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The Union of Concerned Scientists criticizes a directive from Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross that orders NOAA to prioritize water access for firefighting in California over the protection of endangered aquatic species. The document asserts that this policy is not grounded in scientific evidence, as state officials and firefighters report sufficient water availability. It further argues that the directive subverts the authority of state regulators and may be intended to favor agricultural interests over the recovery of species like the Chinook salmon and Delta smelt, while ignoring the role of climate change in increasing wildfire severity.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) reports widespread PFAS contamination at US military bases, with many sites exceeding risk levels established by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The document highlights the health risks of these 'forever chemicals', the history of industry disinformation, and the failure of the US military to transition to fluorine-free firefighting foams.

Heavy-duty vehicles, while comprising only 5% of US road vehicles, contribute over 25% of vehicle-based global warming emissions and significant air pollution. The document advocates for the adoption of battery- and fuel cell-electric trucks and buses to eliminate tailpipe emissions and improve public health, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color. It highlights that battery-electric buses are currently the lowest-carbon option across the US and calls for government policies, including adoption targets and manufacturer standards, to accelerate this transition.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that space-based missile defense is an ineffective and dangerous strategy. The document explains that interceptors in orbit aim to destroy ICBMs during the boost phase to avoid decoy warheads, but this requires a massive number of satellites to ensure coverage. For example, covering North Korea would require 300 to 400 interceptors across seven or eight orbits. The National Academies of Science and Engineering estimated an 'austere' system of 600 interceptors would cost approximately $300 billion. Beyond cost, the system is vulnerable to saturation by multiple simultaneous missile launches and to ground-based anti-satellite weapons. Furthermore, the document warns that such a system would escalate tensions with Russia and China, as interceptors could be perceived as threats to vital military and economic satellites in various orbits, potentially triggering an arms race or military conflict.

Mayors from across California are calling on the California Air Resources Board to move beyond incentives and implement regulatory measures to transition transit fleets to zero-emission buses. They argue that these vehicles are technologically viable, cost-competitive, and essential for reducing toxic air pollution and meeting the state's 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The report analyzes how electoral rules—including registration eligibility, voting processes, and districting—impact voter turnout, particularly in environmental justice communities. It finds that socioeconomic distress and poor air quality are significant depressors of turnout, and that states with biased districting plans tend to have higher levels of air toxin exposure. The authors argue that restrictive election laws insulate powerful interests and weaken environmental protections, citing the Flint water crisis as an example of legislative dysfunction resulting from gerrymandering. The document recommends reforms such as automatic voter registration, nonpartisan redistricting, and proportional representation to improve government responsiveness and public health outcomes.

The document details how climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves in the United States, leading to higher mortality rates and significant disruptions. It highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of children, the elderly, low-income and minority populations, and outdoor workers. Beyond health, extreme heat damages transportation infrastructure, reduces agricultural yields, and strains the electricity grid, necessitating a transition to low-carbon energy solutions and adaptive urban design to mitigate these risks.

The document details the rising trends of heat waves and heat stress in the US, attributing recent increases to human-caused climate change and projecting more severe events by 2100 unless emissions are stabilized.

A 2018 survey of scientists at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) indicates that political leadership is a primary barrier to science-based decisionmaking. Key findings include the diversion of resources away from politically contentious work, a lack of adequate training on scientific integrity policies, and concerns regarding the influence of political appointees and the White House on agency operations.

A 2018 survey of US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) scientists reveals significant concerns regarding political interference in science-based decisionmaking, workforce reductions, and the censorship of politically contentious research. Respondents highlighted that political appointees and limited staff capacity are primary barriers to the agency's mission, with many reporting a decline in job satisfaction and office effectiveness.

A 2018 survey of 1,158 NOAA scientists indicates that while a majority believe the agency adheres to its scientific integrity policy, there are significant concerns regarding the influence of business interests and political censorship of climate change research. Specifically, 38% of respondents believe business interests hinder science-based decisionmaking, and 10% reported being asked to omit the phrase "climate change" from their work. Despite these challenges, 67% of scientists felt their direct supervisors support scientifically defensible positions that may be politically contentious, an increase from 56% in 2015.

A 2018 survey of National Park Service (NPS) scientists reveals significant concerns regarding the politicization of science, with 76% of respondents identifying political interests as a burden to science-based decisionmaking. The report highlights a 'chill on climate research,' noting that 26% of scientists avoided working on climate change or using the term even without explicit instructions. Additionally, 56% of respondents observed resources being diverted away from politically contentious programs, and 41% reported a deterioration in their ability to communicate scientific work to the public and media.

The report finds that the Trump administration has undermined science-based policymaking through workforce reductions, political interference, and censorship, particularly regarding climate change. While some agencies like the FDA and NOAA fared better, others, specifically the EPA, experienced significant declines in morale and effectiveness.

A 2018 survey of USDA scientists conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Iowa State University reveals significant concerns regarding the politicization of science. Key findings include widespread reports of workforce reductions, restrictions on communicating scientific findings to the media, and the diversion of resources away from research deemed politically contentious.

The analysis finds that no new natural gas capacity is needed to maintain grid reliability in California through 2030. Depending on carbon caps and the use of battery storage to meet local capacity requirements (LCR), between 28 and 56 of the 89 modeled natural gas plants could be retired. While overall natural gas generation decreases, the report warns that remaining plants may cycle on and off more frequently, potentially increasing NOx emissions and harming air quality in nearby disadvantaged communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) territory to determine the feasibility of retiring natural gas plants. The analysis finds that no new gas capacity is needed by 2030 and that nearly a quarter of existing capacity could be retired. However, the report warns that without clean grid management solutions, remaining plants may cycle on and off more frequently, potentially increasing NOx emissions despite lower overall carbon output. The study emphasizes that local capacity requirements (LCR) are a primary barrier to retiring peaker plants and suggests strategic energy storage and demand shifting as solutions.

Climate change is causing record-breaking wildfires, ocean acidification, and declining snowpack in Washington, threatening the state's shellfish, forestry, and hydroelectric industries. Projections suggest temperatures could rise by 5°F to 8.5°F by the end of the century, with significant risks to coastal property and forest health. The document advocates for carbon pricing, cleaner transportation fuels, and a transition to zero-carbon electricity to mitigate these risks.

The document details how climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves across the United States, leading to severe health risks and societal disruptions. It highlights the vulnerability of specific populations, such as the elderly and outdoor workers, and the role of the urban heat-island effect. The text argues that stabilizing carbon emissions and adhering to the Paris Agreement can significantly reduce the projected increase in extreme temperatures and the frequency of heat waves by mid-century.

California relies on natural gas for approximately one-third of its electricity, but analysis shows no new gas plants are needed to meet 2030 needs, and 28 existing plants could be retired as early as 2018 without compromising reliability.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) and its agencies, specifically the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), have restricted federal scientists from attending scientific conferences. In May 2018, the BLM prevented at least 14 archaeologists from attending the Society for American Archaeology conference, causing the cancellation of a symposium. In December 2017, the DOI capped USGS attendance at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting to 199 scientists, resulting in a 60% decrease in attendance compared to 2016 and the withdrawal of 30 presentation abstracts. The USGS has also implemented a review process for presentation titles to ensure projects align with political priorities. The document notes similar restrictive patterns at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).