Search Climate Insights Directory

The document details the costs and benefits of three technology pathways—fuel efficiency, electrification, and low-carbon fuels—for New Jersey. It projects that by 2050, a total investment of nearly $122 billion will generate over $171 billion in returns, resulting in a cumulative net benefit of almost $50 billion. These transitions are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 353.6 million metric tons and save nearly 37 billion gallons of fossil-based liquid fuels by 2050.

The briefing outlines the transformational shifts in the US energy landscape as of 2018, highlighting the move toward 100 percent clean energy goals by states and utilities. It identifies six critical areas requiring urgent attention: the revision of grid and resource planning to accommodate new technologies, the reform of utility business models, the integration of beneficial electrification for heating and cooling, the proper valuation of distributed energy resources (DERs), the assurance of equity for low- and moderate-income customers, and the financial management of uneconomic fossil fuel assets, particularly coal.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) finds that over one-third of US nuclear plants are unprofitable or scheduled to close due to cheap natural gas and falling renewable costs. Without carbon-reduction policies, early retirements could increase US power sector emissions by 4% to 6% by 2035. The report recommends adopting carbon pricing or low-carbon electricity standards and conditioning any nuclear subsidies on strict safety performance and consumer protections.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that over one-third of US nuclear plants are unprofitable or scheduled to close, primarily due to low natural gas prices. Without new policies, early retirements could increase power sector carbon emissions by 4% to 6% by 2035 as plants are replaced by natural gas and coal. The report argues that national carbon pricing or a low-carbon electricity standard would preserve existing nuclear capacity, diversify the energy mix, and significantly reduce emissions with minimal impact on household electricity bills. It further recommends that any financial support for distressed plants be contingent on high safety performance ratings from the NRC and transparency in financial reporting.

The document argues that Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states can significantly reduce CO2 pollution and consumer fuel spending by transitioning to electric vehicles and low-carbon fuels. It highlights specific targets for emissions cuts and emphasizes the need for equitable investments that prioritize polluted communities and marginalized populations.

The document consists of a series of data tables (Appendix F) detailing the financial and environmental impacts of transportation decarbonization across several US states. It tracks costs such as incremental vehicle costs and charging infrastructure against benefits like gasoline and diesel fuel savings, as well as monetized greenhouse gas (GHG), NOx, and PM2.5 reductions. The data is split between 'MID' and 'HIGH' scenarios for each state, projecting outcomes through 2050.

The document outlines four key actions for state, provincial, and regional governments to address land use's role in climate change: sustainable land management, open space conservation, agricultural methane capture, and regenerative agriculture. It emphasizes that land use is best managed at the subnational level to capture rural impacts and cross-jurisdictional effects, noting that while agriculture, forestry, and other land use account for 24% of global emissions, the sector can offset this by 20% through carbon removal.

The report analyzes food loss in fresh tomatoes, peaches, processing potatoes, and romaine lettuce across several US states. It finds that loss rates vary significantly by crop, with romaine lettuce seeing the highest losses (average 56%) and processing potatoes the lowest (average 2.6%). Key drivers of loss include strict cosmetic standards, market price fluctuations, and labor shortages. While most lost produce is tilled back into the soil or used for animal feed, the report argues that creating secondary markets and improving information flows could reduce this waste and address food insecurity.

The document examines how a warming atmosphere increases the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation, contributing to higher inland flood risks in parts of the United States, particularly the Midwest and Northeast. It highlights that while climate change is a driver, land-use changes—such as development in floodplains and the removal of wetlands—significantly exacerbate flood risk. The report argues that current FEMA flood maps are inadequate because they rely on historical data rather than future projections. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, increasing funding for river gauge networks and flood mapping, and implementing nature-based infrastructure and stricter zoning regulations to discourage floodplain development.

The report warns that sea level rise puts hundreds of thousands of US coastal properties at risk of chronic inundation, potentially leading to a collapse in real estate values and a significant erosion of local tax bases. Using a high sea level rise scenario, the analysis projects that by 2100, nearly 2.5 million properties valued at $1.07 trillion today will be at risk. The authors argue that current financial markets and government policies mask these risks, creating a 'narrowing window of opportunity' for communities to adapt. The report highlights particular vulnerabilities for low-income populations, the elderly, and specific states like Florida and New Jersey, while advocating for updated flood maps, transparent risk disclosure, and a shift away from subsidized insurance and disaster aid that encourages rebuilding in high-risk areas.

The report details research and stakeholder discussions regarding the under-utilization of specialty crops in the US. It highlights significant in-field losses—such as 50% for fresh tomatoes and 36% on average for crops in North Carolina—driven by strict cosmetic standards and economic barriers. The document outlines four envisioned future states: implementing full-cost accounting for food, increasing ubiquitous access to healthy produce, integrating regional food systems with industrial agriculture, and removing food safety barriers to donation. It concludes with a practical example of 'concurrent harvesting' used by Imperfect Produce to create markets for 'seconds'.

The document analyzes the different approaches the U.S. and China take to overcome barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. While the U.S. relies on a mix of federal tax credits and varied state-level incentives, China has implemented more aggressive central government subsidies, a 'dual-credit policy' for manufacturers, and significant government fleet mandates. China's approach has led to faster growth in EV registrations and a larger network of charging outlets compared to the U.S.

The Clean Air Task Force argues that New Jersey's nuclear plants, specifically Hope Creek and Salem, are critical for maintaining the state's zero-carbon electricity share. The testimony asserts that replacing these plants with wind and solar would require an impractical scale of immediate buildout, and replacing them with gas would increase regional emissions by approximately 11 million tons annually, undermining goals like those of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The author supports a proposed subsidy of approximately $10/MWH to keep these plants operational as a low-cost interim measure.

The document details how JLL Partners took ACE Cash Express private in 2006 and the subsequent legal and regulatory challenges faced by the lender. ACE Cash Express, which operates over 1,000 locations in 23 states, has been cited for charging interest rates up to 661% APR and using coercive tactics to trap borrowers in debt cycles. The report highlights multiple settlements, including a $10 million payment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2014 and various penalties from state regulators in California and Washington.

The testimony asserts that New Jersey's nuclear plants are critical for climate protection, as they provide roughly half of the state's electricity from a carbon-free source. The author argues that premature retirement of these plants would lead to a substantial increase in carbon dioxide emissions, as replacing their output with wind and solar would require a massive, decades-long buildout. Specifically, replacing the Hope Creek and Salem plants would require 12 of the world's largest offshore windfarms or a 15-fold increase in solar output. The document notes that retiring these plants could increase regional emissions by approximately 11 million tons annually, hindering the state's ability to meet Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) targets. While acknowledging that subsidies may be necessary, the author points to New York and Illinois as examples where nuclear subsidies were lower than those for wind and solar.

The brief, submitted by Earthjustice on behalf of community members, contends that medical monitoring is essential for detecting and treating health effects linked to PFC exposure, such as various cancers and autoimmune issues. It argues that the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) does not bar private state-law claims for medical monitoring against potentially responsible parties, even while a federal clean-up is ongoing. The document highlights the severe health impacts suffered by residents near the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove and the Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster, and asserts that the District Court erred in applying CERCLA's 'Timing of Review' provision to block these health-related claims.

The document argues that federal light-duty vehicle standards set by the EPA and NHTSA provide significant financial and environmental benefits to New Jersey, including $750 million in savings to date and the projected creation of 16,000 new jobs by 2030.

A coalition of environmental and animal welfare organizations urges the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to withdraw proposed incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) for five industrial seismic surveys off the U.S. East Coast. The document argues that NMFS used outdated scientific thresholds to underestimate the 'take' of marine mammals, failed to account for cumulative impacts of multiple surveys, and ignored significant harm to prey species and acoustic habitats. It specifically highlights the risk to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, asserting that the proposed activity could be a "tipping point" for the species' survival. The coalition further claims that the proposed mitigation measures, such as seasonal closures and visual monitoring, are insufficient and not based on the best available science.

The Union of Concerned Scientists identifies numerous New Jersey communities facing 'chronic flooding'—defined as high tides flooding 10% or more of usable non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate scenario, 21 communities will face this by 2035, increasing to over 100 by 2100. Under a high scenario, 73 communities are exposed by 2060 and 131 by 2100, including Newark and Elizabeth. The report argues that reducing global warming could save 28 or more communities by 2060 and 45 to 73 by 2100. Recommended actions include updating flood risk maps, reforming insurance premiums, funding FEMA programs, and implementing population relocation strategies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) defines 'chronic inundation' as tidal flooding affecting 10% or more of a community's usable land at least 26 times per year. Under a moderate (intermediate) scenario, nearly 170 communities will reach this threshold by 2035, increasing to over 270 by 2060 and nearly 490 by 2100. A high scenario projects up to 670 communities affected by 2100, including over 50 populous cities such as New York City (four boroughs), Boston, and Oakland. The report highlights that socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods are disproportionately affected and argues that aggressive emissions reductions aligned with the Paris Agreement could spare hundreds of communities from this fate. Adaptation options include defending (seawalls, levees), accommodating (elevating homes, pumps), and managed retreat.