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The briefing provides a historical analysis of nuclear waste siting in the United States, asserting that the Department of Energy (DOE) has consistently failed to secure long-term consent for high-level waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF) repositories. The author highlights a pattern of broken promises, litigation, and the failure of both the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) and the 'volunteer' process managed by the Nuclear Waste Negotiator. Key examples include the legal battles over the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and the non-consent of the Nevada state government regarding Yucca Mountain. The document concludes that the DOE's lack of reliability makes it unlikely that future consent agreements for consolidated storage or repositories will be trusted or successful.

The document argues that energy efficiency is the lowest-cost method for reducing emissions and managing energy demand in North Dakota. It recommends expanding loan programs, adopting utility performance incentives, and opting into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP). The authors claim that implementing specific energy-efficiency policies could meet 20 percent of North Dakota's 2030 compliance goal under the Clean Power Plan, potentially saving residents $335 million and avoiding over 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The document analyzes the evolution of ethanol use in the U.S., noting that while E10 blends have reduced oil dependence, corn-based ethanol causes significant environmental damage and can spike global food prices. It argues for a shift toward advanced biofuels derived from wastes, agricultural residues, and perennial crops to lower lifecycle emissions and protect biodiversity. The report forecasts that by 2050, emissions from biorefineries, agriculture, and land use can be substantially reduced through technological optimization and smarter crop choices.

The report identifies a 'methane emission gap' between the Obama Administration's goal to reduce oil and gas methane pollution by 40–45% from 2012 levels by 2025 and the actual impact of its proposed regulations. It finds that proposed standards primarily target new and modified sources, while existing sources are projected to represent 90% of the sector's total methane emissions in 2018. To close the gap of at least 75 million metric tons CO2e, the report recommends requiring leak detection and repair, non-emitting pneumatic technologies, and the capture of gas from oil wells for existing sources.

The report identifies and assesses nine technologies to reduce the flaring of associated gas in US tight oil fields, concluding that Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) recovery, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucking, and Gas-to-Power (for local loads) are the most mature and scalable options. It highlights that flaring in the Bakken and Eagle Ford basins reached approximately 125 billion cubic feet per year by 2013. The analysis emphasizes that while technical solutions exist, robust regulations are necessary to eliminate routine flaring. A case study on Alaska's Shublik formation suggests that while the region has high potential, its remoteness and harsh climate necessitate early infrastructure planning to avoid future flaring.

The document argues that flaring of associated gas in the Little Missouri National Grassland (LMNG) is unnecessary because CNG trucking is a profitable alternative for a majority of flaring wells. In January 2015, approximately 30% of gas produced within the LMNG was flared. Analysis shows that 61% of wells flaring gas from the Federal mineral estate in and around the LMNG could economically use CNG trucking, which could have captured 83% of the gas flared from those specific wells. If all wells within the LMNG boundaries are considered, 89% of flared gas could be trucked. The author contends that oil producers flare for convenience to prioritize oil production and urges the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and state regulators to phase out flaring.

The report outlines a toolkit for local governments to manage the rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development, such as hydraulic fracturing. It details regulatory options like zoning and setbacks, non-regulatory strategies including community engagement and contractual agreements, and fiscal tools such as severance taxes and road maintenance agreements. The document emphasizes the challenge of state-level preemption and the need for local officials to act as 'honest brokers' between industry and concerned residents.

The document evaluates technical and commercial viability for several associated gas utilization technologies in US tight oil fields. It identifies gas gathering, CNG trucking, NGL recovery, gas-to-power, and Mini-GTL MT as technologies that pass initial screening, while gas reinjection, Mini-LNG, Mini-GTL FT, and ammonia production are rejected due to scale, maturity, or economic constraints. The report provides detailed technical specifications, cost models, and case studies for these options, specifically focusing on the Bakken region of North Dakota.

Tight oil, also known as shale oil, is extracted from impermeable rock using hydraulic fracturing, a process that is more energy-intensive and polluting than conventional drilling. In the United States, tight oil's share of domestic production rose from 23 percent in 2011 to 45 percent in 2013. Key environmental concerns include flaring of associated natural gas, fugitive methane emissions, and pollution of water, air, and noise. The document argues that transitioning to cleaner transportation technologies and improving extraction infrastructure can reduce the reliance on and emissions from tight oil.

The report identifies the U.S. oil and gas industry as the largest industrial source of methane and argues that the EPA should issue nationwide standards under the Clean Air Act to target the sector's top emitting sources. The authors propose three primary categories of intervention: regular leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs, the replacement of outdated compressors and pneumatic equipment, and the capture of gas from oil and gas wells. These measures are estimated to reduce annual methane emissions by 3.2 to 3.7 million metric tons, a reduction of 42% to 48% of the sector's total. The report emphasizes that direct methane standards would be significantly more effective than regulating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or relying on voluntary programs. The estimated cost of these measures is low, ranging from $8 to $18 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, and would represent less than 1% of the industry's sales revenue.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that increasing Minnesota's renewable energy standard to 40 percent by 2030 would drive over $6 billion in new capital investments and reduce reliance on imported electricity without significantly impacting retail rates. The analysis indicates that such a policy would increase wind capacity to nearly 6,000 MW and utility-scale solar to over 600 MW by 2030. While a strengthened RES helps position the state to comply with the EPA's Clean Power Plan, the report notes that coal would still provide 38 percent of electricity in 2030 without additional policy actions. The authors recommend combining the strengthened RES with an increased energy efficiency standard of 2 percent annually by 2020.

Earthjustice, on behalf of Sierra Club and ForestEthics, petitions the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ban legacy DOT-111 tank cars for transporting highly flammable crude oil. The petition argues that these cars pose an "unacceptable public risk" due to high failure rates in derailments, citing disasters in Lac Mégantic, Aliceville, and Casselton. While the DOT has initiated rulemaking and issued operational emergency orders, the petitioners contend these actions are insufficient and too slow to address the imminent hazard. They highlight that Canada has already implemented bans and surcharges on these cars, which may inadvertently push the most dangerous tank cars into the U.S. fleet. The document advocates for an immediate emergency order to bridge the gap until a formal rulemaking process establishes more robust safety standards, such as the CPC-1232 specifications or newer designs.

The document analyzes natural gas flaring in the Bakken formation of North Dakota, noting that in 2013, 32% of all produced gas was flared. It disputes the claim that slow federal permitting for pipelines is the primary driver of flaring, providing data that 72% of 2013 flaring occurred on private or state-owned land and 57% of statewide flaring came from wells already connected to gathering pipelines. The author argues that flaring is instead caused by insufficient infrastructure capacity, lack of front-end planning, and investment gaps, and opposes HR 4293, which would allow the Secretary of Interior to bypass the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for pipeline and compressor station permits on federal lands.

In 2013, the oil and gas industry in the Bakken formation of North Dakota flared 32% of all produced gas. Analysis shows that 57% of statewide flaring occurred at wells already connected to gathering pipelines, and the majority of flaring (72%) took place on private or state-owned land. While flaring rates were higher on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (46%) compared to the statewide average, rates on Federal public lands were slightly lower than those on private or state land.

The report details the 'Lake Winnipeg Bioeconomy Project', which investigates the use of cattail (Typha spp.) as a sustainable biomass feedstock. Through pilot harvests at Pelly’s Lake, Manitoba, the study demonstrates that using a rotary disc mower with conditioning rolls improves harvesting efficiency and drying times, enabling the use of large square balers. The harvested biomass was processed into solid fuel cubes and biocarbon (biochar), with the latter showing a higher heating value (31.41 MJ/kg) than wheat straw biocarbon (23.75 MJ/kg). Nutrient analysis indicates that cattail ash can serve as a potassium-rich fertilizer, though its phosphorus is largely insoluble at neutral pH. The report estimates the total cattail biomass resource in southern Manitoba between 2.7 and 5.4 megatonnes per year.

The document asserts that CCS is the only available technology allowing coal and gas power generation at near-zero emissions and is a 'Best System of Emission Reduction' under the Clean Air Act. It highlights the flexibility of the EPA's proposed rules, such as an emission limit of 1100 lbs/MWh and an eight-year compliance window, which allow for partial capture. The testimony provides evidence of CCS deployment in industrial and power sectors, including projects like the Dakota Gasification Plant and the Texas Clean Energy Project. It also addresses the economic viability of CCS, noting that enhanced oil recovery (EOR) can offset costs, and argues that U.S. geologic storage capacity is sufficient to handle power sector emissions for a century or more, countering concerns about induced seismicity.

The report examines the risks associated with unconventional oil and gas development, specifically hydraulic fracturing, in the United States. It identifies significant threats to groundwater and surface water quality, air pollution, and induced seismic activity from wastewater injection. The authors highlight how corporate and political interference—including 'trade secret' exemptions and non-disclosure agreements—hampers scientific research and public knowledge. It critiques the 'patchwork' of state laws and federal loopholes, such as the 'Halliburton loophole,' and recommends mandatory baseline monitoring, full chemical disclosure, and the closing of federal regulatory gaps to protect public health and the environment.

The report details a September 2013 briefing on America’s Power Plan (APP), focusing on the transition to a high-renewables future in the U.S. Midwest. It examines the need for new utility business models to handle decarbonization and distributed energy resources (DERs), highlights Minnesota's legislative progress on solar and renewable standards, and discusses Xcel Energy's experience integrating variable wind power. Key recommendations include adopting performance-based regulation, streamlining 'soft costs' for solar PV, and integrating distribution planning into state resource processes.

The report details a workshop on U.S. nuclear weapons surety, distinguishing between safety (preventing accidental detonation) and security (preventing unauthorized use). While participants generally felt existing warheads were safe, they expressed greater concern over security and use control. The document examines the trade-offs of adding intrinsic surety features—such as insensitive high explosives (IHE)—during life extension programs (LEPs), noting that such changes can risk reliability and increase costs. It emphasizes that improvements outside the nuclear explosive package are faster and lower-risk. Additionally, the report addresses cybersecurity threats to command and control networks and the challenges of maintaining a 'foolproof' system involving human operators.

The report examines the legislative landscape for harvesting cattails and similar ecological biomass in Manitoba, concluding that such activities are not currently explicitly covered by federal or provincial legislation. It proposes two management frameworks: a private benefit scenario modeled on resource extraction like wild rice harvesting, and a publicly funded land management assistance scenario using contracts or incentives.