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The report examines the 'water-energy nexus' in the western United States, specifically the eleven states of the Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC). It models eight scenarios from 2008 to 2100, varying by carbon emission goals, water conservation mandates, and energy efficiency levels. The primary finding is that while power plants require water, their total consumption is small compared to agricultural and urban use, making the water-energy nexus a secondary concern in the region's broader water crisis. The analysis suggests that carbon pricing (around $70 per ton) is a more likely driver for shifting energy strategies than water pricing, as water prices would need to exceed $4,000 to $7,000 per acre-foot to make water-conserving energy scenarios the least-cost option.

The report argues that the nuclear power industry has relied on extensive taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies for over 50 years, which mask the true costs of production and shift significant financial, safety, and environmental risks to the public. It finds that legacy subsidies for the first generation of reactors often exceeded the value of the power produced, and that new reactors are poised to repeat this pattern with projected subsidies ranging from 70% to 200% of their power value. The author recommends reducing nuclear subsidies, implementing technology-neutral competitive bidding for low-carbon energy, and modernizing liability and waste management systems to internalize costs.

The report argues that the U.S. nuclear power industry has relied on extensive taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies for over 50 years, which often exceed the value of the energy produced. It details how these subsidies shift construction, operating, and long-term risks—such as waste management and accident liability—from private investors to the public. The document concludes that continuing this pattern with new reactors would be an expensive 'leap of faith' that could divert resources from more cost-effective climate change mitigation options.

The document provides a comparative analysis of U.S. renewable energy resources—including hydropower, wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar—alongside conventional coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. It details installed capacities, capital costs per kilowatt, and carbon displacement estimates as of 2009-2010, noting that renewables are generally lower in carbon emissions, more flexible in scale, and faster to construct than conventional plants.

The report presents survey data from 1,010 American adults on their priorities regarding global warming and clean energy, their views on who should address these issues, and their support for specific policy interventions at national and local levels. It highlights a general preference for clean energy over global warming as a priority and shows strong support for renewable energy research and tax rebates, while revealing significant political polarization on issues like carbon emissions treaties and gasoline taxes.

The report presents survey data from 1,000 American adults on their priorities and policy preferences regarding global warming and clean energy. It finds that while a majority of Americans support renewable energy research and tax rebates for energy-efficient vehicles, there is significant political polarization regarding the priority of global warming and the implementation of carbon taxes. The data also indicates a general public belief that environmental protection can improve economic growth.

The report details a 2011 survey of 1,010 American adults, analyzing how political affiliation and movement membership influence perceptions of climate change. It finds a sharp divide between the Tea Party and other political groups, with Tea Party members significantly more likely to deny global warming, distrust government-led climate policies, and hold strong individualistic values. Conversely, Democrats show the highest levels of concern and support for regulatory climate action.

The report documents a 2010 conference of the South African Civil Society Energy Caucus, focusing on the lack of transparency and public participation in the development of the second Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2). It critiques the government's continued reliance on coal and nuclear power, highlighting the failures of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) and the environmental risks of radioactive waste in the Witwatersrand goldfields. The document advocates for a 'just transition' toward renewable energy, specifically wind and solar, while calling for an independent system operator to resolve conflicts of interest within Eskom.

The report finds that climate change will increase summer cooling demand and decrease winter heating demand in Europe, with the A1B scenario leading to significantly higher costs. While physical energy reductions in heating are larger than cooling increases, the higher cost of electricity for cooling makes the economic impacts more balanced. The study also identifies risks to energy supply, including reduced hydroelectricity generation and lower efficiency for thermal and nuclear power plants due to higher temperatures. Adaptation measures, such as low-energy buildings, are discussed but noted as having a low evidence base for cost-benefit analysis.

The document presents data on the freshwater requirements of U.S. power plants, highlighting that coal and nuclear power are the primary consumers of freshwater for cooling. It details the distribution of cooling systems across the U.S. and identifies specific watersheds where power plant water use significantly impacts the Water Stress Index (WaSSI).

The report criticizes the Copenhagen Accord for promoting private finance and market mechanisms over binding public commitments. It highlights how investment banks like Barclays and Santander, and companies like Shell and Lafarge, use carbon trading and REDD projects to generate profit or 'greenwash' their images. The authors advocate for a transition to climate justice, proposing a 'Robin Hood Tax' on financial transactions and the replacement of REDD with UN-wide negotiations to stop deforestation.

The document criticizes the 'Copenhagen Accord' for shifting the burden of climate action to developing nations and promoting private finance over public obligations. It highlights how global banks like Barclays and Santander, and corporations like Shell and Lafarge, use carbon markets and REDD projects for 'greenwashing' and profit. The report concludes that climate finance should be mandatory, public, and managed by the UN to ensure it serves the most vulnerable populations rather than corporate interests.

India faces a growing gap between energy demand and indigenous supply, projecting it will become the world's third largest energy consumer by 2030. To address this, India is implementing an integrated energy policy focusing on diversifying sources—including increased imports of high-quality coal from South Africa and oil from Africa—while expanding nuclear, hydropower, and renewable energy capacities. Significant challenges remain, including unreliable infrastructure, high transmission losses, and geopolitical tensions affecting pipeline viability.

The document details three primary cooling methods for thermoelectric power plants in the US: once-through, wet-recirculating, and dry-cooling. It highlights that while once-through systems have high water withdrawals and wet-recirculating systems have higher consumption, dry-cooling can reduce water consumption by over 90% despite higher costs and lower efficiencies. As of 2008, recirculating systems were the most common in terms of both generator count (56%) and electricity generation (45%).

The briefing analyzes the shift in U.S. climate policy from a focus on national cap-and-trade legislation toward regulatory agency actions, subnational initiatives, clean-tech funding, and international trade issues. It argues that while a national mandatory system is unlikely in the short term, climate action is diversifying across administrative, local, and trade-related channels.

This report lists specific instances of radioactively contaminated water leaks, spills, and overflows at numerous US nuclear facilities. The events range from small spills of a few gallons to large-scale leaks of hundreds of thousands of gallons, often involving tritium. Common causes include equipment failure, operator error, and pipe degradation, with contamination affecting soil, storm drains, and nearby water bodies such as the Mississippi River, Lake Michigan, and the Connecticut River.

The document catalogs numerous instances of radioactive water leaks and spills at US nuclear power plants, detailing events such as tank overflows, pipe ruptures, and the detection of tritium in groundwater. It lists specific units, dates, and the nature of the contamination, including the volume of water released and the remediation steps taken, such as soil excavation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the NRC has inconsistently enforced safety regulations for radioactive releases, allowing numerous accidental leaks to occur without sanction. While the NRC previously issued sanctions for monitoring and control failures, the report claims the agency has tolerated 27 accidental releases over a four-year period with impunity, effectively breaching its safety contract with the public.

The analysis concludes that relying on private capital and market mechanisms in Argentina led to a depletion of non-renewable resources and a lack of energy diversification. To secure its energy future, Argentina must reform price policies, increase public sector oversight, and secure strategic gas and hydroelectric agreements with Bolivia and Brazil.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear power, detailing the process of fission and the operation of pressurized and boiling water reactors. It examines the uranium fuel cycle, noting that the U.S. relies heavily on imports from countries like Russia and Canada. The text also addresses the challenges of radioactive waste storage, specifically mentioning Yucca Mountain, and analyzes the economic decline of the U.S. nuclear industry following the 1970s due to cost overruns, declining energy demand, and public opposition.