastes associated with the exploration, development and production of oil and gas, and to regulate these wastes under the hazardous waste provisions of Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to best protect human health, food sources, and our environment from the toxicity of contaminants found in these wastes.
Lehner urges Obama for a 60 mpg fuel standard
As the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared to issue new fuel standard proposals at the end of September, NRDC Executive Director Peter Lehner joined a coalition of science and environmental groups in a letter to President Obama asking for the strongest standard yet.
Delivering the Goods
This factsheet looks specifically at the benefits of raising fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks. It includes potential oil savings and greenhouse gas reductions, information on potential job creation, and technical potential. The factsheet was written by the Union of Concerned Scientists, NRDC, and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
The Road Ahead
This factsheet looks at the potential for saving oil and cutting global warming pollution by raising fuel efficiency standards for both passenger vehicles and heavy-dutyt trucks. It is intended to provide an overview of the opportunities facing the Obama administration as it sets new standards for these vehicles. Specifically, it includes data on annual oil savings and greenhouse gas reduction in 2030 for both. The factsheet was written by UCS and NRDC.
NRDC Letter to Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Comment letter to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) on its draft GO TO 2040 regional plan, addressing issues of land use and transportation, water and energy efficiency, green infrastructure, disinfection of wastewater, invasive species, and sustainable transportation.
Letter in Support of Reform of Laws Governing Onshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Signed by More than 70 National, Regional, State, and Local Organizations
A July, 2010 letter signed by more than 70 national, regional, state and local organizations, urging members of Congress to support a package of legislative reforms intended to help protect health and the environment from onshore oil and gas exploration and production including new environmental protections, better enforcement, support for clean energy to reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels, protection of the most sensitive places and better health and safety standards everywhere else.
The Zero Emission Vehicle Program: An Analysis of Industry’s Ability to Meet the Standards
Since the 1990s, California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program has served as a critical technology-forcing component of the state’s vehicle emissions program. Today, the ZEV program has also been adopted by ten other states, making it one of the single-largest policy drivers for the production of electric-drive vehicles nationally such as pure battery electrics (BEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Public Comments on the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Draft Environmental Impact Statement
These comments, submitted to the State Department on July 2 by Sierra Club, NRDC, Plains Justice, Earthjustice, NWF, and the Western Organization of Resource Councils, detail our concerns about the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, and about the deficiencies in this Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This pipeline would bring up to 900,000 barrels per day of dirty, high-carbon tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The State Department should not grant a Presidential Permit for this project as it is not in the national interest.
GHG Emission Factors for High Carbon Intensity Crude Oils
A growing body of technical work assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of high carbon intensity crude oils (HCICOs) is now available. This report compares the different estimates from both the technical and scientific literature in this area.
Keystone XL Pipeline Letter to Secretary Clinton from 50 Members of Congress
In this letter to Secretary Clinton led by Jay Inslee (D-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), 50 Members of Congress raise their voices against the unnecessary risks of tar sands oil expansion into the United States.
NRDC Letter on BP Research Funding to BP CEO Tony Hayward
A letter sent from NRDC’s Executive Director Peter Lehner to BP CEO Tony Hayward on June 14, 2010 stating that the $500 million BP has said they will allocate to Gulf disaster research should be carried out by an independent group.
NRDC and Wal-Mart Joint Statement on Energy Efficiency
In this joint statement from May 3, 2010, NRDC and Wal-Mart lay out areas of agreement on energy efficiency issues.
Letter from NRDC President Frances Beinecke to President Obama regarding scope of independent investigation of Gulf oil disaster.
The letter to the President recommends that the independent commission being established by the President be given a broad mandate to investigate the causes of the Gulf oil disaster spill, the adequacy of the response, the regulatory changes needed to protect the environment and prevent such a disaster in the future and the implications of its findings for determining the location and extent of future offshore drilling.
Voters React to Explosion and Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico Poll Commissioned by The Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC commissioned this poll that shows a vast majority of Americans support action to quickly pass clean energy legislation. The poll is a reflection that the catastrophic Gulf oil spill has changed the politics of clean energy legislation. Americans want change and they want it now.
NRDC Petitions EPA to End Use of Powerful Global Warming Pollutant, HFC-134a, In Vehicle Air Conditioners
NRDC has petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to remove HFC-134a, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the list of acceptable substitutes for use in motor vehicle air conditioning systems. The action would be taken under the Clean Air Act as part of EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.
NRDC Comments on the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, 2010-2015, (January, 2009)
This letter from September 21, 2009, to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the Department of Interior (the Department, Interior, or DOI), comments on the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, 2010-2015.
Choosing the Clean Path for Fueling Our Transportation Future: Why We Can't Afford to Expand High Carbon Fuels
A presentation given by Liz Barratt-Brown at the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas “Cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels” conference on April 15, 2010, which discusses the impacts of increasing reliance on high-carbon fuels – tar sands, oil shale, and liquid coal – and the policy options that exist to move us towards a clean energy future.
Establishing a Sound Framework for Bioenergy In Clean Energy and Climate Protection Legislation
We need a firm limit on global warming pollution and a comprehensive plan to repower America and revitalize our lagging economy. Done right, we can create millions of jobs, curb global warming pollution and restore the United States to a position of world leadership in technology and innovation.
Ranking States' Oil Vulnerability: Assessing the Continued Threat of Gas Price Spikes
This March 2010 economic white paper, with state-by-state rankings, examines the threat Americans face due to vulnerability to rising oil and gas prices, as well as recommendations to reduce the risks.
An Energy Bill Without a Carbon Cap Could Do More Harm than Good
NRDC analysis that shows that a comprehensive energy and climate bill is the most effective way to curb global warming and move us toward a clean energy future. An energy-only bill that deals only with energy could make global warming worse, cost taxpayers more and fall short on providing jobs.
NRDC California Energy Efficiency Paper
A historical update on the policies that lead to the success and achievements that California has made due to putting in place the right energy efficiency policies.
Print Ad Urging NYS Decisionmakers to Fully Evaluate the Impacts of Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale
Print ad in the Legislative Gazette urging NYS decisionmakers to fully evaluate the impacts of gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale before permitting it to proceed. Produced for NRDC by Robbett Advocacy Media, LLC.
NRDC Comments on New York State's Draft Study on Natural Gas Hydrofracking in the Marcellus Shale
In September 2009, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released a draft environmental study on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. The comment period on the state’s study closed December 31, 2009 and NRDC submitted comments compiled by a team of leading scientific and legal experts in the fields of hydrology, hydrogeology, petroleum engineering, toxicology, and general environmental review.
NRDC List of Energy Efficient TVs
The following models are the most energy efficient TVs on the market today (Nov. 2009). All models meet the power use requirements in the future version of ENERGY STAR (Version 4.0) that goes into effect in May 2010. As ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 is not very stringent, environmentally motivated shoppers should seek out models contained in the list below. Models not on this list may use up to two or three times more power to operate.
Letter Urging the Approval of the Cape Wind Project
Letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar urging him to complete the permitting process for Cape Wind in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Testimony of Kate Sinding on Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale
Testimony of Kate Sinding, Deputy Director of the Urban East Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Department of Environmental Conservation on November 10, 2009. This testimony addresses the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) governing natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale and similar formations.
California's Proposed Energy Efficiency Standards for Televisions
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is in the process of finalizing minimum efficiency standards for new televisions sold in California. The standards will reduce annual energy use of new TVs by 30 to 50 per cent. Once the standard is in full effect, California will save almost $1 billion/yr in the form of lower electric bills and prevent the need to build a large 500 MW power plant.
Assessing the Impact of Ecological Considerations on Forest Biomass Projections for the Southeastern U.S.
This report, produced by the Conservation Biology Institute, evaluates the impact that administrative and ecological constraints might have on the amount of forest biomass that could be extracted for energy use in the Southeastern U.S.
Critique of reports on the potential economic impacts of environmental protections for oil and gas production
Three recent reports describe the alleged potential economic consequences of proposed environmental protections for oil and gas production. In an August, 2009 critique, ECONorthwest reviewed the reports to assess their reliability and accuracy and found significant errors.
Energy Future: A Green Energy Alternative for Michigan
This report lays out in detail how Michigan can meet its energy needs through a reliance on clean energy. A portfolio of 21st Century Energy Choices is less expensive, cleaner, faster, more economically robust and creates more jobs in Michigan than a 20th Century plan based on new, large fossil-fired power plants.
- ene_09081101b.pdf Report
- ene_09081101c.pdf Appendix
Declaration of U.S. and Canadian Environmental Leaders on Climate, Energy and Conservation Cooperation
A declaration detailing the new focused collaboration between leaders from the major U.S. and Canadian environmental and conservation organizations on common climate, energy and natural areas conservation issues.
Comments on the Proposed Adoption of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard by the California Air Resources Board
Comments from Simon Mui, Clean Vehicles and Fuels Scientist, and Roland Hwang, Transportation Program Director, on the the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Staff’s proposal to establish a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
A Letter to EPA Administrator Jackson Urging EPA to Account for Indirect Emissions From Land Use Changes
A letter to EPA Administrator Jackson, urging EPA to account for indirect emissions from land use changes in its analysis of biofuels’ lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for the proposed rule on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS-2), as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Increasing Compliance with CARB's Parking Cash-Out Program
Letter from NRDC and the Environmental Defense Fund to State Senator Alan Lowenthal, supporting SB 728, his bill to permit localities to enforce California’s Parking Cash-Out Program.
The Impacts of Tar Sands Oil Development on Climate Change
This letter was submitted by NRDC and 18 other environmental and public interest groups on March 2, 2009 to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson and energy secretary Steven Chu.
Letter to President-Elect Obama on Tar Sands and Global Warming Policy
Letter to President-Elect Obama about the risks of exempting tar sands oil production greenhouse gas emissions from North American discussion on global warming regulation.
Memo to the Obama Energy Transition Team on Tar Sands Oil Development and US Energy Policy
Memo to the Obama energy transition team on the risks of tar sands oil development with recommendations for the Obama Administration on U.S. energy and fuel policy.
Energy Efficiency and Economic Recovery Initiative
To put American’s back to work, lower their energy bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions, we encourage President-elect Obama and Congress to launch the Energy Efficiency and Economic Recovery Initiative described below. The Initiative has a national goal of retrofitting 2 million buildings over the next two years to substantially reduce their energy use. America’s building sector is in crisis. Now is the ideal time to jump-start a green jobs market, using the skilled and underemployed construction sector work force that is ready and waiting, and to stimulate a large secondary market in product and equipment sales. The Initiative will build the policy framework needed to achieve these goals.
Expert Documents on Duke Energy's Cliffside Plant Project
Fresh off of a court order forcing Duke Energy to live up to its Clean Air Act responsibilities to limit air pollution from the 800-megawatt addition to its Cliffside coal-fired power plant, the company is again attempting to dodge tighter pollution controls. The following are expert documents that have been submitted in opposition to Duke’s permit application
- ene_08121601a.pdf Letter to DAQ
- ene_08121601b.pdf Expert Review of Duke Application
- ene_08121601c.pdf Analysis of Marshall Facility
NRDC Analysis on Auto Bailout and California Standards
NRDC assesses the business proposals GM and Ford submitted to Congress on December 2, 2008. The report contains original data on fuel economy and efficiency improvements, showing that the automakers can comply with the most progressive California Greenhouse Gas Standards if the were extended to apply nationwide.
Results of Survey on Energy Issues
In October, the Natural Resources Defense Council asked Belden Russonello & Stewart to conduct research into public attitudes on energy issues. They conducted a telephone survey of 800 adults to assess attitudes on energy issues during the height of gas prices. These findings show that a majority of Americans - even during a time of record gas prices – said we should invest more in clean energy alternatives, not oil and drilling.
- ene_08120301a.pdf Survey of Attitudes on Energy Issues
- ene_08120301b.pdf Results of Survey on Energy Issues
Order on Motion for Summary Judgment on Southern Alliance for Clean Energy et al v. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
A federal court ruling will force Duke Energy to control hazardous air pollution from the 800-megawatt addition to its Cliffside coal-fired power plant. The judge sided with NRDC challenging lax air permits awarded to the plant that did not adequately control toxic air pollution.
- ene_08120201a.pdf Judgment
- ene_08120201b.pdf Memorandum and Order
Comments on the California Air Resources Board Draft Proposal for the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Regulation (LCFS)
NRDC strongly supports many aspects of the draft proposal, particularly, the establishment of separate standards for gasoline and diesel fuels; the intention to establish separate emission factors for fuels derived from non-conventional crude oil sources, especially tar sands; and the inclusion of the indirect land use change (ILUC) GHG emissions in the alternative fuel carbon intensity emission factors for biofuels, to name a few.
However, we believe the current proposal falls short in a number of ways, and we therefore have recommendations such as providing minimum lands safeguards for biofuel protections that are consistent with analogous federal protections to ensure there is not an unintentional inventive to make biofuels using materials from ecologically sensitive areas that could actually increase GHG emissions.
Recommended Climate and Energy Priorities for the Obama Administration
NRDC worked with more than 30 other environmental groups to create these goals for the Obama transition team.
Extreme Efficiency: How Far Can We Go If We Really Need To?
This paper looks at factors that expand the efficiency potential in the context of the need to meet aggressive climate change emissions reduction goals, and the desire to do so in a way that minimizes costs and enhances economic development. It discusses the potential for continuous improvement in efficiency technology and design approach and how this can produce innovations that have economic benefits beyond the value of energy savings.