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The report assesses the potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, NOx, and fuel consumption in California's heavy-duty truck fleet through retrofit technologies. It evaluates six technology packages across different vehicle types and duty cycles, concluding that a combination of high-technology retrofits for new vehicles and moderate-technology retrofits for in-use vehicles is the most cost-effective strategy. The analysis suggests that focusing on tractor-trailers and straight trucks over 14,000 pounds could reduce state heavy-duty fleet GHG emissions by 14.9 to 22.2 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent between 2010 and 2020.

The report identifies non-hardware balance of system costs, which can reach 40% of installed system costs, as a significant barrier to rooftop solar adoption. It recommends the adoption of standardized frameworks such as the Solar ABCs Expedited Permit Process for permitting, the IREC Model Interconnection Procedures for grid connection, and the NNEC design criteria for net metering. The document highlights Colorado as a leader in solar-friendly policies, citing the Fair Permit Act's fee caps and the state's removal of net metering capacity limits for systems up to 120% of annual on-site consumption.

The document examines the role of land-based offsets in emissions trading systems across the EU, Australia, Canada, the US, and New Zealand, as well as voluntary standards. It identifies that differences in the stringency of additionality and the management of carbon reversibility (non-permanence) are primary obstacles to linking these systems. While most schemes use offset mechanisms, New Zealand's approach of including deforestation within the cap is highlighted as a way to bypass additionality and reversibility issues. The paper concludes that harmonizing the generation of forestry offsets is essential for successful future linkage.

The document defines embodied carbon as the CO2 emitted throughout a product's manufacturing process and discusses the tension between production-based and consumption-based accounting in climate agreements. It evaluates measurement tools like Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) and ecological footprint analysis, noting significant data gaps and methodological challenges. The paper highlights how embodied carbon affects competitiveness and the potential for trade measures, such as border carbon adjustments, while questioning their compatibility with non-discrimination principles in multilateral trade law.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of wind energy, detailing how turbines convert wind into electricity and the factors affecting power output, such as wind speed and turbine height. It examines the history of the US wind industry, noting the influence of federal tax credits and state renewable energy standards. The text argues that wind power is a cost-competitive, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels that can be integrated into the electric grid without compromising reliability, citing examples from Xcel Energy and various European nations. It concludes that achieving 20 percent wind energy in the US by 2030 is technically and economically feasible.

The document describes geothermal energy as a sustainable, baseload power source derived from Earth's internal heat. It details three types of power plants—dry steam, flash, and binary cycle—and the use of ground-source heat pumps for building climate control. While the U.S. is a global leader in capacity, largely centered in California, the text highlights emerging technologies like Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and co-production in oil and gas wells as keys to unlocking vast untapped energy reserves.

Hydroelectric power is a major source of emissions-free electricity that utilizes the hydrologic cycle to generate power via turbines. While it offers a flexible, renewable alternative to fossil fuels, it can cause significant ecological damage, such as blocking fish migration and emitting methane from reservoirs. The document details various turbine types, the role of pumped storage, and the potential for low-impact certification and new development in the U.S. and developing nations.

The document aggregates data from multiple polling organizations (including CNN, Gallup, and the Harris Poll) regarding public attitudes toward global warming. Key trends include a majority of U.S. adults viewing global warming as a proven fact caused by human activity, support for cap-and-trade systems and renewable energy mandates, and a growing belief that the U.S. should lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions regardless of other nations' actions. Regional data highlights specific concerns in Florida regarding sea-level rise and in California regarding state-level emissions laws.

The report proposes a two-step strategy to improve the efficiency of Class-8 tractor-trailers. Step 1 focuses on technological improvements in aerodynamics, tire rolling resistance, and powertrain efficiency, which could increase fuel economy from 6.5 to 12.3 mpg. Step 2 examines the use of 'turnpike doubles'—long combination vehicles (LCVs) with two 48-foot trailers and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 120,000 pounds—to increase freight productivity. Together, these measures could raise ton-mile efficiency by a factor of approximately 2.5, potentially saving 4 billion gallons of diesel fuel and 45 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually for the U.S. fleet.

The paper argues that the variability of renewable energy can be managed through optimized geographic dispersion and the cross-firming of wind and solar resources. By analyzing data from the MRO, SPP, and ERCOT regions, the study demonstrates that expanding the geographic scope of a renewable portfolio significantly reduces system variability and the frequency of zero-power production. It also finds that combining solar and wind resources further lowers variability compared to wind-only portfolios. The authors conclude that these strategies, combined with demand response, energy storage (such as xEVs), and smart grid communications, can reduce the reliance on conventional baseload power.

The report evaluates the proposed EU Directive's 10% biofuels target for 2020, arguing that sustainability depends on precise GHG accounting and the use of productive feedstocks. It highlights that tropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, have a significant comparative advantage in biofuel productivity over temperate regions. The authors caution against rigid land-use definitions that could disadvantage Least Developed Countries and emphasize the need to account for indirect land use change (iLUC) to avoid 'carbon debt'. The document recommends harmonizing EU methodology with IPCC guidelines and exploring the use of degraded lands for bioenergy to minimize food-security conflicts.

The document outlines the potential for California farmers to benefit from the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) through financial incentives, the sale of emissions offsets, and the production of bioenergy. It details specific strategies for reducing carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, while noting that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is tasked with developing the regulatory framework to meet 2020 emissions targets.

The document analyzes four scenarios for an international carbon market: global trading, formal linking of domestic ETS, indirect linking via credits, and a mixed approach. It focuses on the formal linking of the EU ETS with emerging systems in the US (RGGI, California), New Zealand, and Australia. The authors argue that for linking to be effective and environmentally sound, partners should share similar levels of ambition and strategic climate goals, such as the EU's 2°C target. The report identifies price caps, differing levels of ambition, and the treatment of Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) as primary barriers to linking. It proposes the creation of an international clearinghouse to coordinate regulation and suggests a 'no-regret' working program for the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) focusing on the harmonization of registries, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) standards, and allocation procedures.

Friends of the Earth calls for the resignation of EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, citing a pattern of ignoring scientific recommendations, violating legal mandates regarding greenhouse gas emissions, and retaliating against whistleblowers.

The report argues that CAFOs are propped up by taxpayer subsidies and the externalization of costs related to pollution and public health. It highlights that these operations, while producing over 50% of U.S. food animals, create massive manure management problems and antibiotic resistance. The author suggests that medium-sized and pasture-based operations are cost-competitive alternatives that would be more viable if subsidies were redirected and antitrust laws were enforced.

The report analyzes the 'hidden costs' of CAFOs, including taxpayer-funded subsidies and externalized environmental and health damages. It argues that CAFOs are not more efficient than medium-sized or pasture-based alternatives but are favored by government policies and the market power of large meat processors. The document details the pollution caused by manure, the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and the economic decline of rural communities, while proposing policy reforms to level the playing field for sustainable alternatives.

Earthjustice calls for the resignation of EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, citing a rebellion by 10,000 agency employees who accuse him of ignoring scientific advice to appease political interests. The document highlights specific failures, including the refusal to allow California to regulate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions and delays in obeying a Supreme Court order to regulate greenhouse gases. It further notes congressional investigations into conflicts of interest on EPA advisory panels and contrasts Johnson's inaction with the tenure of former administrator Christine Todd Whitman.

The document outlines how heavy-duty trucks, particularly long-haul vehicles, contribute significantly to global warming emissions, specifically in California. It details aerodynamic improvements for tractors and trailers, as well as tire-related strategies to reduce rolling resistance, noting that these combined technologies can significantly lower fuel consumption and costs.

The report reviews multiple global and regional studies to determine the necessity of carbon capture and storage (CCS) for climate mitigation. It concludes that most experts view CCS as a key technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to stabilization levels by 2030-2050, often serving as a cost-effective alternative to massive nuclear expansion or extremely ambitious energy efficiency and renewable targets.

The report proposes the feebate as a technology-neutral, self-financing policy to increase vehicle efficiency without restricting consumer choice. RMI recommends a constant rate per gallon of fuel saved and the use of size classes to ensure fair comparison between vehicles. Analysis of 2005 vehicle data suggests that the number of size classes has a more significant fiscal impact on manufacturers than the specific attribute used to define those classes. The document also examines the legal landscape, suggesting that state-level feebates may avoid federal preemption under CAFE standards, and critiques Canada's Vehicle Efficiency Incentive for using a 'step function' rather than a continuous one.