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The document argues that Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states can significantly reduce CO2 pollution and consumer fuel spending by transitioning to electric vehicles and low-carbon fuels. It highlights specific targets for emissions cuts and emphasizes the need for equitable investments that prioritize polluted communities and marginalized populations.

The document consists of a series of data tables (Appendix F) detailing the financial and environmental impacts of transportation decarbonization across several US states. It tracks costs such as incremental vehicle costs and charging infrastructure against benefits like gasoline and diesel fuel savings, as well as monetized greenhouse gas (GHG), NOx, and PM2.5 reductions. The data is split between 'MID' and 'HIGH' scenarios for each state, projecting outcomes through 2050.

The document warns that Hurricane Florence could trigger a public health crisis in the southeastern United States by causing the failure of toxic waste sites, such as coal ash pits, hog manure lagoons, and Superfund sites. It highlights the vulnerability of these sites, citing a recent coal ash collapse at the L.V. Sutton Power Station and previous spills during Hurricane Matthew and in 2008. The author contends that industry prioritizes cheap waste disposal over safety and calls for stronger government regulations to secure hazardous sites and address the increasing frequency and strength of hurricanes driven by climate change.

The report warns that sea level rise puts hundreds of thousands of US coastal properties at risk of chronic inundation, potentially leading to a collapse in real estate values and a significant erosion of local tax bases. Using a high sea level rise scenario, the analysis projects that by 2100, nearly 2.5 million properties valued at $1.07 trillion today will be at risk. The authors argue that current financial markets and government policies mask these risks, creating a 'narrowing window of opportunity' for communities to adapt. The report highlights particular vulnerabilities for low-income populations, the elderly, and specific states like Florida and New Jersey, while advocating for updated flood maps, transparent risk disclosure, and a shift away from subsidized insurance and disaster aid that encourages rebuilding in high-risk areas.

The document analyzes the different approaches the U.S. and China take to overcome barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. While the U.S. relies on a mix of federal tax credits and varied state-level incentives, China has implemented more aggressive central government subsidies, a 'dual-credit policy' for manufacturers, and significant government fleet mandates. China's approach has led to faster growth in EV registrations and a larger network of charging outlets compared to the U.S.

This guide explains the role of electric utilities and Public Utilities Commissions in US energy policy, while detailing specific mechanisms like distributed generation, community solar, net metering, and decoupling that facilitate the transition to renewable energy.

The document argues that federal light-duty vehicle standards set by the EPA and NHTSA in 2012 benefit Maryland by reducing gasoline consumption, lowering household spending at the pump, and stimulating local economic growth and job creation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists identifies several California communities, including Alameda and San Mateo, that face 'chronic flooding'—defined as high tides flooding 10% or more of usable land at least 26 times per year—by the end of the century. Under a high-emission scenario, these impacts could arrive by 2080. Critical national security infrastructure, such as the Naval Station San Diego, is also at risk. The document argues that limiting global warming to 1.8°C could prevent any California community from reaching the chronic flooding threshold by 2100 and urges immediate policy reforms regarding coastal development, disaster funding, and population relocation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists identifies numerous Florida communities at risk of chronic flooding—defined as high tides flooding 10% or more of usable non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate sea-level rise scenario, five communities will face chronic flooding by 2035 and 53 by 2100. High-risk areas like Miami Beach and Cayo Biscayne could see 60% and 50% of their area chronically flooded by 2060, respectively. The document argues that limiting global warming to approximately 1.8°C could save between 13 and 71 Florida communities from such flooding by the end of the century. Recommended actions include updating flood risk maps, reforming insurance premiums, funding FEMA programs, and implementing population relocation strategies for chronically flooded areas.

The Union of Concerned Scientists identifies numerous New Jersey communities facing 'chronic flooding'—defined as high tides flooding 10% or more of usable non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate scenario, 21 communities will face this by 2035, increasing to over 100 by 2100. Under a high scenario, 73 communities are exposed by 2060 and 131 by 2100, including Newark and Elizabeth. The report argues that reducing global warming could save 28 or more communities by 2060 and 45 to 73 by 2100. Recommended actions include updating flood risk maps, reforming insurance premiums, funding FEMA programs, and implementing population relocation strategies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies numerous Florida communities facing 'chronic inundation'—defined as high tide flooding 10% or more of usable, non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate sea level rise scenario, five communities will face this by 2035 and 53 by 2100. In a high scenario, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne could see 60% and 50% of their areas chronically inundated by 2060, respectively. The report argues that limiting global warming to approximately 1.8°C could spare between 39 and 71 Florida communities from this fate by 2100. To address these risks, UCS advocates for halting risky coastal development, enhancing disaster response frameworks like FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and creating new policies for managed retreat and relocation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies that all of Georgia's oceanfront communities face chronic inundation by 2100 under an intermediate sea level rise scenario. The report highlights that Savannah and Brunswick will see significant land area loss by 2045 and 2060, while suggesting that limiting global warming to 1.8°C could spare some communities. It advocates for a science-based approach to adaptation, including updating flood maps, reforming insurance, and creating relocation programs.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies numerous Maryland communities, particularly on the Eastern Shore, at risk of chronic inundation—defined as high tide flooding 10% or more of usable non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate sea level rise scenario, 22 communities will face this by 2035 and 17 more by 2100, with some areas like Crisfield facing flooding of over half its land area within 20 years. The report emphasizes that limiting global warming could spare between 9 and 31 communities from chronic inundation by the end of the century and calls for updated flood maps, reformed insurance, and funded relocation programs.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies significant risks of chronic inundation for New Jersey coastal communities, with 21 communities expected to be affected by 2035 under an intermediate scenario and over 100 by 2100. The report highlights that major metropolitan areas like Newark and Elizabeth face substantial land loss by 2100 and suggests that limiting global warming to 1.8°C could spare dozens of communities from this fate. To address these risks, UCS advocates for phasing out risky coastal development, enhancing disaster response funding, and creating new policies for managed retreat and relocation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies numerous North Carolina communities facing 'chronic inundation'—defined as high tide flooding 10% or more of usable, non-wetland area at least 26 times per year—by 2035 and 2100. Under an intermediate scenario, 13 communities will face this by 2035 and 36 by 2100; under a high scenario, 43 will be affected by 2060 and 63 by 2100. The report emphasizes that curtailing warming could spare between 23 and 37 communities from chronic inundation by the end of the century. Recommended actions include updating flood risk maps, reforming insurance, enhancing FEMA funding, and creating programs for managed retreat and relocation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies numerous Texas communities at risk of 'chronic inundation'—defined as high tide flooding 10% or more of usable, non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate scenario, two communities (Bolivar Peninsula and Sabine Pass) will face this by 2035, increasing to 17 by 2100. In a high scenario, Galveston faces chronic inundation by 2030 and Port Arthur by 2070. The report argues that limiting warming to approximately 1.8°C could spare several communities from this fate and calls for updated flood risk maps, reformed insurance, and funded relocation programs.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies that multiple Virginia communities face 'chronic inundation'—defined as high tide flooding 10% or more of usable, non-wetland area at least 26 times per year—by 2100. Under an intermediate scenario, three communities will be affected by 2035 and 21 by 2100; under a high scenario, 38 communities will be exposed by the century's end. The report highlights specific risks to Poquoson, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, and military installations like Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex. It argues that limiting global warming to approximately 1.8°C could spare 16 to 30 communities from this fate by 2100. Recommended responses include phasing out risky coastal development, enhancing FEMA's mitigation grants, and creating new programs for retreat and relocation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) developed the Clean Energy Momentum State Ranking to evaluate how US states are driving the transition to clean energy. The ranking uses 12 metrics across three categories: technical progress (renewable energy generation, energy savings, and electric vehicle sales), direct effects (job creation and pollution reduction), and future-oriented policies (renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction). California is identified as the overall leader, while Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Hawaii also rank in the top five. The analysis concludes that state-level leadership is critical for national momentum, particularly in creating jobs and improving public health, and recommends that states facilitate business involvement and improve energy equity for low-income communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) evaluated the 50 US states using 12 indicators to rank their progress in clean energy, focusing on renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and transport electrification. California leads the ranking, followed by Vermont and Massachusetts. The analysis highlights that clean energy progress is tangible across the US, with wind farms in 41 states and over half a million electric vehicles on the road. The report argues that state-level leadership is critical for job creation and public health improvements, and recommends that states adopt multi-dimensional policies, facilitate corporate participation, and improve energy equity for low-income and minority communities.

The report addresses the conflict between the Northeastern U.S.'s aggressive renewable energy targets and its limited available land. It argues that meeting these goals requires a combination of innovative siting on low-conflict lands (such as brownfields and prison lands), the acceleration of offshore wind, the use of distributed energy resources, and the import of Canadian hydroelectricity. The authors emphasize that overcoming local opposition through early community engagement and 'Smart from the Start' principles is critical to avoiding project delays and failures.