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Electric vehicles (EVs) offer significant financial benefits, including lower fueling costs—with savings ranging from several hundred to over $1,000 annually—and reduced maintenance costs of $6,000 to $12,000 over a vehicle's life. Environmentally, EVs produce fewer emissions than conventional cars even on coal-heavy grids, with the potential to reduce US oil use by 1.5 million barrels per day by 2035. Additionally, EVs provide a superior driving experience through instant torque and a low center of gravity, while offering convenience via home charging and simplified mechanical maintenance.

The document presents an economic analysis by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. showing that clean car standards drive job creation and GDP growth through automotive industry investments and increased consumer spending. It estimates that by 2035, these standards could add over 250,000 jobs and $16 billion to the GDP, while saving consumers $90 billion in annual fuel costs. The text also critiques a previous Indiana University study, noting that subsequent corrections to that study shifted its findings from a net GDP loss to a net gain.

The document advises federal scientists to maintain detailed, contemporaneous records of political interference or process changes that diminish the role of science in decision-making. It outlines best practices for secure note-taking, distinguishes between personal notes and official agency records, and explains the legal criteria for protected whistleblowing under the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act.

The analysis finds a systematic and unprecedented decline in the use of federal science advisory committees under the Trump administration, characterized by fewer meetings, reduced membership, and the disbanding of key panels. This pattern of neglect is evident across multiple agencies, including the EPA, DOE, and Department of Commerce, potentially compromising public health and safety.

The document presents a series of tables detailing the activity and composition of science advisory committees across six federal agencies (CDC, DOI, DOE, DOC, EPA, and FDA) from 1997 to 2017. It tracks the number of meetings held and the number of members for each committee, highlighting instances where committees failed to meet their charter requirements. Additionally, it lists the appointment status of 83 key science and technology positions under the Trump administration as of January 15, 2018, noting numerous vacancies in roles requiring Senate confirmation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed 73 science advisory committees across 24 federal agencies to determine if the Trump administration neglected scientific advice. The findings indicate a systematic pattern of sidelining science, characterized by a 20 percent decrease in committee meetings and a 14 percent drop in membership from 2016 to 2017. The report highlights specific actions at the EPA, DOI, and DOE that reduced the quality and quantity of independent scientific input, often replacing academic experts with industry representatives.

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in California provides financial incentives for low-carbon transportation fuels, significantly boosting the electric vehicle (EV) market. By generating credits for electricity used in transportation, the program supports residential rebates through utilities, reduces costs for public charging stations, and makes electric buses and trucks more affordable for transit agencies and businesses. The document argues that the LCFS should be extended to 2030 with a higher carbon intensity reduction target to maximize its climate impact.

The report concludes that China's nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller and less capable than that of the United States, with a modernization program focused primarily on delivery vehicles rather than fissile material production or warhead design. It highlights that China's fissile material stocks and number of nuclear tests are far lower than US levels, limiting its potential warhead count to between 380 and 880. The author suggests that the US can further restrict China's nuclear growth through the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT).

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), in partnership with Iowa State University's Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, conducted a 2018 survey of federal scientists to evaluate the state of scientific integrity and the work environment in science-based government agencies. The survey targeted 16 specific agencies, including the EPA, NOAA, and the Department of Energy, using a methodology designed to ensure participant anonymity through randomized access codes and the redaction of identifying information. The results, intended for public release in summer 2018, aim to inform policy improvements and ensure independent science informs government decision-making.

The Union of Concerned Scientists evaluated ConocoPhillips across four metrics from July 2016 to June 2018. While the company showed improvements in climate risk disclosure and planning for carbon pollution, it received an 'Egregious' score for renouncing disinformation due to its continued leadership roles in trade associations that spread climate disinformation and its use of language that misrepresents climate science.

A 2018 survey of 561 US Geological Survey (USGS) scientists indicates that while 85% believe the agency adheres to its scientific integrity policy, there is significant evidence of politicization. Key issues include the diversion of resources away from politically contentious research, restrictions on professional development, and the self-censorship or explicit removal of the phrase "climate change" from scientific work.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the coal industry in the United States, detailing the transition from underground to surface mining and the shift toward low-sulfur coal. It highlights the severe ecological damage caused by mountaintop removal and the public health risks associated with coal combustion, including the emission of sulfur dioxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide. The guide also discusses the economic decline of coal due to the rise of natural gas and renewables, while noting the energy-intensive nature of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that since the 1950s, US automakers have consistently fought against fuel economy, emissions, and safety standards using 'scare tactics' and claims of technical infeasibility, despite later meeting or exceeding those same standards. While the industry collaborated with the federal government in 2009 to establish flexible standards that have since saved drivers nearly $50 billion, the report claims that industry trade groups are currently attempting to weaken these rules. The document calls for automakers to cease spreading disinformation and support strong, technology-forcing standards.

The report documents a 70-year history of 'intransigence' by US automakers, who repeatedly claimed that environmental and safety mandates were technically impossible or economically ruinous, only to implement the technologies once mandated. It details specific battles over the Clean Air Act, CAFE standards, and vehicle safety features like airbags, concluding that regulation has historically acted as a catalyst for innovation rather than a destroyer of the industry.

The Union of Concerned Scientists found that EV owners in each of the 50 largest US cities can save money on fuel, with median annual savings exceeding $770. The report highlights the stability of electricity prices compared to gasoline and the role of off-peak, time-of-use rate plans in reducing costs. It recommends expanding public charging infrastructure, maintaining purchase incentives, and implementing policies to make EVs accessible to lower-income households and residents of multi-unit dwellings.

California's aging infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven extreme weather, such as floods, wildfires, and heat waves. The document advocates for "climate-smart" infrastructure—designing systems based on future climate projections rather than past trends—to protect public safety and the economy. It identifies barriers such as outdated design codes and inadequate funding, and recommends updating standards, increasing technical capacity, and prioritizing equitable outcomes for low-income communities and communities of color.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that EVs are significantly cheaper to fuel and maintain than gasoline vehicles, with median annual fuel savings exceeding $770. While purchase prices are generally higher, federal and state incentives can make EVs competitive or even cheaper than comparable gasoline cars. The report emphasizes the role of time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates in reducing costs and recommends policies to expand charging infrastructure and maintain purchase incentives to accelerate the transition to electric mobility.

The report finds that electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly cheaper to fuel and maintain than gasoline vehicles in the US. Analysis of 60 electricity providers across the 50 largest US cities shows that at least one rate plan in every location makes EV driving cheaper than the average new gasoline vehicle, with median annual fuel savings exceeding $770. While the initial purchase price of EVs is typically higher, federal and state incentives, along with declining battery costs, are increasing affordability. The report recommends policies to expand charging infrastructure, particularly DC fast charging in urban areas, and the implementation of time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates to further reduce costs and emissions.

The report argues that California's public infrastructure is deteriorating and based on outdated historical climate data, making it vulnerable to a 'new normal' of extreme heat, sea level rise, wildfires, and erratic precipitation. It proposes a 'climate-smart' framework based on rigorous science, equitable outcomes, financial transparency, and holistic planning. Key barriers identified include outdated design codes, a lack of actionable climate data for engineers, and systemic underinvestment in underserved communities. The author recommends updating state standards, establishing a centralized coordinating center for climate information, and adopting innovative financing mechanisms like resilience bonds to protect critical services and vulnerable populations.

The report argues that incorporating climate change projections into groundwater planning is essential for California's water and food security, particularly as groundwater provides over half of the state's water supply during dry years. It provides a technical guide for water managers to understand Global Climate Models (GCMs), spatial resolution, downscaling, and emissions scenarios (specifically RCP 4.5 and 8.5). The authors identify inconsistencies between state (State Water Project) and federal (Central Valley Project) water delivery projections and recommend that local agencies use 'rule of thumb' methodologies and stress-testing to address these gaps. A proposed four-step process for GSPs includes determining management objectives, evaluating existing data, selecting appropriate information, and stress-testing actions. An analysis of 24 submitted Alternative Plans revealed that only about half included quantitative climate analysis, and many lacked a clear link between climate modeling and management objectives.