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The report argues that electric vehicles (EVs) represent a significant demand-side opportunity for the electricity grid. By treating EV charging as a distributed energy resource (DER), utilities can use smart charging—even without vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities—to avoid infrastructure investment, integrate more variable renewables, and reduce system costs. The authors emphasize that charging behavior is most effectively influenced in the first few months of ownership, necessitating early action on rate design and infrastructure planning. Through modeling in five U.S. states and analysis of California pilots, the report demonstrates that optimized charging can substantially flatten load profiles and prevent peak demand increases. It outlines various roles for utilities (facilitator, manager, provider) and recommends the use of time-of-use (TOU) and dynamic pricing to shift loads to off-peak hours.

The authors find that while all EU Member States have implemented car labeling schemes, they lack uniformity in design and metrics, and often underrate yearly fuel costs by several hundred euro per car. They recommend adopting a uniform label based on the EU energy label, using data that reflects real-world consumer observations, and implementing a scale that differentiates between hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The analysis indicates that the Clean Power Plan and the extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) will drive significant clean energy growth and consumer savings in the US. By 2030, these policies are projected to generate 204 GW of new wind and solar capacity, resulting in $30.5 billion in net consumer savings and $127 billion in cumulative health and economic benefits from reduced emissions.

The research finds that phasing out U.S. federal fossil fuel leases could reduce global CO2 emissions by approximately 100 million tonnes per year by 2030. The impact is most immediate for coal, where it could leave 4 billion short tons of coal in the ground by 2040. Oil and gas impacts are more gradual due to longer project lead times, but could eventually leave 7 billion barrels of oil and 30 trillion cubic feet of gas undeveloped by 2040. The study concludes that such supply-side measures are a significant complement to demand-side policies like the Clean Power Plan in meeting Paris Agreement targets.

Illinois can achieve 75% of its Clean Power Plan target by following existing clean energy policies and improving fossil plant efficiency, and can exceed the target by expanding efficiency and renewable standards.

The document argues that the Supreme Court's stay on the Clean Power Plan does not prohibit the EPA from continuing preparatory implementation work, nor does it automatically delay or 'toll' compliance deadlines.

The testimony identifies significant regulatory barriers to advanced nuclear energy in the United States, specifically the NRC's reliance on light water reactor (LWR) standards and a high-risk, front-loaded investment profile for licensing. To address these, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) recommends a staged licensing process utilizing licensing project plans (LPP), topical reports, and a 'statement of licensing feasibility' to provide early feedback to developers. The document advocates for S.2795 to provide dedicated funding for a technology-inclusive, risk-informed, and performance-based regulatory framework, while suggesting a shift in the NRC's budget structure from a fee-based model to one with more consistent public funding for new regulation development.

Massachusetts has become heavily reliant on natural gas for electricity, with it accounting for over 60 percent of in-state generation. This dependence exposes consumers to price volatility and hinders carbon reduction goals. The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a diversified energy plan incorporating offshore and onshore wind, hydropower, and solar. This strategy could reduce natural gas use by 23 percent below business-as-usual by 2030, decrease carbon emissions by 6.6 million tons, and generate over $350 million in health and economic benefits in 2030, with a modest estimated increase in household electricity bills of approximately $3.00 per month.

New Mexico is experiencing a warming trend with an average annual temperature increase of approximately 0.6°F per decade since 1970. This shift is driving more intense droughts, reduced snowpack, and more frequent, destructive wildfires, which threaten the state's multibillion-dollar agricultural sector and forest ecosystems. The document recommends accelerating renewable energy investments, increasing energy efficiency, retiring coal plants, and implementing robust water management and monitoring systems to build climate resilience.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that Massachusetts is over-reliant on natural gas, which exposes consumers to price volatility and hinders climate goals. The report proposes a policy mix including increased hydropower, land-based wind, and 2,000 MW of offshore wind to reduce natural gas's share of New England's electricity generation from a projected 52% to 42% by 2030, while keeping cost increases for residential consumers to approximately $3.00 per month.

The Clean Power Plan aims for a nationwide reduction of carbon pollution to approximately 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. A proposed 'CPP national trading case' would involve 204 GW of new renewable energy capacity and $64 billion in energy-efficiency investments, generating $103 billion in public health and climate benefits. The document recommends that states adopt mass-based compliance plans, prioritize environmental justice for disadvantaged and coal-dependent communities, and implement strong clean-energy policies such as renewable electricity standards and carbon-pricing programs.

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Robert Bentley of Alabama advocating for the expansion of energy efficiency programs as the most cost-effective strategy for complying with the Clean Power Plan. The letter highlights that efficiency measures could meet 25 percent of Alabama's 2030 compliance goal, potentially saving the state over $939 million and avoiding 4.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The authors recommend adopting energy-savings targets, updated building codes, and the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP), while noting that non-utility programs like energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) provide significant investment opportunities.

A coalition of organizations advocates for Arizona to prioritize energy efficiency as the most cost-effective strategy for reducing emissions and meeting Clean Power Plan goals. The authors argue that a combination of energy-savings targets, updated building codes, and combined heat and power could meet 100 percent of the state's 2030 compliance goal, potentially saving Arizona residents $4.2 billion and avoiding nearly 15 million tons of carbon dioxide.

A coalition of organizations advocates for Arkansas to prioritize energy efficiency as the lowest-cost method for reducing emissions and meeting Clean Power Plan goals, highlighting potential savings of $441 million and the avoidance of 6.4 million tons of carbon dioxide.

The document argues that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective method for Florida to reduce emissions and meet its 2030 compliance goals under the Clean Power Plan. It recommends expanding utility and non-utility programs, such as building energy codes and energy savings performance contracts, noting that these measures could save Floridians $392 million and avoid 18 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations advocates for Georgia to prioritize energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals, arguing that such measures are the cheapest way to reduce emissions while supporting local job growth and reducing consumer costs. The letter suggests that a combination of energy-savings targets, updated building codes, and combined heat and power could meet 73 percent of the state's 2030 compliance goal, potentially saving Georgians $1.9 billion and avoiding 12 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of energy and environmental organizations advocates for the use of energy efficiency to meet Illinois' Clean Power Plan compliance limits, arguing it is the cheapest and fastest way to reduce emissions while creating local jobs and saving consumers money.

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Mike Pence advocating for energy efficiency as the lowest-cost method for Indiana to reduce emissions and comply with the Clean Power Plan. The letter highlights that combining energy-savings targets, updated building codes, and combined heat and power could meet 45% of the state's 2030 compliance goal, potentially saving residents $3 billion and avoiding 15 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

A coalition of organizations encourages the Governor of Kansas to prioritize energy efficiency as the lowest-cost strategy for reducing emissions and meeting Clean Power Plan goals, noting that specific policies could meet 54 percent of the state's 2030 compliance target.

A coalition of organizations advocates for Kentucky to expand energy-efficiency programs, arguing they are the cheapest method to reduce emissions and lower consumer costs. The authors suggest that adopting specific policies, such as updated building codes and combined heat and power, could meet 43 percent of the state's 2030 Clean Power Plan compliance goal, potentially saving over $1.6 billion and avoiding nearly 13 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.