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The Clean Air Task Force criticizes a June 2016 Senate Appropriations Committee bill that requires the US Environmental Protection Agency to treat forest biomass-based energy generation as carbon neutral. The author contends that this 'attempt to legislate science' ignores research showing that biomass combustion typically increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels for decades. The document calls for a scientifically-defensible approach to carbon accounting, noting that while some specific bioenergy systems like co-generation using harvest residues may offer benefits, burning forest biomass generally emits more carbon dioxide per unit of electricity than coal or natural gas.

The document argues that transitioning from fossil fuel-based electric power to clean renewable energy is a public health imperative. It details how climate change exacerbates respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health issues, and how the Clean Power Plan's goal to reduce carbon pollution by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030 will prevent thousands of premature deaths and asthma attacks. The toolkit provides clinicians with messaging and model letters to influence state policymakers, while explicitly arguing against nuclear power due to radiation risks and waste management failures.

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.

The document outlines the use of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) to model the impact of the Clean Power Plan and federal tax credits. It specifies adjustments made to standard EIA cost and performance assumptions for various energy technologies, including wind, solar, coal, and nuclear, and defines three primary analysis scenarios: a Reference Case, a Clean Energy Transition Case, and a Clean Power Plan Only Case.

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.

A coalition of businesses and environmental organizations calls on the United States to implement the Clean Power Plan and invest in a low-carbon economy to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Michigan is positioned to meet its Clean Power Plan target of 21.8 million tons of CO2 (31% below 2012 levels) by 2030. A proposed 'Clean Path Case' involving 30% renewable energy and 1.5% annual electricity savings could drive $13 billion in investment, add 8,300 MW of wind and solar capacity, and provide $4.1 billion in public health benefits by 2030. The brief recommends that the Michigan Agency for Energy develop a mass-based compliance plan and that the legislature expand the Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Requirements Standard.

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 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.

A coalition of organizations advises Governor John Hickenlooper to maximize investments in energy efficiency to achieve Colorado's 2030 Clean Power Plan compliance limits. The letter argues that efficiency is the cheapest demand-side resource, capable of saving Colorado residents $1.5 billion and avoiding nearly 16 million tons of carbon dioxide. It recommends expanding non-utility programs, such as combined heat and power generation and updated building energy codes, and suggests opting into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP).

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.