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On the Road to 100 Percent Renewables
The report finds that USCA states can meet 100% of their electricity consumption with renewables by 2035, even with increased demand from electrification. This transition would significantly reduce air pollution, prevent 6,000 to 13,000 premature deaths, and lower average household energy burdens from 3.7% to 3.0% by 2040. While the transition creates substantial net jobs in renewable installation, the authors argue that proactive equity policies are necessary to ensure benefits reach marginalized communities and fossil fuel workers.
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Document type: Report
fit-for-55-tran-envi-committee-meetings-14-16-03-2022-part-1
The document details discussions within the TRAN committee on two key legislative files: the AFIR and RED II. For AFIR, members debated the inadequacy of previous charging station targets, the need for higher power outputs, and the role of LNG in heavy-duty transport. Regarding RED II, the committee discussed increasing the renewable energy share to 40% by 2030, the controversial inclusion of low-carbon fuels, and the prioritization of electrification for road transport versus synthetic fuels for aviation and maritime sectors.
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Document type: Briefing
A new mining industry threatens New York State’s environment and climate goals
The document highlights the environmental risks posed by proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining in New York State, specifically citing the Greenidge Generating Station's role in increasing CO2 emissions and discharging hot water into Seneca Lake. It contends that the high energy demands of this industry conflict with the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and calls for a moratorium on such mining operations.
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Document type: Statement
Global Trends Trends in global electricity
In 2021, wind and solar generated over 10% of global electricity for the first time, but record-high electricity demand led to a record rise in coal power and the largest absolute increase in power sector CO2 emissions ever recorded.
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Document type: Report
EU can stop Russian gas imports by 2025
Analysis by Ember, E3G, RAP, and Bellona indicates the EU can end Russian gas imports by 2025, two years ahead of the European Commission's 2027 target. This goal is achievable without building new gas import infrastructure or delaying the phase-out of coal power, provided the EU fully implements the Fit for 55 plan and removes barriers to wind and solar growth.
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Document type: Briefing
Bringing Cities and Their Utilities into the 21st Century
The guide outlines five strategies for cities to leverage utility franchise agreement renegotiations: incorporating climate strategies, planning for equity, investing in resilient infrastructure, embracing collaboration, and understanding negotiation leverage. It highlights specific examples, such as San Diego's climate equity fund and Colorado's powerline undergrounding, to demonstrate how cities can align utility operations with community-wide clean energy goals.
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Document type: Guide
Is Georgia Power’s New Plan Enough to Reach Net Zero by 2050?
RMI analysis indicates that while Georgia Power's plan significantly reduces coal reliance, it remains heavily dependent on gas and fails to align with a 1.5°C pathway. The utility's demand forecasts appear to underestimate the electricity needs required for the electrification of transportation and industry in Georgia.
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Document type: Briefing
Business groups call on EU to accelerate Europe’s green transition to strengthen energy security
Business leaders call on the EU to prioritize the green transition as the primary strategic response to geopolitical instability and high energy costs. They advocate for a rapid shift away from fossil fuel subsidies, the acceleration of electrification across sectors, and a renewed focus on energy efficiency and the circular economy to ensure long-term energy independence and climate resilience.
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Document type: Statement
ASSESSING THE VIABILITY OF HYDROGEN PROPOSALS
The report argues that blending green hydrogen into existing natural gas infrastructure for buildings and power generation is inefficient, costly, and risky. It finds that electrification is a superior alternative for the building sector due to higher energy efficiency and lower costs. In the power sector, hydrogen-fired turbines face significant NOx pollution challenges and risk becoming stranded assets. The authors recommend that green hydrogen be reserved for 'hard-to-decarbonize' sectors like industrial feedstocks, aviation, and marine shipping, while urging regulators to maintain a high burden of proof for any ratepayer-funded hydrogen projects.
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Document type: Report
CASE STUDY Designing a Neighborhood Microgrid
The Union of Concerned Scientists used the HOMER Grid model to analyze microgrid configurations for Parker Village, a planned eight-acre development in Highland Park, Michigan. The analysis focused on a grid-separated (islanded) system powered by solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage to maximize community independence. Findings indicate that while a grid-separated microgrid is feasible, it requires significant solar and battery capacity and necessitates fossil fuel backup (natural gas or diesel) to meet winter peak demand. Alternatively, a grid-connected backup option reduces initial investment costs and battery requirements but maintains a dependency on the utility for approximately 2% of annual power demand. The study emphasizes that increasing building energy efficiency could reduce the necessary scale of energy resources and minimize reliance on fossil fuel backups.
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Document type: Case study
Designing a Neighborhood Microgrid
The document describes the use of HOMER Grid software to analyze solar and battery storage configurations for the Parker Village neighborhood in Highland Park, Michigan. It outlines financial assumptions, building stock electricity demand based on full electrification and heat pump use, and technology costs for solar PV, Tesla Powerpack storage, and backup generators. The analysis results in several recommended system configurations combining 1.1 MW of solar PV with varying levels of storage and backup options (diesel, natural gas, or grid connection) to ensure resilience and reliability.
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Document type: Report
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports
The document examines the dual role of U.S. ports as both victims of climate change (facing sea level rise and extreme storms) and contributors to it through significant greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. It details mitigation strategies such as electrification of machinery, shore powering for berthed ships, and the adoption of renewable energy. It also discusses adaptation measures, contrasting 'gray infrastructure' like seawalls with nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration and living shorelines. The brief highlights specific initiatives at ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Savannah, Miami, and others, while noting the role of EPA programs and international certifications in driving sustainability.
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Document type: Briefing
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports
The document examines the dual role of U.S. ports as both significant emitters of greenhouse gases and vulnerable infrastructure facing climate threats like sea level rise. It details mitigation strategies, including electrification of machinery and shore powering for ships, and adaptation methods, such as nature-based shoreline protection and improved stormwater management. The brief highlights specific initiatives at ports in California, Georgia, and Florida, while noting the importance of federal resources like the EPA Ports Initiative in supporting these transitions.
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Document type: Policy brief
2022 Impacts
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) reports its 2022 impacts, which include hosting 26 Congressional briefings, launching the Beneficial Electrification Toolkit, and developing a Climate Solutions Map. The organization focuses on educating policymakers, providing technical assistance to rural utilities for clean energy, and supporting the next generation of climate leaders through initiatives like its first scholarship to a historically Black university (HBCU) student.
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Document type: Briefing
World entering commodities supercycle
The briefing discusses the sharp increase in agricultural and mining commodity prices since 2020, noting that while a 'supercycle' is debated, the trend threatens the Glasgow climate agreement's deforestation goals and food security in low-income countries. It highlights the critical role of scarce commodities like copper for electrification and warns that high fertilizer costs may impact 2022 harvests.
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Document type: Briefing
Three keys to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy-duty vehicles in the EU
The briefing argues that the EU's 'Fit for 55' package underestimates the decarbonization potential of the heavy-duty vehicle sector. SEI analysis indicates that simultaneous action across three key areas—energy efficiency, electrification, and biofuels—could reduce heavy-duty vehicle emissions by 24% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The document emphasizes that no single measure is sufficient and that policymakers must balance these options to account for long vehicle stock renewal cycles and potential underperformance in specific areas.
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Document type: Briefing
Paris Alignment of Gas
The report argues that current financial investments in the gas value chain underestimate climate risks and are incompatible with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target. It highlights that while many development finance institutions (DFIs) and private asset managers have moved away from coal, they continue to fund new gas projects despite the availability of cheaper renewable alternatives and the risk of high-emission lock-in. The document asserts that gas should not be considered a bridge or transition fuel and calls for clear strategies to phase out fossil fuel support.
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Document type: Report
消费者如何帮助 电力系统脱碳
The document argues that demand-side flexibility (DSF) is essential for integrating intermittent renewables and managing the electrification of transport, buildings, and industry. It highlights that while large industrial users have traditionally provided flexibility, residential and small business consumers have significant untapped potential through assets like electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps. Using the UK as a primary example, the brief identifies barriers such as inadequate economic signals and passive consumer behavior, and suggests enablers including smart metering, market reform, and digital aggregation platforms. For China, the authors recommend a 'hybrid approach' combining market-based pricing with administrative scheduling to transition away from a reliance on coal-fired power for system flexibility, while emphasizing the need for pilots to understand consumer preferences.
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Document type: Policy brief
African Continental Nuclear Institutions: A Review
The report examines the governance of nuclear energy in Africa, focusing on the Treaty of Pelindaba and its implementation body, AFCONE, as well as the FNRBA and AFRA. It notes that while South Africa is the only country currently operating a nuclear power reactor, 16 other nations are exploring nuclear options for energy security and climate mitigation. The document highlights the importance of the IAEA's 'Milestones Approach' for infrastructure development and identifies critical challenges facing continental institutions, including limited funding, human resource shortages, and inconsistent member state cooperation. It recommends that all 55 African Union members ratify the Pelindaba Treaty and that AFCONE be further empowered with a predictable budget and increased staffing.
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Document type: Report
Brambles’ story of action
Brambles has reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 47% since 2010 and is pursuing a 1.5ºC aligned science-based target for its global supply chain. The company's sustainability goals include achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2025, implementing a 'two-for-one' tree planting commitment to increase carbon sequestration, and transitioning to 100% recycled or upcycled plastic waste by 2030. Additionally, Brambles advocates for policy incentives to decarbonize the commercial vehicle sector through electrification and hydrogen technology.
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Document type: Case study