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The policy brief advocates for 'clean repowering'—the strategy of siting new renewable energy projects at existing or retiring fossil fuel plant interconnection points—to reduce interconnection times from nearly five years to less than one year. RMI's analysis indicates this approach could enable 250 GW of new renewable energy without transmission upgrades, resulting in average national savings of $12.7 billion annually from 2025 to 2035. The brief highlights the role of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program in making these projects financially viable and provides specific recommendations for regulators to ensure these savings reach customers through integrated resource planning and oversight.

The EESI 2023 Climate, Environmental, and Energy Congressional Hearings Tracker catalogs hearings across numerous House and Senate committees. House activity was led by the Natural Resources (28 hearings) and Energy and Commerce (24 hearings) committees, focusing on energy security, grid reliability, and critical minerals. Senate activity was prominent in the Environment and Public Works (22 hearings) and Budget (10 hearings) committees, with a strong emphasis on the economic costs of climate change, infrastructure resilience, and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The U.S. clean energy sector saw record growth in 2023, particularly in solar installations and EV sales, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the transition faces significant headwinds from rising interest rates, supply chain shortages for transformers, and a lagging transmission system. To meet 2035 carbon-free electricity goals, annual renewable installation rates must nearly double, and transmission capacity may need to double or triple.

The Green Economy Coalition advocates for a fair green industrial strategy in the UK, criticizing the Labour Party for abandoning its £28 billion green investment pledge. The document highlights the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a successful example of structural policymaking that leverages private investment—estimated by Goldman Sachs at $3 trillion—into renewable energy. It argues that government leadership through clear, long-term commitments and mandatory net zero targets is essential to attract business investment, ensure energy security, and protect vulnerable workers during the transition from fossil fuels.

The report analyzes the impact of a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on interconnection costs for onshore wind and solar projects in the U.S. It finds that this credit could reduce overall project costs by 3% for solar and 1.7% for wind. More significantly, the analysis suggests the ITC could have bridged the cost gap for 22 GW of withdrawn projects and 15 GW of active projects across five regions, potentially bringing a total of 26-37 GW of capacity to fruition.

The report argues that falling battery prices, driven by economies of scale and innovation (Wright's Law), will make battery electric heavy-duty vehicles (BEHDVs) more affordable than diesel equivalents sooner than previously estimated. Using updated BNEF forecasts, the study finds that by 2030, BEHDVs will be cheaper to purchase than diesel versions for four out of five analyzed vehicle types. This economic shift enhances the total cost of ownership (TCO) advantage and suggests that the benefits of the US EPA's proposed Phase 3 emissions standards are likely to exceed initial predictions.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) advocates for the EPA to promptly finalize comprehensive emissions standards for coal and both new and existing gas power plants. CATF argues that these regulations are compatible with electric grid reliability due to built-in flexibilities and compliance timelines. The organization emphasizes that timely action is necessary to align with federal investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and to help the U.S. meet its Nationally Determined Contribution of a 50 to 52% reduction in carbon pollution below 2005 levels by 2030.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) urges the EPA to finalize Phase 3 regulations for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) covering model years 2027-2032. The document highlights that HDVs contribute 59% of ozone- and particle-forming NOx emissions and 55% of particle pollution in the US, leading to significant health damages and deaths. It asserts that the industry is already transitioning toward zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), citing new battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) models from manufacturers like Mercedes, Nikola, and Tesla. Furthermore, the document details extensive federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) intended to build out charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, arguing that these resources make strong regulatory standards feasible and necessary.

The report identifies a 250 GW potential for 'clean repowering' in the United States, where new clean energy projects are sited at existing interconnection points to bypass interconnection delays and leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives. It highlights two primary pathways: 'Surplus Interconnection Service' for adding capacity to operating plants and 'Generator Replacement' for replacing retiring plants. These strategies aim to reduce interconnection timelines from years to months while supporting energy communities through tax credits and loan guarantees.

The City of San Antonio has approved a deal with Big Sun Solar to install approximately 13 MW of solar capacity across 42 city-owned facilities and parking lots. This project is notable for being among the first to use the 'direct pay' (Elective Pay) mechanism established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of August 2022, which allows tax-exempt entities to receive tax credits to reduce upfront costs. The project is expected to offset about 11 percent of electricity consumption for City operations and generate net savings of $7–$11 million over 25 years. The guide outlines four lessons for other cities: aggregating small projects for economies of scale, leveraging tax credit bonuses for low-income or energy communities, planning for the time lag in receiving direct pay refunds, and maintaining flexibility in procurement to compare different financial structures using net present value.

The guide outlines how to leverage the $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, specifically the $4.6 billion in competitive implementation grants. It recommends two high-impact strategies to improve EPA scoring metrics: e-bike programs and targeted EV incentives for 'superusers'—high-mileage drivers who often have lower incomes. The author argues these approaches offer clear equity advantages, straightforward emissions calculations, and address gaps in existing federal legislation.

The report advocates for a strategic shift in US state transportation policy, moving away from highway expansion toward the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It highlights that while vehicle electrification is progress, it is insufficient on its own to meet climate goals. RMI analysis suggests that a 20% reduction in per-capita VMT by 2050 could prevent 6,000 annual fatalities, save $259 billion in annual costs, and avoid 2.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The document urges states to utilize funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for transit, micro-mobility, and 'complete streets' rather than projects that induce more traffic.

In 2022, U.S. fossil fuel subsidies totaled $757 billion, including $754 billion in implicit costs. While the Biden-Harris FY 2024 budget proposes eliminating 13 tax preferences to save $96.9 billion, other legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act continues to provide subsidies, including $1.55 billion for methane reductions and credits for carbon sequestration.

The report analyzes the current state of transatlantic industrial decarbonization policies, identifying a significant divergence between the EU's regulatory-led approach and the US's subsidy-driven model. It argues that while high-level negotiations on carbon pricing (such as GASSA) have stalled, there is substantial opportunity for cooperation through 'softer' market functions, including R&D, green public procurement, and the harmonization of technical standards. The document provides a detailed SWOT analysis of various policy instruments and technology-specific areas, recommending the creation of dedicated dialogue platforms and innovation hubs to foster a globally interoperable clean economy.

The report argues that while US and EU cooperation on carbon pricing and tariffs (such as GASSA and CBAM) has stalled due to diverging political visions, a 'softer' path to alignment is possible. This approach prioritizes cooperation on 'carrots' like R&D and green public procurement, and 'sticks' like the harmonization of carbon standards. The study recommends expanding collaboration beyond hydrogen and carbon capture to include circular economy practices and industrial electrification, utilizing platforms like the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to avoid duplication and establish common technology standards.

The report finds that while U.S. climate and health policies remain largely siloed, there is a broad consensus among stakeholders that further integration would maximize mutual benefits and increase public support for climate action. Key barriers include funding shortages, political polarization, and a lack of standardized data on health-economic costs. Recommended strategies include framing climate change as a health issue, utilizing health professionals as trusted messengers, and establishing centralized leadership within federal agencies to overcome institutional silos.

A survey of 890 registered U.S. voters conducted in December 2024 reveals broad support for clean energy development and climate justice policies, though significant political polarization remains regarding the economic impact of the energy transition and specific regulatory measures. While majorities support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (after reading a description), collective efficacy and active political advocacy for climate action remain relatively low.

A December 2024 survey of 890 registered U.S. voters reveals broad support for clean energy development and climate justice policies, though significant political polarization remains regarding fossil fuel production and the economic effects of the energy transition. While majorities support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, actual political advocacy and collective efficacy remain low.

The report finds that while a majority of registered U.S. voters support various clean energy policies and prefer candidates who take action on global warming, there is a sharp political divide regarding the issue's importance as a voting priority. Most voters support specific measures like soil restoration for farmers and clean energy job training, but few believe the U.S. government is responding well to the crisis. Support for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is high after respondents read a description of the law, despite low general awareness.

The report outlines a total potential market size of R468 billion by 2030 for large-scale renewable energy in South Africa, split between private procurement (R214 billion), public procurement (R212 billion), and local component manufacturing (R42 billion). Private procurement is growing rapidly due to the removal of generation licensing requirements and the demand for energy security amidst loadshedding. Public procurement is driven by the REIPPPP and municipal tenders, though it faces policy uncertainty and municipal financial strain. Local manufacturing is supported by the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) and trade agreements, but is hindered by low cost imports and grid constraints. Key systemic barriers include severe grid capacity constraints in high-yield areas and a critical shortage of technical skills for installation and commissioning.