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The North Plains Connector (NPC) is a $3.2 billion, 420-mile high-voltage direct current transmission project designed to connect the western and eastern electric grids. The developer, North Plains Connector LLC, has adopted a "landowner-first approach," prioritizing voluntary agreements over eminent domain and modifying the route by adding 50 miles to accommodate local siting requests. Community benefits include $3.9 million in grants distributed via local foundations, over $62 million in federal TSED grants secured for local infrastructure, and the creation of approximately 800 construction jobs. The project also facilitates expanded wind energy exports for the Standing Rock Sioux. While this high-upfront-investment model has reduced local opposition, the document notes it requires "patient capital" and its long-term financial efficiency compared to traditional development remains unproven.

In February 2025, U.S. temperature anomalies were split, with 92 cities warmer and 99 cooler than the 1991-2020 normal. Despite an average anomaly of -0.3°F and significant cold in the Northern Rockies and Plains, no city set a low temperature record for the month. Conversely, Phoenix, Arizona, recorded its hottest February on record. Analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates that temperatures in many cities remained warmer than they would have been without climate change, as more cities experienced days with positive than negative CSI values. Long-term trends show that 189 out of 191 analyzed stations have warmed since 1970, with Juneau, Alaska, being the fastest-warming station for February.

The document argues that repealing federal technology-neutral electricity tax credits (§45Y and §48E) would significantly increase household energy bills across the United States. Drawing on analyses from multiple research groups, it estimates that national annual household energy bills would rise by $40–$60 in 2030, $56–$150 in 2035, and $140–$220 by 2040. The report highlights that these credits lower costs by reducing investment expenses for wind, solar, battery, nuclear, and geothermal projects, savings which utilities are regulated to pass on to consumers. Repeal would likely lead to substantial price hikes in specific states, with some households facing increases over $500 annually.

The Federal Hydrogen Hub Program aims to establish a national hydrogen network through seven regional hubs, with funding distributed across four phases over 8-12 years. While hubs claim local economic and environmental benefits, the guide notes that many proposed projects may increase pollution or waste energy. As of January 28, 2025, the DOE has instructed all recipients to cease activities related to Community Benefits Plans, pending further guidance.

The U.S. hydrogen regulatory landscape is characterized by a fragmented system involving multiple government agencies across federal, state, and local levels. Federal oversight is distributed among agencies such as the EPA, DOE, and DOT, while states like Texas, Louisiana, and North Dakota have assumed specific permitting responsibilities, such as Class VI Underground Injection Control primacy. There is currently no federal regulation specifically governing the siting and operation of pure hydrogen pipelines, leaving such oversight to state and local authorities. To address these complexities, the DOE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office has funded projects to identify permitting and safety challenges across the value chain.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that industrial agriculture is the leading cause of wetland loss over the last 250 years, which increases flood risks and releases stored carbon. In the Upper Midwest, 30 million acres of wetlands provide approximately $23 billion in annual residential flood mitigation benefits, with long-term value estimated between $323 billion and $754 billion. The document urges the US government to use the upcoming farm bill to increase funding for USDA conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Easements, to protect these ecosystems.

Industrial agriculture is a primary driver of wetland loss in the US Upper Midwest, where 30 million acres of wetlands provide critical flood mitigation and carbon sequestration. The report estimates that these wetlands provide nearly $23 billion in annual residential flood mitigation benefits, with long-term value between $323 billion and $754 billion. Recent legal shifts, specifically the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA, have reduced federal protections under the Clean Water Act, leaving many wetlands vulnerable. The author argues that the next farm bill should expand the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) cap, increase funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and link crop insurance to conservation practices to mitigate flood risk and support environmental justice for marginalized communities.

The report details how Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund known for stripping local newspapers, has expanded into manufactured housing. Through its affiliate Homes of America, the firm has acquired over 10,000 lots in 138 parks across 17 states, spending over $275 million. The document argues that Alden employs a 'strip and flip' model, characterized by aggressive rent increases, high eviction rates, and the neglect of property maintenance to maximize profits. It highlights specific cases of resident displacement and financial abuse, particularly in Florida, and calls for state and federal policy interventions to protect vulnerable residents.

Ammonia is essential for global food security via fertilizers and is emerging as a critical low-carbon energy carrier and maritime fuel. While current production relies on fossil fuels—contributing over 1% of global GHG emissions—the transition to 'green ammonia' via electrolysis and renewable energy offers a path to carbon neutrality. RMI forecasts a 113% increase in US ammonia production by 2030, driven by hydrogen exports to the EU and the adoption of ammonia-powered shipping, provided that technical challenges and NOx/N2O emissions are managed.

The report argues that decentralized election administration in the US has created a patchwork of transparency policies that can undermine democratic legitimacy and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. It provides specific recommendations for improving the accessibility and accuracy of voter files, the transparency of ballot processing and tracking, and the implementation of robust ballot curing and risk-limiting audit procedures.

An analysis of 476 weather stations from 1973 to 2023 shows that fire weather seasons are lengthening and intensifying across the contiguous United States, with the most significant increases occurring in the West. While the East has seen more modest increases, both regions are experiencing a notable rise in fire weather days during the spring. The Southwest has seen the most dramatic growth, with some areas experiencing fire weather twice as often as they did 50 years ago.

The report examines the integration of community benefits into the US DOE's Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, emphasizing the shift from one-way notification to meaningful two-way engagement. It highlights the role of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) and Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in mitigating social opposition and ensuring that 40% of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities under the Justice40 Initiative. Through case studies of failed projects in Wisconsin and the Midwest, the document illustrates how a lack of transparency, misalignment with local visions, and insufficient engagement can lead to project cancellation or significant delays.

In 2024, WRI supported over 150 U.S. cities and counties in accelerating clean energy deployment and helped over 60 cities claim more than $12 million in tax credits via the Inflation Reduction Act's elective pay mechanism. The organization advanced next-generation geothermal technologies, launched a database of 50 community benefits frameworks for transmission projects, and supported the deployment of electric school buses (ESBs) through initiatives like the RVXDS project in California. WRI also focused on reforming power markets and grids, providing technical assistance to the PJM Cities and Communities Coalition and researching interregional transmission procurement.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated $12.1 billion to advance carbon management technologies in the United States. Two years into implementation, the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have launched several key programs. The Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program has selected nine FEED study projects and three demonstration projects, including the Baytown, Project Tundra, and Sutter projects. The Carbon Storage Validation and Testing Program has awarded funding to projects across multiple states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Wyoming, to develop large-scale sequestration and transport infrastructure. Additionally, the EPA has allotted $48 million to 25 state and Tribal recipients to support the regulation of UIC Class VI wells. In the realm of carbon removal, the Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs Program has selected two commercial-scale hubs in Texas and Louisiana for award negotiations. The document notes that while progress is underway, agencies have until 2026 to allocate remaining funds, and future success depends on shared transport networks and community engagement.

Climate Central analyzed precipitation data from 1969-70 to 2022-23 for the contiguous U.S., finding that while some regions have balanced seasonal rainfall, others rely heavily on a single season. Specifically, the West and Northwest are dominated by winter precipitation, while the Plains and Upper Midwest rely on summer rainfall. Climate change is altering these patterns, with a general increase in precipitation east of the Rockies and a decrease to the west. Warmer temperatures are increasing atmospheric moisture—approximately 10% more since 1970—which enhances extremes such as heavy downpours and intensifying droughts.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) provides a framework for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and selected Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to transition from application to action. CATF emphasizes prioritizing hydrogen for hard-to-abate sectors, ensuring transparency in project planning, coordinating funding across federal programs, and deepening community engagement to ensure equitable and climate-beneficial outcomes.

The Great Lakes region remains the heartland of US steelmaking, but its primary production assets face a critical transition to avoid becoming noncompetitive as global demand for low-emissions steel grows. While federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides significant funding and tax credits (such as 45V and 45Q), the report finds a lack of coordinated state-level industrial strategies. The document argues that the region must prioritize the adoption of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) pathways—specifically those using renewable hydrogen or carbon capture—to maintain high-quality jobs and reduce local air pollution. Key bottlenecks include grid interconnection delays for renewable energy, the need for Class VI primacy for carbon sequestration, and a lack of steel-specific workforce retraining programs.

The report identifies 19 private equity firms investing in 35 oil and gas companies that have received federal drilling permits since 2017. It estimates that U.S. taxpayers could face up to $384 million in cleanup costs for nearly 2,700 wells operated by these private-equity-backed companies across eight states, with Colorado and New Mexico facing the highest liabilities. The authors argue that the private equity business model—characterized by high leverage and quick exits—combined with outdated federal bonding requirements (averaging only $2,122 per well) and bankruptcy laws, allows firms to externalize environmental costs. The document also highlights 'greenwashing' strategies, such as the promotion of 'certified gas,' used to maintain investor support despite ongoing fossil fuel expansion.

A coalition of environmental justice organizations argues that the EPA's proposed regulations for the oil and gas sector must be strengthened to protect Black, Latine, tribal, and low-income communities. The commenters detail how these groups suffer disproportionate health risks from air and water pollution, economic burdens from orphaned wells and property devaluation, and heightened climate vulnerability. They recommend specific policy enhancements, including stricter leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements, the elimination of routine flaring, and more robust community monitoring and well-closure mandates.

The briefing outlines three primary pathways for climate action in the U.S. Midwest: transportation decarbonization through clean car and fuel standards, power sector decarbonization via 100% clean energy standards, and industrial decarbonization using hydrogen and carbon capture and sequestration. It highlights existing state-level commitments in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, and emphasizes the role of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act in providing the necessary financial incentives for these transitions.