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The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program is designed to demonstrate localized hydrogen production and end-use to create a synergistic national hydrogen economy. The author warns that planned funding cuts by the Trump administration would jeopardize an estimated 334,280 jobs and tens of billions of dollars in private sector investment. The document emphasizes that a network of hubs is necessary to create a viable market for hydrogen-fueled equipment and to maintain U.S. leadership in low-carbon hydrogen production and technology exports.

The analysis reveals a significant increase in fire weather days across much of the contiguous U.S., with the western U.S. experiencing far more frequent fire weather than the east. While the western U.S. has seen strong increases, particularly in the Southwest during spring and summer, parts of the eastern U.S. have also seen impactful increases, especially in the Southeast and Northeast. The study emphasizes that while human activity causes 87% of wildfires, fire weather primes the landscape for these fires to ignite and spread.

A growing number of US communities and governments are suing fossil fuel companies, arguing they misled the public about climate change. These 'polluter pays' cases seek compensation for climate damages, mirroring the 1990s tobacco litigation. While most cases are in the US, a significant case in Peru involving RWE highlights global implications. The fossil fuel industry is responding with lobbying for legal immunity and efforts to discredit litigants, though some cases, such as Honolulu v. Sunoco LP, are advancing toward trial.

The U.S. public EV charging network grew more than six-fold between 2016 and 2025, reaching nearly 196,000 ports. While California leads in total numbers and northeastern states lead in density, significant coverage gaps remain in the southern, central, and plains regions. To support a projected 33 million EVs by 2030, the U.S. may need 1 million additional public chargers, including 170,000 DC fast chargers.

The document argues that the market price of fossil fuels fails to account for significant 'hidden costs' or externalities occurring during extraction, transport, and combustion. It details the severe health impacts of coal mining, such as black lung and cardiovascular disease, and the environmental degradation caused by mountaintop removal in Appalachia. The paper also examines the risks of oil and gas drilling, including methane leakage, water contamination from fracking, and catastrophic spills. Finally, it quantifies the economic burden of air pollution and global warming emissions, contrasting these with the lower impacts of renewable energy sources.

Michigan faces grid reliability issues, including frequent blackouts and narrowing capacity for peak demand. Virtual power plants (VPPs), which aggregate distributed energy resources (DERs), are proposed as a solution to support the state's clean energy goals of 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040. The document recommends that utilities seek funding from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), utilize the MPSC's 90-day pilot review program, and that the legislature mandate VPP implementation. Additionally, it suggests the MPSC allow residential and small commercial aggregation in wholesale markets and update metering infrastructure procurement to ensure DER integration capabilities.

The report analyzes the US synthetic nitrogen fertilizer market, which is highly centralized with 71% of capacity held by four producers. It evaluates seven ammonia production pathways, ranging from mature 'blue ammonia' (SMR with CCS) to lab-scale electrochemical and photochemical methods. The document identifies key barriers to green ammonia adoption, including high financing risks, lack of industrial standards, and the absence of long-term offtake agreements from farmers. It highlights state-level incentives in North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Michigan, alongside federal support via the Inflation Reduction Act's 45V clean hydrogen production tax credit, which offers up to $3/kg of hydrogen.

The report documents a shift in IDD services from non-profit providers to private equity-owned platforms, highlighting risks such as cost-cutting, financial extraction through dividend recapitalizations, and systemic quality failures. It provides case studies of companies like Sevita, Help at Home, and Broadstep Behavioral Health to illustrate patterns of abuse, neglect, and regulatory non-compliance.

RMI outlines five key factors—facility suitability, electricity costs/net metering, energy efficiency, battery sizing, and available funding—to help US communities deploy solar-plus-battery microgrids that serve as resilience hubs during disasters.

The U.S. clean energy sector saw record solar and battery storage installations in 2024, with renewables accounting for approximately 90% of new capacity. However, progress is hindered by grid interconnection backlogs, rising local opposition, high interest rates, and supply chain shortages. The report also notes a slowdown in EV sales growth and warns that the Trump administration's policies may create further roadblocks to decarbonization.

Federal clean energy incentives have already spurred $75 billion in private investment and created over 100,000 manufacturing jobs since 2022. Under a 'High Potential Scenario', these incentives could bring nearly $235 billion in federal investment to US states by 2030, with the largest gains expected in battery manufacturing and hydrogen production.

The report warns that 'relining' seven aging coal-based blast furnaces in the US Great Lakes region is a multi-billion dollar risk that locks in high emissions and health-harming pollution for another 20 years. While these plants represent only about a quarter of US steel production, they generate approximately 75 percent of the industry's emissions. The authors argue that instead of spending $150M to $425M per furnace on relines, companies should invest in hydrogen-ready Direct Reduction (DRI) coupled with electric arc furnaces (H2-DRI-EAF), which can achieve near-zero carbon emissions. Although a new DRI plant costs more ($600M to $800M) and faces a near-term energy cost gap of approximately $2.50/kg H2 compared to coal, the transition is projected to protect skilled union jobs and create additional employment in renewable energy and hydrogen production. The report concludes that federal and state support—via tax credits, grants, and infrastructure investment—is necessary to close the remaining economic gap and avoid stranded assets.

The Federal Hydrogen Hub Program aims to establish a national hydrogen network through seven regional hubs, with funding distributed across four phases over 8-12 years. While hubs claim local economic and environmental benefits, the guide notes that many proposed projects may increase pollution or waste energy. As of January 28, 2025, the DOE has instructed all recipients to cease activities related to Community Benefits Plans, pending further guidance.

The report identifies five key trends in the development of the U.S. electric vehicle workforce pipeline, focusing on Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It finds that public community and technical colleges are the primary providers of training, with a heavy emphasis on vehicle maintenance and repair over manufacturing and charging. The analysis highlights a wide variance in enrollment requirements and program durations, ranging from 20-hour online courses to two-year degrees. It also identifies three critical industry certifications—ASE, AWS, and NIMS—and describes how state-level policies and private investments are driving the creation of these educational pathways to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

The report details how climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather in Michigan, leading to significant infrastructure damage, public health risks, and economic losses in tourism and agriculture.

The document outlines the framework for state Clean Electricity Standards (CES), emphasizing that effective policies must be mandatory, technology-inclusive, and ambitious. It contrasts CES with Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) by highlighting the inclusion of clean firm resources like nuclear and carbon capture. The brief details various design options—such as retail sales vs. emission-based standards—and explains how federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) reduce implementation costs. It also discusses advanced features like clean capacity standards and hourly matching to accelerate the deployment of long-duration storage and firm clean power.

The document outlines how warming winters in the US affect agriculture, health, and the economy, while offering reporting strategies and expert resources for journalists.

The document outlines how winters are warming faster than any other season in nearly 75% of the United States, leading to significant disruptions in agriculture, health, and the economy. It provides specific regional examples—such as crop failures in Michigan, declining snow crab populations in Alaska, and increased winter tornadoes—while offering professional advice for reporters on handling climate variability and connecting local events to global fossil fuel consumption.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that industrial agriculture is the leading cause of wetland loss over the last 250 years, which increases flood risks and releases stored carbon. In the Upper Midwest, 30 million acres of wetlands provide approximately $23 billion in annual residential flood mitigation benefits, with long-term value estimated between $323 billion and $754 billion. The document urges the US government to use the upcoming farm bill to increase funding for USDA conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Easements, to protect these ecosystems.

Industrial agriculture is a primary driver of wetland loss in the US Upper Midwest, where 30 million acres of wetlands provide critical flood mitigation and carbon sequestration. The report estimates that these wetlands provide nearly $23 billion in annual residential flood mitigation benefits, with long-term value between $323 billion and $754 billion. Recent legal shifts, specifically the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA, have reduced federal protections under the Clean Water Act, leaving many wetlands vulnerable. The author argues that the next farm bill should expand the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) cap, increase funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and link crop insurance to conservation practices to mitigate flood risk and support environmental justice for marginalized communities.