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The document details the prevalence of unlined coal ash ponds in Illinois, identifies specific power plants with groundwater contamination, and critiques the state's regulatory deficiencies regarding ash impoundment safeguards.

The document outlines the status of coal ash ponds and landfills in Massachusetts, noting that between 300,000 and 600,000 tons of ash are generated annually. It highlights several EPA-identified damage cases where unlined landfills and ponds contaminated groundwater and air with metals such as arsenic and chromium. The text argues that the Massachusetts Solid Waste Act contains deficiencies by exempting coal ash from key solid waste regulations and local health board approvals.

Maryland generates over 1.9 million tons of coal combustion waste annually, ranking 23rd in the US. The state utilizes at least 31 landfills and minefills, as ponds are prohibited. However, the document highlights significant regulatory gaps, such as discretionary groundwater monitoring and a lack of financial assurance requirements. These deficiencies are linked to several contamination cases, including a $54 million settlement for the BBSS Gambrills site and documented groundwater pollution at the Brandywine and Faulkner facilities.

New Jersey electric utilities generate 642,300 tons of coal ash annually, ranking 37th in the U.S. While much of this waste is transported out of state, New Jersey residents face health and water quality threats from coal ash dumping in Pennsylvania and New York, including a 100-million-gallon spill into the Delaware River in 2005. The document argues that New Jersey's own regulations are insufficient because they do not mandate composite liners for all dump sites or universal groundwater monitoring at all coal ash ponds and landfills.

New York generates 2.8 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 15th in the US. The document identifies six coal ash ponds and numerous landfills, noting that five specific sites have contaminated groundwater or surface water with toxins such as arsenic, lead, and selenium. It argues that New York state law is deficient because it allows the Department of Environmental Conservation to exempt coal ash monofills from certain permitting requirements and does not mandate groundwater monitoring or composite liners for all facilities.

The document details the distribution of 69 coal ash ponds across 23 plants in Ohio, noting that the state ranks 3rd in the US for coal ash generation. It highlights significant safety hazards, including ponds rated as 'poor' by the EPA and documented groundwater contamination at multiple sites. The text argues that Ohio's regulatory program is deficient because it exempts coal ash from the definition of solid waste, thereby avoiding requirements for groundwater monitoring, composite liners, and structural stability inspections.

Oklahoma electric utilities generate 1.5 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 28th in the US. The state's disposal infrastructure consists of five ponds and two landfills, with EPA inspections identifying all four ponds at the Hugo Power Station as being in "poor" condition. Significant groundwater contamination is reported at the Northeastern Station, where selenium, arsenic, lead, and barium exceed federal drinking water standards. Additionally, residents in Bokoshe report high rates of asthma and cancer linked to fugitive dust from a local landfill. The document argues that Oklahoma's regulatory framework is insufficient, as it does not mandate groundwater monitoring or composite liners for all coal ash disposal sites.

An analysis of four Oklahoma coal ash dump sites reveals groundwater contamination at all locations, with toxic chemicals exceeding federal health standards. The report identifies specific pollutants—including arsenic, boron, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, radium, selenium, and sulfate—and documents systemic noncompliance with federal monitoring and stability requirements across these facilities, noting a lack of state enforcement.

The Boardman facility in Morrow County, operated by Portland General Electric Co, generates 99,900 tons of coal combustion waste annually. Between 1985 and 2010, 794,700 tons of coal ash were disposed of onsite. Hazardous contaminants, including selenium, vanadium, and total dissolved solids, have leached into groundwater, exceeding Oregon and EPA standards since 1981, affecting water used for commercial irrigation and supply.

The document details the presence of 18 coal ash ponds across 8 plants in Tennessee, noting that 14 are rated as either 'high' or 'significant' hazards. It highlights widespread groundwater and surface water contamination linked to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) sites and the 2008 Kingston Coal Ash Spill, arguing that Tennessee's dam safety laws specifically exempt coal-ash dams, leading to inadequate oversight.

Virginia generates approximately 2.4 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 18th in the U.S. The state's infrastructure includes 30 ponds at 11 plants, 13 of which are unlined and have an average age of 47 years, exceeding their 40-year projected lifespan. Eight ponds are classified as "significant hazard," with two rated in "poor" condition by the EPA, including sites at the Chesapeake Energy Center and Clinch River Power Plant. Contamination has led to two federal Superfund sites and significant ecological damage, such as a 1967 collapse at the Clinch River Plant that killed 217,000 fish. The document argues that Virginia's regulations are deficient, as they do not mandate composite liners, groundwater monitoring, or state inspections for all ash landfills and ponds.

The report details the environmental and public health impacts of waste incinerators in New Jersey, specifically highlighting how these facilities are located in low-income communities of color. It provides data on air pollution emissions and permit violations, criticizes the use of renewable energy subsidies for incineration, and proposes a policy framework to phase out incinerators in favor of zero-waste strategies.

The Hearing Examiner denied a consolidated appeal by the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council and 350 Tacoma, ruling that the City of Tacoma did not commit clear error in its environmental review of a proposed 2.5 million square foot industrial development. The decision affirms that the project's impacts on transportation, air quality, noise, and water were sufficiently analyzed and mitigated under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and local codes.

The document asserts that approximately $18.74 billion has been spent on over 700 miles of border wall that is ineffective at stopping drug trafficking or irregular crossings. It highlights that 83 laws have been waived to expedite construction, leading to the destruction of tribal cultural sites and critical wildlife habitats. A 2024 study in Arizona showed an 86% reduction in wildlife crossings due to the wall, and the text notes an increase in severe injuries and deaths from falls.

The report details the environmental and public health impacts of waste incinerators in New Jersey, highlighting their disproportionate location in overburdened communities of color and low-income areas. It documents significant air permit violations and the receipt of millions in clean energy subsidies despite high emissions. The authors propose a shift toward a zero-waste hierarchy—emphasizing redesign, reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting—and recommend that New Jersey ban new incinerators and decommission existing ones by 2030.

The fact sheet outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in Colorado, asserting that specific policies could help the state meet its carbon pollution goals under the EPA's Clean Power Plan. It highlights that an annual energy savings target of 1.5%, combined with model building codes and 100 MWs of new combined heat and power, would avoid over 15 million tons of CO2 by 2030. These measures are projected to save Coloradans $1.5 billion and significantly reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by 2030.

The fact sheet outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in Michigan, highlighting its role in meeting federal air regulations and reducing utility costs. It cites a Michigan Public Service Commission analysis showing a return of $4.38 in utility savings for every $1 spent on efficiency programs. The document projects that by 2030, a combination of 1.5% annual energy savings, national model building codes, and 500 MWs of new combined heat and power could save Michigan $5.5 billion and avoid over 21 million tons of carbon dioxide.

The document outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in Nebraska, asserting that such policies can help the state meet approximately 50% of its carbon pollution reduction goals under the EPA's Clean Power Plan. It projects that by 2030, a combination of 1% annual energy savings, national model building codes, and 40 MWs of new combined heat and power could avoid over 4 million tons of CO2 and save Nebraskans more than $382 million.

Lithium is a critical mineral essential for electric vehicle batteries and grid storage, with demand for these applications expected to reach 97% by 2035. While deposits are globally abundant, viable extraction is concentrated in the 'lithium triangle' (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile) and Australia. The United States relies on imports for over 50% of its consumption as of 2025, with limited domestic production and processing. Extraction and processing cause significant environmental damage, including water depletion in arid regions and toxic contamination, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities. Recycling remains limited but could potentially reduce the need for new mines by 25% by 2050.

The document details the essential role of critical minerals in clean energy technologies, the U.S.'s high import reliance, and the regulatory and economic barriers to domestic production. It highlights the environmental and human rights risks of mining, the potential for secondary recovery and recycling, and recent federal legislative and executive actions aimed at securing supply chains.