{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"organization":["Environmental and Energy Study Institute"]},"warnings":[]},"total":{"value":512,"relation":"eq"},"page":9,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?organization=environmental-and-energy-study-institute&page=9","next":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?organization=environmental-and-energy-study-institute&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":"eesi-000299","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000299","title":"final_fy2020_energy_and_water_conference_letter_103019-a9c3592d4717ba50.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2019-10-30","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FINAL_FY2020_Energy_and_Water_Conference_Letter_103019.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A coalition of organizations requests that the U.S. Congress fund DOE energy efficiency programs at the highest approved levels for FY2020, citing their role in climate mitigation and economic growth. The letter specifies funding requests for offices including Advanced Manufacturing, Building Technologies, and Vehicle Technologies, while calling for timely fund disbursement and the resolution of staffing shortages within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000299#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Energy efficiency is described as the most effective solution for climate change, with the International Energy Agency stating it could provide over 40% of the emissions reductions required to meet international climate goals.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000299#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The energy efficiency sector has contributed to the creation of more than 2.3 million jobs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000299#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The coalition requests specific FY2020 funding levels for several DOE programs, including $380 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Office, $300 million for the Building Technologies Office, $410 million for the Vehicle Technologies Program, and $132 million for the Energy Information Administration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000299#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The coalition expresses concern over staffing and hiring reductions within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and requests a plan to reach full staffing levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000299#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The letter advocates for the timely disbursement of funds and requests that the DOE does not prioritize early-stage research and development over later-stage deployment and demonstration activities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000299#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","climate change","greenhouse gas emissions reduction","electrical grid"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy advocacy"]},{"id":"eesi-000300","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000300","title":"final_fy2020_energy_star_conference_letter_103019-9fe802fb09881138.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2019-10-30","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FINAL_FY2020_ENERGY_STAR_Conference_Letter_103019.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document is a letter from a broad coalition of energy efficiency organizations and businesses to the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations. The authors advocate for the continued operation of the ENERGY STAR program through a recommended line-item funding of $42,000,000 for FY2020, arguing that a fee-based model would undermine the program's integrity. The letter highlights the program's economic impact, noting that it has helped save $450 billion on utility bills since 1992 and supports over 2.3 million American jobs related to energy efficiency products.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000300#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The coalition supports the House recommendation for a specific line item of $42,000,000 to fund the continued operation of the ENERGY STAR program and opposes a shift to a \"fee-based\" funding model.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000300#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Since 1992, the ENERGY STAR program has resulted in $450 billion in utility bill savings for families and businesses and a reduction of 3.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is comparable to the annual emissions of more than 650 million cars.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000300#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In 2017, the program helped American businesses and consumers save more than $30 billion, with families in certified homes saving over $400 million on utility bills.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000300#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The program acts as an economic driver, with more than 2.3 million Americans employed in the design, manufacture, and installation of energy efficiency products, including over 600,000 employees specifically involved with ENERGY STAR products.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000300#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The program is described as highly cost-effective, with an average return of $4.50 in reduced energy bills for every incremental dollar invested in energy efficiency.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000300#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","greenhouse gas emissions","energy security","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy advocacy"]},{"id":"eesi-000459","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000459","title":"Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-10-16","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-nature-as-resilient-infrastructure-an-overview-of-nature-based-solutions","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document advocates for the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS)—including green and natural infrastructure—into U.S. national infrastructure planning. It highlights that NbS are often more cost-effective and resilient than traditional 'gray' infrastructure, providing significant benefits in flood mitigation, heat reduction, and carbon sequestration. The text provides specific economic data on the cost-savings of living shorelines and green storm drainage systems compared to concrete alternatives, while emphasizing the co-benefits of improved water quality and public health.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The United States faces a significant funding gap for traditional 'gray' infrastructure, with the American Society of Civil Engineers estimating cumulative repair needs of $4.6 trillion through 2025 and a funding gap of $2.1 trillion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coastal nature-based solutions are often more cost-effective than gray infrastructure; for example, living shorelines cost an average of $361 per linear foot as of June 2019, which is approximately one-third of the $1,022 per linear foot cost for concrete bulkheads.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Nature-based solutions provide substantial economic protection against storm damage, with coastal wetlands estimated to provide $23.2 billion in annual storm protection across the U.S. and a specific case study showing $625 million in property damages prevented during Hurricane Sandy (2012).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In urban environments, green infrastructure for storm drainage is significantly cheaper than traditional gray infrastructure; in Los Angeles, a retrofit is estimated to cost between $2.8 and $7.4 billion for green infrastructure versus $44 billion for gray, while in Philadelphia, the cost difference is $1.2 billion versus $6 billion over 25 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Nature-based solutions mitigate the 'urban heat island' effect caused by gray infrastructure. Without intervention, 150 U.S. cities are projected to experience 30+ days per year with a heat index above 105°F by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Beyond hazard mitigation, nature-based solutions offer environmental co-benefits, including carbon sequestration—where one square mile of salt marshes stores carbon equivalent to 76,000 gallons of gasoline—and a potential reduction in water treatment costs by 25 percent or more.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000459#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","green infrastructure","climate change adaptation","climate change mitigation","carbon sequestration","sea level rise","coastal flood","storm surge","urban heat island","water quality","Flood risk management"],"geography_discussed":["Los Angeles","Philadelphia","New York City","Gulf of Mexico","Connecticut","Florida"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","economic assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000424","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000424","title":"Improving Coastal Resilience in the Northeast: Innovative Solutions to Protect Communities, Property, and the Environment","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-10","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_102319.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document is a transcript of a briefing on coastal resilience in the Northeast US. It details the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, the Waterfront Alliance's efforts to build consensus in the New York City metro area, and the Island Institute's work with rural coastal and island communities in Maine. The discussion emphasizes the role of nature-based solutions, the challenges of funding and capacity in rural areas, and the need for equitable, risk-informed governance to address sea level rise and coastal flooding.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Massachusetts implemented the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program in 2017, which uses a two-phase process: a planning grant to certify communities and an action grant to fund implementation. The program prioritizes nature-based solutions, defined as \"using natural systems, mimicking natural processes, or working in tandem with traditional approaches to address natural hazards like flooding, erosion, drought, and heat island.\"","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Massachusetts, the MVP program has seen 71 percent of communities participate. Two rounds of action grants have funded 67 projects totaling $15.3 million, including living shoreline feasibility studies in Essex, salt marsh restoration in Newberry, and cranberry bog restoration in Falmouth.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Waterfront Alliance is working to build a policy platform and consensus among over 400 civic and business partners in the New York City and New Jersey metro area. They advocate for reforming cost-benefit analyses used by FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to better account for equity and green infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coastal communities in New York and New Jersey face significant risks, with over a million people currently living in floodplains. The region's disaster recovery efforts have been noted to widen the wealth gap along racial lines.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Rural coastal communities in Maine face unique challenges due to limited staff and finances, often struggling to balance climate resilience with deferred maintenance and school budgets. The Island Institute supports these communities through technical planning and small targeted investments, such as a $10,000 match for a bridge project in South Thomaston.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Maine's lobster fishery, which contributes over $1.5 billion to the state economy annually, is highly vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal storms. In Vinalhaven, the ferry terminal—a critical lifeline—has been cancelled due to high tides even on calm days.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a critical need for increased federal funding and capacity for rural communities. Current NOAA Coastal Zone Management Program grants to the Maine Coastal Program are described as a \"drop in the bucket,\" providing only about $150,000 in grants per year.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Managed retreat and climate migration are emerging issues. In Massachusetts, FEMA funding has been used for property buyouts in some coastal communities and inland tidal river areas. Additionally, the town of Holyoke has studied climate migration following the arrival of 2,000 residents from Puerto Rico after a hurricane.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000424#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","coastal management","sea level rise","coastal flood","green infrastructure","climate change adaptation","climate finance","climate migration","climate justice","storm surge","carbon sequestration"],"geography_discussed":["Essex","Newberry","Falmouth","Mattapoisett","Westport","Wareham","Nantucket","Scituate","Salem","New York City","Vinalhaven","Monhegan Island","South Thomaston","Holyoke"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study","expert testimony"]},{"id":"eesi-000491","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000491","title":"Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-09","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Nature_Based_Solutions_1016.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document advocates for the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS)—categorized into green and natural infrastructure—as a resilient alternative or supplement to traditional 'gray' manmade infrastructure in the U.S. It details how NbS can mitigate coastal storm damage, inland flooding, and extreme heat while providing co-benefits like carbon sequestration and improved water quality. The text provides specific cost comparisons and case studies from various U.S. cities and states to demonstrate the economic and environmental efficacy of these approaches.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Nature-based solutions are presented as a cost-effective way to address the U.S. infrastructure funding gap, which includes an estimated $4.6 trillion in direct repair needs for gray infrastructure through 2025 and a funding gap of $2.1 trillion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coastal nature-based solutions, such as wetlands and mangroves, are more resilient and effective at dissipating wave energy than gray infrastructure. For example, 15 feet of marsh can absorb up to 50% of incoming wave energy, and 330 feet of mangroves can reduce wave height by 66%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Nature-based solutions for coastal protection often have lower installation and maintenance costs than gray alternatives. Living shorelines cost an average of $361 per linear foot as of June 2019, compared to $1,022 per linear foot for concrete bulkheads.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Green infrastructure can significantly reduce the cost of managing inland storm drainage systems. In Los Angeles, a retrofit using green infrastructure is estimated to cost between $2.8 and $7.4 billion, whereas traditional gray infrastructure would cost approximately $44 billion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Nature-based solutions mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce energy costs. Green roofs can be 30-40°F cooler than typical roofs and reduce building air conditioning costs by up to 75%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Beyond hazard mitigation, nature-based solutions provide critical co-benefits, including carbon sequestration and water quality improvement. For instance, one square mile of salt marshes stores carbon equivalent to 76,000 gallons of gasoline annually.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000491#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","green infrastructure","climate resilience","coastal flood","sea level rise","storm surge","extreme heat","urban heat island","carbon sequestration","water quality"],"geography_discussed":["Alabama","Florida","California","New York","Wisconsin","Illinois","Pennsylvania","Tennessee","Utah","Missouri","Connecticut"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy overview","economic comparison","technical summary"]},{"id":"eesi-000038","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000038","title":"Fossil Fuel Subsidies: A Closer Look at Tax Breaks and Societal Costs","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-07-29","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-fossil-fuel-subsidies-a-closer-look-at-tax-breaks-and-societal-costs","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report details various direct and indirect U.S. tax subsidies for coal, oil, and natural gas, alongside federal R&D funding and overseas financing. It highlights that global fossil fuel subsidies, including negative externalities, reached $5.2 trillion in 2017. The authors argue that these subsidies are difficult to justify given the maturity of the industry and the severe health, environmental, and climate externalities—such as the social cost of carbon and air pollution deaths—that are not reflected in fuel prices.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"U.S. direct subsidies to the fossil fuel industry are conservatively estimated at approximately $20 billion annually, with 80 percent going to crude oil and natural gas and 20 percent to coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global spending on fossil fuel subsidies, including negative externalities, rose to $5.2 trillion (6.5 percent of global GDP) in 2017, representing a $500 billion increase from 2015. The largest subsidizers were China ($1.4 trillion in 2015), the United States ($649 billion), and Russia ($551 billion).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. tax code contains several specific provisions that benefit the fossil fuel industry, including the Intangible Drilling Costs Deduction, Percentage Depletion, and the use of Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), the latter of which allows companies to avoid corporate income taxes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Federal R&D funding has heavily favored coal; between 2010 and 2017, 91 percent of total fossil R&D money ($1.4 billion) was spent on coal-related research, with 89 percent of the 794 projects focusing on coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is unlikely to save the domestic coal industry due to negative economics and high energy intensity, despite its necessity in IPCC warming scenarios.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Fossil fuel externalities—including health, environmental, and climate costs—totaled $5.3 trillion globally in 2015. In the U.S., air pollutants from fossil fuels cause 200,000 premature deaths annually.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) was estimated at $36 per metric ton of CO2 in 2015 (at a 3 percent discount rate), but the Trump administration proposed reducing this to $6 per metric ton by shifting to a national valuation and altering the discount rate.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000038#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["fossil fuel subsidy","greenhouse gas emissions","carbon capture and storage","renewable energy","air pollution","direct air capture","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":["World","European Union","People's Republic of China","Russia"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","economic assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000052","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000052","title":"Jobs in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Resilience","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-07-23","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-jobs-in-renewable-energy-energy-efficiency-and-resilience-2019","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document provides a detailed breakdown of 'green jobs', highlighting that the U.S. energy efficiency sector employs over 3 million people and the global renewable energy sector employed 11 million in 2018. It identifies China as the global leader in renewable energy employment and notes the emergence of climate adaptation and resilience as critical new areas of job growth, despite a lack of standardized tracking codes in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics system.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The energy efficiency sector in the United States is a major employer, with more than 3 million people employed. According to the U.S. Energy Employment Report (USEER), 2,324,866 people worked in the sector in 2018, representing a 5.37 percent increase since 2016, the highest growth rate in the country's energy sector.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global renewable energy employment reached 11 million people in 2018, an increase of 700,000 from 2017. Solar PV is the largest global employer in this sector with approximately 3,605,000 jobs, followed by biofuels and hydropower.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China is the world leader in renewable energy employment with roughly 4,078,000 direct and indirect jobs. It leads the world in five specific sectors: solar PV, wind, solar heating and cooling, biogas, and CSP.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the United States, renewable energy employment varies by technology. In 2018, solar power supported 242,343 jobs (a 3.2 percent decline), while wind power provided 111,166 jobs (a 3.5 percent increase). The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimated total U.S. renewable energy employment at 855,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2018.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate adaptation and resilience are rapidly emerging employment areas, though they lack comprehensive tracking in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Standard Occupation Classification system. Preliminary analysis by the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) indicates employment is predominantly in government (40 percent), non-governmental organizations (36 percent), and the private sector (16 percent).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Other major global renewable energy employers include Brazil (1,125,000 jobs), the European Union (1,235,000 jobs), and India (719,000 jobs). Brazil is the global leader in liquid biofuel employment with approximately 832,000 jobs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000052#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["renewable energy","energy efficiency","climate change adaptation","climate resilience","photovoltaics","wind power","biofuel","hydropower","geothermal energy","biomass","biogas","energy storage","smart grid","microgrid","electric vehicle","green job"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","Brazil","India","European Union","Germany","France","Japan","Mexico"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["employment analysis","sectoral growth assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000279","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000279","title":"Jobs in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Resilience","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-07","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_REEE_Jobs_0719.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document provides a comprehensive overview of 'green jobs', highlighting that the U.S. energy efficiency sector employs over 3 million people and the global renewable energy sector employed 11 million people in 2018. It details specific employment figures for various technologies—such as solar, wind, and biofuels—and identifies China as the global leader in renewable energy employment. Additionally, it notes the emergence of climate adaptation and resilience jobs, though standardized data collection for these roles remains limited.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The energy efficiency sector in the United States is a major employer, with over 3 million people employed when including energy storage, public transit, smart grids/micro grids, and vehicles. According to the U.S. Energy Employment Report (USEER), 2,324,866 people worked in the sector in 2018, representing a 5.37 percent increase since 2016, the highest growth rate in the country's energy sector.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global renewable energy employment reached 11 million people in 2018, an increase of 700,000 from 2017. Solar PV is the largest employer globally with approximately 3,605,000 jobs, followed by biofuels (2,063,000) and hydropower (2,054,000).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China is the world leader in renewable energy employment with approximately 4,078,000 direct and indirect jobs. It leads in five specific sectors: solar PV, wind, solar heating and cooling, biogas, and CSP, with solar PV alone providing about 54 percent of China's renewable energy jobs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the United States, renewable energy employment varies by technology. In 2018, solar power supported 242,343 jobs (a 3.2 percent decline), while wind power provided 111,166 jobs (a 3.5 percent increase). The biofuels sector, including corn ethanol and other biofuels, employed 106,709 people.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate adaptation and resilience are emerging as critical employment areas, though the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Standard Occupation Classification system lacks specific codes for comprehensive analysis. Preliminary data from the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) indicates employment is primarily in government (40 percent), non-governmental organizations (36 percent), and the private sector (16 percent).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Other major global renewable energy employers include Brazil (1,125,000 jobs), the European Union (1,235,000 jobs), India (719,000 jobs), and the United States (855,000 jobs). Brazil is the global leader in liquid biofuel employment with approximately 832,000 jobs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000279#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["renewable energy","energy efficiency","climate change adaptation","climate resilience","photovoltaics","wind power","biofuel","hydropower","geothermal energy","biomass","biogas","energy storage","smart grid","microgrid","electric vehicle","public transport","green job","workforce development"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","Brazil","India","European Union","Germany","France","Japan","Mexico","California","Texas","New York","Florida","Illinois","Massachusetts","Michigan","North Carolina","Ohio","Virginia"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["employment assessment","sectoral analysis"]},{"id":"eesi-000489","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000489","title":"Fossil Fuel Subsidies","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-07","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Fossil_Fuel_Subsidies_0719.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details various direct and indirect U.S. tax subsidies for coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as federal R&D funding and overseas financing. It highlights the contradiction between these subsidies and global climate targets, noting that global fossil fuel subsidies reached $5.2 trillion in 2017. The text also analyzes the 'externalities' of fossil fuels, including the social cost of carbon, public health crises, and environmental degradation, while reviewing legislative efforts in the 116th Congress to reform energy tax credits.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"U.S. direct subsidies to the fossil fuel industry are conservatively estimated at approximately $20 billion annually, with 80 percent allocated to crude oil and natural gas and 20 percent to coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global fossil fuel subsidies are increasing, reaching $5.2 trillion (6.5 percent of global GDP) in 2017, which represents a $500 billion increase from 2015. The largest subsidizers are China, the United States, and Russia.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. government provides significant R&D funding for fossil fuels, with a heavy emphasis on coal. Between 2010 and 2017, 91 percent of total fossil R&D money, totaling $1.4 billion, was spent on coal-related research.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Despite federal investment, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is considered unlikely to sustain the domestic use of coal power due to negative economics and high energy intensity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"U.S. agencies like the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) provide financing for fossil fuel projects abroad, including a $250 million natural gas project in Jordan and billions in grants and loans for the petroleum sector between 2001 and 2018.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Fossil fuel externalities—including health, environmental, and societal costs—totaled $5.3 trillion globally in 2015. In the U.S., air pollutants from fossil fuels cause 200,000 premature deaths annually.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Trump administration sought to lower the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) by shifting from a global to a national valuation and increasing the discount rate, potentially reducing the valuation from $36 per metric ton to as low as $1 per metric ton.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000489#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["fossil fuel subsidy","greenhouse gas emissions","carbon capture and storage","renewable energy","direct air capture","climate finance","tax credit","air pollution"],"geography_discussed":["European Union","People's Republic of China","Russia","Colombia","Jordan","Kosovo","Mozambique","North Carolina","Michigan"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","economic analysis"]},{"id":"eesi-000193","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000193","title":"Nature-based Resilience for Gulf Coast Communities: Using Regional Sediment Management to Sustain the Coast","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-06-24","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Derek_Brockbank_062519.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing highlights a coastal sediment crisis in the Gulf of Mexico caused by human activity for the navigation industry. It outlines current state-level sediment efforts in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi, and identifies the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) districts in Jacksonville, Mobile, and Galveston as regional leaders in RSM. To improve resilience, the author recommends that Congress reform the USACE 'federal standard' of least cost disposal, update Benefit-Cost-Ratio (BCR) calculations, support legislation like the Living Shorelines Act and Coastal Communities Adaptation Act, and shift toward sustained upfront federal investment rather than relying on post-storm funding.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000193#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Shoreline recession in the Gulf region is attributed to human activities intended to benefit the navigation industry rather than being a natural process.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000193#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Various Gulf states are implementing sediment-based resilience efforts, including Louisiana's State Master Plan and sediment diversions, Florida's beach restoration and the Jacksonville RSM Center of Excellence, Alabama's proposed law for using dredged material from Mobile Bay, Texas's use of Galveston Ship channel material for beaches, and Mississippi's use of Alabama dredge material for barrier island restoration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000193#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The author proposes four primary ways Congress can support nature-based resilience: reforming the USACE 'federal standard' of least cost disposal and the Benefit-Cost-Ratio (BCR), passing the Living Shorelines Act (H.R. 3115) and Coastal Communities Adaptation Act (H.R. 1317), providing sustained upfront federal appropriations, and committing to infrastructure, people, and nature.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000193#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","coastal management"],"geography_discussed":["Louisiana","Florida","Alabama","Texas","Mississippi","Gulf of Mexico","Jacksonville","Mobile","Galveston"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy recommendation"]},{"id":"eesi-000423","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000423","title":"Nature-Based Resilience for Gulf Coast Communities","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-06","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_062519.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document explores nature-based solutions—such as wetlands, oyster reefs, and dune restoration—as alternatives or complements to traditional 'gray' infrastructure for mitigating storm surge, flooding, and erosion along the U.S. Gulf Coast. It highlights the role of regional partnerships like the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program in implementing these strategies. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the 'sediment crisis,' arguing for the beneficial use of dredged material to rebuild marshes and beaches. The panel concludes with legislative recommendations for the U.S. Congress, including reforming Army Corps of Engineers' cost-benefit ratios and funding pre-disaster mitigation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Nature-based infrastructure provides a suite of co-benefits beyond risk reduction, including improved water quality, fishery and wildlife habitat, and urban cooling through increased tree canopy.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Healthy coral reefs can significantly reduce wave energy, with evidence showing they can diminish it by 95%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Wetlands provide substantial economic value in disaster mitigation; a post-Hurricane Sandy study on the eastern seaboard found that existing wetlands abated $625 million in damages to homes and structures.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program has restored over 1.5 million acres and leveraged $1.6 billion for conservation, achieving a leverage ratio of $8 for every $1 invested.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Salt Bayou Watershed Restoration Plan in Texas, completed in 2013 after 15 years, utilizes four primary elements: beneficial use of dredged material, increasing freshwater inputs via siphons, restoring a historic beach ridge, and balancing saltwater at the Keith Lake fish pass.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) uses a 'Resilience Index' to help local decision-makers evaluate risks to critical infrastructure, transportation, and business plans, which has led to the development of specific indices for tourism, fisheries, and ports.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. coastline is facing a 'sediment shortage crisis' caused by the channelization of rivers, the trapping of sediment behind dams, and the use of jetties that push sediment offshore rather than allowing it to accumulate on beaches.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Army Corps of Engineers' current 'federal standard' often incentivizes dumping dredge material offshore because it is the cheapest option, ignoring the long-term lifetime costs of losing that sediment for coastal restoration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Proposed legislative solutions to support nature-based resilience include the Living Shorelines Act to fund NOAA grants and the Coastal Communities Adaptation Act to create a revolving fund for low-interest loans for coastal adaptation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000423#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","coastal management","sea level rise","storm surge","green infrastructure","coral reef restoration","climate finance","Flood mitigation"],"geography_discussed":["World","St. Petersburg","Miami Beach","Salt Bayou","Biloxi","Ocean Springs","New Orleans","Galveston","California","Virginia"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study","expert testimony"]},{"id":"eesi-000460","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000460","title":"Congressional Action on Resilient Infrastructure: Areas of Progress and Future Needs","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-04-10","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-congressional-action-on-resilient-infrastructure-areas-of-progress-and-future-needs","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details how the 115th Congress integrated resilience into various sectors through legislation like the Disaster Recovery Reform Act and the National Defense Authorization Act. It highlights the rising economic costs of climate-driven disasters, the importance of pre-disaster mitigation, and the role of nature-based infrastructure in reducing risk. The authors argue that while progress has been made in defense, water, and transportation, the federal government must further institutionalize climate adaptation and resilience metrics to protect lives and property.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The economic impact of weather and climate disasters in the United States is escalating, with 238 events exceeding $1 billion in damages between 1980 and 2018, totaling over $1.5 trillion. The year 2017 was particularly historic, with 16 'billion-dollar' disasters resulting in estimated damages of $312.7 billion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 shifted federal disaster policy toward pre-disaster mitigation (PDM), allowing for investments in building codes, safe rooms, and the elevation of structures before disasters occur. It also permits disaster-damaged structures to be rebuilt according to the most recent model codes and standards.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2019 emphasizes the resilience of Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure and energy systems. It requires risk mitigation plans for construction projects in 100-year floodplains, including elevating mission-critical structures by three feet and non-mission critical structures by two feet above projected floodwater levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Nature-based infrastructure, such as wetlands and forests, is increasingly recognized as critical for risk reduction. For example, coastal wetlands in New Jersey are estimated to have avoided $625 million in direct flood damages during Hurricane Sandy. The 2016 Water Resources Development Act expanded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' use of nature-based features for risk reduction across the country.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To combat 'fire-borrowing'—the practice of diverting forest management funds to cover wildfire suppression—the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act established a Wildfire and Disaster Funding Adjustment. This creates a separate disaster cap starting at $2.25 billion in FY2020 and increasing to $2.95 billion by 2027, providing an additional $20 billion over 10 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sea level rise poses a significant threat to U.S. coastal populations and infrastructure. Approximately 40 percent of the U.S. population (123.3 million people in 2010) lives in high-density coastal areas vulnerable to flooding and erosion. Global sea levels have risen seven to eight inches since 1900, with the possibility of an eight-foot rise by 2100.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000460#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["infrastructure resilience","climate change adaptation","disaster risk reduction","sea level rise","wildfire","nature-based solutions","green infrastructure","Resilience (power system)","coastal erosion","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":["California","Puerto Rico","New Jersey","Houston"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","legislative review"]},{"id":"eesi-000328","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000328","title":"Congressional Action on Resilient Infrastructure: Areas of Progress and Future Needs","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/IssueBrief_Resilient_Infrastructure.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details how the 115th Congress integrated resilience into various sectors through legislation like the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, the Water Resources Development Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act. It highlights the rising economic costs of inaction, noting that 2017 alone saw $312.7 billion in disaster damages. The text emphasizes the shift toward pre-disaster mitigation, nature-based infrastructure, and the need for the 116th Congress to address energy grid resilience and National Flood Insurance Program reform.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The economic cost of extreme weather in the U.S. is escalating, with 2017 recording a historic $312.7 billion in damages from 16 'billion-dollar' climate disasters, nearly one-third of all disaster costs since 1980.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Investment in resilience provides a high return on investment, with data indicating that every $1 spent on resilience can save between $4 and $11 in future disaster costs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 shifted federal focus toward pre-disaster mitigation (PDM) and allows damaged structures to be rebuilt according to the most recent model codes and standards rather than those in place at the time of the disaster.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2019 mandates that new DOD construction projects in 100-year floodplains must elevate 'non-mission critical' structures by two feet and 'mission critical' structures by three feet above projected floodwater levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To combat 'fire-borrowing'—the practice of diverting forest management funds to cover wildfire suppression—the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act established a wildfire disaster cap starting at $2.25 billion in FY2020 and rising to $2.95 billion by 2027.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. government is increasingly utilizing nature-based features for risk reduction, with the 2016 Water Resources Development Act expanding the definition of these features beyond coastal areas to include projects nationwide.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 116th Congress is urged to prioritize the reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is currently financially insolvent and creates incentives for development in high-risk flood areas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000328#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["infrastructure resilience","climate change adaptation","disaster risk reduction","sea level rise","wildfire","nature-based solutions","green infrastructure","water distribution system","coastal erosion","storm surge"],"geography_discussed":["California","Puerto Rico","United States Virgin Islands","New Jersey","Houston"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","legislative review"]},{"id":"eesi-000336","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000336","title":"Consolidated “Interim” Storage of High-Level Radioactive Waste-- Prevent a Disaster by Rejecting This Risky Plan","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2019-03-12","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Letter_to_Congress-Groups_Oppose_Nuclear_Waste_Consolidated_Interim_Storage_Facilities.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document argues that consolidated interim storage of high-level radioactive waste is a risky and counterproductive plan that creates unnecessary transportation and security hazards. It highlights two specific license applications—one by Waste Control Specialists in Texas and another by Holtec International in New Mexico—and asserts that these projects face significant legal, technical, and community opposition. The authors claim that such facilities would not accelerate the move to permanent repositories and could instead become de facto permanent sites, while posing severe risks of radiation exposure and economic disaster in the event of a transport accident.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Consolidated interim storage involves transporting over 100,000 tons of irradiated nuclear fuel across the U.S., which the authors argue is counterproductive and could lead to interim sites becoming de facto permanent repositories.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The transportation of waste would involve over 10,000 shipments over 20 to 40 years, passing through nearly 90% of Congressional districts and putting 218 million people who live within a half-mile of likely rail lines at risk of exposure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Waste Control Specialists (WCS) and ORANO USA have applied to store 40,000 tons of waste in Andrews County, Texas, for an initial 40 years with potential extensions to 100 years, near the Ogallala aquifer.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Holtec International has applied to store up to 173,000 tons of waste for 40 years, with possible extensions to 120 years, at a site between Hobbs and Carlsbad, New Mexico, where groundwater is present at depths of 35 to 50 feet.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A 2003 study by Radioactive Waste Management Associates estimated that a severe rail accident involving irradiated fuel could result in 1,370 latent cancer fatalities and costs between $145 billion and $270 billion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is widespread opposition to these plans, including over 70,000 public comments submitted to the NRC and resolutions passed by various counties and cities in Texas and New Mexico.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000336#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nuclear power"],"geography_discussed":["Texas","New Mexico","Andrews County","Hobbs","Carlsbad","Washington, D.C."],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy advocacy","risk assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000337","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000337","title":"Yucca Mountain in Brief","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-03-12","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Letter_to_Congress-Yucca_Mountain_in_Brief.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing contends that the Yucca Mountain repository is 'irrevocably flawed' due to geological instability, including earthquake and volcano risks, and a failure to meet groundwater travel time standards. It highlights that the 2008 license application is obsolete because the Department of Energy abandoned the specific waste package design it was based on. The document further notes that the site's safety relies on unproven 'titanium drip shields' estimated to cost $5 to $9 billion (2018 dollars). It concludes that reviving the project would require billions in funding for licensing and infrastructure, such as a 300-plus mile rail line, and instead advocates for a 'consent-based' approach to nuclear waste management.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000337#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Yucca Mountain site is considered unsuitable for nuclear waste disposal due to geological risks and a failure to meet safety standards regarding groundwater.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000337#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 2008 license application for the repository is now obsolete because the Department of Energy abandoned the waste package design and canister specifications upon which the safety analysis was based.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000337#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The repository's ability to meet radiation protection standards depends on the installation of 11,500 titanium drip shields, a technology that is unproven and carries a high projected cost.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000337#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Reviving the project would necessitate significant financial investments, including at least $2 billion for the licensing process and the construction of a new 300-plus mile rail line.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000337#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nuclear power","environmental justice"],"geography_discussed":["Washington","South Carolina","Aiken"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","technical assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000037","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000037","title":"Energy Storage","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-02-22","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/energy-storage-2019","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document provides an overview of energy storage solutions, highlighting the transition from traditional pumped-storage hydropower to advanced battery technologies like lithium-ion. It details the technical trade-offs between different storage methods, the economic trends driving adoption, and the regulatory environment in the U.S. aimed at increasing grid flexibility and resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The International Energy Association (IEA) indicates that to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, global storage capacity must reach 266 GW by 2030, increasing from 176.5 GW in 2017. Bloomberg New Energy Finance projects the market will reach 942 GW by 2040, requiring $620 billion in investment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) remains the dominant utility-scale storage method in the U.S., accounting for 95 percent of such storage. In 2015, the U.S. had 22 GW of PSH incorporated into the grid, and the technology grew by 2 GW over the preceding decade.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Lithium-ion batteries dominate the global grid battery market with over 90 percent share due to high energy density and falling costs. Between 2010 and 2016, battery costs for electric vehicles fell by 73 percent, and prices for these systems are estimated to drop 8 percent annually through 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Large-scale battery storage in the U.S. is primarily managed by Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs). As of the end of 2017, PJM had the highest capacity at 278 MW, followed by California’s ISO (CAISO) with 130 MW.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Various storage technologies offer different performance profiles: Pumped hydro provides the highest max power rating (3,000 MW) and long lifetimes (30-60 years), while lithium-ion batteries offer higher efficiency (85-95%) and faster discharge times (1 min - 8h). Hydrogen fuel cells provide high energy density but remain expensive due to the need for platinum.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Electric vehicles (EVs) can support the grid through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology or by repurposing retired batteries for stationary storage. In Elverlingsen, Germany, nearly 2,000 Mercedes Benz EV batteries were used to create a stationary battery with almost 9 MW of power.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"U.S. regulatory and funding efforts include FERC Order No. 841 (February 2018), which requires ISOs and RTOs to remove barriers to energy storage entry, and the ARPA-E DAYS program, which provided up to $30 million to develop storage capable of powering the grid for up to 100 hours.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000037#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy storage","Resilience (power system)","solar energy","wind power","fuel cell","electric vehicle","climate finance","rural electrification"],"geography_discussed":["Puerto Rico","California","Colorado","Virginia","Alabama","Germany","Australia","Washington","People's Republic of China","New York"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["technical assessment","market analysis","policy review"]},{"id":"eesi-000210","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000210","title":"eesi_e15_letter_of_support-f84128bab818690f.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2019-02-21","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI_E15_Letter_of_Support.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"EESI advocates for the sale of E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) in New York State, arguing that it improves air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to E10. The document highlights that E15 reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and displaces toxic \"gasoline aromatics\" like the BTEX complex, which are linked to cancer. It also notes that E15 does not increase tailpipe emissions or damage catalysts in older vehicles and contributes to a reduction in transportation-sector greenhouse gases, with corn ethanol being on average 43 percent less GHG intensive than gasoline.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000210#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Increasing ethanol content from E10 to E15 reduces harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, lowers smog-forming potential, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. It specifically displaces the BTEX complex (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene), which has high cancer-causing potential.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000210#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The transition from E10 to E15 results in a 6.6 percent decrease in the cancer risk of 1-3 butadiene, although it increases the cancer risk associated with acetaldehyde by 1 percent.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000210#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Testing by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) on vehicles from 2000 and 2009 with 120,000 to 170,000 miles showed that E15 and E20 blends did not increase tailpipe emissions compared to ethanol-free fuels, nor did they damage vehicle catalysts.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000210#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Domestically-produced corn ethanol is on average 43 percent less GHG intensive than gasoline. Increasing the blend from E10 to E15 represents an additional 1.5 percent reduction in GHG emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000210#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Cellulosic ethanol, which must be 60 percent less GHG intensive than gasoline under the Renewable Fuel Standard, can reduce GHG emissions by 90 to 115 percent relative to gasoline depending on the feedstock.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000210#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["biofuel","greenhouse gas emissions","air quality","transport industry"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy support"]},{"id":"eesi-000488","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000488","title":"Energy Storage","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2019-02","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Energy_Storage_0219.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document examines various energy storage solutions, including pumped-storage hydropower, batteries, and compressed air, highlighting their capacity to mitigate the intermittency of solar and wind power. It details the dominance of pumped-storage hydropower in the U.S. utility-scale market and the rapid growth of lithium-ion batteries. The text also outlines specific state-level storage targets in the U.S. and global projections for storage capacity needed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"To limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, the International Energy Association (IEA) estimates a global requirement of 266 GW of energy storage by 2030, increasing from 176.5 GW in 2017.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) is the primary utility-scale storage method in the United States, representing 95 percent of such storage. As of 2015, the U.S. had 22 GW of PSH integrated into the grid.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Lithium-ion batteries dominate the global grid battery storage market with over 90 percent share. Their costs have declined significantly, with electric vehicle battery costs falling 73 percent between 2010 and 2016.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Various U.S. states have established specific energy storage targets: New Jersey aims for 2,000 MW by 2030, New York targets 1,500 MW by 2025, and Massachusetts seeks 1,000 MWh by the end of 2025.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Energy storage improves grid resilience by providing backup power during interruptions, as evidenced by the slow restoration of electricity in Puerto Rico due to a lack of storage and flexibility.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Electric vehicles (EVs) can support the grid through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology or by repurposing retired batteries for stationary storage, such as a project in Elverlingsen, Germany, using 2,000 Mercedes Benz EV batteries to hold nearly 9 MW.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000488#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy storage","fuel cell","Resilience (power system)","wide area synchronous grid","electric vehicle","climate finance","energy policy"],"geography_discussed":["Puerto Rico","California","Germany","Australia","People's Republic of China"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["technical overview","policy review"]},{"id":"eesi-000206","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000206","title":"EESI BRAND AND STYLE GUIDELINES","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"guide","language":"en","date_published":"2019","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI_Brandguide.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The EESI Brand and Style Guidelines provide technical specifications for the organization's visual identity to ensure consistency across platforms. It defines the primary and secondary brand colors, approved typefaces (Proxima Nova and Gotham), and specific rules for the application and modification of the EESI logo.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000206#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The EESI brand is designed to reflect a mission of promoting sustainable societies and accelerating the transition to a low-emissions economy based on renewable energy and energy efficiency.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000206#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The organization specifies strict rules for logo usage: the main horizontal logo must include the full company name under the acronym, and users are prohibited from rotating, stretching, recoloring, or separating the globe mark from the word mark.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000206#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The brand's color palette consists of primary colors (EESI Dark Blue, EESI Light Blue, and EESI Green) and a secondary color (EESI Grey), with the green specifically intended to depict \"eco-friendly renewal.\"","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000206#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Proxima Nova is designated as the primary typeface for both print and web applications, with Gotham serving as a secondary typeface or an alternate when the primary is unavailable.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000206#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["renewable energy","energy efficiency"],"geography_discussed":["Washington, D.C."],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["branding guidelines"]},{"id":"eesi-000449","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000449","title":"Hurricanes have taught Americans hard lessons on resilience","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"research paper","language":"en","date_published":"2018-11-16","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/hurricanes-have-taught-americans-hard-lessons-on-resilience","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The United States is experiencing a rise in 'billion-dollar' weather disasters, with the average number of such events increasing from 5.3 per year (1980-2012) to 11.6 per year (2013-2017). The author contends that investing in resilience is more cost-effective than rebuilding, noting that federal adaptation investments can provide $4 to $10 in future benefits for every dollar spent. Key recommendations include updating building codes, implementing green infrastructure like wetland restoration, and deploying decentralized energy systems such as microgrids to prevent deadly power failures. The text emphasizes that adaptation must occur simultaneously with greenhouse gas mitigation, as resilience measures often align with sustainability goals and carbon reduction.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000449#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The frequency of severe weather disasters in the United States has increased significantly, with the average number of 'billion-dollar' disasters rising from 5.3 per year between 1980 and 2012 to 11.6 per year between 2013 and 2017.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000449#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Investing in adaptation and resilience is financially superior to rebuilding after disasters; federal government investments in adaptation measures are estimated to provide between $4 and $10 in future benefits for every dollar invested.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000449#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Effective resilience strategies include the use of green infrastructure—such as rain gardens, green roofs, and wetland restoration—to absorb storm surges and rainwater, as well as the adoption of tougher building codes and standards like the FORTIFIED home standard.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000449#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Decentralized energy solutions, including microgrids and renewable energy storage, are critical for maintaining life-saving services during disasters, as evidenced by the deadly long-term blackout in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000449#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change","climate change adaptation","climate resilience","hurricane","green infrastructure","building code","microgrid","renewable energy","energy storage","Sustainable Development Goals","carbon sequestration"],"geography_discussed":["Puerto Rico","Florida","New Orleans","New York City"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study"]}]}