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Reality Check: The Missing Pieces of New York’s “Climate Math” Debate
This briefing by RMI examines the debate over emissions accounting methods in New York State, specifically focusing on the shift to a 20-year global warming potential (GWP20) timeframe and the inclusion of upstream and biogenic emissions. The author argues that this 'new climate math' increases climate benefits without necessarily increasing costs, as physical emissions remain constant regardless of the accounting timeframe used.
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Document type: Briefing
NATIONWIDE IMPACTS OF CALIFORNIA’S ADVANCED CLEAN CARS II RULE
This report analyzes the potential nationwide impact of California's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, which aims for 100% ZEV sales by 2035. It finds that if all 177 eligible states adopt the rule, the U.S. could reduce cumulative emissions by 1,310 MMT CO2e by 2050, prevent 5,000 deaths and 160,000 asthma attacks, and see the EV fleet grow to 239 million vehicles. The analysis emphasizes that while the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides critical short-term incentives, state-level mandates are necessary for long-term sustainability.
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Document type: Report
AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE (AMA) Program Description
The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program is a USDA initiative designed to help agricultural producers manage financial risk through conservation practices, crop diversification, and marketing assistance. It is available in 16 specific US states where crop insurance rates are low, with permanent mandatory funding of $10 million per fiscal year.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Aggregated Renewables Purchasing: 5 Key Questions, Answered
This guide from the World Resources Institute explains buyer-led aggregated procurement of renewable energy for local governments in the United States, detailing the benefits, challenges, and strategies for successful implementation to advance decarbonization goals.
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Document type: Guide
Which Electric School Bus Business Model Is Right for Your District?
This guide by the World Resources Institute (WRI) examines the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses to electric school buses (ESBs) in the United States. It analyzes how the shift in cost structures—from lower upfront costs and higher operating expenses to higher upfront costs and lower operating expenses—creates a need for new business models to manage capital, risk, and infrastructure.
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Document type: Guide
The Fossil Fuel Lobbyist List
A November 2022 report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) based on a 50-state survey reveals that major U.S. companies in the technology, banking, and insurance sectors frequently employ state-level lobbyists who also represent the fossil fuel industry. The report highlights a contradiction between these companies' public net-zero climate goals and their reliance on 'multi-client lobbyists' who promote continued fossil fuel dependence.
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Document type: Report
Weathering Climate Disasters with Resilience Hubs
This guide by RMI describes resilience hubs as community-serving facilities designed to support vulnerable populations during and after extreme weather events. It outlines five foundational areas of support—power, communication, facilities, operations, and services—and provides six strategic lessons for cities implementing these hubs, emphasizing community partnership, energy efficiency, and the integration of solar and battery storage.
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Document type: Guide
Maryland Church Shines a Light on Solar Energy
This case study describes the implementation of multiple solar energy projects by the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland. Through partnerships with Suntrail Energy and IGS Solar, the church installed a large ground-mounted array and several rooftop systems across its campuses to reduce fossil fuel dependence and lower energy costs.
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Document type: Case study
Regulatory Process Design for Decarbonization, Equity, and Innovation
This RMI report provides recommendations for modernizing the regulatory processes of state public utilities commissions (PUCs) in the United States to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized and equitable electric grid. It identifies four primary areas for reform: setting clear proceeding objectives, expanding stakeholder roles in solution development, reducing information asymmetry through data transparency, and initiating new inclusive processes such as regulatory sandboxes and updated benefit-cost analysis frameworks.
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Document type: Report
Développer l’électricité propre
This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), on behalf of the 'Electrifying Canada' private sector task force, outlines the requirements and obstacles for scaling up clean electricity production in Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It argues that current utility planning is insufficient to meet the projected demand and proposes five catalysts—specifically focusing on regulatory mandates, proactive planning, and private investment—to accelerate the transition.
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Document type: Report
The State of Electric School Bus Adoption in the US
As of August 2021, fewer than 1% of U.S. school buses are electric, with 95% still relying on diesel. Adoption is led by California and Montgomery County, Maryland, though deployment is heavily skewed toward suburban areas (64% of committed buses). While some electric buses are in highly vulnerable communities, this is largely due to targeted funding in California. Federal initiatives like the American Jobs Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework provide scaling opportunities, though the report warns that funding 'clean' fossil-fuel alternatives like natural gas hinders decarbonization goals.
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Document type: Report
The State of Electric School Bus Adoption in the US
This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the adoption of electric school buses (ESBs) in the United States as of March 31, 2022. It tracks 'committed' buses—those awarded funding, ordered, delivered, or in operation—highlighting a significant increase in commitments driven by large-scale contracts and specific funding sources like the Volkswagen Settlement. The report also examines the distribution of these buses across different demographics and pollution levels to assess the equity of the transition.
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Document type: Report
How Can Revolving Loan Funds Make Our Coasts More Resilient?
This fact sheet explains the structure and application of revolving loan funds (RLFs) as a financing mechanism for environmental and climate resilience projects. It details the operational history of Maryland's Shore Erosion Control RLF and a feasibility study for a proposed RLF in the Puget Sound region of Washington state to support shoreline restoration and hazard mitigation.
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Document type: Fact sheet
How Can Revolving Loan Funds Make Our Coasts More Resilient?
This fact sheet explains how revolving loan funds (RLFs) can be used to finance coastal resilience and environmental improvements. It details the mechanics of RLFs, discusses federal legislative priorities like the STORM Act, and provides a detailed case study of the Maryland Shore Erosion Control Revolving Loan Fund alongside a feasibility study for a similar program in Puget Sound, Washington.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Green Bond Fact Sheet
The Maryland Stadium Authority issued a USD 34 million green bond on July 21, 2020, to finance the construction of Northwood Elementary PK-5 School, targeting at least LEED Silver certification.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Green Banks 101 - RMI
This fact sheet by RMI defines green banks as public or quasi-public entities designed to leverage public funds to attract private capital for low-carbon, climate-resilient investments. It outlines their role in filling market gaps, reducing perceived risks for investors, and helping countries implement their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Green Bond Fact Sheet
This fact sheet details a USD 54 million green municipal bond issued by the Washington Suburban Sanitary District on December 23, 2019, to fund water filtration and transmission infrastructure projects in Maryland, USA.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Green Bond Fact Sheet
A fact sheet detailing a USD 305 million green bond issued by Brookfield Power NY Finance on December 31, 2017, to refinance a portfolio of hydroelectric facilities in the United States.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Comparing U.S. and Chinese Electric Vehicle Policies
This research paper compares the electric vehicle (EV) policies of the United States and China, focusing on financial incentives, charging infrastructure, research and development, and fleet procurement. It highlights China's more aggressive approach to subsidies and mandates compared to the U.S. system of tax credits and state-level incentives.
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Document type: Research paper
The U.S. Climate Alliance and Related Actions
This fact sheet describes the formation and goals of the United States Climate Alliance and other subnational efforts to uphold the 2016 Paris Agreement following the Trump Administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the accord.
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Document type: Fact sheet