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The report argues that while next-generation geothermal has vast potential to provide clean firm power, its growth is hindered by a 'missing middle' financing gap, subsurface uncertainty, and outdated regulatory frameworks. It proposes five deployment levers: characterizing subsurface resources through data digitization and mapping, governing through streamlined permitting and clarified property rights, financing via procurement standards and convertible loans, connecting through improved transmission planning and workforce development, and innovating through sustained R&D and testbeds.

The Private Equity Hospital Tracker (2026) identifies approximately 447 private equity-owned hospitals in the U.S., representing 9.5% of all private hospitals and 26.8% of proprietary for-profit hospitals. The report highlights the dominance of a few firms, notably Apollo Global Management, and details predatory financial tactics such as sale-leasebacks and dividend recapitalizations. It also notes a trend toward joint ventures with nonprofit systems and a higher prevalence of real estate investment trust (REIT) ownership among private equity-backed facilities compared to the general hospital population. Quality data indicates that private equity-owned hospitals generally lag behind national CMS star rating averages.

The brief contends that the Department of Defense is violating the Administrative Procedure Act and statutory obligations by refusing to conduct reviews for over 100 utility-scale wind projects. It argues this freeze is a pretext for the Trump Administration's animus toward wind energy, which will result in increased electricity prices, higher pollution levels, and greater greenhouse gas emissions.

The document outlines a comprehensive framework for LDAR programs, emphasizing that well-implemented programs can reduce methane leaks by nearly 80%. It details the technical application of OGI cameras, a structured nine-step survey process—from planning to data reporting—and a typology of common leak sources such as valves, flanges, and compressor seals. The guide also provides regulatory benchmarks for survey frequency, repair timelines, and reporting templates to ensure accountability and effectiveness in methane mitigation.

June 2026 was the second-warmest June on record globally, with the Arctic experiencing its warmest June ever. In the U.S., 66% of the contiguous region faced abnormally dry or drought conditions by July 7, 2026, and the West and Southwest regions saw their warmest January-June period on record. A very strong El Niño is forecast to develop between October and December 2026, with an 81% probability, likely pushing global temperatures to or above 1.5C by October. Climate Central's analysis indicates human-caused climate change is a key driver of summertime warming in 91% of analyzed U.S. cities.

The document argues that current annual matching for scope 2 emissions often overestimates renewable electricity use and fails to incentivise the deployment of new renewables. It proposes 'hourly matching' (or 24/7 reporting), where electricity consumption is matched with renewable generation in the same hour. While 100% hourly matching can be costly, the briefing suggests that targeting a range of 80-90% can maintain emission reduction benefits while reducing costs. The document notes that hourly matching is becoming more viable, with 45 operational projects across five continents and tariffs available for 73% of global electricity demand. It advocates for a phased implementation strategy to allow for necessary data and grid infrastructure upgrades.

In Q4 2025, U.S. clean energy investments were characterized by significant uncertainty driven by a record 43-day government shutdown, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and Department of Energy (DOE) funding cuts. While utility-scale solar and storage remained strong, with $18 billion in actual investments, other sectors like wind, hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) faced substantial project cancellations. Nuclear energy showed signs of growth through large-scale partnerships and DOE loans, while the manufacturing sector saw $8.4 billion in EV supply chain cancellations, partly due to shifting federal incentives and corporate pivots toward gas and hybrid vehicles.

As of March 30, 2026, the western U.S. is experiencing a historic snow drought, with snow water equivalent at its lowest record for April 1 and 65% below the 1991-2020 normal. This condition is attributed to a record-warm winter and a record-shattering March heat wave fueled by heat-trapping pollution. Long-term trends from 1955 to 2023 show an 18% average decline in April 1 snowpack across 652 monitoring stations, with snow droughts growing 28% longer between 1980 and 2018. These trends increase risks for water supplies, hydropower, and wildfires, with projections suggesting a further 25% decline in snow water equivalent by 2050.

Earthjustice reports that the EPA has proposed a rule to gut the 2015 and 2024 coal ash regulations, which would exempt hundreds of dumps from regulation and allow companies to delay or avoid cleaning up toxic contamination. The briefing details specific proposed rollbacks, such as removing safety standards for waste piles and permitting higher levels of heavy metals in contaminated water. Earthjustice intends to challenge these actions in court and urges members of Congress to oppose the proposal.

Between December 2025 and February 2026, human-caused climate change significantly influenced global temperatures, with more than one in six people daily experiencing temperatures at least twice as likely due to climate change. In the United States, a sharp divide occurred: western states saw record-breaking warmth, with nine states experiencing their warmest December-February on record and Casper, Wyoming, recording the highest temperature anomaly globally among 960 analyzed cities. Conversely, the eastern U.S. faced below-average temperatures and cold snaps that the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates were made less likely by climate change. The record warmth in the west has led to low snowpack in Oregon, Colorado, and Utah, threatening water supplies and increasing wildfire risks.

An analysis of Texas oil and gas data reveals that methane waste is significantly underreported, with estimates suggesting actual losses are 3 to 4.5 times higher than official figures. The study finds that venting is the primary source of underreporting, particularly in low-production oil wells where economic incentives discourage gas capture. The report argues that current self-reporting systems are insufficient and recommends disaggregated reporting and more stringent regulations to reduce environmental harm and recover lost tax revenues.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) criticizes a $100 million DOE funding opportunity, "Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants," for diverting funds from carbon capture innovation to refurbish aging coal plants. CATF asserts this violates the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which mandates the development of transformational carbon capture technologies. Instead, CATF proposes that the DOE leverage the Office of Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Energy (HGEO) and the Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) to prioritize enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and the build-out of CO2 pipelines. The document highlights that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 has increased the 45Q tax credit for EOR to $85 per ton, creating a timely opportunity for deployment, particularly in Wyoming and North Dakota. CATF recommends using Other Transaction Authority (OTA) and FAST-41 permitting to accelerate infrastructure development and hosting industry convenings in Q1 2026 to better align funding notices with industry needs.

In 2025, the contiguous U.S. experienced its fourth-warmest year on record and 23 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, totaling $115 billion in damages. Globally, 2025 was the third-warmest year since 1850, with NOAA data indicating it was approximately 1.3°C warmer than the pre-industrial average. The year was marked by record-breaking December heat in the U.S. Southwest and devastating atmospheric river flooding in Washington and Oregon.

The Mona to Oquirrh transmission line, a 100-mile project completed in 2013, faced significant opposition from Tooele City due to a lack of early community engagement and a proposed route that threatened a valued viewshed. Despite initial refusals by Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) to reroute, the City used its ownership of a small portion of the land to launch legal challenges, including a temporary restraining order. This forced RMP into negotiations, resulting in a January 2011 settlement where RMP agreed to reroute the line behind the mountains and provide community benefits, including the purchase of 130 acres of open space and a $500,000 contribution to the Skyline Nature Park.

The report analyzes methane abatement policies across various jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, EU, Mexico, Nigeria, Colombia, and Norway, while detailing technical requirements for controlling emissions from equipment such as pneumatic controllers, pumps, and storage tanks.

The report outlines a comprehensive toolkit for U.S. states to decarbonize heavy industry, emphasizing a combination of financial incentives, demand-side market policies, and regulatory reforms. It identifies four critical subsectors—petroleum refining, chemicals, cement, and iron and steel—which together account for approximately 40 percent of U.S. industrial emissions. The guide details technology pathways including electrification, CCUS, and alternative production processes, while providing case studies from Missouri, Louisiana, and Colorado to illustrate effective state-level implementation of these strategies.

The document analyzes how employment in outdoor sectors—such as agriculture and construction—correlates with public concern about extreme heat in the US. It finds a moderate positive correlation overall, though this varies by region: concern is higher in the South and West but lower in the Midwest and Northeast. The briefing highlights the disproportionate impact of heat on marginalized groups and the economic risks of inaction, while comparing state-level heat protections and international policy examples.

The briefing examines how the prevalence of outdoor work correlates with worry about extreme heat in the U.S., finding a modest positive correlation at the county level and a stronger one at the state level, though results vary significantly by region.

The analysis finds a modest positive correlation between the proportion of outdoor workers and worry about extreme heat at the county level, though this relationship varies by region. While the South and West show positive correlations, the Midwest and Northeast show negative correlations. At the state level, a stronger positive correlation exists. The document also notes a gap between heat worry and the implementation of worker protections, highlighting that some high-worry states like Texas and Florida have blocked local heat safety standards, while California's 2005 standards are linked to a 30% reduction in heat-related injuries.

The report outlines strategies for clean energy developers to mitigate local resistance by prioritizing early, transparent, and inclusive community engagement. Using five case studies across various technologies, it emphasizes the importance of flexible siting, aligning projects with local economic goals, and establishing equitable community benefit programs. It also recommends policy reforms at the state level to streamline permitting and integrate clean energy into broader land-use planning.