Search Climate Insights Directory

South Carolina generates nearly 2.2 million tons of coal ash annually, utilizing 22 ponds across 9 plants and several landfills. Many of these sites lack liners and leachate collection systems, leading to documented groundwater and ecological contamination by substances such as arsenic and nickel. The document argues that state regulations are deficient in dam oversight and basic operating safeguards for ash disposal.

The report details a concerted effort by the Trump administration and members of Congress to restrict judicial review, expand forced arbitration, limit class action lawsuits, and increase the financial risks of public interest litigation. It argues that these measures, often supported by corporate interests, undermine the constitutional system of checks and balances and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The document provides specific examples of pending bills and administrative directives that would shield government agencies and corporations from legal accountability, specifically citing impacts on the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and medical malpractice recovery.

The Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) program, launched in April 2019 by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA), provides on-bill financing for clean energy upgrades to approximately 95 percent of Hawaii's population via Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) customers. The program targets low-to-medium income (LMI) households—specifically those earning less than 140 percent of the area median income—to democratize access to solar PV and energy efficiency measures. By tying repayment to the utility meter rather than the individual, GEM$ allows for repayment terms up to 20 years and enables the transfer of obligations between tenants or owners, overcoming the rental split incentive. In its first nine months, the program funded $6.6 million in solar PV projects, with 78 percent benefiting LMI customers, resulting in 1.6 megawatts of installed capacity and 12,000 metric tons of projected avoided greenhouse gases. The program is funded by the Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program and is the first of its kind operated by a green bank.

The Help My House (HMH) Loan Pilot Program provided on-bill financing (OBF) for energy efficiency upgrades in 125 homes across South Carolina. The program demonstrated that low-interest loans tied to the electric meter could significantly reduce residential electricity use and costs while maintaining high member satisfaction. On average, participating homes reduced electricity use by 34%, with an average annual savings of nearly 11,000 kWh. The pilot's financial model showed that energy savings exceeded loan repayments, providing participants with immediate annual net savings and long-term financial benefits.

The document outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in South Carolina, asserting that specific policies could help the state meet nearly half of its carbon pollution goals under the EPA's Clean Power Plan. It highlights that combining private sector energy service contracts, national model building codes, and 100 MWs of new combined heat and power could avoid over 4.8 million tons of CO2 by 2030 and save residents $1.2 billion by the same date.

Lithium is a critical mineral essential for electric vehicle batteries and grid storage, with demand for these applications expected to reach 97% by 2035. While deposits are globally abundant, viable extraction is concentrated in the 'lithium triangle' (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile) and Australia. The United States relies on imports for over 50% of its consumption as of 2025, with limited domestic production and processing. Extraction and processing cause significant environmental damage, including water depletion in arid regions and toxic contamination, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities. Recycling remains limited but could potentially reduce the need for new mines by 25% by 2050.

The document consists of a collection of 45 figures mapping the FSEIS routes for nuclear waste transport through nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.

The "Help My House" pilot program in South Carolina demonstrated that on-bill financing can effectively reduce energy costs for rural residents without upfront expenses. By providing low-cost loans repaid through electric bills, the program achieved a 34 percent reduction in energy use across 125 participating homes, saving an average of $288 per home annually after loan payments. The model aimed to avoid billions in new power plant capital costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by targeting inefficient older homes and low-income residents who lack access to conventional financing.

Analysis shows that the weighted average cost of coal power in the U.S. rose from $36/MWh in 2021 to $46/MWh in 2024, a 28 percent increase that outpaced inflation. This rise is attributed to higher fuel, operations, and maintenance costs, as well as declining capacity factors. Despite these economics, some U.S. federal policies and state regulators have extended the lives of expensive plants, such as Plant Bowen in Georgia and the Hunter and Huntington plants in Utah, potentially increasing the financial burden on electricity consumers.

The document addresses the recent surge in U.S. electricity demand driven by data centers, manufacturing, and electric vehicles. It warns that utilities are defaulting to new gas plants, which risks creating stranded assets and conflicting with climate goals. The authors propose a portfolio of alternatives, including aggressive energy efficiency, the reuse of fossil fuel interconnection sites for renewables, demand response with large customers, and grid-enhancing technologies to improve existing transmission infrastructure.

The report provides a state-by-state breakdown of progress toward 2020 Clean Power Plan benchmarks, noting that some states have exceeded 500% of their goals while others show 0% progress. It highlights the role of energy efficiency, renewable energy standards, and regional initiatives in achieving these targets.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the climate and energy landscapes in China and the United States. For China, it highlights a 4.7% increase in CO2 emissions in 2023, the growth of non-fossil fuel power capacity to 53.9% of the total, and the implementation of the 'Carbon Peak' pilot program and the restart of the CCER market. For the United States, it notes a projected 1.9% decrease in emissions for 2023, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the focus on decarbonizing the power sector by 2035. The briefing also details the 'Sunnylands Statement' as a framework for bilateral cooperation on methane and energy transition, while noting tensions regarding trade policies and the potential impact of the 2024 US election.

The guide outlines five 'lessons' from wildlife to help humans navigate winter, focusing on energy conservation, active engagement with the environment, heat retention, resource preparation, and migration. It details specific animal behaviors—such as the torpor of brown bears, the insulating layers of musk oxen, and the migration of monarch butterflies—to suggest corresponding human mindsets for the season.