Complete list of press releases

(Washington, D.C.) "Electric vehicles are the future of the automotive industry. We applaud the introduction of the Driving America Forward Act —which extends a federal tax credit for the purchase of zero emission cars and light trucks—and thank Senators Stabenow, Alexander, Peters, and Collins and Representative Kildee for their leadership on this bi-partisan priority. To position the U.S. to be the global leader in manufacturing the zero emissions vehicles that will power the future of the industry and provide good paying jobs, we need to build on this important step by advancing complementary measures. This includes maintaining the protective Clean Car Standards, investing in a robust charging infrastructure, and encouraging the adoption of electric buses and large trucks."

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

(WASHINGTON – April 10, 2019) The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA), which includes Danone North America; Mars, Incorporated; Nestlé USA; and Unilever United States, today released a set of climate policy principles to accelerate and guide the development of federal climate legislation. 

“Today’s announcement by four of the world’s biggest food companies is a sign of growing momentum for federal climate policy. The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance’s climate policy principles make a powerful case for action and highlight the specific challenges and opportunities that climate change poses to the food and agriculture sector.

“The climate challenge is more urgent than ever, and demands a bigger response from businesses than just cutting their own emissions. SFPA companies are rising to the challenge by urging Congress to enact policies – including a carbon pricing system – that drive down greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy and increase resiliency in the face of climate change.

“The most underutilized tool companies have to fight climate change is their political influence. The future of our economy and environment depend on business leaders’ willingness to put this tool to use.”

– Tom Murray, Vice President, EDF+Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Arbitrary sequestration cuts will lead to harmful impacts to our environment and public health, and will impede our ability to effectively address climate change. We need more funding to address these critical matters, not less. That is why EDF supports H.R. 2021, the Investing for the People Act of 2019, which would raise the budget caps for defense and non-defense spending in the next two fiscal years (FY20 and FY21). It is a common-sense proposal that will allow the Environmental Protection Agency to continue its important public health mission. Additionally, it will enable funding for programs critical to studying and responding to climate change and accelerate clean energy innovation that will benefit our environment and consumers."

- Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 9, 2019) In a strong show of bipartisan support, Congress approved legislation late Monday to implement the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan.

The Colorado River provides water to more than 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland.

Developed in response to a 19-year drought, the Drought Contingency Plan outlines how much water Arizona, California and Nevada will conserve to avoid a water crisis in Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, as water levels fall to various thresholds. Starting next year, the additional cuts could amount to 192,000 acre feet for Arizona and 8,000 acre feet for Nevada if Lake Mead’s elevation falls at or below 1,090 feet. California would reduce its share of Colorado River water by 200,000 acre feet when Lake Mead falls at or below 1,045 acre feet.

“This is a major step toward a more secure future for the Southwestern United States and a valuable model for building climate resilience for the entire country.

“Water scarcity is a reality in the American West, and leaders in the region recognize that new thinking and collaboration on an unprecedented scale are required to take on this challenge. People and wildlife alike will be better off thanks to their work.”

• Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 8, 2019) Tomorrow the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), will conduct hearings on the interconnected challenges of solving climate change and protecting national security. With the Trump administration ignoring longstanding warnings from the military about the impact of a changing climate on defense infrastructure and the dangers of increased instability, it is a critically important area for investigation for the Congress. The hearing follows a letter by fifty-eight senior national security officials warning about the dangers of climate change.

"For more than a decade, the Department of Defense has warned presidents from both parties about the threat climate change poses to national security and to our troops," said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs at Environmental Defense Fund. "It is reckless to ignore the impact of climate change. We are grateful to Chairman Cummings for convening this hearing and are particularly pleased that former Sens. John Kerry and Chuck Hagel are lending their bipartisan expertise to this critical matter."

A recent report from the military noted that "recurrent flooding, drought, and wildfires are the primary concerns at the 79 installations." That assessment follows a report last fall by scientists at the Department of Defense, NASA and 11 other agencies, that climate change will have a devastating effect on our economy and society. In response, President Trump has dismissed the importance of climate change and is reportedly assembling a panel in the White House to undermine the consensus around climate science and its impacts.

To learn more facts about the impact of climate change, please visit edf.org/climate.

(BOSTON – April 8, 2019) New research published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science shows that adapting fishing intensity to the health of fish populations is key to making fisheries more climate resilient.

Authored by scientists at the Environmental Defense Fund and University of California Santa Barbara, the study shows that adaptive and responsive strategies for managing fisheries in the face of climate change can help build resilience, resulting in healthier oceans and a more stable supply of fish for people.

Climate change is already putting tremendous pressure on fishing communities around the world, presenting new challenges for fishery scientists and managers. The paper focuses on the use of harvest control rules (HCRs) to set catch limits that are inherently more resilient.

“The right harvest control rule is like adaptive cruise control for your fishery,” said Jake Kritzer, Senior Director with Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans program and lead author of the paper. “When you need to slow down, the system can automatically adjust to the right level. Then, when the road ahead is clear, it allows you to return to a higher level.”

Warming waters are causing species of fish to shift their ranges and reproduce at lower rates. Unfortunately, the current system for managing fish catches is often not adaptive enough to respond to these dynamics. In many fisheries, it sets static catch levels at a percentage of the total biomass, and those percentages often don’t change even when the biomass declines.

(Denver, CO – April 5, 2019) A landmark bill to protect Coloradans from climate change passed a key committee vote today.

The Colorado House Energy and Environment Committee voted 7 -to-4 to pass House Bill 19-1261. The bill provides for the establishment of state climate pollution reduction goals anchored in science and climate safety.

EDF senior director of regulatory strategy Pam Kiely testified in support of the bill at the committee hearing today

“Climate change is the pivotal challenge of our time. How we respond to this challenge will shape our future, our children’s future, and the future of our planet,” said Kiely in her testimony. “Colorado has laid tremendous groundwork over the last decade driving investment and innovation in clean energy technologies. We have a strong foundation to build from, and to take the next step to secure the types of bold reductions in climate pollution necessary to avoid the most catastrophic effects of a changing climate.”

Colorado faces severe threats from climate change, including intensifying and more frequent wildfires, worsening summer smog that causes asthma attacks and other serious health problems, catastrophic flooding, and prolonged drought that threatens our farmers and our national and state parks.

House Bill 19-1261 provides for Colorado to cut climate pollution by at least 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050 (relative to 2005 pollution levels). It also directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment to take cost-effective action to achieve these reductions and to protect the health and well-being of all Coloradans from climate pollution.

Colorado has a strong foundation to achieve these vital climate pollution reduction goals:

• Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest power provider, committed to achieve an 80 percent reduction in carbon pollution by 2030 and to eliminate all carbon pollution from its power generation for Colorado by 2050.
• The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment recently adopted clean car standards that will save Coloradans hundreds of dollars at the gas pump annually and reduce dangerous climate and smog pollution.
• The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has also required Colorado’s oil and gas industry to achieve reductions in dangerous methane pollution. Those reductions will also reduce the unnecessary waste of Colorado’s oil and gas resources. Under new legislation the department will work to modernize these important pollution limits to protect public health and the environment based on advances in technologies and common sense clean air solutions.

“This bill is a trifecta to protect Coloradans’ health, to protect our environment, and to secure clean energy economic prosperity for all Coloradans,” said Kiely. “EDF applauds the Colorado House of Representatives for today’s vote – especially the bill’s sponsors KC Becker, Faith Winter, Dominique Jackson and Angela Williams.”

(Belize City, Belize – April 5, 2019) In a bold step for the sustainability of its fisheries and the world’s second largest barrier reef, the government of Belize has approved a plan to set aside 10% of its territorial waters as no-take marine protected areas (MPAs), nearly tripling the size of its existing zones.

This major expansion of the MPAs is coupled with the Caribbean nation’s move to adopt a national secure fishing rights program in 2016. It represents the culmination of more than six years of work led by The National Conservation Zone Expansion Steering Committee, which includes the Belize Fisheries Department, Environmental Defense Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy, Belize Federation of Fishers, Belize Fishermen Cooperatives, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Belize Forest Department, National Protected Areas Secretariat, Belize Coast Guard, Healthy Reefs Initiative, Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations and Toledo Institute for Development.

“This is a truly remarkable accomplishment that is setting an example for the rest of the world to follow,” said Katie McGinty, Senior Vice President for Oceans at Environmental Defense Fund. “The combination of significant marine protected areas and managed access for fishers will help protect some of the most important ecosystems in the world while ensuring sustainable fishing can continue to provide food, nutrition and livelihoods to the thousands of Belizeans who rely on these valuable natural resources.”

Over more than six years, an international collaboration of scientists led by Belizeans worked to identify zones that can protect marine habitat and allow for recovery of degraded ecosystems, while at the same time helping to replenish fish stocks. A lengthy process of consultations with stakeholders, facilitated by Government of Belize, Belizean community NGOs, EDF and other international NGO partners, resulted in widespread support for these new marine protected areas, and a commitment to stewardship from coastal communities.

The expansion of marine protected areas will have an impact well beyond fisheries. It is a crucial step for Belize to meet the aspirations of its national development plans and its international commitments under the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“A healthy reef and vibrant fisheries sector is necessary for Belize to achieve its goals for reducing poverty, improving food security and nutrition and increasing investment for development in Belize,” according to Belize Fisheries Administrator, Beverly Wade.

This new expansion comes as Belize was recently recognized for the impact of its sustainable fisheries. According to the most recent ‘Mesoamerican Reef Report Card’ by Healthy Reef for Healthy People, Belize’s no-take zones show growing fish populations and biodiversity. That biodiversity is magnificent and unique—mangroves, corals, seagrass and cayes support populations of conch, lobster and a variety of reef fish.

In 2016, in response to growing threats to the health of their fisheries, Belize established a nationwide secure fishing rights program, the first of its kind in the world. Belize’s approach creates incentives for fishing communities to become stewards of their fisheries. At the center of the solution being adopted by Belize is a combination of secure fishing rights and empowerment of fishermen called “Managed Access.” Under this approach, fishers and fishing communities control their own future through licenses, giving them access to fish in specific geographic areas of the fishery, and responsibilities to help manage the areas and observe regulations.

“Together, managed access and no-take zones are designed to help rebuild fish populations while protecting critical habitat,” said Nicanor Requena, Belize Project Manager at Environmental Defense Fund, “The people of Belize deserve tremendous credit for their vision and perseverance to protect their natural heritage while encouraging sustainable fishing practices so that people and nature can prosper together.”

(COLUMBUS, OH) The U.S. Bankruptcy Court today ruled that FirstEnergy could not use its subsidiary’s bankruptcy filing to evade its environmental clean-up and remediation responsibilities. The subsidiary FirstEnergy Solutions filed for bankruptcy in order to reduce its debt, but it also tried to release its parent company, FirstEnergy, of all liabilities associated with cleaning up poisonous coal-ash pits and decommissioning radioactive reactors. Federal and state agencies in Ohio and Pennsylvania recently joined Environmental Defense Fund and its environmental and consumer allies to oppose these evasive efforts by FirstEnergy.

“FirstEnergy hoped to simply walk away from a steaming pile of expensive, hazardous waste. Thankfully, today’s decision makes clear that the company can’t avoid its environmental responsibilities.”

• Dick Munson, Director, Midwest Clean Energy

(Biloxi, MS – April 4, 2019) The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took one step closer today to delegating management of private angler red snapper fishing to Gulf states. After years of shortening seasons, conflicting approaches by the states, and heated debates by political leaders, the Council has passed “Amendment 50” which establishes allocations of red snapper to each state and tasks them with setting seasons out to 200 miles and monitoring harvest levels.

EDF applauds the work of the Council, the Gulf states and the National Marine Fisheries Service to advance responsible reform in the private recreational red snapper fishery. The amendment will now be sent to the Secretary of Commerce where it is expected to be approved. This vote took place just in time, as 2019 is the last year of a federal pilot program where Gulf states were experimenting with their ability to manage the private recreational red snapper fishery.

The following is a statement from Sepp Haukebo, manager of private angler reform, Environmental Defense Fund:

“As a Gulf angler myself I am hopeful, but guarded as we move toward a solution that should allow us to spend more time fishing for red snapper and less time arguing over them. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 50 would provide the states with more flexibility to set seasons that work for their anglers. However, there are still some issues to address to ensure we don’t go back to the days of overfishing.

“While this is a solid step in the right direction, the states and NOAA now have to work together to reconcile their data to establish a “common currency” by which we can measure total recreational harvests across the Gulf. EDF will be watching closely to make sure the states do their part to submit accurate and timely harvest numbers. We have come too far in rebuilding the red snapper population to risk denying future generations a world class fishery.

“I’m also encouraged that this change removes the sunset on sector separation, a management tool that has led to greater access and accountability for federal-charter businesses and their customers since implementation. The passage of Amendment 50 is further evidence that the Magnuson-Stevens Act is working by giving regional councils the flexibility to customize solutions. Now the states will have the opportunity to manage their private anglers, while still being held accountable with state-by-state paybacks for overages if they do not abide by the science-based limits that have rebuilt the red snapper fishery in the Gulf.”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) A new report from Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) Shale Caucus identifies opportunities to update methane regulations to advance leak detection innovation. A thorough assessment of regulatory policies and practices from six states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals strong agreement among environmentalists, regulators, innovators, and operators that improved alternative compliance pathways are needed. The report recommends three key steps to encourage innovation using regulations for methane leak detection and repair.

“Written with innovators in mind, regulations can do much more than mandate a cleaner environment. They can spur competitive markets,” said Aileen Nowlan, Senior Manager at EDF and lead author of the report. “But to do so, regulators must reward innovation and risk. Methane regulations currently do not.”

The report identifies opportunities to reduce methane leaks through aligning regulations with needs from the private sector to accelerate technologies. Currently, the lack of a pathway for approval of new methods for leak detection and repair is the single biggest barrier to investing in and deploying new solutions. Without a pathway for approval of new methods, innovation can slow or even stop once a regulatory mandate is established, with the result that best practice is frozen.

Key recommendations for state regulators:

• Adopt a shared model for equivalency. Methane rules as written prescribe steps for monitoring, instead of outcomes. Innovators would benefit from a manageable numerical model to calculate impact.
• Transparent and rapid process. Innovators need to demonstrate technologies in real-world conditions to gain the confidence of operators and service providers. Developing these solutions is expensive and complicated and innovators and companies need rapid feedback about what works and what is approvable.
• Approvals with powerful benefits. Approvals that increase access to new markets would further incentivize innovators and adoption by more companies. Currently approvals do not translate across state lines.

“While several new methane detection technologies have been successfully demonstrated in pilot projects, none are being used today as widely as they should be,” said Drew Pomerantz, Research Scientist, Schlumberger. “The main impediment to their broad deployment is the lack of a defined pathway for these new methods to gain regulatory approval. In my opinion, the most urgent priority for government, companies, academics and NGOs is to determine a set of performance standards for new methodologies, as well as a pathway to demonstrate performance.”

Leak detection and repair is a pressing concern for the oil and gas industry, as leaks profoundly undermine their social license to operate. Companies are concerned about lost product, current and future regulations, and the impact on their reputations. Recent federal methane regulatory rollbacks only increase these risks to jurisdictions and industry leaders.

Recently, four major oil and gas companies have spoken out in favor of keeping direct regulation of methane, and even expanding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules. These company statements come as a broader focus is being placed on climate action generally, and follow thirteen companies signing onto the Methane Guiding Principles committing to “advocate for sound policy and regulations of methane emissions,” among other things.

Regulations have the potential to work better for everyone. “Designed well, regulations can reduce emissions faster by providing entrepreneurs confidence there will be new markets,” said Nowlan. “If governments get the rules right, they can spark a new wave of innovation.”

A study in the journal Science finds that the U.S. oil and gas industry emits 13 million metric tons of methane from its operations each year—nearly 60 percent more than currently estimated by EPA. In addition, the leaks are a significant contributor to the warming experienced now, trapping heat 84 times more effectively than carbon in the short term. Unchecked leaks also endanger public health. Over twelve million people live within 1/2 mile from an oil and gas facility. Exposure to leaks and related toxins are associated with increased health risks such as asthma and cancer.

The research questions were determined in collaboration with the ECOS Shale Gas Caucus, and industry representatives, technology innovators, environmentalists and federal regulators.

(HARRISBURG, Pa.) Today, Sen. Ryan Aument and other members of the Pennsylvania State Senate introduced their own nuclear subsidy bill in response to HB 11, which Rep. Tom Mehaffie introduced in the State House on March 11. The bill, like HB 11, lacks any plan to actually cut power sector carbon pollution in Pennsylvania. In addition, unlike HB11, the Senate bill does not even include a provision to extinguish the subsidy if a carbon price is adopted. Consequently, it does nothing to advance a durable, market-based solution to curb power sector emissions while Pennsylvania remains the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the nation.

The foundation of any sustainable, long-term energy strategy in Pennsylvania is a binding, declining limit on power sector carbon emissions. This approach fosters the type of flexible, low-cost solutions that cut pollution and spur deployment of zero-emission technologies.

“Pennsylvania’s energy sector is one of the dirtiest in the country, and it risks being left behind in the regional marketplace without a comprehensive approach to carbon pollution. A binding, declining limit on carbon pollution aligns with market-based principles and could drive growth of zero- carbon energy along with consumer savings. The current bill saddles consumers with costs and risks, with no guarantee of securing the carbon reductions Pennsylvania must achieve.”

• Andrew Williams, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs

“Climate change is a threat to our economy, our national security, and our children’s future. The recently introduced resolution by Congressman Matt Gaetz demonstrates the momentum for climate action across the political spectrum.

“We need bold climate action and we also need bipartisan support to pass it. This non-binding resolution, while a small step, recognizes that pollution is causing dangerous changes to our climate, and that the federal government must act to achieve ‘robust, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reductions.’

“While we strongly disagree with Rep. Gaetz on fundamental issues, we welcome voices from across Congress who recognize the need to take action to address the climate crisis. We look forward to hearing specific solutions that cut climate pollution at the pace and scale necessary to overcome this challenge.”

(DENVER, Colo.) The Colorado Senate today adopted SB 19-181, landmark reforms to strengthen oversight of oil and gas operations across the state. The bill now heads to Gov. Polis’ desk and is expected to be signed into law. 

SB 19-181 directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to conduct a rulemaking that will strengthen well integrity standards to prevent groundwater pollution and catastrophic well blowouts, such as the one in 2017 near Hudson, CO that spilled over 28,000 gallons of oil, gas and drilling wastewater. Colorado has not conducted any major updates to its well integrity rules in nearly a decade, and in some key areas the state’s rules are weaker than the American Petroleum Institute’s recommended voluntary practices.

Additionally, SB 19-181 also directs the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to introduce the next generation of methane standards that build on Colorado’s legacy as the first state in the nation to adopt rules to cut methane emissions. Those provisions call on the AQCC to consider continuous monitoring technology in suburban and urban communities and implement semi-annual leak detection and repair requirements at all wells across the state.

Notably, SB 19-181 professionalizes the COGCC to ensure science and technology drive decision-making – a change the oil and gas industry supported. The legislation also alters COGCC’s mission to prioritize protection of public health and the environment and empowers local governments to regulate surface activities and air quality.

“Today is a victory for the people of Colorado. SB 19-181 will expand Colorado’s leadership on methane and curb emissions of this dangerous greenhouse gas, while also helping prevent catastrophic well explosions that threaten our communities. As the Trump administration continues its assault on federal methane protections, it is more important than ever that Colorado respond by boldly cutting methane and fighting climate change.

“This legislation would not have been possible without the tireless and fierce leadership of Gov. Jared Polis, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, House Speaker KC Becker and COGCC Director Jeff Robbins.”

• Matt Garrington, State Campaigns Manager, Energy

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 2, 2019) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) hosted an emergency meeting of scientists, restoration practitioners, agricultural producers, land managers and agency officials at the University of California, Davis last month to discuss and identify challenges and opportunities for recovering the western monarch butterfly population, which has declined 86 percent since last year. The takeaways from the meeting are summarized in a new report, Recovering the Western Monarch Butterfly Population: EDF’s Key Takeaways.

“While the factors driving last year’s steep monarch population decline remain uncertain, the evidence over the long term indicates that land conversion of overwintering sites on the coast, pesticide exposure, climate change, parasites, disease and a reduction in breeding and nectar habitat are all contributing to the species’ near-extinction status,” said Dan Kaiser, director of western conservation strategies at EDF.

“To recover the western monarch population and build resilience for native pollinators, EDF believes that landowners, wildlife agencies and restoration practitioners must work together to protect and restore breeding and migratory habitat, fast,” Kaiser said.

The meeting report published today identifies the paramount challenges and opportunities associated with restoring monarch habitat on working lands, incorporating feedback from landowners with direct, on-the-ground experience with monarch conservation activities in California.

“In many cases, landowners do not have the time to conduct the research needed or to access the grants necessary to fund planting and maintenance of monarch and pollinator habitat,” said Reyn Akiona from Bowles Farming in Los Banos, California. “Farmers and ranchers are typically willing to help, we just need to make it easier to access resources for monarch habitat projects.”

Another key opportunity identified in the report for scaling up monarch habitat restoration is incorporating monarch habitat into existing and planned restoration projects. For example, there are thousands of acres of planned floodplain restoration along the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. By incorporating milkweed and suitable wildflowers into these existing restoration plans, the floodplain habitat could also provide additional support for monarchs.

“To recover the western monarch population, we need to protect, manage and restore the habitat that it uses – from the coastal forests where it overwinters to the native milkweeds and wildflowers it needs in the spring,” said Sarina Jepsen of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “Scaling up these kinds of efforts will help not only monarchs, but a whole suite of other native pollinators,” Jepsen added.

“Conservation goals for the western monarch butterfly are necessarily ambitious, but they’re not impossible,” said Kaiser. “Collaborations between unique partners are key to bringing restoration efforts to scale, and this report provides the foundation to do just that in the near-term in California.”

To further boost conservation efforts in the West, EDF recently released a technical field guide for monarch butterfly habitat creation in California, and sponsored legislation that will direct $3 million to monarch conservation in the state.

The monarch faces a June 2019 deadline for federal policymakers to decide whether or not to add the butterfly to the endangered species list. This decision will take into account the status of both the eastern and western monarch populations, in addition to conservation efforts across the U.S., as the North American monarch’s range spans the entire continental U.S. and parts of Mexico.