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The document asserts that biofuel production and transport lead to dangerous spills, leaks, and fires that pollute ecosystems and kill aquatic life. It highlights specific incidents in Missouri and Iowa and notes that cleanup procedures for water-soluble fuels like ethanol are underdeveloped. The text advocates for shifting taxpayer funding from corn ethanol toward energy conservation, public transportation, electric cars, and sustainable solar and wind technologies.

Missouri is highly dependent on imported coal, spending $1.13 billion in 2008 to import over 99% of the coal used by its power plants. The document highlights that this expenditure represents a significant economic drain, suggesting that energy efficiency standards and renewable energy resources, such as wind and bioenergy, could redirect funds back into the local economy.

The report analyzes how carbon pricing may affect the US Midwest, a region characterized by high carbon intensity due to coal dependency and a large manufacturing base. While carbon pricing could increase short-term costs for energy-intensive industries, the report argues it presents a long-term opportunity for the region to lead in low-carbon production and 'green collar' jobs. It highlights the Midwest's significant mitigation potential and the role of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord in driving this transition.

The report projects that Missouri will face significantly hotter summers, increased flooding, and agricultural disruptions if heat-trapping emissions continue to rise. It highlights severe risks for St. Louis, including extreme heat waves and deteriorating air quality, and suggests a combination of state-level energy efficiency and federal climate legislation to mitigate these effects.

The document identifies approximately 2 million mobile homes built before 1976 as the "worst housing stock" in the U.S., noting they are energy-inefficient and often house low-income, elderly, or disabled residents. It highlights that these structures are often ineligible for traditional weatherization programs and proposes the Energy Efficient Manufactured Housing Act of 2009 to provide rebates for ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The text details the differences between mobile, manufactured, and modular homes, and provides demographic data on residents of pre-1980 manufactured housing.

As of February 2009, 28 U.S. states and Washington D.C. have implemented renewable electricity standards to increase the share of wind, solar, and bioenergy in their power supplies. The Union of Concerned Scientists projects these standards will support 76,750 MW of new renewable power by 2025, reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 183 million metric tons. While success varies by state—with Texas significantly exceeding its targets—the document argues that state leadership proves these standards can reduce market barriers, justifying a national renewable electricity standard to enhance energy security and fuel diversity.

The paper examines the shift toward a more collaborative US-China relationship on climate change ahead of COP15 in Copenhagen. It details the announcement of mid-term emissions targets by both nations, China's continued alignment with the G77, and the internal US political struggles to pass climate legislation. The authors argue that while bilateral cooperation on clean energy technology is increasing, deep distrust between developed and developing nations and US domestic partisan gridlock continue to threaten the prospects of a legally binding international agreement.

The document examines the high social, economic, and environmental costs of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the U.S., contrasting them with 'smart pasture operations' (SPOs) and other mid-size alternatives. It highlights how federal subsidies for grain and waste management have artificially supported CAFOs while externalizing costs such as water pollution, antibiotic resistance, and diminished rural property values. The Union of Concerned Scientists advocates for policy shifts, including the elimination of CAFO waste subsidies and stricter enforcement of the Clean Water Act and antitrust laws, to promote a more sustainable food system.

The report argues that CAFOs are propped up by taxpayer subsidies and the externalization of costs related to pollution and public health. It highlights that these operations, while producing over 50% of U.S. food animals, create massive manure management problems and antibiotic resistance. The author suggests that medium-sized and pasture-based operations are cost-competitive alternatives that would be more viable if subsidies were redirected and antitrust laws were enforced.

The report analyzes the 'hidden costs' of CAFOs, including taxpayer-funded subsidies and externalized environmental and health damages. It argues that CAFOs are not more efficient than medium-sized or pasture-based alternatives but are favored by government policies and the market power of large meat processors. The document details the pollution caused by manure, the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and the economic decline of rural communities, while proposing policy reforms to level the playing field for sustainable alternatives.

The report examines the economic framework of the emerging pharmaceutical crop industry, arguing that while proponents claim significant rural benefits, these are largely unsubstantiated projections. It finds that the primary economic gains are likely to accrue to pharmaceutical companies rather than farmers, who will face limited bargaining power and high risks associated with food supply contamination. The document highlights that the industry's success depends on achieving virtually zero risk of commingling pharma crops with food and feed supplies, a requirement that may significantly increase production costs and offset projected savings.

Dr. James Zahn, a former USDA research microbiologist, reported being prohibited on at least 11 occasions from publicizing findings on antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the air near hog operations in Iowa and Missouri. Despite the USDA's stated mission to address human health in swine production, Zahn was barred from presenting his research at 2002 scientific conferences, with supervisors citing the need for discretion on "politically sensitive and controversial issues." This suppression is linked to a February 2002 USDA directive requiring prior approval for research on "sensitive issues," including agricultural practices with negative health and environmental consequences such as global climate change and animal feeding operations.

The document outlines various biomass sources, including residues and perennial energy crops like switchgrass, and describes conversion technologies ranging from direct combustion to fuel cells. It argues that expanding biomass production can revitalize rural economies and protect land quality while potentially providing a significant share of U.S. electricity and motor fuel.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) asserts that US nuclear plant risk assessments are merely probability assessments that ignore catastrophic consequences and rely on unrealistic assumptions. The report details how the lack of minimum standards leads to inconsistent results between identical plants and argues that the NRC is using these flawed calculations to justify cutting safety inspections and tests to reduce costs for plant owners.

Since the 2018 45Q reform, 84 carbon management projects have been announced in the U.S., with a significant surge in 2021. The majority of these projects are industrial-sector initiatives utilizing saline storage, though regional infrastructure in the Midwest is enabling ethanol projects. The power sector accounts for 23% of projects, primarily natural gas and coal plants, while only one large-scale Direct Air Capture plant is planned.

Coal-fired power plants are identified as the largest source of toxic water pollution in the United States, discharging billions of pounds of heavy metals into waterways annually. A review of 386 plants reveals that nearly 70% of those discharging coal ash and scrubber wastewater have no effluent limits on key toxins like arsenic and mercury, often operating under expired permits. The report highlights severe ecological damage, including massive fish kills in North Carolina and groundwater contamination in Missouri and Illinois, and notes that these plants are frequently located in marginalized communities. While the EPA proposed updated standards, the report argues that political interference from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) weakened these options. It advocates for 'Option 5,' a zero-discharge standard utilizing dry ash handling and vapor compression evaporation, asserting that such controls are cost-effective and would significantly reduce pollution.

Missouri generates 2.68 million tons of coal ash annually, ranking 16th in the U.S. The state manages approximately 32 coal ash ponds at 14 plants, many of which lack liners and leachate collection systems. Regulatory gaps are significant: Missouri allows ponds containing over 170 million gallons of coal ash to bypass safety regulations, and state officials have inspected only one pond in five years despite many being over 25 feet high. Specific failures include the Labadie plant, where a 154-acre unlined pond has leaked approximately 50,000 gallons per day since 1992 without required cleanup or groundwater monitoring by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The document outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in Missouri, stating that specific policies could save residents $1.4 billion and significantly reduce carbon and air pollutants by 2030.

The document details the distribution of Recovery Act funds for high-speed rail awards across the West, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions of the United States. The West region received the highest allocation at $2,942,000,000, followed by the Midwest at $2,599,600,000, the Southeast at $1,870,000,000, and the Northeast at $485,000,000. Key projects include the California High-Speed Rail, the Tampa-Orlando Phase 1 HSR, and various track, signal, and station upgrades across multiple state corridors to increase train speeds and reliability.

The document consists of a collection of 45 figures mapping the FSEIS routes for nuclear waste transport through nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.