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This document is a rebuttal by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to an article and subsequent response by Charles C. Mann in The Atlantic. Lovins argues that Mann ignores the role of efficiency and technological innovation in reducing oil demand and misrepresents the reliability and economic viability of renewable energy, specifically in Germany.

The document details the relationship between rising global temperatures and the formation of ground-level ozone, which is created when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with heat and sunlight. It highlights that without strong climate policies, respiratory issues such as asthma attacks could increase by 11.8 million annual incidences by 2050. The text emphasizes the disproportionate impact on children, the elderly, and Latino populations in the U.S., noting that nearly half of the U.S. population lives in areas with unhealthy ozone levels.

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.

Energy savings certificates (ESCs), also known as white certificates, are tradable credits typically representing one megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy savings. They allow third parties to generate efficiency savings and sell them to utilities to help meet regulatory targets established via Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) or Renewable Electricity Standards (RES). In the U.S., 21 states have such targets, with Connecticut operating an active market where prices have generally ranged between $20 and $25/MWh. Internationally, programs exist in New South Wales, Italy, Great Britain, and France, with India encouraging a national market. ESCs incentivize efficiency investments by providing an additional revenue stream for commercial and industrial entities.

The document defines GHG emissions registries as databases for tracking emissions from individual emitters, distinguishing them from top-down national inventories. It details the legal mandate for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a national registry by mid-2008, funded by a December 2007 appropriations bill. The text outlines the role of registries in cap-and-trade programs—specifically for ensuring compliance and market efficiency—and describes the technical requirements for data collection, quantification, and verification to ensure consistency and transparency.

The document defines Renewable Electricity Standards (RES) as policies requiring a minimum percentage of electric power to come from eligible renewable sources. It details how these standards create market demand for clean energy, the types of eligible resources, and the potential for business opportunities through the sale of electricity or renewable energy credits (RECs). The text also outlines the state-level adoption of RES in the U.S. as of 2008 and discusses the legislative history and arguments surrounding a proposed national RES.

The United States experienced its hottest year on record in 2012, amidst a global trend where each of the last five decades has been the warmest on record. The document highlights the increasing frequency and cost of extreme weather, noting that 2011 and 2012 each saw more billion-dollar disasters than any previous year. Specifically, Hurricane Sandy caused nearly $80 billion in losses for New York and New Jersey, amplified by an 8-inch rise in global sea levels over the last century.

The report outlines strategies for U.S. companies to adopt on-site renewable energy, focusing on solar, wind, geothermal, and solar thermal technologies. It details various ownership and financing models—ranging from direct ownership to third-party power purchase agreements—and analyzes the associated financial incentives, operational risks, and corporate benefits such as cost hedging and brand enhancement.

The document defines Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) as tradable instruments representing one megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable electricity generation. It distinguishes between compliance markets, driven by state policies like Renewable Portfolio Standards, and voluntary markets driven by consumer preference. The text highlights the importance of third-party certification, such as Green-e®, to ensure credibility and outlines how factors like technology type and local demand influence pricing. It further clarifies that RECs differ from carbon offsets and explains the distinction between bundled green electricity and unbundled REC purchases.

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.