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The Union of Concerned Scientists asserts that the United States requires federal legislation to overcome barriers in the planning and siting of transmission lines, which currently hinder the deployment of renewable energy. The document advocates for 'Green Energy Superhighways' to connect remote renewable resource areas to population centers, while emphasizing that federal authority should act as a backstop when states cannot agree on facilities of national interest. It warns that without a federal cap-and-trade system, transmission expansion in the Northeastern United States could inadvertently increase carbon emissions by allowing coal-based power to flow from non-RGGI states to those with emission caps.

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 clean car standards, initiated by California's AB 1493 and adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), comprise regulations for air quality, global warming, and zero-emission vehicles. These standards aim for a 30% reduction in global warming pollution from new vehicles by 2016 and are more stringent than federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, targeting a fleet average fuel economy equivalent of 39.2 mpg by 2020 compared to the federal 35 mpg. As of January 2009, 13 states and the District of Columbia had adopted these standards, which are projected to reduce cumulative global warming emissions by 451 million metric tons of CO2E by 2020 across those 15 jurisdictions.

The report argues that RGGI's design, which caps emissions only for power plants within participating states, creates a price advantage for imported electricity from coal-heavy states like West Virginia and Pennsylvania. This 'leakage' is exacerbated by excess capacity in existing coal plants and planned transmission upgrades that facilitate power flow from west to east. The authors suggest that RGGI states should implement retail-level carbon caps, prohibit contracts with high-emission plants, and prioritize transmission projects aligned with climate goals to prevent the expansion of coal-based power.

The report warns that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) risks 'undercutting itself' because it only prices emissions from power plants within its region. This creates an economic incentive for electricity suppliers in RGGI states to import cheaper, carbon-intensive power from coal-producing states like West Virginia and Ohio. The document provides 'carbon math' showing that utilizing excess capacity from 15 existing coal plants could produce pollution 'three and a half times the cuts expected under the initiative,' and that six plants under construction nearby could emit pollution equal to '140 percent of RGGI’s reductions.' To prevent this 'leak,' the authors suggest capping the entire portfolio of local electricity suppliers, limiting contracts with polluting plants, and requiring suppliers to account for emissions from electricity produced outside the region.

Friends of the Earth welcomes the Supreme Court's decision to review a 2003 EPA ruling that denied the agency's authority to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant. The organization argues that the lack of regulation has coincided with a 16 percent increase in global warming emissions since 1990 and contributed to severe weather events and economic losses, such as the $57.6 billion in insurance losses from 2005 hurricanes.

The report identifies non-hardware balance of system costs, which can reach 40% of installed system costs, as a significant barrier to rooftop solar adoption. It recommends the adoption of standardized frameworks such as the Solar ABCs Expedited Permit Process for permitting, the IREC Model Interconnection Procedures for grid connection, and the NNEC design criteria for net metering. The document highlights Colorado as a leader in solar-friendly policies, citing the Fair Permit Act's fee caps and the state's removal of net metering capacity limits for systems up to 120% of annual on-site consumption.

The document explains how nuclear power plants use water to absorb waste heat and cool equipment, detailing once-through and closed-cycle cooling systems. It highlights the significant volumes of water required, the environmental impact on aquatic life, and the critical role of the Ultimate Heat Sink (UHS) during accidents. The author argues that the primary safety hazard is not radioactive leakage, but rather the failure of water to reach the plant or leaking into the plant.

The document identifies wind power as the most cost-effective near-term option for increasing renewable electricity in New England, noting that the region's onshore wind resources have the technical potential to supply approximately 60 percent of its current electricity use. It frames this within the broader need to transform the energy system to limit global warming, noting that the Northeast United States emits more CO2 than all but six countries globally. While other solutions like energy efficiency and carbon capture are discussed, wind is presented as more viable than solar, bioenergy, or geothermal power in the region due to cost and resource availability. The document states that if all currently proposed wind projects in New England were completed, they would generate over 5,700 gigawatt-hours of CO2-free electricity annually, representing about seven percent of the electricity used in the proposing states.

The document establishes that limiting global warming to 2°C requires stabilizing atmospheric heat-trapping gases at or below 450 ppm CO2eq, which necessitates a global cumulative emissions budget of 1,700 GtCO2eq for 2000–2050. For the United States, this translates to a cumulative budget of 160 to 265 GtCO2eq, requiring emissions to be reduced by at least 80 percent below 2000 levels by 2050. The analysis finds that most federal legislative proposals fail to meet these targets, with only the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309) and the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 1590) remaining within the upper budget limit.

The document outlines how U.S. consumers can support renewable energy via green pricing, green marketing, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). It contrasts the environmental benefits of renewables—such as wind, solar, and geothermal—against the pollution and health risks associated with coal, oil, nuclear power, and natural gas. It also provides tools for verifying green power claims, including the Green-e certification and the Power Scorecard tool.

The document advocates for the adoption of the Solis bill (H.R. 4800) to implement the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in the United States. The signatories argue that the Solis bill ensures timely EPA action, adopts a health-based regulatory standard, and respects state-level protections. In contrast, they claim the Gillmor bill (H.R. 4591) would weaken safeguards by introducing cost-benefit standards and preempting state regulations.

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.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) advocates for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 (DERA), a proposed $1 billion federal grant and loan program to reduce diesel fine particle (PM2.5) emissions. CATF highlights that diesel exhaust causes 21,000 premature deaths annually and that existing engines will remain in service for decades, necessitating funding for retrofits, rebuilds, and repowerings to meet air quality standards and provide immediate climate benefits by reducing black carbon.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed two proposals to increase the Texas Renewable Energy Standard (RPS): a 20 percent by 2020 target (TREIA proposal) and a 10,000 MW by 2025 target (TEPC proposal). Using the EIA's National Energy Modeling System, the analysis found that both proposals would lower consumer energy bills, create jobs, and reduce CO2 emissions, with the 20 percent proposal yielding significantly higher benefits. By 2025, the 20 percent standard is projected to save consumers $5.6 billion in total energy bills, create 38,290 new jobs, and reduce annual power plant CO2 emissions by 20 million metric tons.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed two proposals to increase the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The more aggressive 20 percent by 2020 proposal would result in 17,820 MW of renewable capacity by 2025, creating 38,290 new jobs and saving consumers $5.6 billion in energy bills. The more modest 10,000 MW by 2025 proposal would yield approximately 8 percent renewable energy by 2025, creating 19,950 new jobs and $5.5 billion in consumer savings. Both proposals would diversify the electricity mix by displacing natural gas and coal, reducing CO2 emissions and providing significant capital investment and tax revenues to rural Texas communities.

The report details how U.S. power plants impact water resources through massive withdrawals and the discharge of heated, chemically treated water. It highlights the ecological damage caused by once-through cooling systems—such as fish impingement and entrainment—and the risks of toxic chemical leaks from coal ash ponds. The document argues for a transition to closed-cycle and dry-cooling technologies to mitigate these effects and ensure power system reliability during droughts. It also critiques the current state-led enforcement of the Clean Water Act, calling for more consistent federal standards and cumulative impact assessments.

The document examines the intersection of land use and energy efficiency, proposing a framework based on 'how' and 'where' we build to reduce fossil fuel dependence. It advocates for 'energy smart' growth, which combines compact, mixed-use development with green building standards and renewable energy. The author provides recommendations for funders to support this merger through research, integrated planning tools, policy incentives, and innovative financing like location-efficient mortgages.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) monitored 10 US nuclear power plants and found a "serious breakdown in quality assurance," noting that internal auditors failed to identify any of the 200+ reported incidents. The study found that 44 percent of problems were caused by poor procedures and 35 percent by worker mistakes. While some plants like Surry and Oyster Creek demonstrated proactive safety cultures, others like LaSalle and Sequoyah showed systemic failures, including ignored warnings and repetitive errors. UCS recommends better training for auditors and workers, revised procedures, and stronger NRC enforcement.

The document details the environmental and health impacts of Alberta's coal-fired power plants, noting that in 2014, 68% of the province's electricity was generated from coal. It highlights that these plants are significant sources of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, mercury, and greenhouse gases, with 2011 emissions totaling 43 megatonnes of GHG. The authors propose a transition plan to reach 0% coal reliance by 2030, increasing renewable energy to 40% and reducing electricity demand through energy efficiency by 20%. The strategy discourages increased reliance on stand-alone natural gas due to production-related GHG emissions and suggests mechanisms for phase-out such as legislated closures, lifespan caps, or carbon pricing.