Complete list of press releases

Public support is overwhelming for the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule addressing the consideration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and allowing proxy voting in retirement plans, according to a new report by the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets, US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, and Environmental Defense Fund.  

The proposal, Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights, would apply to funds covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The proposal would reverse Trump administration-issued rules that made it more difficult to consider ESG criteria in ERISA plans, especially in default options. The 2020 rules also increased regulatory burdens on fiduciaries when voting proxies. 

Today’s report finds:

• 97% of commenters supported the Labor Department’s reversal of the Trump-era rules and clarification that use of ESG criteria in investment selection and removing burdens on proxy voting is consistent with fiduciary obligations under ERISA. 
• 83% of institutional letters were supportive of the proposed rule, with some of these recommending changes. All the letters from corporations and financial services firms were in favor of the proposed rule. 
• 97% of individual comments were supportive of the proposed rule. 

Major firms that expressed support for the rule include:

• State Street, BlackRock, BNY Mellon, Franklin Templeton, LGIM America, Mercer, MSCI, Morningstar, Natixis, Northern Trust, TIAA, and Vanguard.

“The strong support for the proposed rule by our members and other financial institutions and corporations demonstrates the broad understanding that environmental, social and governance data   are important considerations when making investment decisions in retirement plans,” said Lisa Woll, CEO of US SIF. “Respondents also supported the plan to remove barriers created in 2020 for utilizing ESG consideration in default plans (Qualified Default Investment Alternatives).”

“The overwhelming support from corporations and financial services firms shows that the business community recognizes the economic impact of the climate crisis, including both the risks and the opportunities that it presents,” said Steven M. Rothstein, Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets at Ceres. “The large number of comments shows that this issue has struck a chord with individuals, who want more sustainable options in their retirement plans.”

“Climate change is a serious and growing threat to our financial system. The proposal would help safeguard Americans’ financial futures by making clear that the consequences of climate change can be considered alongside other financial risks. The overwhelmingly supportive comments from business and financial leaders underscore our recommendation that the Department of Labor swiftly finalize this proposal,” said Michael Panfil, Lead Counsel and Director of Climate Risk Strategies at EDF.

Download the report

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About the organizations

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. The Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets is a center within Ceres that aims to transform the practices and policies that govern capital markets in order to reduce the worst financial impacts of the climate crisis. It spurs action on climate change as a systemic financial risk—driving the large-scale behavior and systems change needed to achieve a net zero emissions economy. For more information, visit ceres.org and ceres.org/accelerator and follow @CeresNews. 

US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment is the leading voice advancing sustainable and impact investing across all asset classes. Its mission is to rapidly shift investment practices toward sustainability, focusing on long-term investment and the generation of positive social and environmental impacts. US SIF members include investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, asset owners, research firms, financial planners and advisors, community investing organizations and nonprofit associations. Learn more at www.ussif.org.

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 2.5 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund

(Austin, TX) Today, Carbon Mapper and Environmental Defense Fund released insights generated from three years of airborne surveys (conducted between 2019 and 2021) using advanced remote sensing technology to pinpoint, quantify, and track methane emissions from oil and gas production facilities in the Permian Basin across Texas and New Mexico. 

The data reveals that about 30 facilities—including pipelines, well pads, compressor stations and processing facilities—persistently emitted large volumes of methane over multiple years, and that repairing those leaks could immediately reduce 100,000 metric tons of methane per year. These 30 facilities make up less than .001% of the region’s oil and gas infrastructure, and yet they produce the same near-term climate pollution as about half a million passenger vehicles. The mitigation of these 30 super-emitters would prevent $26 million a year in wasted gas.

Cutting methane—a super-potent greenhouse gas with vastly greater near-term warming potential than CO₂—has become a heightened priority domestically and internationally given the urgency of the climate crisis. Recently, the U.S. and more than 100 other countries signed the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane 30% by 2030. 

“In this decisive decade for reducing greenhouse gas emissions every molecule matters, and the fact that some facilities are persistently leaking methane for years without detection or repair highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and transparent methane monitoring,” said Riley Duren, Chief Executive Officer for Carbon Mapper and Research Scientist at the University of Arizona. “The magnitude of emissions coming from a handful of methane sources in one of the top oil- and gas-producing regions illustrates the opportunity to make significant near-term progress toward the stated methane reduction goals of the U.S., other countries, and companies around the world.” 

Solving the Problem

Cumulatively, the Carbon Mapper research team detected nearly 1,100 super emitters across the Permian Basin over the course of their research which was performed as part of a joint NASA, RMI, and University of Arizona research program and EDF’s PermianMAP initiative. These facilities ultimately contribute to about half of the basin’s total methane emissions. While leaks at these facilities are very large, most are shorter in duration and underscore the need for frequent monitoring of all facilities basin-wide to pinpoint and mitigate as many super emitting sites as possible.

Rules being advanced by the Environmental Protection Agency and New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) have the potential to address oil and gas pollution by requiring regular monitoring at most processing facilities and production sites—including at smaller, leak-prone wells. The NMED rules will be finalized in March and the EPA is accepting comment on its current rule proposal through Jan. 31. EPA is also expected to issue a supplemental proposal this spring that will further address pollution from smaller wells and routine flaring.

Comprehensive EPA rules represent the Biden administration’s biggest and most immediate opportunity to achieve significant pollution reductions across the Permian region as well as its commitments under the global methane pledge.

“It takes a combination of ground-based inspections and frequent advanced screening, such as aerial monitoring, to effectively find and fix these recurring sources of methane emissions,” said David Lyon, senior scientist at Environmental Defense Fund. “We know methane can be emitted across a wide range of infrastructure and can be cost-effectively reduced with a combination of strong regulations and available technologies.”

Gathering Pipelines

The high-resolution data also reveals important insights about the types of equipment releasing methane, to within a few meters of its location. Gathering pipelines appear to be a significant source of leakage in the Permian, responsible for nearly 20% of the observed persistent super-emitters. But of the 435,000 miles of U.S. onshore gathering pipelines, only 11,569 miles (less than 3%) are currently subject to federal leak survey standards set by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

The PIPES Act of 2020 expanded PHMSA’s responsibility to protect the environment and specifically called for enhanced oversight of gathering lines. PHMSA issued a new rule to expand leak survey requirements to an additional 20,336 miles of gathering lines, set to take effect in May 2022 – but industry groups oppose that requirement and are seeking reconsideration of the rule.   

“PHMSA must continue to improve oversight of gathering lines and require the use of advance methane monitoring to find and fix pipeline leaks,” said Erin Murphy, EDF Senior Attorney for Energy Markets and Utility Regulation. “In fact, reports show there are more commercially available solutions for controlling pipeline emissions today than ever before.”

About the Data Collection

The data was collected by flights funded by NASA, the University of Arizona, RMI, and EDF using Arizona State University’s Global Airborne Observatory and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Next Generation Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer. 

Data and imagery from Carbon Mapper’s airborne surveys in the Permian Basin are available online through PermianMAP and Carbon Mapper’s Data Portal. The two organizations are also working with partners to launch a new generation of satellites—MethaneSAT and the Carbon Mapper constellation—that will expand methane monitoring globally starting in 2023. Both organizations are committed to providing transparent, third-party data on emissions to companies, officials, and regulators so they can take swift, science-based action to mitigate methane.

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2022) – In a brief filed today with the Supreme Court, environmental, public health and clean energy industry groups urge the Court to reject the coal industry’s radical attempt to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to confront the climate crisis. The coalition urges the Court to affirm the authority, and duty, the Clean Air Act confers upon the EPA to limit the dangerous carbon pollution from the nation’s dirtiest power plants. Key points from the brief are highlighted below.

Key Arguments

In the respondents’ merits brief, these groups argue that no petitioner has standing to pursue this case because there is no rule in effect for carbon dioxide pollution from existing power plants and EPA has made clear any new rule will start from a clean slate. 

“Thus, no power plant is currently subject to regulation under either rule, and no power companies petitioned this Court for review. Nor can any petitioning state or coal company show harm from the disposition below. …  Petitioners’ primary complaints, then, are about how EPA might exercise its authority in a future rulemaking. But such anticipatory claims are unripe. Litigants must await the result of EPA’s new rulemaking, which will both define the issues for judicial review and avoid entangling the Court in an unnecessary advisory exercise over an abstract and technical policy dispute.”

The respondents further argue that even if there were a live case or controversy, petitioners’ claims would nevertheless fail on the merits.

“[The Clean Air Act of 1970] established a comprehensive regulatory framework to address not only the dangerous air pollutants identified at that time, but also to equip EPA and states with tools to address new air pollution dangers and to embrace evolving pollution control techniques.… For this purpose, Congress built in provisions to ensure the statute’s continued effectiveness over decades, including technology-forcing mechanisms to spur innovation, requirements for EPA to periodically review and update standards, and the duty to list and regulate additional pollutants when their dangers became apparent.

As respondents point out, the Supreme Court has already addressed this issue, including in American Electric Power v. Connecticut:

“This Court has already determined that Section 7411, a core provision of the Clean Air Act, ‘speaks directly’ to power plants’ emissions of carbon dioxide; gives EPA authority to decide ‘whether and how’ to regulate those emissions; and assigns EPA the ‘complex balancing’ task required to determine the best pollution-control systems in the context of a technical and complex record for particular industrial categories[…]

“Section 7411 does not contain a sell-by date. To the contrary, Congress designed this provision (and the Act as a whole) to equip EPA with tools to address new pollution problems and to impose new regulatory requirements over time. Indeed, Congress specifically tasked EPA with periodically reviewing and updating its best system determinations and emission limits at least every eight years. Applying Section 7411 to achieve reductions based on evolving systems of emission reduction is thus a feature, not a bug, of the provision.”

The Trump administration’s ineffective replacement for the Clean Power Plan and petitioners’ claims that EPA’s authority is restricted to the fenceline are not supported by the statute.

“[These claims rest] on a novel construction that Section 7411 restricts the ‘best system of emission reduction’ to measures implemented ‘to and at’ the source. That restriction finds no support in the statute.… Moreover, this restriction would unreasonably bar commonplace, cost-effective trading and averaging measures among regulated sources, forcing EPA (and states and industry) to rely on emission-reduction techniques that are both more expensive and less effective.”

If petitioners wish to challenge EPA’s authority and actions, they cannot do so on the basis of the defunct Clean Power Plan and must wait for a new rule.

“Petitioners complain that the CPP’s ‘best system’ went beyond prior applications of emissions averaging and trading by predicating its standards for coal plants in part on emission-reduction credits made available by new renewable generating facilities… This particular aspect of the CPP is the target of petitioners’ repeated claim that the CPP unlawfully required coal plants to purchase credits from new, non-emitting power generators…. Should EPA, in a future rulemaking, adopt any measures that resemble features of the CPP, its action will be subject to judicial review. But this Court should reject petitioners’ invitation to pass judgment now on the legality of a hypothetical future rule.”

Lastly, respondents rebut the argument put forward by North Dakota challenging EPA’s authority to set any minimum pollution control requirements for states:

“North Dakota’s inversion of the statutory structure would take the country back to a world before the modern Clean Air Act provided for minimum federal standards for industrial pollution control. Congress rejected that failed approach in 1970… and replaced it with a framework that has greatly reduced air pollution and stands guard to meet new dangers as they arise.”

Judge-Made “Major Questions” Doctrine Should Not Override the Clear Language of the Statute

Petitioners and their amici are encouraging the Supreme Court to adopt a radical approach by invoking a new “major questions” doctrine that would tear down the federal government’s ability to undertake such basic functions as ensuring the safety of food and drugs, protecting workers’ rights, or policing financial fraud. At stake is whether the United States will continue to have a functioning government that protects the health and well-being of its citizens. Using a case concerning an inoperative policy to impose such a sweeping and reckless Constitutional doctrine would have dangerous consequences for decades to come.

The respondents’ brief also addresses this issue.

"This Court has never applied major questions principles to an agency rule that is defunct, not under review, and that would have no meaningful impact even if it were reinstated. Nor has the Court ever applied such principles to a hypothetical future rule whose impacts are not yet knowable."

Filers

The brief was filed by:

• Environmental Defense Fund
• NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Sierra Club
• Clean Air Task Force
• American Lung Association
• American Public Health Association
• Appalachian Mountain Club
• Clean Air Council
• Clean Wisconsin
• Conservation Law Foundation
• Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Center for Biological Diversity 
• Environmental Law & Policy Center
• Advanced Energy Economy
• Solar Energy Industries Association
• American Clean Power Association

Background

The coal companies and their allies behind this case want to prevent the EPA from limiting carbon pollution, and are attempting to thwart the fight against climate change. The petitioners' actions would move the United States back toward the pre-1970s' era, when few pollution controls existed before the Clean Air Act was signed into law. 

There is strong legal support for the EPA’s authority to regulate power sector pollution in order to protect clean air and public health. The EPA’s authority is consistent with the Constitution, the Clean Air Act and the Supreme Court’s decisions in Massachusetts v. EPA and American Electric Power v. Connecticut. 

The U.S. Department of Justice and EPA, a coalition of two dozen states and cities, and a group of power companies that serve millions of customers in states across the country are also expected to file briefs with the Supreme Court today supporting  EPA’s authority to regulate carbon pollution from power plants.

The full brief, additional information, and filings in the case can be found here.

Media Contacts

For more information or for media inquiries, contacts for the respondents are included below:

• Advanced Energy Economy: Adam Winer, awiner@aee.net
• American Clean Power Association: Jason Ryan, jryan@cleanpower.org
• American Lung Association: Jill Dale, Media@Lung.org
• American Public Health Association: Joseph Bremner, mediarelations@apha.org
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Nina Paus-Weiler, npausweiler@outdoors.org
• Center for Biological Diversity: Nyshie Perkinson, nperkinson@biologicaldiversity.org
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Lisa Caruso, lcaruso@cbf.org
• Clean Air Council: Katie Edwards, kedwards@cleanair.org
• Clean Air Task Force: Troy Shaheen, tshaheen@catf.us
• Clean Wisconsin: Amy Barrilleaux, abarrilleaux@cleanwisconsin.org
• Conservation Law Foundation: Jake O’Neill, joneill@clf.org
• Environmental Defense Fund: Sharyn Stein, sstein@edf.org
• Environmental Law & Policy Center: Paul Dailing, pdailing@elpc.org
• Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy: Aaron Klemz, aklemz@mncenter.org
• Natural Resources Defense Council: Jake Thompson, jthompson@nrdc.org
• Sierra Club: Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
• Solar Energy Industries Association: Dan Whitten, dwhitten@seia.org

Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts today introduced the “Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act of 2021,” to strengthen hyperlocal air quality insights.

“Hyperlocal air quality monitoring technologies are critically important for understanding the local health impacts of air pollution. We need better data on local sources of air pollution and local health outcomes, and the ability to integrate this data into decision-making.

“We thank Senator Markey, and the bill’s original cosponsors, for introducing the ‘Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act,’ which would provide needed tools to better understand air pollution and protect health.

“EDF looks forward to continuing to work with Senator Markey and the bill’s cosponsors, the EPA, and communities across the country to improve the quality and usability of hyperlocal air quality monitoring technologies and data.”

• Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President, Healthy Communities

The bill would require the US Environmental Protection Agency to better enable the development and understanding of hyperlocal air pollution insights at the community level. Under this bill, EPA would update the agency’s Air Sensor Toolbox with characterizations of the advantages and limitations of community monitoring technologies such as low-cost monitors and satellite data products, potential uses of the data, and how to access data on potential sources of air pollution and health impacts from air pollution. The bill would also require EPA to better integrate environmental justice mapping tools, focus on cumulative burdens, and improve the quantitative use of low-cost sensors and data from satellites in decision-making.

“President Biden promised a whole-of-government approach to tackling climate change and advancing the clean energy economy when he took office, and today’s announcement once again delivers on that promise. These actions – which include the largest offshore wind lease in American history, renewed interagency coordination on offshore wind, transmission line upgrades to prepare for more clean energy, and fast-tracking onshore clean energy deployment on public lands – will ramp up clean power production, create good-paying jobs and lower energy costs.

“Crucially, in pursuit of sustainable development of these new offshore wind leases, the lessees will need to identify any Tribes, underserved communities, and other stakeholders potentially affected by their projects and to maintain continued engagement as projects advance. The coordination between NOAA and BOEM, as described in the White House’s announcement, is also intended to support the administration’s commitment to offshore wind growth without comprising the protection of marine resources and supporting other ocean users.

“The Biden Administration’s work here will support real clean energy progress. But to fully seize the opportunities of a clean economy, Congress needs to deliver on the historic climate and clean energy investments in the Build Back Better Act.”

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

(WASHINGTON) A report published today by Highwood Emissions Management on methane emissions and solutions in the pipeline sector finds broad and accelerating adoption of many advanced technologies used to identify and fix methane leaks.

Human-caused emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas 80 times as damaging to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and the main component of natural gas, drive over a quarter of today’s global warming. According to EPA, leaks from gas pipelines were responsible for 21 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions of methane in 2020. Pipeline methane leakage is likely even higher than EPA reports, which translates to significant wasted product, safety risks and damage to the climate.

Download: Leak detection methods for natural gas gathering, transmission, and distribution pipelines

The report comes as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) prepares to issue proposed standards, at the direction of the PIPES Act of 2020, to require operators to use commercially available advanced leak detection technology to find and fix leaks.

“The technologies needed to find and fix rogue emissions of methane are here, they are cost-effective, and they are already seeing adoption in the field by companies serious about cutting their emissions,” said Erin Murphy, senior attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. “Deploying available solutions to tackle pipeline methane leaks is critical for minimizing waste, meeting our climate goals, and protecting the public.”

Expanding field of leak detection technology and methods

According to the report, there are now over 100 advanced leak detection (ALD) technologies on the market – many of which are seeing widespread and accelerating adoption among pipeline operators.

Operators derive significant value in deploying ALD programs, which include methods and technologies such as drones, vehicles, aircraft and satellites, and represent a “step change” from traditional leak detection methods. A combination of ALD technology deployment and improved work practices, such as more frequent leak surveys and improved reporting, can find more pipeline leaks than legacy approaches.

Legacy methods—such as inspecting pipeline right of ways for visual signs of disturbance, walking lines with portable gas sensors, or monitoring for changes in pipeline pressure—can be imprecise as well as time and resource intensive. ALD methods can quickly cover extensive networks of infrastructure and have the benefit of both finding and accurately measuring leaks – critical for helping operators prioritize repair efforts.

Evolving federal policy landscape

The PIPES Act of 2020 directs PHMSA to develop new standards requiring use of advanced leak detection programs by operators of gathering, transmission and distribution pipelines to find and fix leaks. PHMSA is expected to issue its proposal this spring. Today’s report makes clear that ALD solutions are widely available to support implementation of a strong final rule and are already seeing accelerated deployment by operators.

“Getting these rules right is a critical opportunity to take advantage of the innovative solutions and technology on the market,” added Murphy. “Strong standards must include comprehensive coverage across pipeline segments and the flexibility needed to keep pace as leak detection technology continues to improve.”

PHMSA’s ALD rule will be an important component of the Biden Administration’s U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan. PHMSA also recently finalized new standards to expand oversight of gathering pipelines—for the first time, all 434,000 miles of U.S. onshore gathering lines must begin annual incident reporting, and about 20,000 additional miles are subject to leak survey requirements. PHMSA should continue to expand gathering line oversight with a comprehensive ALD rule.

(SAN CARLOS and WASHINGTON, DC) Farmers Business Network and Environmental Defense Fund today announced the launch of the FBN Regenerative Agriculture Finance Fund, one of the first U.S. agricultural financing programs to reward farmers who meet soil health and nitrogen efficiency standards through access to lower rates and fees, as well as agronomic insights to optimize the on-farm benefits of regenerative practices.

RAFF credit lines will replace traditional operating loans with a one-year line of credit that includes a 0.5% discount from a farmer’s base rate. To qualify, farmers must meet environmental eligibility requirements developed by EDF and backed by peer-reviewed scientific research, including nitrogen management and soil conservation standards.

“Regenerative practices can benefit farmers in many ways — through improved soil health, lower fertilizer costs and resilient crop yields,” said Steele Lorenz, FBN’s head of sustainable business. “This new operating line will help make practice adoption more economically feasible and can be paired with other incentive programs such as cover crop cost share or supply chain premiums, ultimately making regenerative agriculture far more accessible to growers across the country.”

Row crop agriculture contributes 5% of greenhouse gas emissions from the United States and is the largest emitter of nitrous oxide, a potent gas with 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. Scientists estimate that a 21% reduction in row crop emissions is possible in the next 15 years through optimization of currently available technology, and up to a 71% reduction could be achieved through additional innovation.^[1]

Agriculture is also one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Regenerative agriculture practices provide an excellent opportunity for farms to build healthy soils, which can protect crops from variable rainfall.^[2] Taken together, practices that build soil health and reduce farm inputs have been shown to reduce farm costs and risks while protecting the long-term value of the land.^[3]

“This fund is a giant leap forward in connecting the environmental and financial performance of farms and integrating the proven value of practices that reduce climate impacts and improve water quality into farm financing,” said Maggie Monast, senior director of climate-smart agriculture at EDF. “The results of the pilot should allow FBN to make the case for rewarding farmers for environmental performance through their financing, at scale.”

The $25 million pilot fund is currently enrolling 30-40 farmers growing a combination of corn, soybeans and/or wheat who will each receive one-year lines of credit of up to $5 million. The RAFF will originate loans from a diversity of farmers, including FBN’s network of more than 33,000 members, and provide underwriting and monitoring for the portfolio at a discounted rate.

FBN’s Gradable platform enables data collection at scale with proprietary technology and will validate regenerative farming practices through its sophisticated analysis techniques. Farmers will input data into FBN’s Gradable platform, which also provides farmers with agronomic guidance to optimize farm production choices. Farmers must agree to provide production data for all enrolled fields for at least three crop years, but do not need to demonstrate a new practice to qualify. This means that farmers who have already invested in regenerative practices such as no-till, cover crops and optimized fertilizer use can participate.

Environmental Defense Fund will provide oversight related to the environmental criteria required for RAFF eligibility. The criteria are designed to be inclusive of farmers who grow corn, soy and wheat in a variety of geographies and who implement a variety of regenerative practices, while establishing a clear system for monitoring those practices and environmental outcomes, as well as measuring the success of novel financial incentives in the farm finance space.

FBN will connect farm environmental performance with the financial performance of the fund, creating insights into the relationship between regenerative practices and farm risk and creditworthiness, and providing investors and agricultural lenders with a new investment opportunity that has the potential to scale across millions of acres. FBN plans to scale the fund to $500 million over three years, accessing public markets to securitize and sell these loans to investors who seek liquid, environmentally friendly investments.

^[1] Northrup, Daniel L., Basso, Bruno, Wang, Michael Q., Morgan, Cristine L. S., Benfey,  Philip N. Novel technologies for emission reduction complement conservation agriculture to achieve negative emissions from row-crop production. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2022666118.

^[2] Kane, Daniel A., Mark A. Bradford, Emma Fuller, Emily E. Oldfield, and Stephen A. Wood. "Soil Organic Matter Protects Us Maize Yields and Lowers Crop Insurance Payouts under Drought." Environmental Research Letters 16, no. 4 (2021/03/16 2021): 044018. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abe492.

^[3] Environmental Defense Fund, KCoe Isom, and Soil Health Partnership. 2021. Conservation's Impact on the Farm Bottom Line. Retrieved from: https://business.edf.org/files/Conservation-Impact-On-Farm-Bottom-Line-2021.pdf

(PHOENIX, AZ – Jan. 10, 2022) In his state of the state address today, Gov. Doug Ducey proposed making a historic $1 billion investment in water infrastructure. In response, Environmental Defense Fund released the following statement:

“We commend the governor and legislative leaders for putting Arizona’s water needs at the top of the state’s agenda. It is essential that new water funding is structured in ways that help the state to adapt to new water realities: Drought supercharged by climate change is shrinking Colorado River supplies and contributing to a groundwater crisis in several rural Arizona communities. We can’t pour enough concrete to overcome the water challenges we face, and focusing primarily on building long pipelines won’t lead to the water security we need.

“We must take a bold, comprehensive approach to secure Arizona’s water future, starting with our definitions of water infrastructure and augmentation. Instructure must include natural systems — watersheds, forests, rivers and streams, wetlands and underground aquifers — that produce and purify the water we need.  In addition to desalination, augmentation must include projects that treat and reuse wastewater, replenish local groundwater, and capture and recharge stormwater to benefit communities and ecosystems. State lawmakers need to authorize rural Arizona communities to begin managing and conserving groundwater and strengthen our Active Management Areas’ programs and standards. And finally, this all-of-the-above approach to updating water management and policies requires unprecedented collaboration and the involvement of tribes and other communities who have been long overlooked in water decision-making.”

• Kevin Moran, Senior Director, Colorado River Program, Environmental Defense Fund

(Sacramento, CA — Jan. 10, 2022) Earlier today, Governor Gavin Newsom released a proposed budget for California’s next fiscal year, outlining expenditures on a range of issues impacting human health and the environment. The proposed spending would manage California’s large budget surplus and support public and private investment across the state.  With $22.5 billion in proposed climate-related expenditures, the budget is a demonstration of California’s climate leadership and will catalyze action beyond the state’s borders. 

“Governor Newsom’s budget proposal is a bold step toward ensuring California makes the investments necessary to address the magnitude of the climate crisis, improve environmental equity, support a clean economy and protect public health.

“The proposed investments in drought relief and rural communities, wildfire suppression and clean transportation will aid the state’s transition to a low carbon economy while also helping people as they struggle with the impacts of a changing climate, rebuild from the largest wildfires in our state’s history and cope with the ongoing pandemic.

“As our state continues to fight against Covid and climate change, we commend the governor’s leadership and his strategy leveraging the state’s budget surplus to ensure future generations are better protected from these complex challenges.” 

• Katelyn Roedner Sutter, Senior Manager for U.S. Climate at EDF

(Raleigh, N.C. – Jan. 7 2022) Today, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 246, which establishes new pollution reduction goals and directs the state to identify pathways to achieve net-zero emissions, prioritize environmental justice and develop clean transportation options.

“The executive order announced by Governor Cooper today is an important signal that North Carolina is sharpening its focus on addressing climate change and creating a more equitable clean energy future. The measures in EO246 raise the ambition of the state’s climate goals to align with the latest science, take aim at curbing harmful pollution across the state’s transportation sector (the second-largest emitting sector behind power plants), and begins important work to directly address the needs of North Carolina communities historically overburdened by pollution. 

“For too long, conversations regarding equity and climate have been siloed, when in reality these issues deeply intersect as historically marginalized communities bear the disproportionate burden of pollution and are on the frontlines of increasingly damaging climate impacts. EO246 sets the stage to consider these issues in tandem, which is essential to making meaningful progress towards a more equitable, climate-safe future.

“Standing alongside our equity partners, we are eager to roll up our sleeves to help ensure that this executive order tangibly advances North Carolina toward a more equitable, cleaner future. We look forward to working with communities and the Cooper administration in the development of the plans outlined in EO246 while using existing tools to rapidly drive down carbon pollution across the transportation and electric-power sectors.”

• David Kelly, North Carolina State Director, Environmental Defense Fund

New York yesterday adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which requires manufacturers to invest in, produce and sell a percentage of zero-emission trucks, beginning with model year 2025. The rule is meant to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks throughout the state to achieve a full fleet turnover by 2035 and meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.  

“Through this rulemaking process, Gov. Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation have demonstrated their commitment to protecting New York’s communities from pollution. This rule will deliver cleaner air and powerful opportunities to improve equity, while sparking economic growth throughout the state.  

“Now policymakers, utilities and the private sector must come together to build the charging infrastructure necessary to fuel these zero-emission trucks, which will ensure they are on New York’s roads as soon as possible.”

• Mary Barber, Director, State Affairs

New York is the fourth state in the U.S. after California, Oregon and New Jersey to formalize its commitment to zero-emission trucks through an official ruling. In 2020, New York joined NESCAUM’s multi-state Zero-emission Truck and Bus Memorandum of Understanding.

(WASHINGTON, DC – Dec. 21, 2021) — “We’re pleased to see EPA acknowledge the significant flaws in the original 2018 TSCA systematic review method and that the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention has collaborated with the Office of Research and Development to incorporate elements of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) methodology in its proposed framework for reviewing scientific studies of chemical risks. The systematic review protocol is crucial to ensuring TSCA risk evaluations are scientifically robust and provide a strong basis for protecting public health. We will review the agency’s proposed framework in detail over the coming weeks.”

• Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemical Policy

“Today EPA announced the most protective clean car standards our nation has ever adopted to address the climate crisis. The standards are a holiday gift for all Americans. They’ll save us hard-earned money at the gas pump, deliver healthier air to our communities, and cut climate pollution.

“Today’s standards apply to model year 2023 to 2026 new cars and passenger trucks, and correct damaging action by the past administration to unravel our clean car safeguards. Today’s innovative standards put our nation on the road to a clean transportation future where we eliminate tailpipe pollution, create new manufacturing jobs, and become global leaders in the race to zero-emitting vehicles. EPA projects sales of new zero-emitting vehicles will reach 17 percent in model year 2026. Today’s action is a crucial foundation for ensuring all new sales are zero-emitting vehicles by 2035, as is necessary to achieve science-based reductions in climate pollution.

“Now we must accelerate progress, building from today’s action. The next leg of our journey must include rigorous multipollutant standards for new cars and trucks in model year 2027 and beyond that reflect the availability of zero-emission vehicles and their economic benefits for all Americans. The next generation of standards are essential for us to reach the finish line and ultimately to have a world free from all transportation pollution. We congratulate EPA on today’s achievement and look forward to the road ahead.”

            - Fred Krupp, president, Environmental Defense Fund

TRENTON, NJ –  Today, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, moving forward a regulatory path for electrifying everything from delivery vans to tractor trailers in the state. New Jersey is one of several states to move forward with adoption of California’s ACT rule this year. Oregon and Washington recently adopted the ACT rule; together, the states that have adopted or are considering the rule make up more than 20 percent of the national fleet of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 

The ACT rule requires manufacturers to sell and deliver pollution-free zero-emission trucks to New Jersey beginning in 2025 and requires 40-75 percent new zero-emission truck sales by 2035.

A diverse coalition of environmental, business, public health, and environmental justice advocates has urged the Murphy administration to adopt the ACT rule. Although the rule will help deliver zero-emission trucks to New Jersey and slash dirty diesel emissions, environmental justice advocates believe that it does not do enough to guarantee emissions reductions in environmental justice communities. As New Jersey moves forward with other clean truck policies, like the Heavy-Duty Omnibus Rule, the State needs to make sure that there are regulations that target emissions reductions in communities that are already overburdened by pollution.

Studies have shown that by adopting clean trucks rules, New Jersey could save hundreds of lives, avoid thousands of additional respiratory illnesses, and reduce millions of metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and NOx and PM emissions.

QUOTES FROM SUPPORTERS:

"We are glad that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Governor Murphy are moving forward with the ACT rule. This is a step towards moving New Jersey away from dirty diesel trucks and building healthier and safer communities across the state. This rule will significantly reduce emissions from the transportation sector, which contributes 41% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey," said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Sierra Club's New Jersey Chapter Director. "In addition, this rule will also reduce air pollutants like NOx and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. This will go a long way to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

“Gov. Murphy and the Department of Environmental Protection have demonstrated their bold commitment to climate leadership during this rulemaking process. As a result, this rule will deliver cleaner air, powerful opportunities to improve equity and spark economic growth in New Jersey,” said Mary Barber, Director, State Affairs at Environmental Defense Fund. “Now we need policymakers, utilities and the private sector working together to build out the charging infrastructure necessary to fuel these zero-emission trucks, which will ensure they are on our roads as soon as possible.”

“With today’s decision, New Jersey is leading the way to a more sustainable transportation system. While there is much more work to be done to reduce emissions in frontline communities, adopting the ACT rule is a good first step,” said Jennifer Helfrich, senior manager, state policy, Ceres. “Major companies support this rule to increase the availability of clean vehicles for their supply chains. Many are already taking steps to turnover their fleets, but they need leading states to adopt strong policies to get this technology on the road at the scale and scope necessary to take on the climate crisis. We hope today’s decision will drive adoption in additional states so that communities across the country can reap the major climate, public health, and business benefits of this technology.” 

“Sometimes the most difficult decision is acknowledging that a grave mistake has been made, and then embarking on unraveling the repercussions of that wrongdoing. In the context of the environment, many have made mistakes when it comes to the health, equity, and quality of life of our black, brown, and poor communities,” said Marcus Sibley, environmental and climate justice chairman at the New Jersey State Conference NAACP. “There are no perfect or quick fixes to the realities resulting from centuries of racist policies and practices, but we must take bold steps towards a better future for all. The adoption of the ACT rule is one such step, and we thank Governor Murphy and the NJDEP because clean air truly is a right.”

"The Advanced Clean Truck rule is a major step forward for our climate and the health of our communities, as it electrifies the dirtiest vehicles on New Jersey roads," said Hayley Berliner, Clean Energy Advocate with Environment New Jersey. "If we want to reach our ambitious climate goals, we must electrify everything on wheels in New Jersey and the Advanced Clean Truck rule is a critical way to do just that. We want to thank Governor Murphy, the NJDEP, and the entire administration for making New Jersey the East Coast leader for truck electrification."

“As more states act to adopt the ACT rule, it will create a tidal wave of demand for zero emission technologies and innovation - bringing more options and driving down costs. We know switching to all electric powered trucking and goods movement will not happen overnight; but it is an essential element to protecting public health, addressing the climate crisis, and creating family sustaining green jobs regardless of the zip code you live in,”  said Amy Goldsmith, 

NJ State Director, Clean Water Action.

"By adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, New Jersey has demonstrated its strong commitment to a clean energy future by significantly decarbonizing its transportation sector," said Jaqi Cohen, Director of Climate and Equity Policy at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. "Transportation currently accounts for the largest percentage of New Jersey's overall greenhouse gas emissions, in large part due to its heavy reliance on diesel fueled vehicles. By advancing the ACT, New Jersey will significantly reduce the transportation sector's reliance on dirty fossil fuels, and will act as a leader on climate change and lead the way for the rest of the nation. The adoption of the ACT is a win for our communities, our public health, and the future of our transportation sector, and we applaud Governor Murphy and the NJDEP on their decision." 

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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With offices in the United States, China, Mexico, United Kingdom and Indonesia, EDF’s 750 scientists, economists, attorneys – and our partners and allies – work in 26 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and our Energy Program blog. 

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

About the NAACP: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can learn more about The New Jersey State Conference NAACP, the numerous local units throughout the state, the advocacy efforts, and the annual convention at http://www.njscnaacp.org.

Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmentnewjerseycenter.org. 

About Clean Water Action: Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking and people power to the table. www.cleanwater.org/nj.

“The Build Back Better Act is vitally important for our economy, our environment and our children’s future. It will reduce pollution, lower costs for American families and create good jobs. It is also the most ambitious climate and environmental justice action in American history. All of this makes it essential that the Senate pass this legislation.

“We are in a race not only to limit the dangerous impacts of climate change, but to build an economy that will make America stronger. We need the investments in the Build Back Better Act if we want to win the competition with Europe and China for the jobs of the future, reduce asthma and other impacts from pollution, and stabilize our climate.

“The Build Back Better Act is also a fiscally responsible investment in our future. Independent analysts like Moody’s have said Build Back Better will ease long term inflation. It is the most fiscally responsible major legislation to come before Congress in recent years.

“We will continue to fight for passage of the Build Back Better Act. For American families who need relief and demand a better future for their children, we must get this done.”

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs