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The report examines the environmental and health risks associated with dumping coal combustion waste (CCW), or coal ash, into active and abandoned coal mines across the United States. It argues that this practice, often labeled as 'beneficial use' or 'recycling' to bypass regulations, allows toxic metals to leach into groundwater and surface water. The document highlights the failure of the U.S. EPA and the Office of Surface Mining to implement necessary safeguards, noting that minefilling is driven by economic incentives, reducing disposal costs by 89 to 95 percent compared to engineered landfills. It specifically identifies the increased risks from Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) plants and provides case studies of contamination in Pennsylvania and New Mexico. The report concludes by urging the EPA to adopt the National Academies of Sciences' recommendations for mandatory testing, site characterization, and long-term monitoring.

Maryland generates over 1.9 million tons of coal combustion waste annually, ranking 23rd in the US. The state utilizes at least 31 landfills and minefills, as ponds are prohibited. However, the document highlights significant regulatory gaps, such as discretionary groundwater monitoring and a lack of financial assurance requirements. These deficiencies are linked to several contamination cases, including a $54 million settlement for the BBSS Gambrills site and documented groundwater pollution at the Brandywine and Faulkner facilities.

West Virginia ranks 4th in the U.S. for coal ash generation, producing over 7.2 million tons annually. The state's disposal infrastructure is characterized by aging, often unlined ponds with significant safety hazards and documented water contamination. The document argues that West Virginia's regulatory framework is deficient, failing to require basic safeguards, regular state inspections, groundwater monitoring, or financial assurances for cleanup.

The document presents a series of testimonials and official statements highlighting the systemic risks associated with using DOT-111 tank cars for crude oil transport. Key authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the U.S. Department of Transportation, describe these cars as prone to breaching during derailments, creating an "unacceptable public risk." The compiled evidence emphasizes that voluntary industry action is insufficient, calling for mandatory bans and updated safety standards to prevent catastrophic accidents in densely populated areas and environmentally sensitive regions.

The document outlines the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency in West Virginia, stating that specific policies could save the state $410 million and avoid over 5 million tons of CO2 by 2030. It emphasizes that these measures would assist in meeting 26% of the state's carbon pollution reduction goal under the EPA's Clean Power Plan and significantly reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.

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.

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 report examines the rise of "responsibly sourced gas" certification, specifically focusing on the certifier MiQ and its clients ExxonMobil and EQT. It contends that these certifications focus narrowly on methane emissions to create a "responsible" image for companies with poor environmental justice records, while the goal of certifying the entire global gas market by 2030 necessitates an increase in production that is incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program (CSBP) has funded over 8,000 electric school buses across 48 states, four territories, Washington, DC, and 65 Tribal school districts, with over 2,000 already delivered. Electric school buses are presented as a viable alternative to diesel-powered buses, offering health benefits by eliminating tailpipe emissions and saving districts an average of $100,000 in lifetime fuel and maintenance costs per bus. Additionally, the CSBP is credited with spurring a manufacturing boom, supporting 21 facilities across 13 states and creating thousands of jobs, with an estimate that each electric vehicle manufacturing job can create three additional local third-party jobs.