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The report uses photochemical modeling to compare a 2025 'Baseline' scenario with a 'Zero-Oil&Gas' scenario to quantify the contribution of the oil and gas sector to ozone concentrations and associated health burdens across the continental United States.

The report identifies natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers as the second-largest source of methane emissions in the US oil and gas industry. It concludes that mature, cost-effective zero-emission technologies are available and currently in use in the United States and Canada, with some jurisdictions in both countries implementing regulations to mandate their installation.

The report estimates that oil and gas emissions will cause over 750,000 summertime asthma attacks in children under 18 across the U.S. in 2025. It identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) as the primary precursors to this ozone smog, noting that pollution travels far downwind to affect all 48 contiguous states. The analysis highlights Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Pennsylvania as states with the highest number of asthma attacks. To mitigate these effects, the report recommends implementing leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs, replacing high-emitting pneumatic equipment, and using vapor recovery units on storage tanks.

A coalition of environmental groups argues that the BLM should deny rights-of-way for Enefit's oil shale project in Utah, citing severe risks to air and water quality, climate change, and endangered species, while alleging the project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is legally deficient.

The report finds that 238 US counties in 21 states face cancer risks exceeding the EPA's 1-in-a-million threshold due to oil and gas emissions, affecting over 9 million people. Key pollutants identified include benzene, formaldehyde, and ethylbenzene, with the highest risks concentrated in states with significant infrastructure like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. The analysis highlights that NATA likely underestimates total health impacts by excluding particulate matter, ozone, and water contamination. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends implementing leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs, replacing high-emitting pneumatic equipment, and installing vapor recovery units on storage tanks.

Climate Central's analysis of U.S. Forest Service records shows that the average annual number of large wildfires in the western U.S. more than tripled between the 1970s and 2010s, with the area burned increasing more than six-fold. The report attributes these trends to rising temperatures, decreased snowpack, and earlier snowmelt. Projections using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) suggest that high-risk fire days will increase substantially by 2050, particularly in Southwestern states. The report also highlights the growing risk to populations living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) and the health impacts of wildfire smoke.

The document addresses four perceived barriers to the clean energy transition: the 'duck curve' ramping problem, the necessity of curtailing excess generation, the high cost of renewables, and the role of natural gas in emissions reductions. It argues that demand response and battery storage can manage variability, regional electricity trading can prevent waste, and energy efficiency combined with falling technology costs keeps customer bills low. Finally, it asserts that renewable energy and energy efficiency have contributed more to U.S. carbon emission declines since 2007 than the shift to natural gas.

Earthjustice supports the BLM's proposed methane rule, which covers both new and existing equipment and aims to reduce flaring and leaks. The organization argues that the rule is essential for climate mitigation, as methane is 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, and could capture up to $800 million in taxpayer revenue over a decade. However, Earthjustice urges the BLM to close loopholes regarding leak inspections and flaring allowances to ensure the rule's effectiveness.

The Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) is one of North America's most endangered mammals, with a wild population of only 113 individuals as of February 2017. Historically found across the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, the subspecies was nearly eliminated by the livestock industry and government agents. Current recovery efforts are hampered by poor genetic diversity, as all existing wild wolves descend from just seven captive ancestors. Earthjustice argues that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2017 Recovery Plan is flawed because it limits wolves to inadequate habitats, fails to provide sufficient wild releases, and ignores scientific recommendations to establish three interconnected populations totaling at least 750 individuals across Arizona, New Mexico, the Grand Canyon, and southern Colorado.

The briefing provides a historical analysis of nuclear waste siting in the United States, asserting that the Department of Energy (DOE) has consistently failed to secure long-term consent for high-level waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF) repositories. The author highlights a pattern of broken promises, litigation, and the failure of both the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) and the 'volunteer' process managed by the Nuclear Waste Negotiator. Key examples include the legal battles over the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and the non-consent of the Nevada state government regarding Yucca Mountain. The document concludes that the DOE's lack of reliability makes it unlikely that future consent agreements for consolidated storage or repositories will be trusted or successful.

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 Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) in Colorado is implementing a comprehensive energy strategy to reach net-zero energy and an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. Supported by a $576.5 million bond approved in 2014, the district is utilizing deep retrofits, retrocommissioning, and new construction across its portfolio of over 50 buildings. In partnership with RMI, BVSD has adopted an integrative design process and a Sustainable Energy Plan (SEP) to reduce energy use intensity (EUI) from an average of 65 to less than 30 kBtu/SF. The initiative aims to save nearly $500,000 annually in utility bills and serve as a model for other U.S. school districts.

The Obama Administration set a goal to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40-45% from 2012 levels by 2025. While the EPA proposed standards for new and modified sources, it has failed to address existing sources, which a 2014 ICF International study predicts will represent 90% of the sector's total methane emissions in 2018. Analysis by CATF and the Rhodium Group indicates that voluntary industry programs are insufficient to bridge the 'methane emissions gap', as even 100% participation would leave a gap of 54 million metric tons of CO2e. The author asserts that nationwide standards on existing oil and gas equipment would reduce emissions by 77 million metric tons of CO2e, sufficient to meet the Administration's goal.

Earthjustice calls on the Obama administration to end the Forest Service's attempt to reopen a loophole allowing coal mining in 20,000 acres of Colorado roadless forest. The document asserts that mining 170 million tons of coal would release 130 million tons of carbon from combustion, displace 40,000 gigawatt hours of renewable power, and undermine Colorado's 2014 oil and gas rules. It highlights that the state's solar and wind industries employ over 10,000 people, significantly more than the approximately 300 jobs associated with the specific mine in question.

The report identifies a 'methane emission gap' between the Obama Administration's goal to reduce oil and gas methane pollution by 40–45% from 2012 levels by 2025 and the actual impact of its proposed regulations. It finds that proposed standards primarily target new and modified sources, while existing sources are projected to represent 90% of the sector's total methane emissions in 2018. To close the gap of at least 75 million metric tons CO2e, the report recommends requiring leak detection and repair, non-emitting pneumatic technologies, and the capture of gas from oil wells for existing sources.

The document analyzes the climate impact of phasing out federal fossil fuel leases in the U.S. It finds that while current policies project an 11% increase in production by 2040, a 2°C pathway requires a 40–60% reduction. Ceasing new federal leases could reduce global CO2 emissions by approximately 100 million tonnes per year by 2030, primarily through reduced coal and offshore oil production.

The report examines 13 watershed investment programs in the U.S., focusing on how natural infrastructure—specifically forests—can be used to protect drinking water quality and quantity. It provides a framework for program development across three phases: building momentum, designing the program, and implementing the action plan. Key findings emphasize the importance of collaborative partnerships, scientifically informed planning, and diverse financing mechanisms, such as municipal bonds and water rate surcharges, to overcome barriers like insufficient funding and lack of outcome data.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis finds that two-thirds of U.S. states may be exposing electricity consumers to financial risks due to overreliance on natural gas. These risks include price volatility, potential carbon pricing costs, and the possibility of stranded assets such as underused plants and pipelines. The report rates states across five categories, identifying Florida as the only state with a "High" risk rating in all five. To mitigate these risks, the report advocates for prioritizing renewable energy and energy efficiency over natural gas as a primary solution for carbon reduction under the federal Clean Power Plan.

A statement by Earthjustice emphasizing the intersection of Hispanic heritage and environmental justice, citing a survey that shows strong Latino support for environmental protection despite facing disproportionate pollution and health risks.

The Clean Air Task Force criticizes the EPA's reliance on voluntary programs to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas infrastructure, arguing that such measures lack the enforceability and participation rates necessary to achieve significant climate goals compared to mandatory regulations under the Clean Air Act.