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C-PACE programs have provided $9 billion in financing for energy efficiency in 25 US states and cities, but most were established before embodied carbon data was available. The briefing proposes that C-PACE administrators update guidelines to classify low-embodied-carbon materials as "energy improvements," utilizing tools like Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments. To incentivize this shift, the author suggests increasing financing limits for projects that demonstrate embodied carbon reduction. RMI is facilitating a working group through 2025 to develop nationwide best practices for integrating embodied carbon into C-PACE guidelines.

The brief asserts that gas appliances release harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide (CO), which lead to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. It highlights that indoor pollution levels can be significantly higher than outdoor levels and that vulnerable populations, particularly children and communities of color, are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, it argues that gas appliances contribute to outdoor air pollution and climate change through the emission of criteria pollutants and methane, with methane leaks from stoves and water heaters potentially reaching 110 Gg per year. The document concludes that building electrification is a critical public health intervention that can provide substantial monetized health benefits, estimated at $3.5 billion annually for California.

The briefing examines the climate and environmental justice impacts of plastic production, highlighting the role of the petrochemical industry in generating greenhouse gas emissions and toxic pollution. Panelists discuss the failure of plastic recycling, the disproportionate burden on low-income communities and 'Cancer Alley' in Louisiana, and various policy interventions. These include single-use plastic bans in New York and the European Union, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in Maine and Oregon, and local reuse ordinances in Berkeley, California. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift toward durable, reusable packaging and the closure of waste management loopholes.

The author describes the 2020 wildfires in the Western United States as a manifestation of climate feedback loops, where hotter and drier conditions lead to forest diebacks and fires that release more carbon dioxide, further accelerating climate change. He emphasizes that while state-level policies in California, Oregon, and Washington are strong, federal intervention is necessary to reduce overall emissions and increase resilience. Specifically, he advocates for the use of prescribed burns during winter to prevent uncontrollable blazes and calls for national investment in clean energy and tree restoration.

The report identifies significant barriers to EV adoption for California's multi-unit dwelling (MUD) residents, including outdated electrical infrastructure, split incentives between landlords and tenants, and a lack of private capital. It proposes a multi-pronged approach to increase access through updated building codes, streamlined permitting, utility-led 'make-ready' investments, and the use of low-power Level 1 charging to reduce costs and grid strain. The document emphasizes that achieving California's goal of 5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2030 requires addressing these equity gaps, as MUD residents—particularly renters—will be a critical market segment for growth after 2025.

The report refutes the claim that fossil gas alternatives (FGAs) can decarbonize buildings, asserting that their limited supply and high costs make them an inefficient choice compared to electrification. It highlights that FGAs can only replace a small fraction of gas demand and may exacerbate pollution and health risks. The document further alleges that the gas industry uses FGAs as a rhetorical tool and employs 'front groups' to stall the transition to all-electric buildings to protect its financial interests.

The report argues that current utility regulation is incompatible with an all-electric future and proposes ten strategies to decarbonize US buildings. It emphasizes electrification via heat pumps as the primary solution, warning that alternative fuels like biomethane are costly and limited in scale. Key recommendations include reforming electricity rate designs, updating energy efficiency standards to account for total emissions, and proactively managing the retirement of gas infrastructure to avoid stranded asset risks and inequitable cost burdens on low-income customers.

The report argues that targeting rental properties for energy efficiency is a high-impact strategy for cities to meet climate goals, as rentals often suffer from a 'split incentive' where owners do not pay utility bills. Using Boulder's 'SmartRegs' program as a model, the document outlines a seven-step roadmap for other cities: determining fit, analyzing impact, consulting stakeholders, developing financing, implementing measurement tools, establishing compliance, and creating disclosure frameworks. RMI's analysis of five US cities suggests that MESR policies could significantly reduce carbon emissions at a relatively low cost to municipal governments.

The report argues that the proposed Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT) poses significant risks to public health, water security, and local ecosystems, particularly if used to export coal. The author highlights that current design plans are conceptual and lack enforceable controls for dust and emissions. Key concerns include the consumption of 79.2 million gallons of water annually for dust control during a record drought, the release of up to 18,300 tons of coal dust per year within California from uncovered rail cars, and increased cancer risks from diesel particulate matter in West Oakland. Additionally, the report notes that the project's scale would cause significant traffic congestion at 55 at-grade rail crossings and create substantial noise pollution. The author concludes that these impacts were not addressed in the project's CEQA review.

South Carolina generates nearly 2.2 million tons of coal ash annually, utilizing 22 ponds across 9 plants and several landfills. Many of these sites lack liners and leachate collection systems, leading to documented groundwater and ecological contamination by substances such as arsenic and nickel. The document argues that state regulations are deficient in dam oversight and basic operating safeguards for ash disposal.