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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 California Water Supply and Demand Model (CWSD) assesses how climate change affects water availability and usage in California, focusing on the energy, urban, and agricultural sectors. The model evaluates scenarios with no adaptation, slow adaptation, and fast adaptation across different climate projections (B1 and A2). Key findings indicate that without adaptation, agricultural water demand will rise due to higher temperatures, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. While slow adaptation may only marginally reduce use, fast adaptation—driven by higher water prices and technological efficiency—could significantly decrease demand. The report also extends its agricultural analysis to other Western U.S. states, noting a general increase in water demand by 2100.

Earthjustice challenged the expansion of the Smoky Canyon phosphate mine into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, citing risks of selenium pollution and the destruction of over 1,100 acres of pristine roadless forests. Despite concerns from Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management scientists, the expansion was authorized in 2008, and a 2010 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling ultimately upheld the decision.

The document details how rising temperatures in the Northwest are reducing springtime snowpack and shifting streamflow timing, which threatens water supplies, hydropower production, and salmon populations. It also highlights risks of increased forest fires, pest infestations, and coastal erosion due to sea-level rise, particularly in the Puget Sound region.

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 Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed the potential effects of Washington's Initiative 937 (I-937), which would require large electric utilities to source 15 percent of electricity from eligible renewable resources by 2020 and pursue cost-effective energy conservation. Under an expected case scenario, the report projects that by 2025, I-937 would result in $1.13 billion in cumulative savings on consumer electricity bills, the creation of 2,000 new jobs, and a reduction of 4.6 million metric tons of annual CO2 emissions. The analysis indicates that renewable energy and efficiency investments would be cost-competitive with conventional fossil fuel resources, providing long-term price stability and economic development, including $2.9 billion in new capital investment. Sensitivity analyses suggest that even under pessimistic conditions—such as higher wind costs or the expiration of federal tax credits—the initiative would generally still yield long-term savings and environmental benefits.

The document describes geothermal energy as the third largest renewable energy source, noting that the United States is the world's largest producer with 2,800 MW of connected capacity. It details three power plant technologies—flash steam, dry steam, and binary cycle—alongside direct-use and heat pump applications. Key benefits include base load power availability and significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to coal, though the document notes risks such as land subsidence and induced seismicity.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) uses the 'bathtub curve' model to analyze nuclear plant risks, identifying high failure rates during the initial 'break-in' phase and the final 'wear-out' phase. The report argues that the NRC's reliance on flawed risk assessments and its failure to consistently enforce technical specifications have increased the risk of catastrophes. It specifically highlights the Davis-Besse plant as a case of regulatory failure and recommends excluding new reactors from Price-Anderson liability protection, requiring prototype testing, and overhauling aging management programs for plants seeking license renewals.

The report examines the significant water demands of fossil fuel power plants in the Interior West, highlighting the environmental risks of cooling systems and the potential for water savings through dry cooling, energy efficiency, and renewables.

The document highlights superhot rock geothermal as a scalable, zero-emission energy source that could significantly exceed Idaho's current electricity needs while requiring minimal land. It argues that this technology provides essential 'firm power' that enhances grid stability and reduces the need for extensive new transmission infrastructure.

Earthjustice argues that the FWS proposal to delist gray wolves in the Northern Rockies is illegal and biologically unsound. The organization contends that the proposed DPS boundaries are arbitrary, demographic recovery goals are set too low to ensure long-term viability, and state regulatory frameworks in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana are inadequate to protect wolves from aggressive killing. Furthermore, Earthjustice asserts that the FWS failed to account for habitat fragmentation from roading, the loss of historic range, and the lack of guaranteed funding for management activities.

The document consists of a short biography of Dr. David J. Mattson, detailing his academic background and extensive research on large carnivores, particularly grizzly bears and mountain lions. It includes a comprehensive list of his publications and research projects focused on behavioral ecology, habitat suitability, and the intersection of science and conservation policy. Additionally, the document contains three figures analyzing Yellowstone grizzly bear population data, indicating a lack of population increase and a rise in mortalities and human-wildlife conflicts following the loss of whitebark pine.

A group of over 30 law professors argues that the public trust doctrine (PTD) is an inherent attribute of state sovereignty that obligates Utah to protect the Great Salt Lake. The brief contends that Utah has violated this duty by failing to restrain upper basin water diversions, which have reduced the lake's footprint by half and threatened species extinction. The authors assert that the PTD applies not only to navigable waters but also to non-navigable tributaries and groundwater that sustain the lake, citing legal precedents from other Western states like California, Nevada, and Hawaii.

In 2024, the United States had more than 4,085,300 climate jobs, with clean energy job creation outpacing fossil fuel job creation. Energy efficiency was the largest sector, supporting nearly 2.4 million jobs, while renewable energy supported 596,100 jobs, dominated by solar and wind. Clean energy storage and grid modernization supported 160,300 jobs. Clean vehicle employment fell by 3% between 2023 and 2024, though renewable fuels remained steady. The adaptation and resilience industry grew by 18% to $4.8 billion in 2024, despite a lack of formal tracking by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Federal legislation including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) significantly drove investment, although some incentives were weakened or eliminated in 2025.

The document consists of a collection of 45 figures mapping the FSEIS routes for nuclear waste transport through nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.

The document details cobalt's critical importance for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and electronics, noting that demand for clean energy technologies is expected to rise by 80% between 2025 and 2030. It highlights a highly concentrated supply chain, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) producing about 76% of global cobalt and China refining 50% to 70% of global supplies. The text emphasizes severe externalities in the DRC, including child labor, human rights violations, and the deforestation of 32,100 acres of the Congo Basin forest from 2001 to 2020. It also notes the U.S. has a 76% import reliance for cobalt and discusses recycling and substitutes, such as iron-phosphate and TAQ, to mitigate supply and ethical risks.

The VPP Flipbook outlines how utilities can aggregate distributed energy resources (DERs)—such as batteries, electric vehicles, and smart thermostats—to provide grid services like capacity, energy, and resilience. It details a six-step development process and provides specific examples from utilities including PG&E, National Grid, and Green Mountain Power. The document emphasizes the importance of open-access structures, third-party partnerships, and the integration of VPPs into long-term resource planning to address load growth and decarbonization goals.

The report provides a state-by-state breakdown of progress toward 2020 Clean Power Plan benchmarks, noting that some states have exceeded 500% of their goals while others show 0% progress. It highlights the role of energy efficiency, renewable energy standards, and regional initiatives in achieving these targets.

The document explains how wolves act as 'climate heroes' by regulating prey populations, which allows vegetation to recover and enhances carbon sequestration. Using Yellowstone National Park as a primary example, it describes how the reintroduction of wolves led to a resurgence of woody plants and beavers, improving wetland health. It also addresses the social conflicts between wolf conservation and rural communities, advocating for coexistence programs and science-based policies like the Endangered Species Act to protect these ecosystems.

Becky Freiberg, a science teacher at Gooding High School in Idaho, implements a project where environmental science students research endangered species and create music videos to raise awareness. The students vote on a species to symbolically adopt from WWF, which increases their engagement and interest in conservation. The project prompts discussions on ecological and carbon footprints, pollution, and habitat destruction, leading some students to pursue further education in environmental science.