{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"geography":["Maryland"]},"warnings":[]},"total":{"value":242,"relation":"eq"},"page":9,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?geography=Maryland&page=9","next":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?geography=Maryland&page=10","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"ucs-000105","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000105","title":"Sea Level Rise and Tidal Flooding: Annapolis, Maryland","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"case study","language":"en","date_published":"2015-05-11","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/resources/sea-level-rise-and-tidal-flooding-annapolis-maryland","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"Annapolis, Maryland, has experienced a more than fourfold increase in tidal flooding since 1970, with the City Dock flooding approximately 50 times per year. Sea levels in Annapolis have risen by over a foot in the last century, more than twice the global average. Projections indicate that by 2045, the city could face over 360 flood events annually. In response, the city is collaborating with agencies such as NOAA, FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to assess vulnerability and study at-risk structures, while the U.S. Naval Academy is coordinating with state and local officials to address sea level rise as a national security issue.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000105#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Annapolis has seen a significant increase in tidal flooding, with the frequency of such events increasing more than fourfold since 1970. The City Dock currently experiences flooding approximately 50 times annually during high tides, which can push seawater into downtown areas and out of storm drains even in clear weather.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000105#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Local sea level rise in Annapolis has exceeded the global average, rising by more than one foot over the last century. Since 1990, the sea level has risen by three inches, leading to a more than doubling of minor flood events.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000105#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Future projections suggest a severe escalation of flooding: by 2030, sea levels may rise another half-foot with flood events tripling to 180 per year; by 2045, a projected one-foot rise could result in over 360 annual flood events, 50 of which would be extensive.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000105#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The city and Anne Arundel County are implementing vulnerability assessments and mitigation studies for nearly 200 at-risk structures using funding and expertise from NOAA, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Maryland Historical Trust.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000105#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Naval Academy is coordinating with the state Department of Natural Resources and city officials to prepare for sea level rise, which the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy categorize as a national security issue.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000105#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal flood","climate change adaptation","storm surge","national security"],"geography_discussed":["Chesapeake Bay","United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study"]},{"id":"earjust-002655","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/earjust-002655","title":"POST-SETTLEMENT HEARING BRIEF OF THE SIERRA CLUB AND CHESAPEAKE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK","publisher":{"name":"Earthjustice","organization":"earthjustice"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2015-05-01","source_url":"https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/post-settlement-hearing-brief_sierra-club-ccan.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Sierra Club and Chesapeake Climate Action Network oppose Exelon's acquisition of Pepco Holdings, Inc., asserting that the proposed settlement is insufficient. They argue that Exelon's solar commitments are merely statutory obligations, its financial health is questionable, and the merger would conflict with Maryland's renewable energy goals. The brief claims that the acquisition offers negligible ratepayer savings while introducing substantial risks to the public interest.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The proposed acquisition is not in the public interest because it threatens the state's energy policy objectives and offers only speculative, minor benefits to customers, such as residential bill reductions of approximately 80 cents for Pepco customers and $1.25 for Delmarva customers per month.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Exelon's commitment to develop 15 MW of solar generation across Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and the Delmarva service territory is viewed as a minimum effort to comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) rather than a genuine benefit, as it would only increase Maryland's installed solar capacity by 5 percent.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Exelon's financial stability is questioned, noting that its generation business lost $91 million in the fourth quarter compared to a $269 million profit the previous year, and that it is highly exposed to declines in natural gas prices due to its heavy reliance on nuclear power (85 percent of generation in 2013).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The proposed $94.4 million Consumer Investment Fund (CIF) is legally problematic because the applicants failed to provide evidence regarding the adequacy of the current funding of the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), as required by Md. Code Ann., Pub. Utils. § 7-512.1(g).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The commitment to forgive residential customer accounts receivable over three years old is deemed to have little impact, as only 206 customers in Pepco's territory and 112 in Delmarva's territory meet this criteria.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Energy efficiency funding for Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties (approximately $5 million and $6 million per year respectively) is criticized for creating redundant administrative processes that duplicate existing EmPower Maryland programs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002655#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["solar energy","Renewable portfolio standard","energy efficiency","nuclear power","distributed generation"],"geography_discussed":["Prince George's County","Montgomery County"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","legal argument"]},{"id":"earjust-002007","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/earjust-002007","title":"Opposition to “H.R. 1734, Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015”","publisher":{"name":"Earthjustice","organization":"earthjustice"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2015-04-14","source_url":"https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/oppose-hr1734_ccr-regulation-act-of-2015.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A coalition of 290 organizations and individuals opposes H.R. 1734, asserting that the bill would weaken the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2014 coal ash rule. The signatories argue the legislation would delay health protections, eliminate public access to information, and remove national standards for drinking water protection, thereby increasing risks to vulnerable communities and the environment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002007#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"H.R. 1734 is argued to significantly weaken the EPA's December 19, 2014 coal ash rule by delaying health and safety protections for potentially over 10 years and extending the deadline for closing inactive contaminated and abandoned ponds by at least 6 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002007#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The proposed legislation would remove critical national standards and oversight, specifically eliminating the ban on storing and dumping coal ash in drinking water and prohibiting EPA enforcement of state program requirements unless the state invites such action.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002007#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The opposition emphasizes that coal ash ponds are disproportionately located in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, making these populations particularly vulnerable to the risks posed by the bill.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002007#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document cites severe environmental and safety risks associated with coal ash, noting that more than 200 sites have contaminated water across 37 states and that U.S. utilities operate over 300 high and significant-hazard earthen coal ash dams.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-002007#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","environmental justice"],"geography_discussed":["Massachusetts","North Carolina","Alaska","Alabama","Arkansas","Arizona","California","Florida","Georgia","Illinois","Indiana","Kentucky","Louisiana","Maryland","Michigan","Missouri","Montana","New Jersey","New Mexico","Nevada","New York","Ohio","Oregon","Pennsylvania","Puerto Rico","South Carolina","Tennessee","Texas","Utah","Virginia","Wisconsin","West Virginia","Wyoming"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy opposition"]},{"id":"ucs-000882","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000882","title":"The NRC and Nuclear Power Plant Safety in 2014","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2015-03","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/03/nrc-2014-full-report.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report evaluates the NRC's 2014 safety oversight, noting a decline in the number and severity of 'near misses' but criticizing the agency for withholding safety documents, retaliating against whistleblowers, and applying inconsistent oversight standards across different regions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In 2014, the NRC reported nine 'near miss' events—incidents that prompted the dispatch of a special inspection team (SIT) due to a 10-fold increase in the risk of reactor core damage. All nine events in 2014 triggered SITs, while none required augmented inspection teams (AIT) or incident inspection teams (IIT).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A significant number of near misses in 2014 and previous years were caused by failures in in-plant electrical distribution systems to contain electrical problems. Some of these issues were introduced by recent maintenance or modifications, as seen at the Catawba and Millstone plants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Analysis of data from 2010 to 2014 shows a declining trend in the number of reactors experiencing near misses, dropping from 19 in 2010 and 2011 to 11 in 2014. Over this five-year period, 81 near misses occurred at 53 different reactors, averaging one every 22.5 days.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC has systematically withheld nearly all documents received from plant owners regarding emergency planning and fire protection since October 2004, even when the agency acknowledged the information was unlikely to be sensitive. This practice deprived the public of the legal right to contest licensing requests and exemptions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC has been accused of creating a 'chilling effect' on its own workforce by subjecting employees who raised safety concerns to repeated, unsubstantiated investigations. The report cites the cases of Lawrence S. Criscione and Dr. Michael Peck as examples of employees targeted for their vigilance.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) is applied inconsistently across its four regional offices. A GAO analysis from 2000 to 2012 found that Region II identified the fewest non-escalated findings despite overseeing the most reactors, while Region IV identified the most findings despite overseeing the fewest reactors.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC demonstrated proactive safety management through two 2013 projects to enhance the Reactor Oversight Process and a knowledge management program initiated in 2006 to capture 'tribal knowledge' from an aging workforce before retirement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000882#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nuclear power","transparency"],"geography_discussed":["Maryland","South Carolina","Illinois","Michigan","Mississippi","Alabama","Connecticut","Louisiana","Tennessee"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["regulatory assessment","trend analysis","case study"]},{"id":"ciel-000371","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ciel-000371","title":"PREEMPTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST","publisher":{"name":"Center for International Environmental Law","organization":"center-for-international-environmental-law"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2015","source_url":"https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CIEL_Preempting-Public-Interest_22Sept2015.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report argues that TTIP's regulatory cooperation provisions, primarily based on EU proposals, would institutionalize oversight of US state-level legislation and regulations by federal and international bodies. This framework would likely lead to 'regulatory chill' through onerous procedural requirements, such as early warning systems and trade impact assessments, which favor industry influence over public interest. The document highlights that US states often act as the primary regulators of toxic chemicals and pesticides when federal action is lax, and that TTIP's goal of 'regulatory compatibility' could effectively set federal or international standards as a ceiling, preventing states from adopting more protective measures. It specifically warns that such mechanisms could be used to challenge state-level bans on substances like Bisphenol A (BPA) or pesticide residue monitoring programs in California.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The EU's proposed Regulatory Cooperation chapter in TTIP would apply to 'non-central governments,' meaning US state laws and regulations would be subject to monitoring by an unelected bilateral Regulatory Cooperation Body (RCB).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The agreement would require the US federal government to oversee state compliance, including the creation of a 'Focal Point' agency to provide information on state 'planned regulatory acts' to EU officials.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Procedural mandates, including an 'early warning' system and trade impact assessments, are expected to create a 'regulatory chill' by delaying legislation and increasing the costs for under-resourced state institutions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The goal of 'regulatory compatibility' threatens to turn federal minimum standards into a regulatory ceiling, preventing states from adopting more protective health and environmental rules.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report identifies a high risk that state regulations could be challenged in corporate arbitration via Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), with the average cost of defending such a case being $8 million.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Specific state-level protections, such as California's pesticide residue monitoring and various states' restrictions on Bisphenol A (BPA), are identified as particularly vulnerable to attack under TTIP's Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report argues that the regulatory cooperation framework increases industry influence by relying on international standards often written by industry and providing 'back-door access' to regulators outside of transparent public hearing processes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ciel-000371#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["pesticide","public health","environmental regulation","hydraulic fracturing"],"geography_discussed":["California","New York","Maine","Minnesota","Oregon","Vermont","Washington","Florida","Kansas","Iowa","Maryland","Nebraska","Connecticut","Canada"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","legal assessment"]},{"id":"rmi-001058","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/rmi-001058","title":"ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND NET-ZERO BUILDINGS: GSA & RMI ANSWER THE CALL","publisher":{"name":"RMI","organization":"rmi"},"document_type":"executive summary","language":"en","date_published":"2015","source_url":"https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_GSAPtoPWS2015-ExecSumm.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines the GSA's National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) Program and provides a framework for achieving energy savings of 50% or more in federal buildings. It highlights the effectiveness of bundling energy conservation measures (ECMs), engaging diverse stakeholders, and utilizing a 'technical potential' tool to identify aggressive energy goals. Case studies, such as the Almeric Christian Federal Building, demonstrate the feasibility of net-zero energy through the ESPC process, while data analysis shows that NDER projects achieved an average of 38% energy savings, more than double the 18.5% average of non-NDER federal ESPC projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The GSA's National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) Program significantly outperformed standard federal energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs), achieving an average energy savings of 38% compared to 18.5% for a sample of 70 non-NDER projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Deep energy retrofits, which often target savings of 50% or more, are essential for making net-zero energy buildings cost-effective by substantially reducing energy demand before applying renewable energy sources.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Almeric Christian Federal Building in the U.S. Virgin Islands is projected to be the first net-zero energy project under the federal ESPC process, with an anticipated 100% energy use reduction.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Successful deep retrofits rely on 'bundling' energy conservation measures (ECMs), which involves grouping measures to account for interactive effects across systems and combining long-payback items with short-payback items to create an acceptable return.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 'Technical Potential' tool is used to challenge conventional thinking and drive more aggressive goal setting by determining the maximum possible energy reduction before considering constraints.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Deep energy savings are not necessarily dependent on high energy prices, high baseline energy consumption, or advanced technology, but rather on agency support, thorough audits, and an integrative design approach.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001058#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","sustainable architecture","Deep energy retrofit","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["Washington, D.C.","United States Virgin Islands","Puerto Rico","Florida","Colorado","Maryland"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","statistical analysis","best practice guide"]},{"id":"eesi-000298","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000298","title":"Addressing Methane Emissions from Distribution Sector","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2014-09-12","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Final-States-letter-to-AA-McCabe-re-methane-leaks.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A joint letter from the Attorneys General of New York, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont requests that the EPA establish methane emission standards for the distribution sector. The states argue that excluding this sector undermines the climate benefits of the Clean Power Plan and cite an EPA Inspector General's report stating that voluntary industry efforts have failed and that distribution leaks cost consumers approximately $192 million in 2011.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000298#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The distribution sector is a significant source of methane, with leaks from this sector comprising approximately 20 percent of all methane emissions related to the production and delivery of oil and gas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000298#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"An EPA Inspector General's report (No. 14-P-0324) found that methane leaks from distribution pipelines accounted for about half of the sector's leaks and resulted in consumer costs of roughly $192 million in 2011.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000298#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"New York and Massachusetts are identified as being particularly impacted by distribution leaks due to having the second and third highest amounts of cast and wrought iron distribution lines in the United States, respectively.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000298#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Voluntary industry efforts to reduce methane emissions in the distribution sector have been unsuccessful, partly due to a lack of financial incentive for local distribution companies to fix leaks unless they pose a safety risk.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000298#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The states argue that failing to minimize leaks in the distribution system could undermine the global warming benefits of the Clean Power Plan, which encourages the use of natural gas combined cycle plants for electricity generation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000298#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["methane emissions","greenhouse gas emissions","Clean Power Plan","petroleum industry"],"geography_discussed":["New York","Massachusetts","Maryland","Delaware","Oregon","Rhode Island","Vermont"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy recommendation"]},{"id":"eesi-000404","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000404","title":"Comments on EPA Methane White Papers","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2014-06-16","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/States-final-methane-white-paper-comments.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A joint statement from the Attorneys General of New York, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish formal emission standards and guidelines for methane in the oil and gas sector following the publication of five technical white papers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Attorneys General of seven states urge the EPA to move beyond publishing white papers and promptly set emission standards and guidelines for methane under sections 111(b) and (d) of the Clean Air Act.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Methane is identified as a potent greenhouse gas that warms the climate approximately 34 times more than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, accounting for about 9 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Based on 2012 data, methane emissions from the oil and gas sector are distributed across four segments: transmission (33%), production (32%), distribution (20%), and processing (14%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The states criticize the EPA's 'Oil and Natural Gas Sector Leaks' white paper for excluding the distribution sector, noting that leaks in this segment comprise about one-fifth of oil and gas sector methane emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Hydraulically-fractured oil wells are significant sources of emissions; one cited study estimated methane emissions from their completions at approximately 247,000 metric tons per year, while another estimated VOC emissions at approximately 116,230 tons per year.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Compressors and pneumatic devices are major emission sources; compressors emitted over 2 million tons of methane in 2012, and pneumatic controllers and pumps account for approximately 13% and 16% of emissions from production and processing segments, respectively.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Liquids unloading, specifically 'well blowdown' processes, accounted for about 14 percent of emissions from the natural gas production segment in 2012, but can be reduced by over 90% using optimized plunger lift systems.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000404#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["methane","oil and gas sector","greenhouse gas emissions","clean air act","leak detection and repair"],"geography_discussed":["Colorado","Ohio","Wyoming","Boston","New York City","Washington, D.C.","Maine","Utah"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Policy Recommendation","Legal Comment"]},{"id":"ucs-000855","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000855","title":"National Landmarks at Risk","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"executive summary","language":"en","date_published":"2014-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/National-Landmarks-at-Risk-Executive-Summary.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report highlights the vulnerability of iconic U.S. landmarks to climate-driven events. It details how sea level rise and storm surges threaten coastal sites like the Statue of Liberty and Jamestown, while increased heat and drought drive destructive wildfires in the West, affecting sites like Mesa Verde. The authors argue that climate resilience must become a national priority, requiring both resource allocation for site protection and a reduction in carbon emissions to mitigate future risks.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Sea level rise and storm surges are causing significant damage to coastal landmarks. For example, Hurricane Sandy's storm surge inundated 75 percent of Liberty Island and almost all of Ellis Island, destroying electrical infrastructure and security systems. In St. Augustine, Florida, a sea level rise of three feet—possible by 2065 under a worst-case scenario—could permanently inundate parts of the city's historic districts.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coastal erosion is threatening irreplaceable archaeological remains, particularly in Alaska. Warming air and ocean temperatures have led to permafrost thaw and a reduction in winter sea ice, leaving coasts vulnerable to storm waves. This is affecting Cape Krusenstern National Monument and the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, as well as the villages of Kivalina and Shishmaref.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the western United States, climate change has extended the wildfire season by more than two months between 1970 and 2012. Higher temperatures and reduced soil moisture increase the risk of high-intensity fires and subsequent flash floods. These conditions have impacted sites such as Mesa Verde National Park, where back-to-back fires in 2000 burned nearly half of the park's 52,000 acres.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate impacts are forcing a change in archaeological practices. At Jamestown Island, Virginia, the threat of sea level rise is so severe that archaeologists are reconsidering the standard practice of leaving artifacts in the ground, fearing they will be submerged forever.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Multiple NASA facilities have suffered substantial financial losses due to climate-related storms. The John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and the Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana experienced approximately $760 million in damages from Hurricane Katrina.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The authors argue that planning and adaptation are insufficient given the scale of the threat. They call for climate resilience to be made a national priority with dedicated resources, alongside a reduction in carbon emissions to slow the pace of change.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000855#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal erosion","coastal flood","wildfire","flash flood","extreme heat","drought","carbon dioxide emissions","climate resilience"],"geography_discussed":["Alaska","Florida","California","Maryland","Virginia","Colorado","New Mexico","Hawaii","Mississippi","Louisiana","Texas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","impact assessment"]},{"id":"ucs-000856","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000856","title":"National Landmarks at Risk","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/National-Landmarks-at-Risk-Full-Report.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report examines the vulnerability of iconic U.S. landmarks to climate change, highlighting risks such as sea level rise in coastal cities and increased wildfire activity in the Southwest. It argues for urgent national priority in climate resilience and carbon emission reduction to protect cultural heritage.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Coastal erosion and sea level rise are causing the loss of irreplaceable archaeological sites and threatening native villages in Alaska, with 85 percent of more than 200 native Alaskan villages already affected by erosion and flooding.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sea level rise and storm surges are threatening historic coastal cities and monuments on the East Coast. In Boston, extreme high tides already flood warehouse neighborhoods, while the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island suffered an estimated $77 million in damage from Hurricane Sandy.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Several national monuments in Maryland and Virginia face imminent threats from rising seas. The Harriet Tubman National Monument could be largely underwater by 2050, and Fort Monroe has seen water levels rise almost a foot and a half since the 1920s.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"NASA's coastal facilities are highly vulnerable, with more than two-thirds of its facilities located within 16 feet of sea level. Rising seas are cited as the single largest threat to the continued operations of the Kennedy Space Center.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the Southwest, rising temperatures and earlier snowmelt are increasing the frequency and size of wildfires, threatening sites like Mesa Verde National Park and Bandelier National Monument. The average number of large wildfires (over 1,000 acres) in the western U.S. rose from 140 per year in the 1980s to 250 per year between 2000 and 2012.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Extreme heat and prolonged drought are endangering the livelihoods and safety of California farmworkers, as highlighted by the César Chávez National Monument. Projections suggest Bakersfield could experience nearly 50 days of extreme heat (104°F or more) by 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Prehistoric shell structures in Florida are being lost to erosion and storm damage exacerbated by sea level rise, which has risen eight to nine inches in the last 100 years in some areas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Hawaii, sea level rise threatens ancient cultural resources, including fishponds and fish traps at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, with some beaches eroding at a rate of three to four inches per year.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000856#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal erosion","wildfire","flood","extreme heat","drought","climate change adaptation","climate resilience","carbon dioxide emissions"],"geography_discussed":["Alaska","Boston","New York City","Maryland","Virginia","Florida","Colorado","New Mexico","California","Hawaii"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","impact assessment"]},{"id":"ucs-000885","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000885","title":"The NRC and Nuclear Power Plant Safety in 2013","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014-03","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/NRC-Nuclear-Safety-Report-2013.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) evaluates the NRC's 2013 performance, noting a decrease in the number and severity of 'near-misses' but highlighting critical inconsistencies in enforcement. While the NRC successfully managed the restart of the Fort Calhoun plant and identified gaps in aging component oversight, it is criticized for allowing the Diablo Canyon and Oconee plants to operate despite known seismic and fire safety risks, and for improperly withholding information regarding the Jocassee Dam's potential to cause a total meltdown at Oconee.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In 2013, the NRC reported 10 'near-miss' events—incidents that increased the risk of reactor core damage by at least a factor of 10—consisting of nine special inspection team (SIT) investigations and one augmented inspection team (AIT) investigation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The number of reactors experiencing near-misses declined from 29 in 2010 and 2011, and 18 in 2012, to 14 in 2013, with a general reduction in the severity of these events.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC demonstrated inconsistent enforcement by allowing the Diablo Canyon plant in California to operate despite known seismic safety shortcomings, while it had previously shut down eight other facilities for similar earthquake protection vulnerabilities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC improperly withheld information from the public regarding the Jocassee Dam, having determined that a failure of the dam would result in a 100 percent chance of all three reactors at the Oconee Nuclear Station melting down.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC exhibited contradictory behavior regarding fire safety at the Oconee plant: it denied a two-year extension for safety fixes in January 2013 because the risk was too high, but then ordered the company in July 2013 to complete the fixes by November 15, 2016, effectively granting a nearly four-year delay.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"An NRC review of 105 reports on age-related failures between 2007 and 2011 found that in over 75 percent of cases, components were operated beyond the manufacturer's recommended service life or run until failure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The NRC successfully managed the restart of the Fort Calhoun plant in Nebraska by refusing to allow operation until a specific 'to do' list of safety shortcomings was resolved and verified.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000885#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":[],"geography_discussed":["Arkansas","Alabama","Washington","Nebraska","Illinois","New Jersey","North Carolina","Pennsylvania","South Carolina","California","Georgia","Maryland","Ohio","Texas","Arizona","Japan"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["regulatory assessment","safety trend analysis","case study"]},{"id":"eninnova-000263","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eninnova-000263","title":"STATE GREEN BANKS FOR CLEAN ENERGY","publisher":{"name":"Energy Innovation","organization":"energy-innovation"},"document_type":"research paper","language":"en","date_published":"2014-01","source_url":"https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/WorkingPaper_StateGreenBanks.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document analyzes state green banks as quasi-governmental financial institutions designed to leverage public funds to increase private investment in clean energy and energy efficiency. It details the operational model of Connecticut's CEFIA, highlighting its use of credit enhancements and diverse financing tools to bridge the 'deployment gap' for commercially available technologies. The paper also reviews emerging green bank models in New York, Vermont, and Hawaii, while discussing the systemic benefits and drawbacks of state-level financing authorities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"State green banks aim to use public funds and authority to lower the cost and increase the volume of private financing for clean energy technology, effectively multiplying the impact of public dollars by leveraging private sector expertise.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A primary objective for state green banks is to become self-sustaining by prioritizing financing tools that generate returns, such as loans and co-investing, rather than relying on grants or rebates.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"State green banks address the 'finance supply chain' and 'diffusion and deployment gap' by testing untried financing structures and providing incentives for proven technologies that are otherwise expensive due to non-monetized society-wide benefits.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Connecticut's Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) demonstrated a high leverage ratio in FY 2013, attracting over $180 million in private investment for every $40 million of ratepayer funds, a ratio of approximately 9:1.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"CEFIA utilizes risk management tools such as loan loss reserves, where the bank may cover losses up to 7.5 percent for residential projects after the lender has first covered 1.5 percent, ensuring private lenders perform due diligence.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document identifies several US states that have authorized or proposed green banks, including New York (targeting $1 billion capitalization), Vermont (establishing the Vermont Clean Energy Loan Fund), Hawaii, and California.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"While state green banks reduce policy uncertainty by becoming self-supporting, they remain vulnerable to declines in federal support, as private investors are often encouraged by federal tax credits and subsidies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eninnova-000263#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["transition finance","energy efficiency","renewable energy","photovoltaics","Renewable portfolio standard"],"geography_discussed":["World","New York","Vermont","Hawaii","California","Maryland","Illinois","Pennsylvania","Washington","Rhode Island"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy analysis","financial modeling"]},{"id":"commgmu-000118","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/commgmu-000118","title":"Maryland’s Six Climate Change Audiences","publisher":{"name":"Center for Climate Change Communication","organization":"center-for-climate-change-communication"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014","source_url":"https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2013-July-Marylands-Six-Climate-Change-Audiences.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report segments Marylanders into six climate change audiences: Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive. In spring 2013, 62% of residents fell into the Alarmed (23%) and Concerned (39%) categories. The study finds high polarization regarding local environmental changes and health risks, while identifying broad support for renewable energy and the protection of public water supplies. It details the demographic and behavioral profiles of each segment to inform state climate and energy policy communication.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In spring 2013, 62% of Marylanders were categorized as having high levels of concern and motivation to take action regarding climate change, consisting of 23% in the 'Alarmed' segment and 39% in the 'Concerned' segment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Perceptions of local environmental and weather changes are highly polarized; the Alarmed (85%) and Concerned (54%) are the only groups likely to report that local weather has gotten 'worse'.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Alarmed audience is the most likely to perceive an increase in local extreme weather events, specifically heat waves (68%), heavy rains (61%), high winds (57%), and tropical storms or hurricanes (55%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is majority support for increasing solar and wind energy in Maryland across four audiences (Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, and Doubtful), with solar receiving the highest support.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Dismissive audience is the most likely to correctly identify coal as a major source of electrical energy generated within the state (40%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Public health risk perceptions vary by audience: the Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, and Disengaged are most worried about air pollution, while the Doubtful and Dismissive are less likely to view any listed health threats as major or moderate risks.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is broad agreement across all six climate audiences that protecting public water supplies and sewer systems from environmental threats should be a high priority for state and local governments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The term 'climate change' is preferred by four of the six audiences, while the Alarmed audience is more likely to favor the term 'global warming'.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Support for requiring Maryland electricity suppliers to use 20% renewable energy by 2022 is high among the Alarmed (93%), Concerned (85%), Cautious (70%), and Disengaged (57%), but lower among the Doubtful (42%) and Dismissive (20%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Five of the six audiences support the requirement for property sellers to disclose projected future risks, such as climate-related flooding; only the Dismissive audience opposes this (61%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000118#insight-10","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["public health","air pollution","extreme weather event","renewable energy","solar energy","wind power","coal-fired power station","nuclear power","natural gas","hydraulic fracturing","greenhouse gas emissions","energy efficiency","sea level rise","coastal flood"],"geography_discussed":["United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["public opinion survey","demographic analysis","policy preference assessment"]},{"id":"commgmu-000119","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/commgmu-000119","title":"Adapting to Climate Change & Sea Level Rise","publisher":{"name":"Center for Climate Change Communication","organization":"center-for-climate-change-communication"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014","source_url":"https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2014-Adapting-to-Claimte-Change-and-SLR.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The 2014 Maryland statewide survey reveals that while a majority of residents support state action to protect coastal areas from sea level rise and general climate harms, there is significant uncertainty regarding whether sea level rise is currently occurring and what causes it. Preferred adaptation strategies include changes to zoning regulations and long-range planning. Residents identify hotter weather and severe storms as the most likely local climate impacts, with agriculture, public health, and coastlines viewed as the most at-risk resources.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A majority of Maryland residents believe protecting coastal areas from sea level rise should be a high or very high priority for the Governor and General Assembly, with 55% expressing this view.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The most supported policy responses to sea level rise are changes to regulations such as zoning laws and set-back distances (67%) and long-range planning (66%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a notable lack of awareness regarding the current state of sea level rise in Maryland; 53% of respondents do not know if it is currently happening along the state's shorelines.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Public understanding of the causes of sea level rise is limited, with 36% of residents unsure if the cause is natural or human-driven, although a majority believe climate change plays at least some role.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Maryland residents are most concerned about shoreline erosion and land loss (54%) as the primary impacts of sea level rise, followed by habitat loss (47%) and private property damage (44%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is strong general support for government action against climate change, with 73% of residents wanting local and state governments to take protective measures. The most supported specific actions are increasing urban trees (82%), restoring natural areas (80%), and improving farmer water efficiency (78%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Residents anticipate hotter weather (77%) and more severe storms (72%) as the most likely climate impacts in their communities over the next 10-20 years. Agriculture (56%), public health (55%), and coastlines (53%) are viewed as the resources most at risk in the coming years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000119#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","climate change adaptation","coastal erosion","urban forestry","extreme weather event","public health"],"geography_discussed":["Western Region","Central Region","Southern Region","Eastern Region"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["public opinion survey"]},{"id":"commgmu-000120","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/commgmu-000120","title":"Public Beliefs, Behaviors & Preferences about Energy","publisher":{"name":"Center for Climate Change Communication","organization":"center-for-climate-change-communication"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014","source_url":"https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2014-Public-Beliefs-Behaviors-Preferences-about-Energy.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that a large majority of Marylanders favor increasing the use of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, while expressing a desire to reduce the use of coal and petroleum. While there is strong support for state mandates requiring renewable energy percentages and for financial rebates on energy-efficient appliances, there is low interest and participation in home energy audits due to cost and awareness barriers. Additionally, the survey reveals a significant gap in support for natural gas depending on whether it is extracted via hydraulic fracturing within the state.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000120#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A large majority of Maryland residents want the state to increase its use of renewable energy for electricity generation, with solar (78%), offshore wind (69%), and land-based wind (69%) being the most favored sources. Support for solar and wind increased between 2013 and 2014.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000120#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Maryland residents express a desire to reduce the use of petroleum (52%) and coal (50%) for electrical energy generation. In the central region, residents are more likely to prefer less coal (54%) compared to other regions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000120#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a notable discrepancy in preferences for natural gas based on the extraction method; while 49% of residents want more natural gas used generally, only 28% support this if the gas is obtained through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within Maryland.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000120#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["renewable energy","solar energy","wind power","coal","natural gas","hydraulic fracturing","energy efficiency","hydroelectricity","nuclear power","biomass","Renewable portfolio standard"],"geography_discussed":["World"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["public opinion survey"]},{"id":"commgmu-000121","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/commgmu-000121","title":"Public Health, Energy & Climate Change A Maryland Statewide Survey","publisher":{"name":"Center for Climate Change Communication","organization":"center-for-climate-change-communication"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014","source_url":"https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2014-Public-health-energy-and-climate-change.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The 2014 survey of Maryland residents indicates a strong public perception that climate change harms human health, particularly through respiratory issues and heat stroke. While medical professionals are highly trusted sources of information, residents perceive fossil fuels and nuclear power as health hazards, contrasting with a view of solar and wind energy as non-harmful. The report also notes an increase in concern regarding chemical exposure and pollution, and identifies health care access and environmental health as top state policy priorities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A majority of Maryland residents (55%) expect climate change to affect the health of people in their communities within the next several years. The most commonly cited risks are breathing and respiratory problems (72%), injuries from extreme weather (61%), and heat stroke (55%), while infectious disease is viewed as a less likely risk (42%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Maryland residents tend to perceive others as more vulnerable to climate change than themselves. While 65% believe future generations will be harmed \"a great deal,\" only 19% believe they will be. Additionally, people with medical conditions (59%) and the elderly (55%) are identified as very vulnerable, whereas young children (42%) and low-income individuals (36%) are less frequently cited.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Medical authorities are among the most trusted sources for climate change information, with 63% of residents trusting doctors and public health experts, nearly as high as the 70% who trust scientists at Maryland universities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There has been a significant increase in the perceived personal health risks from chemicals and pollution since 2013. Exposure to chemicals in food and products is now seen as a major risk by 55% of residents (a 23 percentage point increase), followed by polluted drinking water (52%), air pollution (47%), and second-hand smoke (41%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Improving access to health care (74%), reducing water pollution (81%), and creating jobs (89%) are ranked as the highest priorities for the state's governor and General Assembly. Climate change is viewed as a high or very high priority by 51% of residents.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Fossil fuels and nuclear power are widely perceived as harmful to health, with coal (72%), oil (64%), and nuclear power (58%) cited as somewhat or very harmful. Conversely, renewable energy is viewed as non-harmful, including solar (65%), land-based wind (58%), and offshore wind (57%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000121#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change","public health","air pollution","water pollution","extreme weather event","coal","petroleum","nuclear power","solar energy","offshore wind power","hydraulic fracturing","environmental health"],"geography_discussed":["United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["public opinion survey"]},{"id":"commgmu-000122","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/commgmu-000122","title":"Public Perceptions of Climate Change","publisher":{"name":"Center for Climate Change Communication","organization":"center-for-climate-change-communication"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2014","source_url":"https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2014-Public-perceptions-of-climate-change.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A 2014 statewide survey of Maryland residents reveals that 77% believe climate change is happening, with 55% viewing a particularly cold winter as evidence of this trend. While there is strong support for state-level energy efficiency and renewable energy policies, there is significant division regarding whether human activities are the primary cause of climate change. Trust in climate information is highest among university scientists, public health experts, and specific state agencies, while trust is lowest for the Governor's office and utility companies. Awareness of specific state climate policies has declined since 2013.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A strong majority of Maryland residents believe climate change is occurring, with 77% stating it is happening and 45% expressing they are \"extremely or very sure\" of this fact. This is notably higher than the national average of 64% reported in April 2014.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The cold winter of 2013-2014 did not deter belief in climate change; 55% of residents viewed the cold weather as evidence that climate change is happening, while only 2% saw it as evidence that it is not happening.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Public opinion is split on the drivers of climate change: 37% believe it is caused entirely or mostly by human activities, while 36% believe it is driven equally by human activities and natural environmental changes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a significant gap in public understanding of scientific consensus; only 26% of Marylanders correctly identified that 81% or more of climate scientists agree that climate change is happening.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"University scientists (70%), public health experts (63%), and environmental organizations (52%) are the most trusted sources of climate information. Conversely, the Office of the Governor, local utility companies, and the General Assembly are more likely to be distrusted than trusted.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Maryland residents show high support for various state climate and energy policies, particularly expanding energy-efficiency rebates (82%) and supporting local agricultural products (82%). Other supported policies include reducing vehicle pollution (78%) and requiring 20% renewable electricity by 2022 (73%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Despite high support for policies, public awareness of them has decreased since 2013. Only two policies were recognized by a majority in 2014: reducing vehicle pollution (60%) and energy-efficiency rebates (56%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"commgmu-000122#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change","energy efficiency","renewable energy","public transport","climate policy"],"geography_discussed":["World"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["public opinion survey"]},{"id":"eesi-000064","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000064","title":"Issue Brief: Federal Funding for U.S. Transit and Roadway Infrastructure","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2013-08-08","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-federal-funding-for-u.s.-transit-and-roadway-infrastructure","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which relies on federal fuel taxes that have not been adjusted since 1993, is facing insolvency due to rising costs and declining fuel consumption. The document argues that current funding is insufficient, contributing to a 'D' grade for national infrastructure and an annual funding gap of $112 billion. It evaluates several solutions, including indexing fuel taxes to inflation or construction costs, increasing the per-gallon tax rate, and transitioning to a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee to better align costs with infrastructure wear, particularly from heavy trucks.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is facing a critical solvency crisis because federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted in 20 years, while construction costs have risen and fuel consumption has declined. This has led to annual shortfalls since 2008, forcing the government to use general funds to meet obligations.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"U.S. transportation infrastructure is in poor condition, receiving a grade of 'D' in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2013 Report Card. There is an estimated $112 billion annual funding gap required to return roads, bridges, and transit to a state of good repair over a 20-year period.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The current allocation of HTF funds to public transit is considered insufficient. While transit passenger miles increased by 12 percent between 2004 and 2011, the HTF Mass Transit Account receives only 2.86 cents of the per gallon fuel tax, and 22 percent of the total $112 billion annual infrastructure funding gap is specifically related to transit.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Indexing the federal fuel tax to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) could have prevented the need for general fund transfers. For example, if indexed since 1994, the gasoline tax would have increased by 12 cents per gallon by 2013, and 2011 revenue would have been approximately $52 billion instead of $34 billion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To maintain current infrastructure service levels and avoid general fund transfers, a minimum increase of 12.5 cents in the FY15 gasoline tax is required. To address the full $112 billion annual gap, a 15 cent increase is proposed, which would fund 17 percent of the gap from FY16 onwards.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and trucks will further reduce HTF revenues. The CBO projects a 21 percent reduction in cash flow by 2040 due to these standards, which could be offset by a two cent per gallon increase starting in 2015.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee is proposed as an alternative to fuel taxes to better correlate costs with infrastructure wear. This is particularly relevant for heavy trucks, as one 80,000-pound truck causes as much pavement damage as roughly 750 automobiles weighing 3,800 pounds.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000064#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["public transport","electric vehicle"],"geography_discussed":["Wyoming","Florida","Oregon","Virginia","Maryland","Georgia","Michigan","South Dakota"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","financial assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000331","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000331","title":"Federal Funding for U.S. Transit and Roadway Infrastructure","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"policy brief","language":"en","date_published":"2013-08","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/IssueBrief_Transportation_Infrastructure_Funding_080813.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which relies on fuel taxes unchanged since 1993, faces insolvency due to rising costs and declining fuel consumption. The document argues that current funding is insufficient to maintain a state of good repair, citing a $112B annual funding gap. It evaluates several solutions, including indexing fuel taxes to inflation, increasing the per-gallon tax rate, implementing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees, or shifting to a fuel sales tax, while highlighting the interdependence of highway and transit systems for economic efficiency.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is facing insolvency because federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted in 20 years, while construction costs have risen and fuel consumption has declined.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a significant funding gap to maintain U.S. infrastructure; the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2013 report indicates an annual gap of $112B to bring roads, bridges, and transit to a state of good repair over 20 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The HTF's reliance on fuel taxes is being further eroded by increasing vehicle fuel efficiency standards (CAFE), with the CBO projecting a 21 percent reduction in cash flow by 2040.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Indexing the federal fuel tax to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since 1994 would have increased the gasoline tax by 12 cents per gallon by 2013 and would have kept the HTF solvent without the nearly $50B in general fund transfers used between 2008-2010 and 2013-2014.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To achieve a 'state of good repair' and support economic growth, the document suggests a 15 cent gasoline tax increase for FY15, which would fund 17 percent of the total funding gap thereafter.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee is proposed as an alternative to fuel taxes to decouple revenue from fuel efficiency gains and more accurately charge for infrastructure damage, noting that one 80,000-pound truck causes as much pavement damage as roughly 750 automobiles.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000331#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["public transport","fuel efficiency","electric vehicle"],"geography_discussed":["Wyoming","Florida","Georgia","Michigan","Virginia","Maryland","Oregon","South Dakota"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","financial assessment"]},{"id":"earjust-000979","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/earjust-000979","title":"Ending PATH To Coal Power","publisher":{"name":"Earthjustice","organization":"earthjustice"},"document_type":"case study","language":"en","date_published":"2013-07-30","source_url":"https://earthjustice.org/case/ending-path-to-coal-power","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"Earthjustice and the Sierra Club successfully opposed the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project, leading American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy to withdraw their application in 2011. The project would have constructed 275 miles of high-voltage lines from West Virginia through Virginia to Maryland to support coal-fired power plants, including the John E. Amos plant. Opponents argued the lines were unnecessary due to energy efficiency gains and would have increased air pollution and mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-000979#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project involved constructing 275 miles of high-voltage transmission lines starting near the John E. Amos coal-fired power plant in West Virginia and extending through Virginia to Maryland.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-000979#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The West Virginia Coal Association stated that the PATH project would have supported the continued operation of aging coal plants, the development of new coal plants, and increased coal mining in the Appalachia region.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-000979#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In 2011, the utilities responsible for the project, American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy, withdrew their application following opposition from Earthjustice and the Sierra Club, who argued the lines were unnecessary given clean energy initiatives and energy efficiency improvements.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"earjust-000979#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","electric power transmission","air pollution","energy efficiency","clean energy"],"geography_discussed":["Appalachia","Delaware"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study"]}]}