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The report details how the US Video Relay Service (VRS) market is dominated by two private equity-owned firms, Sorenson Communications and ZP Better Together, which are reimbursed by the FCC. It argues that despite significant FCC rate increases in 2023, these funds have not translated into meaningful wage growth or improved working conditions for ASL interpreters, who face high levels of burnout and psychological distress. The document highlights gaps in FCC oversight regarding company certifications and debt loads, and documents a history of labor disputes, union-busting, and the use of forced arbitration at ZP Better Together.

The report argues that poor ballot design and inaccessible education materials lead to higher rates of uncounted votes, particularly among marginalized populations. It provides specific guidelines for election officials to reduce overvotes and undervotes through better layout, plain language, and accessibility features for voters with limited English proficiency and disabilities.

Climate Central reports that 89% of 242 analyzed U.S. locations have seen an increase in annual 'warning days' (heat index 80°F to 94°F) since 1979, with the most significant rises in the Ohio Valley and Upper Midwest. Between 1992 and 2022, 986 U.S. workers died from heat exposure, and from 1980 to 2016, an average of 421 million work hours were lost annually, costing $14 billion. The document highlights a lack of comprehensive federal heat standards, noting that only five states have such protections, while some states like Florida and Texas prohibit local municipalities from enacting their own heat safety laws.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) advocates for the passage of H.R. 8665 to accelerate the development of supercritical geothermal energy, which it describes as a high-density, 24/7 carbon-free power source capable of meeting significant energy demands. CATF argues that while the bill's structure is sound, its current $5 million annual allocation is insufficient to cover even a single deep geothermal well. Additionally, the testimony supports H.R. 7053 to provide states with more flexibility in using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for plugging orphaned wells by reducing mandatory, costly methane measurements. CATF emphasizes that the U.S. can leverage its existing oil and gas workforce and subsurface expertise to lead in next-generation geothermal innovation, competing with countries like China, New Zealand, Japan, and Iceland.

The report examines how the increasing frequency and severity of climate-driven disasters lead insurance companies to raise premiums or withdraw coverage, particularly in high-risk areas of the US. This process creates a 'domino effect' where the lack of affordable insurance makes homes unmortgageable, reduces property values, and increases homelessness. The authors highlight a cycle where insurers profit from these increases and reinvest in fossil fuels, further exacerbating the climate crisis. The document warns that widespread mortgage defaults and the devaluation of lender security could lead to a systemic financial crisis with global implications.

The report argues for a shift from centralized, fossil-fuel-dependent ammonia production to distributed green ammonia (DGA) in Minnesota. It identifies the state as a viable starting point for DGA due to its fertilizer consumption levels and high transportation costs, suggesting that successful implementation could influence the US Midwest and the rest of the United States.

The Private Equity Stakeholder Project argues that BlackRock's acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) would shift the firm from a passive investment manager to an active owner of energy infrastructure, potentially violating the Clayton Antitrust Act. The letter highlights specific conflicts of interest, such as BlackRock's simultaneous ownership of Allete (via GIP) and its major industrial customers, Cleveland Cliffs and US Steel. It further lists extensive holdings in various US public utilities to demonstrate the scale of BlackRock's influence over power market assets and requests federal intervention to protect competition and consumers.

The briefing proposes "clean repowering" as a strategy to overcome the US grid interconnection backlog, which currently sees over 2 TW of clean energy projects delayed. By utilizing existing interconnection points through surplus interconnection or generator replacement processes, the time to reach commercial operation can be reduced from an average of five years to less than one year. RMI analysis suggests this could deploy 250 GW of new clean energy, saving regulated utilities $46 billion over 30 years and reducing US carbon emissions by 25 percent relative to business as usual through 2035. The document highlights Xcel Energy's Sherco project in Minnesota as a model for this transition, combining solar, storage, and workforce retention.

Wisconsin taxpayers will need to spend at least $16.7 billion through 2040 to protect communities from climate change, with municipal governments bearing the vast majority of these costs ($14.1 billion). The most significant expenses include improving stormwater management ($6.67 billion) and proactive road maintenance ($5.09 billion). The report highlights that these costs fall disproportionately on high racial minority areas and low-education rural communities, potentially consuming a significant portion of local public works budgets. It argues that fossil fuel companies should be held legally accountable for these damages.

The Electric Utility Toolkit explains the technical and regulatory framework of the US power grid, highlighting systemic inequalities in energy access and affordability. It details the role of Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) and provides actionable steps for citizens to engage in the regulatory process to promote energy justice and decarbonization.

RMI analysis indicates that Illinois households could save over $2,800 annually by implementing a combination of vehicle electrification standards, climate-driven agency planning, and renewed transit investments. These strategies could reduce pollution by up to 305 million metric tons between 2024 and 2050 and prevent thousands of deaths annually through reduced crash fatalities, improved air quality, and increased physical activity. While Illinois has received federal funding via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the report notes the state has yet to adopt clean vehicle standards or integrate climate metrics into infrastructure project scoring.

The document advises journalists to treat climate change as a factual urgency rather than a partisan debate, urging them to proactively question candidates on specific plans for emissions reduction and infrastructure resilience. It highlights a disconnect between political discourse and public sentiment, noting that 62% of registered US voters prefer candidates who support climate action. The guide also provides a framework for debunking common climate myths and suggests local reporting angles such as the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, green job programs, and climate-driven insurance rate increases.

The U.S. clean energy sector saw record growth in 2023, particularly in solar installations and EV sales, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the transition faces significant headwinds from rising interest rates, supply chain shortages for transformers, and a lagging transmission system. To meet 2035 carbon-free electricity goals, annual renewable installation rates must nearly double, and transmission capacity may need to double or triple.

The report examines the integration of community benefits into the US DOE's Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, emphasizing the shift from one-way notification to meaningful two-way engagement. It highlights the role of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) and Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in mitigating social opposition and ensuring that 40% of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities under the Justice40 Initiative. Through case studies of failed projects in Wisconsin and the Midwest, the document illustrates how a lack of transparency, misalignment with local visions, and insufficient engagement can lead to project cancellation or significant delays.

The guide outlines how to leverage the $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, specifically the $4.6 billion in competitive implementation grants. It recommends two high-impact strategies to improve EPA scoring metrics: e-bike programs and targeted EV incentives for 'superusers'—high-mileage drivers who often have lower incomes. The author argues these approaches offer clear equity advantages, straightforward emissions calculations, and address gaps in existing federal legislation.

The report advocates for a strategic shift in US state transportation policy, moving away from highway expansion toward the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It highlights that while vehicle electrification is progress, it is insufficient on its own to meet climate goals. RMI analysis suggests that a 20% reduction in per-capita VMT by 2050 could prevent 6,000 annual fatalities, save $259 billion in annual costs, and avoid 2.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The document urges states to utilize funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for transit, micro-mobility, and 'complete streets' rather than projects that induce more traffic.

The report examines Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) as legally binding contracts between developers and communities to ensure equitable outcomes in energy transitions. Through nine case studies and an analysis of DOE, DOT, and EPA guidelines, it identifies critical failure points—such as lack of representative stakeholders and poor enforceability—and proposes best practices for planning, negotiation, and monitoring to better align project development with community needs.

The report examines various legislative attempts to curb the growth of corporate landlords in the US, focusing on strategies to deconsolidate the housing market. It analyzes proposed and enacted measures such as ownership caps in North Carolina, excise taxes in California and Ohio, and right of first refusal laws in California and Colorado. While many of these bills failed in committee due to political opposition, the report highlights successful examples like Los Angeles's 'mansion tax' and Colorado's protections for manufactured housing residents as models for future housing justice efforts.

Climate Central analyzed precipitation data from 1969-70 to 2022-23 for the contiguous U.S., finding that while some regions have balanced seasonal rainfall, others rely heavily on a single season. Specifically, the West and Northwest are dominated by winter precipitation, while the Plains and Upper Midwest rely on summer rainfall. Climate change is altering these patterns, with a general increase in precipitation east of the Rockies and a decrease to the west. Warmer temperatures are increasing atmospheric moisture—approximately 10% more since 1970—which enhances extremes such as heavy downpours and intensifying droughts.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) provides a framework for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and selected Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to transition from application to action. CATF emphasizes prioritizing hydrogen for hard-to-abate sectors, ensuring transparency in project planning, coordinating funding across federal programs, and deepening community engagement to ensure equitable and climate-beneficial outcomes.