Search Climate Insights Directory

The report argues that Eskom is facing a liquidity and financial crisis driven by stagnant electricity demand and the high costs of its coal-fired power construction programme. Through system-level modelling and station-specific analysis, the study finds that the levelised costs of operating older coal stations (Arnot, Camden, Grootvlei, Hendrina, and Komati) exceed their system alternative value, meaning they can be replaced by cheaper alternatives without compromising security of supply. Specifically, decommissioning Grootvlei, Hendrina, and Komati early could save Eskom R12.5bn in present value terms. Additionally, the report finds that cancelling Kusile units 5 and 6 is economically viable if capital cost savings exceed a threshold of approximately R4.7bn. The authors conclude that South Africa no longer requires new nuclear, coal, or gas procurement, as solar PV and wind have become the most competitive new-build options.

The report quantifies the health risks faced by millions of African Americans living near oil and gas infrastructure, highlighting elevated cancer risks and asthma attacks. It details the role of systemic oppression in siting polluting facilities in communities of color and calls for stricter EPA regulations and a transition to a clean energy economy.

The Private Equity Stakeholder Project and associated community organizations are requesting a meeting with TPG Capital to address the aggressive foreclosure activities of Rushmore Loan Management Services. The letter highlights Rushmore's role as a major owner of repossessed residential properties in Puerto Rico and its high foreclosure rates on mortgages acquired from Freddie Mac and HUD in Florida and Texas. In response to the impacts of Hurricanes Irma, Maria, and Harvey, the authors demand an immediate halt to all foreclosure proceedings in these affected zones.

The document argues that the traditional cost-of-service regulation (COSR) model creates a capital bias that hinders the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). To transition utilities into distribution system optimizers (DSOs), the author proposes integrated distribution planning (IDP) to reveal the locational value of DERs. Two regulatory pathways are examined: an information-intensive approach that separates the DSO function from asset ownership to create competitive markets, and an outcome-focused approach using performance-based regulation (PBR) to align utility profits with system optimization and public policy goals.

The document examines the challenges RTOs face as the U.S. grid shifts from large central generators to variable renewables and distributed energy resources (DERs). It argues that 'flexibility'—the ability to respond to changes in supply and demand across various timeframes—is essential for reliability and cost minimization. The authors recommend eliminating self-scheduling for all generators and imports, preserving negative pricing, and improving the coordination between natural gas and electricity markets. It also suggests creating technology-neutral products that value specific capabilities, such as ramping and frequency response, and highlights successful examples like MISO's Dispatchable Intermittent Resource category and CAISO's Flexi-Ramp product.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that New Mexico should strengthen its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 80 percent by 2040 to ensure a cost-effective transition from coal to clean energy. Modeling shows that renewables are the most economically favorable choice, offering significant capital investment, job growth, and public health benefits without substantially increasing consumer electricity costs. The report warns against utility plans to overinvest in natural gas, which could lead to stranded assets and higher climate risks.

The document highlights how Hurricanes Irma and Harvey triggered toxic spills and explosions at industrial sites and Superfund locations in Texas and Florida. It specifically cites the Arkema chemical plant explosion and benzene contamination in Houston's Manchester neighborhood. The text argues that these disasters are exacerbated by the Trump administration's delays of the Financial Assurance Rule and the Chemical Disaster Rule, as well as insufficient federal regulation of coal ash ponds. It emphasizes that low-income communities and communities of color bear a disproportionate burden of these environmental hazards.

The document analyzes the challenges that high levels of variable renewable energy (VRE) pose to current restructured wholesale electricity markets, specifically regarding the erosion of the price-duration curve's central gradient used for long-term cost recovery. It proposes two future market paths: one continuing to rely on spot markets enhanced by demand elasticity and storage, and another 'bifurcated' model that separates a long-term 'firm market' for capital-heavy assets from a residual spot market for real-time balancing.

The report argues that the electric vehicle revolution is inevitable due to falling battery costs and increasing consumer demand, making the urgent deployment of charging infrastructure a priority for U.S. utilities and regulators. It identifies high capital costs and unfavorable utility tariffs—specifically high demand charges—as primary barriers to the profitability of DC fast charging (DCFC). The authors advocate for a mix of Level 2 chargers for residential and workplace needs and DCFC for high-traffic corridors, supported by time-of-use (TOU) tariffs to optimize grid integration. Through case studies of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Ohio, and Texas, the report demonstrates how different regulatory environments and grid compositions influence the cost of charging and the potential for EVs to absorb excess renewable energy.

The analysis concludes that while Hurricane Harvey was an extremely rare event, global warming increased the intensity of its precipitation by approximately 15% and made such an event about three times more likely. Observational data and climate models indicate a trend of increasing extreme precipitation along the US Gulf Coast, often exceeding the standard Clausius-Clapeyron scaling. The study emphasizes that while the storm's rarity makes it difficult to attribute its existence to climate change, the increased rainfall intensity contributed significantly to the flooding in Houston, which was further exacerbated by urban development and subsidence.

The document asserts that federal light-duty vehicle standards set by the EPA and NHTSA in 2012 benefit Texas through fuel savings, job creation, and emissions reductions. By 2030, the average Texas household is projected to be $3,250 richer due to gas savings outweighing the upfront cost of more efficient vehicles. To date, Texas has saved $3 billion, and the standards are expected to create 24,400 new jobs in the state. Environmentally, the standards eliminate global warming emissions in Texas nearly equivalent to those generated by providing electricity to Houston.

The author advocates for the FUTURE Act, asserting that carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is a "critical-path technology" for climate change mitigation, particularly for power plants and industrial emissions. The document argues that current tax credits are ineffective due to low credit levels and caps, and that the proposed legislation would drive innovation and cost reduction by raising credit levels and implementing time-limits. The author notes broad bi-partisan and cross-sector support for the bill, including from energy companies, labor unions, and environmental groups.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies several Texas coastal communities, including the Bolivar Peninsula, Sabine Pass, and Galveston, that face chronic flooding—defined as high tides flooding 10% or more of usable non-wetland area at least 26 times per year—by 2030 to 2100 depending on the sea-level rise scenario. The document argues that reducing global warming to around 1.8°C could save between 7 and 16 Texas communities from chronic flooding by the end of the century. To address these risks, UCS proposes three policy categories: ending risky coastal development, improving existing disaster frameworks like FEMA, and creating bold new policies for population relocation and infrastructure investment in safer areas.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) defines 'chronic inundation' as tidal flooding affecting 10% or more of a community's usable land at least 26 times per year. Under a moderate (intermediate) scenario, nearly 170 communities will reach this threshold by 2035, increasing to over 270 by 2060 and nearly 490 by 2100. A high scenario projects up to 670 communities affected by 2100, including over 50 populous cities such as New York City (four boroughs), Boston, and Oakland. The report highlights that socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods are disproportionately affected and argues that aggressive emissions reductions aligned with the Paris Agreement could spare hundreds of communities from this fate. Adaptation options include defending (seawalls, levees), accommodating (elevating homes, pumps), and managed retreat.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies numerous Texas communities at risk of 'chronic inundation'—defined as high tide flooding 10% or more of usable, non-wetland area at least 26 times per year. Under an intermediate scenario, two communities (Bolivar Peninsula and Sabine Pass) will face this by 2035, increasing to 17 by 2100. In a high scenario, Galveston faces chronic inundation by 2030 and Port Arthur by 2070. The report argues that limiting warming to approximately 1.8°C could spare several communities from this fate and calls for updated flood risk maps, reformed insurance, and funded relocation programs.

The document details the health impacts of oil and gas industry air pollution in Texas, noting that toxic emissions increase cancer risks in 82 counties and ozone smog causes approximately 145,000 annual asthma attacks in children. It highlights that 2.3 million Texans and over 900 schools are located within a half-mile of active operations, and argues that the suspension of EPA standards for leak inspections further endangers the population.

The document outlines stakeholder feedback on the California Air Resources Board's (ARB) CCS Concept Paper, arguing that CCS is critical for California's GHG goals but requires flexible, risk-based regulatory frameworks to attract investment. The authors advocate for the integration of CCS into both the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Cap & Trade programs, express skepticism toward a 'checkbox' approach for permanence protocols, and propose a tiered, performance-based system for post-injection monitoring instead of arbitrary 50- or 100-year default periods.

The report examines the potential for electric vehicles to act as flexible loads to balance electricity supply and demand, particularly to mitigate the 'duck curve' caused by high solar penetration. It analyzes technical barriers, utility roles, and rate designs, concluding that managed charging can reduce system costs and emissions if aligned with clean energy availability.

The authors argue that the Proposed Plan underestimates the readiness and effectiveness of Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS). They assert that CCS is technologically viable, citing sixteen integrated projects in North America and the necessity of the technology for deep decarbonization in industrial sectors like steel and cement. The coalition recommends that the Scoping Plan explicitly include CCS for both industrial and power sectors, identify potential synergies with the reduction of toxics and criteria pollutants, and remove regulatory barriers, such as the requirement that carbon capture occur onsite at crude oil production facilities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) created the Clean Energy Momentum State Ranking to evaluate how US states are advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and vehicle electrification. California, Vermont, and Massachusetts are identified as top overall leaders. The report emphasizes that state-level policy is a critical driver of progress, particularly in the absence of consistent federal leadership, and that clean energy momentum creates jobs and improves public health by reducing power plant emissions.