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The report evaluates the potential for offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the US mid-Atlantic to compensate for limited onshore capacity. Using the SimCCS modeling toolset, the study identifies 199 facilities across 15 industry sectors with a total of 31.47 Mt of annual capturable CO2. It finds that while offshore storage capacity is vast—estimated at 621,221 MtCO2 across 125 candidate sites—the costs are significantly higher than onshore benchmarks, ranging from 95.5 to 147.9 $/tCO2. This cost disparity is primarily driven by offshore pipeline installation and storage expenses. The analysis suggests that capturing the full 31.47 MtCO2 would require a 7,789 km branched pipeline network and that emission prices between $95.5 and $103.5 per tonne could incentivize initial capture efforts.

The South Tacoma Warehouse Project involves a proposed warehouse complex on a 147-acre site containing wetlands and a Superfund site. Earthjustice highlights that the project would increase diesel truck traffic and greenhouse gas emissions in an area already overburdened by pollution and home to a disproportionate number of residents of color. Despite community opposition, the City of Tacoma approved a land use permit in April 2023 without requiring an Environmental Impact Statement under the State Environmental Policy Act.

As of December 2022, there are 5,612 committed electric school buses in the US, a significant increase driven largely by the EPA's Clean School Bus Rebate Program. While California leads in total numbers, adoption has expanded to all 50 states and is increasingly concentrated in low-income and minority communities, though the report emphasizes the need for continued focus on equity and infrastructure support.

The document details the presence of 88 coal ash dumpsites within two miles of the Great Lakes, consisting of 34 federally regulated and at least 54 unregulated legacy ponds and landfills. It highlights widespread groundwater contamination at these sites, noting that 91% of coal plants nationwide pollute groundwater above federal health standards. The report calls for the EPA to strengthen the 2015 Coal Ash Rule to eliminate exemptions for legacy sites and prohibit the use of coal ash as fill.

The report finds that if all 177 States adopting California's standards implement the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, U.S. emissions could be reduced by 1,310 million metric tons of CO2e by 2050. This adoption would lead to three-quarters of U.S. cars being electric vehicles (EVs) by 2050, creating nearly 300,000 jobs and saving households an average of $238 annually. The analysis emphasizes that while the IRA provides near-term incentives, the ACC II mandate is necessary for long-term electrification goals. Case studies for Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York highlight significant state-level benefits, including substantial reductions in asthma attacks and premature deaths, particularly in communities of color.

A case study detailing the successful opposition to proposed gas plants in Astoria, Brooklyn, and the Hudson Valley. By utilizing New York's climate law, the PEAK coalition and Earthjustice blocked these projects, leading to the transition of the Astoria site to an offshore wind connection and the development of energy storage in Brooklyn.

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the constant temperature of the earth to provide efficient heating and cooling with zero direct emissions. While installation costs are higher than fossil fuel alternatives, the Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits and rebates that can reduce these costs by up to 50%. In the U.S. Midwest, GHPs can reduce emissions by 85-90% compared to gas or propane furnaces and use approximately 80% less energy annually. The document highlights 'networked geothermal' systems for campuses and neighborhoods as a way to achieve over 500% efficiency and lower individual costs through economies of scale.

Embodied carbon, which accounts for 11 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, refers to the emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials. Reduction strategies include using carbon-storing materials like mass timber, adopting 3D printing and robotic automation, and implementing material efficiency through modular construction. In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act provides nearly $10 billion for reducing embodied carbon, while several states have adopted 'Buy Clean' laws. RMI research indicates that low-cost embodied carbon solutions can reduce emissions by 19 to 46 percent with cost premiums under 1 percent.

AFRODAD supports the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a necessary tool to ensure private creditors contribute to debt relief for African nations. The organization notes that 23 African countries are currently in or at high risk of debt distress, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict. AFRODAD argues that commercial credit via sovereign bonds is a primary driver of these crises, particularly in countries like Ghana, Zambia, and Kenya, and advocates for a reformed global debt architecture to prevent widespread defaults.

The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program provides financial aid to agricultural producers in 16 specific US states to manage financial risk through conservation, marketing, and crop diversification. Administered by the NRCS, AMS, and RMA, the program is permanently authorized at $10 million per fiscal year and covers up to 75 percent of the cost for conservation practices like agroforestry and cover crops to mitigate climate change.

An analysis of 215 U.S. locations reveals that 84% have experienced a long-term decrease in winter chill since 1980. This trend threatens the $27 billion U.S. non-citrus fruit and nut industry, as many temperate trees require sustained cold temperatures to ensure proper flowering, pollination, and fruit yield. The study highlights significant chill decreases in key producing regions, particularly in California, Washington, and the Southeast, affecting high-value crops such as grapes, almonds, and strawberries.

The report outlines the second phase of a project by the Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region and the Stockholm Environment Institute to identify emission reduction pathways. It builds upon a baseline emissions assessment of the region's counties to evaluate long-term mitigation potential, aiming to produce a final Climate Action Strategy with specific targets and measures.

The briefing highlights a severe energy affordability crisis in the US, where high fossil fuel prices and rising electricity rates are increasing household bills, with estimated winter increases of 10 percent for electricity and 28 percent for natural gas. It details how this burden disproportionately affects low-income, Black, and Latinx households, often forcing them to choose between energy payments and basic necessities. The document proposes a suite of regulatory solutions, including shutoff moratoriums, arrearage management programs, expanded outreach for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the implementation of fuel cost-sharing structures to protect ratepayers from volatile fossil fuel prices. Long-term recommendations include adopting totex ratemaking, performance-based regulation, and leveraging Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds to transition toward a clean energy system.

The report evaluates three emissions scenarios for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: an existing policy scenario, a low ambition scenario, and a high ambition scenario. It finds that while the high ambition scenario can meet the 2030 intermediate target of the CLCPA, none of the current scenarios are sufficient to meet the 85% reduction goal by 2050. Key challenges include high emissions from enteric fermentation in dairy cows and methane leakage from large landfills. The analysis emphasizes the need for a carbon-free grid, electrification of transport and heating, and enhanced agricultural manure management.

The report establishes a baseline emissions inventory for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, identifying transportation, agriculture, and residential heating as primary emission sources. It details a methodology aligned with New York State and IPCC guidelines, providing county-level breakdowns and a baseline projection that suggests a slight increase in total emissions by 2050.

The report identifies a critical need for coordinated transmission planning to integrate projected offshore wind (OSW) generation, which could reach 200-460 GW by 2050. It argues that current incremental, project-by-project interconnection processes are inefficient and costly. Proactive planning is projected to save U.S. consumers at least $20 billion, reduce shore crossings and onshore upgrades by 60-70%, and decrease marine cable installations by 50%. The document outlines significant barriers, including siloed planning, lack of HVDC technology standardization, and uncertain tax credits. It provides a phased roadmap of 12 recommendations, ranging from immediate staffing increases and the creation of multi-state decision-making bodies to long-term grid operation and wholesale market design modifications.

The report documents 203 incidents of anti-drag mobilization in the US, noting an increase in activity in early 2023 compared to late 2022. It identifies a diverse coalition of actors—including the Proud Boys, parents' rights groups, and anti-vaccine activists—who employ tactics such as doxxing, vandalism, and the 'groomer' narrative to intimidate performers and venues. The analysis highlights the real-world consequences of this hate, including the cancellation of events and the financial distress of small businesses.

The report identifies 1,135 private equity-backed healthcare deals in 2023, noting a decline from 2021 peaks due to high interest rates and labor shortages. While outpatient care, dental care, and medtech were the most active subsectors, the report warns that the private equity model of short-term profit and high debt leads to cost-cutting and bankruptcies, as seen with Envision Healthcare and GenesisCare. It recommends expanding federal and state pre-merger reviews to protect healthcare quality and access.

In 2023, private equity dealmaking in US healthcare continued a two-year decline from its 2021 peak, driven by high interest rates and labor shortages. Despite this, the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) identified 1,135 unique deals, with add-on acquisitions comprising 64% of activity. Outpatient care, dental care, health IT, and medtech were the most active subsectors. The report highlights that high debt loads associated with private equity ownership led to several major bankruptcies in 2023, including Envision Healthcare and GenesisCare. PESP argues that the pursuit of short-term returns often results in cost-cutting that harms care quality and recommends expanding federal and state pre-merger review processes to include all private equity-backed healthcare transactions.

The document outlines how electric vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks, reduce climate pollution and public health risks compared to internal combustion engines. It highlights that EVs have lower lifetime greenhouse gas emissions despite higher manufacturing footprints and emphasizes the need for expanded charging infrastructure to ensure equitable access. The text specifically details California's leadership in mandating zero-emissions vehicles and investing in electric transit and trucking infrastructure.