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A group of environmental and scientific organizations argues against the EPA's proposal to include Arundo donax (giant reed) as an approved advanced biofuel feedstock. They cite the species' status as a high-risk invasive weed that threatens native vegetation and endangered species, noting that the high cost of eradication makes the ecological and economic risks outweigh the benefits of its cultivation under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The document details the U.S. effort to reach a goal of one million electric vehicles by 2015 through the development of 'deployment communities' and infrastructure. It describes federal initiatives like the Transportation Electrification Initiative and Clean Cities, regional efforts such as the Northeast Electric Vehicle Network, and commercial fleet adoptions by companies like Frito Lay and General Electric. It also lists specific legislative proposals aimed at increasing consumer tax credits and funding for community deployment and fleet upgrades.

The document outlines the impact of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) on global shipping emissions. It details operational strategies like speed reduction and virtual arrival systems, as well as technical solutions such as shore-based power, waste heat recovery, and air lubrication. Special attention is given to reducing black carbon and particulate matter (PM) through diesel particulate filters, slide valves, and water-in-fuel emulsification, particularly to mitigate the accelerated melting of ice in the Arctic region.

The document outlines the two primary forms of carbon pricing: emissions trading schemes (ETS) and carbon taxes. It details the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme as the world's largest, alongside regional programs like the RGGI in the US and the Tokyo Cap and Trade Program. It also lists numerous national carbon taxes, noting Finland as the first to introduce one in 1990, and describes hybrid systems in Australia and New Zealand.

The document details US efforts to reach a goal of one million electric vehicles by 2015, focusing on federal, state, and local deployment programs, the role of commercial and government fleets, and proposed legislation to incentivize PEV adoption and infrastructure.

The document examines China's energy landscape as of 2012, highlighting its position as a global leader in renewable energy investment and wind capacity despite a heavy reliance on coal for electricity. It details the growth of the solar and wind sectors, the environmental and water-related costs of coal combustion, and the climate goals established under the 12th Five Year Plan, including targets for non-fossil fuel use and the implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms.

The document examines requests from livestock and poultry producers to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to lower corn prices following a severe 2012 drought. It argues that such a waiver would provide limited short-term price relief while causing significant long-term economic and environmental harm, including increased oil dependence, higher gasoline prices, and discouraged investment in advanced biofuels. The brief highlights that the ethanol industry is already responding to high corn prices through production cuts and the use of blending credits, and emphasizes the RFS's role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing national energy security.

The document describes the technical operation of battery electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), noting that a range of 60 to 120 miles can satisfy the vast majority of daily travel needs. It details the 2012 U.S. market, highlighting the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF as dominant models and comparing specifications for several other vehicles. The text analyzes the economic impact of battery costs, the necessity of charging infrastructure, and the role of federal and state tax credits in making PEVs commercially viable.

The document examines requests from livestock producers and state governors to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to lower corn feed prices during a drought. It argues against a waiver, noting that ethanol production has already decreased, tradable credits provide flexibility, and a waiver would only marginally lower corn prices while severely harming the biofuels industry and its investments.

The author contends that the 2012 Farm Bill's energy title is critical for reducing U.S. oil dependence and stimulating rural economic growth through bioenergy investments. While the Senate version provides mandatory funding, the House version does not, which the author describes as a "death sentence" for these programs. The text highlights that in 2011, oil accounted for 93 percent of transportation fuel, creating a vulnerability exacerbated by volatile global prices and a $331 billion petroleum import spend. The author advocates for continued support of programs like the Biomass Crop Assistance Programs and the Biorefinery Assistance Program to develop feedstock systems and commercial-scale biorefineries.

The document distinguishes between all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), noting that EVs offer lower maintenance and no tailpipe emissions. It highlights that while the U.S. market is dominated by the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, new models like the Tesla Model S provide significantly higher ranges. The text identifies battery costs as the primary expense for PEVs, with projections suggesting prices could drop from $690 per kWh in 2012 to $160 per kWh by 2025. It also details the disparity between the 8,000 public charging stations and 150,000 gasoline stations in the U.S., and outlines federal tax credits up to $7,500 and various state-level incentives in California, Washington, and Colorado.

The brief highlights the role of the 2008 Farm Bill in stimulating the U.S. biofuels industry and reducing oil dependence. It details specific programs like the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and the Biorefinery Assistance Program, noting that while initial investments of less than $2 billion have shown promise, significant further investment is required to meet Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets for 2022. The author emphasizes that shifting to biofuels can improve energy security, support rural economic development, and mitigate climate change.

The document outlines four types of cool roofs—naturally cool, coated, insulated, and green (vegetated)—and details their capacity to reduce building energy use, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights specific benefits such as a potential 15 percent reduction in air conditioning energy for single-story buildings and the ability of green roofs to manage storm-water runoff, illustrated by examples in Washington, D.C.

The "Help My House" pilot program in South Carolina used on-bill financing to enable homeowners to fund energy efficiency retrofits, achieving 125% of its goal by February 2012. Supported by a $740,000 USDA Rural Utility Service loan, the program provided 2.5% financing tied to the electric meter, bypassing traditional credit checks. The pilot resulted in an average loan of $7,684 per home, with projected annual energy savings of 11,593 kWh and an average energy reduction of 35% per home.

On-bill financing allows homeowners to implement energy efficiency improvements by receiving low-interest loans from utilities, with repayments added to their monthly utility bills. This model overcomes upfront cost barriers and can achieve 'deep impact' energy savings of 20 percent or more, which traditional rebate programs often fail to encourage. The document distinguishes between tariff-based systems, which tie loans to the meter and can address landlord-tenant split incentives, and on-bill loans, which typically function as non-transferable personal or business loans. A South Carolina pilot program called 'Help My House' demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, achieving projected average energy savings of 35 percent per home.

The document describes small wind turbines (0.3 to 100 kW) as tools for distributed generation that reduce reliance on fossil-fuel plants and the electrical grid. It details the differences between horizontal axis (HAWT) and vertical axis (VAWT) turbines, the shift from off-grid to grid-connected systems, and the role of community wind projects. It highlights the United States' leadership in manufacturing and installed capacity, while outlining key federal incentives like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute advocates for mandatory funding within the energy title of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 to support sustainable bioenergy. The organization argues that investing in biofuels, biomass heating, and bio-based products will enhance national energy security, create rural jobs, and mitigate climate change by reducing reliance on petroleum fuels.

The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) is a proposed U.S. legislative initiative to provide low-interest loans to public and cooperative electric utilities, which in turn offer on-bill financing to rural homeowners for energy efficiency improvements. The program aims to reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions while creating local jobs. The briefing outlines the program's operational requirements, compares House and Senate versions of the legislation, and highlights existing on-bill financing examples in Kansas, South Carolina, and New York.

The report identifies a critical gap between climate science outputs and the operational needs of transportation practitioners. It argues that adaptation requires not only improved climate data—such as updated precipitation atlases and sea-level rise projections—but also a deep understanding of local non-climate factors like infrastructure elevation and soil saturation. The document emphasizes the need for a 'central clearinghouse' of information, better 'Climate-to-English' translation of scientific terms, and the integration of climate risk into existing asset management and budgeting processes. It highlights various pilot projects and tools, including the FHWA Risk Assessment Model and Toronto's Climate Change Risk Assessment Tool, as pathways toward increasing the adaptive capacity of transportation systems.

The author contends that increasing the ethanol blend rate from E10 to E15 would lower consumer costs and revitalize the domestic ethanol industry, which is currently facing production shutdowns due to market saturation. While the EPA has approved E15 for vehicles made in 2001 and later, the author warns that regulatory delays may prevent the fuel from reaching pumps for over a year, despite gasoline prices rising toward a projected $5.00 per gallon.