Carbon Pricing 101
To avoid the worst impacts and preserve a livable planet for future generations, we need to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Carbon pricing is a proven and effective way to help us meet that goal.
Transportation
'Build Back Better' plan would transform America's infrastructure
President Biden's infrastructure package takes a fix-it-first approach toward repairing the nation's highways and bridges, and includes key provisions for expanding electric transportation, getting the lead out of drinking water, and strengthening the electric grid.
Solid Waste
Toxic waste cleanups are lagging. We need polluters to pay to clean up their messes.
The United States has a toxic waste problem. But as the financial burden for cleaning up that waste has shifted primarily to taxpayers, cleanups are lagging behind.
Solid Waste
Nation's strongest plastic waste bill returns to Congress
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act would install a national bottle bill, ban some of the worst single-use plastics, and shift more financial responsibility for collecting and processing plastic waste onto plastics producers.
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News & Research
News Release | U.S. PIRG
Olympia, Wa. -- Taking an important step to address the plastic pollution crisis, Washington’s Senate and House concurred on a bipartisan bill Monday that aims to ban many kinds of polystyrene -- commonly referred to as “Styrofoam” -- food containers and increase recycled content in packaging.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
According to our new report, putting a price on carbon can be key to the success of both. In Carbon Pricing 101: Strategies for putting a price on global warming pollution, we recommend that the federal government and U.S. states pursue carbon pricing programs, along with other policies, to cut pollution, as the best way to achieve the emissions reductions necessary to stave off the worst of global warming.
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
U.S. policymakers must use every practical policy tool to tackle climate change – promoting rapid deployment of renewable energy sources, investing in research and development of clean energy technologies and energy efficiency and taking regulatory actions to push polluters away from using dirty fossil fuels. A central element in this strategy should be putting a price on carbon pollution. This new report shows how carbon pricing can be used to push polluters to use energy more efficiently and shift from oil, coal and natural gas to clean, renewable energy.
Blog Post
Saturday, April 24, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
News Release | U.S. PIRG
DENVER — U.S. PIRG and Environment America hosted a virtual road trip Friday with state representatives and senators from across the country to celebrate and discuss dozens of policies to combat the plastic pollution crisis. The nationwide rally touched on efforts to hold companies, such as Whole Foods, accountable for their contribution to the problem, as well as highlighting groundbreaking federal legislation such as the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.