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The Union of Concerned Scientists identifies a range of 153 to 353 coal-fired generating units in the U.S. that are economically uncompetitive and should be retired. These units, totaling up to 59 GW of capacity, are typically older, underutilized, and lack modern pollution controls. The report argues that retiring these units, alongside 288 already scheduled for closure, would not jeopardize grid reliability and could reduce annual CO2 emissions by 245 to 410 million tons if replaced by natural gas, renewables, or energy efficiency.

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 presents the first estimates of manufacturing subsector-specific energy use for the 10 member states of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA). It aims to fill a data gap where public sources only provide general manufacturing data, thereby enabling policymakers to better identify energy efficiency potential and strategies that balance environmental and economic outcomes. The paper combines energy-use data with state-by-state policy summaries to highlight trends in industrial energy efficiency and cost competitiveness.

The report analyzes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Utilizing the World Resources Institute's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT-US), it examines all six Kyoto GHGs across the regional economy to overcome inconsistencies in previous state-level inventories. The analysis covers regional, sectoral, and state levels, assessing major emission sources, trends, and socioeconomic drivers to inform stakeholders on the Midwest's role in global climate change.

WRI analysis indicates that Michigan can reduce its CO2 emissions by 33 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using current state policies and infrastructure. Key opportunities include meeting the renewable portfolio standard through in-state generation, increasing combined heat and power capacity, fully utilizing existing combined cycle natural gas capacity, and improving the efficiency of coal-fired power plants.

The report analyzes the economic and health impacts of the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) in Michigan, projecting significant job growth and consumer savings if the state proactively adopts supportive policies. While the overall state economy is expected to grow, the transition will cause job shifts away from internal combustion engine manufacturing and maintenance, necessitating targeted policies to ensure an equitable transition for workers and low-income communities.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the climate and energy landscapes in China and the United States. For China, it highlights a 4.7% increase in CO2 emissions in 2023, the growth of non-fossil fuel power capacity to 53.9% of the total, and the implementation of the 'Carbon Peak' pilot program and the restart of the CCER market. For the United States, it notes a projected 1.9% decrease in emissions for 2023, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the focus on decarbonizing the power sector by 2035. The briefing also details the 'Sunnylands Statement' as a framework for bilateral cooperation on methane and energy transition, while noting tensions regarding trade policies and the potential impact of the 2024 US election.

The document details WEPCO's transition toward a more proactive environmental posture, highlighted by its 'Wisconsin Commitment' and demand-side management programs. Despite national awards and strong executive support, a 1991 benchmarking study by A.T. Kearney revealed critical gaps, including the lack of a comprehensive risk assessment program and a disconnect between the company's external environmental image and its internal operational rigor.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program (CSBP) has funded over 8,000 electric school buses across 48 states, four territories, Washington, DC, and 65 Tribal school districts, with over 2,000 already delivered. Electric school buses are presented as a viable alternative to diesel-powered buses, offering health benefits by eliminating tailpipe emissions and saving districts an average of $100,000 in lifetime fuel and maintenance costs per bus. Additionally, the CSBP is credited with spurring a manufacturing boom, supporting 21 facilities across 13 states and creating thousands of jobs, with an estimate that each electric vehicle manufacturing job can create three additional local third-party jobs.

Michigan can achieve 98 percent of its Clean Power Plan emission reductions through existing clean energy policies, with the remainder achievable via better use of natural gas and coal plant efficiency. The state could further increase reductions by raising its renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, and potentially generate over $160 million annually through a market-based carbon pricing program.

The document outlines practical 'Conservation Starters' from WWF experts to mitigate environmental degradation. It provides specific advice on protecting biodiversity, addressing climate change, conserving forests and freshwater, reducing food waste, eliminating plastic pollution, and protecting wildlife. Key recommendations include advocating for policy changes, adopting sustainable consumer habits, and implementing nature-based home improvements.

Kipster is expanding its circular egg production model from the Netherlands to the US, partnering with MPS Egg Farms and The Kroger Co. The model focuses on using surplus food for feed, achieving carbon neutrality through renewable energy and offsets, and improving animal welfare by raising roosters for meat instead of culling them. In the US, the operation is based in Indiana, utilizing pasta surplus and other by-products to reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The report analyzes food loss in the US specialty crop sector, contrasting the high loss rates of the fresh market with the relatively lower rates of the vertically integrated processing market. It highlights how contract-based purchasing and mechanical harvesting in the processing sector reduce in-field waste, while the fresh market suffers from strict cosmetic standards and labor shortages. The document proposes using real-time measurement and alternative harvesting models, such as the Whole Crops Harvest pilot, to rescue surplus produce for secondary markets and donations.

A WWF study of 46 US schools found that students waste an average of 39.2 pounds of food and 28.7 cartons of milk annually. This translates to an estimated $1.7 billion in national annual losses. The report highlights that milk waste is particularly high due to misconceptions about USDA reimbursement rules and the use of cartons over dispensers. It proposes that reducing waste—even by a conservative 3%—could provide significant funding for initiatives like Farm to School (F2S) and the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP), which improve student nutrition and support local economies.