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Margaret Bowman of the Walton Family Foundation outlines a vision for addressing water shortages in the Colorado River basin through agricultural modernization, urban efficiency, and water recycling. She argues that these strategies can close a projected water supply gap of 3.2 million acre feet by 2060, provided there is political will to scale local successes to a regional level.

This 2014 fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines federal climate change adaptation and resiliency efforts in the United States. It details the economic impacts of extreme weather events in 2012, analyzes proposed and passed legislation such as the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, and reviews executive actions and agency-specific adaptation plans from the Obama administration.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines federal climate change adaptation and resiliency efforts in the United States as of January 2014. It details the economic impacts of extreme weather in 2012, analyzes legislative proposals and executive orders aimed at increasing national resilience, and reviews the specific adaptation plans developed by various federal agencies.

This policy brief analyzes the controversy over the EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) in Texas. It refutes claims by Texas officials and Luminant Generation Co. that the rule would jeopardize the electric grid or cause excessive job losses, arguing that many plants already possess the necessary control technology. The document asserts that Texas's inclusion in the SO2 program was justified by emission data and that the rule would significantly improve public health within the state.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute argues against reforming or repealing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), asserting that the policy has successfully reduced petroleum dependence and stimulated the rural economy. While acknowledging challenges such as land use change and the 'blend wall,' the author contends that these issues should be addressed through the Farm Bill and EPA flexibility rather than statutory changes, which could jeopardize billions in private investment in next-generation biofuels.

A support letter from a coalition of national, state, and regional groups urging U.S. congressional conferees to re-authorize the Farm Bill's energy title with $900 million in mandatory funding over five years.

This research paper by Ellen Vaughan and Jim Turner argues that mandatory, minimum building codes are the most effective and least expensive method to protect public health, safety, and the environment. The authors advocate for the adoption and enforcement of current model codes—specifically those updated every three years—to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and vulnerability to natural disasters while stimulating economic innovation in the building sector.

The Help My House pilot project in South Carolina provided no-upfront-cost energy efficiency upgrades—including heat pumps and insulation—to electrical cooperative members. The program reduced average electricity use by 34%, saving participants an average of $288 annually during loan repayment and projected savings of over $1,100 annually thereafter, with over 90% of participants reporting satisfaction.

This 2013 issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the funding crisis of the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted in 20 years. The document analyzes the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various policy options—including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees—to close a $112 billion annual funding gap.

This issue brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It details various storage technologies—ranging from pumped hydro and compressed air to advanced batteries and flywheels—and analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies, specifically FERC orders and Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives, in overcoming implementation barriers.

This policy brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It provides a technical overview of various storage methods, analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies and legislation, and highlights specific large-scale implementation projects across the United States.

This policy brief examines the funding crisis facing the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted since 1993. It details the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various proposed solutions including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees.

This statement from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute argues that U.S. forests are increasingly transitioning from carbon sinks to carbon emitters due to climate change, droughts, and wildfires. It highlights a critical funding gap for hazardous fuel reduction and ecosystem restoration, suggesting that expanding markets for wood products and bioenergy could provide a sustainable financial model for forest management.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides data on 'green' jobs in the United States, with a specific focus on employment within the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. It compiles figures from various government agencies, national laboratories, and industry associations to estimate current employment levels and project future job growth.

The Help My House pilot program in South Carolina demonstrated that on-bill financing (OBF) can effectively drive residential energy efficiency, particularly for low-income households. Retrofits in 125 homes reduced average electricity use by 34% (approx. 11,000 kWh/year), with over 80% of participants seeing energy savings that exceeded their loan payments. The program significantly increased member satisfaction with electric cooperatives and led several cooperatives to establish permanent OBF programs. While the pilot showed minimal impact on system load factor, it highlighted the potential for OBF to defer expensive new generation investments and reduce CO2 emissions.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes combined heat and power (CHP) technology, which integrates the production of heat and electric power into a single process to increase energy efficiency and reliability. It details the current state of CHP in the United States, its economic and environmental benefits, its role in disaster resilience, and the policy barriers and goals associated with its expansion.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) urges representatives to support a strong conservation title in the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 to improve the sustainability of agricultural and biofuel production.

A letter from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute to members of the House of Representatives urging the inclusion of mandatory funding for energy programs within the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013 to support bio-based industries and renewable energy.

A letter from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) to U.S. Senators urging the inclusion of $1.3 billion in mandatory funding for the energy title of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 to support sustainable bio-based products and energy industries.

This EESI fact sheet examines the role of landfills as a major source of anthropogenic methane in the United States and discusses strategies for mitigating these emissions. It highlights the EPA's regulatory role and the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), which helps convert landfill gas (LFG) into energy. The document provides economic comparisons between electricity-generation and direct-use LFG projects, noting that while existing capture systems make projects more profitable, new installations may require additional revenue streams like tax credits to be viable.