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Carbon Nation: Pushing for a Stronger Clean Power Plan
Earthjustice supports the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan but argues it is too weak. The organization calls for carbon pollution reductions of 35 to 40 percent from the energy sector below 2005 levels by 2020, a re-evaluation of the baseline to account for existing coal plant retirements, and the establishment of clear monitoring and enforcement requirements to ensure compliance.
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Document type: Statement
Public Transit Buses: Diesel or CNG?
A Clean Air Task Force (CATF) study indicates that new CNG buses are not necessarily superior to new diesel buses regarding air quality or climate impact. While CNG buses may have marginally lower particulate matter and volatile organic compound emissions, they can have higher nitrogen oxide and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the higher purchase price of CNG buses may limit the number of older, high-emitting vehicles retired per dollar of capital funding, potentially resulting in lower fleet-wide emission reductions compared to a diesel fleet update. The climate impact of CNG is heavily dependent on methane leakage rates during production and the choice of Global Warming Potential (GWP) timeframes (GWP20 vs GWP100). Despite these factors, low fuel costs and federal funding structures incentivize transit agencies to choose CNG.
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Document type: Statement
Comments on this important Clean Air Act rulemaking to revise EPA’s New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the oil and gas industry
A coalition of environmental organizations argues that the EPA's proposed rules for the oil and gas industry are insufficient. They demand the direct regulation of methane, the inclusion of existing sources, the elimination of exemptions for certain wells, and the regulation of hydrogen sulfide and particulate matter. The coalition also calls for more stringent toxic air pollutant limits and a more comprehensive health risk assessment for vulnerable populations.
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Document type: Statement
Statement by Conrad Schneider Advocacy Director Clean Air Task Force
The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) proposes a 'Clean Construction' policy for U.S. transportation projects, requiring the use of emission control technologies like Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) in PM2.5 non-attainment and maintenance areas. The proposal suggests funding these upgrades through project change orders, capped at 1% of total project costs, to mitigate severe health risks associated with diesel pollution while ensuring a fair bidding process for contractors.
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Document type: Statement
Delivering on G-20 Commitments: The path to fossil-fuel subsidy reform
The document reviews the G-20's 2009 commitment to phase out inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies, which were identified as drivers of wasteful consumption and barriers to clean energy investment and climate action. It evaluates progress made up to the June 2010 Toronto Summit and provides a roadmap with six recommended actions for the upcoming Seoul Summit in November 2010.
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Document type: Policy brief
Letter from the Green Economy Coalition to G-20 Ministers of Finance
The Green Economy Coalition argues that fossil-fuel subsidies drive climate change and obstruct sustainable development by distorting the cost of low-carbon energy. While welcoming the G-20's September agreement in Pittsburgh to phase out these subsidies over the medium term, the Coalition calls for greater urgency and specific measures to protect the welfare of the poorest during the reform process.
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Document type: Statement
climate Change in Pennsylvania Impacts and Solutions for the Keystone State
The report analyzes how global warming affects Pennsylvania's environment and economy, projecting severe risks under a higher-emissions scenario, such as the disappearance of snowmobiling, declines in dairy and fruit yields, and increased urban heat stress. It advocates for a transition to clean energy, citing Pennsylvania's role as the third-highest fossil fuel emitter in the U.S., and suggests specific adaptation strategies for infrastructure and natural resources.
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Document type: Report
Dirty Power
The report documents that fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants causes nearly 24,000 premature deaths annually, including 2,800 from lung cancer, and 38,200 non-fatal heart attacks. It argues that the Bush administration's 'Clear Skies' proposal is insufficient compared to the Clean Air Act or the more stringent Jeffords bill, which could avoid 22,000 deaths per year. The analysis highlights that elderly populations, children, and communities of color—particularly in the Midwest and Southwest—are disproportionately affected.
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Document type: Report
RE-EVALUATING STORMWATER THE NINE MILE RUN MODEL FOR RESTORATIVE REDEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL APPENDIX
The document provides a detailed framework for 'restorative redevelopment' in the Nine Mile Run Watershed, focusing on shifting from conventional 'end of the pipe' stormwater conveyance to site-based infiltration and treatment. It details conceptual designs for four representative sites—Hunter Park, Edgewood Crossroads, Regent Square Gateway, and Sterrett School—and proposes a comprehensive policy framework to overcome institutional barriers to green infrastructure.
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Document type: Report
RE-EVALUATING STORMWATER
The report presents a model for urban watershed restoration in the Pittsburgh region, specifically focusing on the 6.5 square mile Nine Mile Run watershed. It argues for 'restorative redevelopment,' which embeds the removal of stormwater from sewer systems into the incremental process of urban renewal. By using 'green infrastructure'—such as bioretention areas, porous pavements, and cisterns—the model aims to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) while providing community benefits like beautification and recreational amenities. The report details four sample designs (Hunter Park, Edgewood Crossroads, Sterrett School, and Regent Square Gateway) that meet specific hydrologic and budget criteria, and recommends the establishment of a permanent coordinating body to manage the watershed across municipal boundaries.
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Document type: Report
How the EPA can Save lives by cleaning up fine particle air pollution
The report recommends that the EPA strengthen PM2.5 standards to an annual limit of 11 µg/m3 and a daily limit of 25 µg/m3. According to the analysis, this standard would prevent up to 35,700 premature deaths annually and generate $281 billion in yearly economic benefits. The document highlights that current standards are insufficient and that vulnerable populations, including children and low-income individuals, are at higher risk from soot pollution.
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Document type: Executive summary
Climate 2030: A National Blueprint for a Clean Energy Economy
This report outlines a national strategy for the United States to transition to a clean energy economy to mitigate global warming. It proposes a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and a cap-and-trade program to achieve significant emissions reductions. The analysis emphasizes the necessity of meeting specific targets by 2020 and 2030 to avoid the most severe climate impacts, while highlighting the potential for these transitions to spur economic growth and job creation.
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Document type: Report
COMMENTS OF PJM CITIES & COMMUNITIES COALITION IN RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSIONS AND A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The PJM Cities and Communities Coalition (PJMCCC) submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the establishment of the Office of Public Participation (OPP). The coalition advocates for the unique role of cities as stakeholders and urges FERC to prioritize resources for environmental justice groups, frontline communities, and tribal organizations to ensure equitable energy market outcomes.
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Document type: Statement