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Comments on the Proposed Increase in the Minimum Emission Standard (MES) for Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Applicable to Coal-Fired Power Plant Stacks in South Africa
The report argues against doubling the SO2 emission limit, asserting that the government's rationale regarding water use and cost is flawed. It contends that Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) is more effective and not prohibitively water-intensive, while Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) poses significant risks to particulate matter control, mercury emissions, and groundwater quality. The author recommends reducing the MES to 200 mg/Nm3 to align with international norms.
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Document type: Report
Coal Ash in Kentucky
The document details the prevalence of coal ash ponds and landfills in Kentucky, highlighting significant safety hazards and documented groundwater contamination. It argues that Kentucky's regulatory program is inadequate due to a lack of reporting requirements, inspection frequencies, and emergency planning for high-hazard dams.
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Document type: Fact sheet
How Breathing Coal Ash is Hazardous to your Health
The report details how coal ash, particularly fly ash, contains toxic metals and radioactive materials that pose severe health risks when inhaled as fugitive dust. It highlights the lack of federal regulations for dust control at landfills and ponds, noting that state-level requirements are often inadequate. The document provides case studies of impacted communities, including the Moapa River Indian Reservation and Uniontown, Alabama, and calls for a transition to renewable energy and the establishment of enforceable federal standards to mitigate these hazards.
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Document type: Report
HYBRID BUSES COSTS AND BENEFITS
The document examines the transition from diesel-powered transit buses to hybrid-electric alternatives, highlighting significant reductions in emissions and fuel consumption. It details the technical differences between series and parallel hybrid configurations and analyzes the financial barriers to adoption, noting that while hybrid buses have a higher purchase price, federal grants and lower operational costs mitigate these expenses. By 2006, over 900 hybrid buses were in service across more than 40 North American transit agencies.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Kentucky’s Path to an Energy-Efficient Future
The fact sheet outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in Kentucky, stating that specific policies could save the state $1.6 billion and avoid 12 million tons of CO2 by 2030. It emphasizes that these measures would help Kentucky meet 43% of its carbon pollution reduction goal under the EPA's Clean Power Plan and significantly reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.
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Document type: Fact sheet
nirs-maps-state_nuclear_waste_transport_route_maps-5e936ce1772e71fd.pdf
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.
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Document type: Report
COAL POWER 28 PERCENT MORE EXPENSIVE IN 2024 THAN IN 2021
Analysis shows that the weighted average cost of coal power in the U.S. rose from $36/MWh in 2021 to $46/MWh in 2024, a 28 percent increase that outpaced inflation. This rise is attributed to higher fuel, operations, and maintenance costs, as well as declining capacity factors. Despite these economics, some U.S. federal policies and state regulators have extended the lives of expensive plants, such as Plant Bowen in Georgia and the Hunter and Huntington plants in Utah, potentially increasing the financial burden on electricity consumers.
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Document type: Report
THE ECONOMICS OF GRID DEFECTION
The report examines the economic viability of 'grid defection'—where customers use solar PV and battery storage to operate independently of the electric grid. It analyzes five U.S. geographies to determine when the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for these systems undercuts retail utility prices. The findings suggest that grid parity is already present in Hawaii and is imminent for millions of other U.S. customers, threatening to strand utility assets and trigger a 'utility death spiral' of rising prices and falling sales.
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Document type: Executive summary
State Progress Toward Clean Power Plan Benchmarks in 2020
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.
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Document type: Report
Southern Forests for the Future
The report examines the ecological and economic importance of southern US forests, noting they provide 18% of global pulpwood despite covering only 2% of world forest area. It details a historical net decline of 40% in forest extent since European settlement and projects that suburban development will convert 19 million acres of forest between 2020 and 2040. The document highlights that 87% of these forests are privately owned, making the implementation of market-based incentives—such as carbon sequestration payments and conservation easements—critical for future sustainability, though current adoption of these measures remains mixed.
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Document type: Report
Power Forward
The report analyzes renewable energy adoption among the world's largest corporations, finding that 59% of the Fortune 100 and 63% of the Global 100 have set greenhouse gas (GHG) or renewable energy targets. Companies are driven by cost reduction, risk hedging, and consumer demand, utilizing a mix of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and on-site investments. Key barriers include the need for cost parity with fossil fuels, internal competition for capital, and inconsistent government policies. The report recommends that corporations set time-bound targets and that policymakers extend incentives like the U.S. Production Tax Credit (PTC) and authorize third-party PPAs to accelerate the transition.
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Document type: Report