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The author contends that nuclear power has suffered a historic industrial collapse due to capital cost escalations and technical failures, making it uncompetitive against cheaper alternatives. The report highlights end-use efficiency as the most potent competitor, noting that well-designed industrial retrofits can save electricity at costs as low as $0.005/kWh. Other viable alternatives mentioned include combined-cycle gas turbines, wind power, and proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. The author further argues that moving away from civilian nuclear commerce would reduce the risk of nuclear bomb proliferation by making the acquisition of 'bomb-kit ingredients' more conspicuous. Finally, the text asserts that nuclear power exacerbates global warming by displacing more cost-effective energy-saving options, thereby increasing the opportunity cost of climate mitigation.

The document provides a detailed framework for 'restorative redevelopment' in the Nine Mile Run Watershed, focusing on shifting from conventional 'end of the pipe' stormwater conveyance to site-based infiltration and treatment. It details conceptual designs for four representative sites—Hunter Park, Edgewood Crossroads, Regent Square Gateway, and Sterrett School—and proposes a comprehensive policy framework to overcome institutional barriers to green infrastructure.

The document consists of email correspondence and letters between Amory Lovins (RMI) and Mark Mills (science advisor to the Greening Earth Society) following a Forbes article by Mills and Peter Huber. Mills argued that the Internet's energy demand is growing exponentially and will require significant continued reliance on coal-fired power. Lovins, supported by scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, challenged these claims as 'junk science,' arguing that Mills grossly overstated the power consumption of individual devices (PCs and routers) and ignored efficiency gains. The exchange concludes with Lovins accusing Mills of failing to respond to specific technical rebuttals and violating professional ethics by publishing private correspondence.

The report presents a model for urban watershed restoration in the Pittsburgh region, specifically focusing on the 6.5 square mile Nine Mile Run watershed. It argues for 'restorative redevelopment,' which embeds the removal of stormwater from sewer systems into the incremental process of urban renewal. By using 'green infrastructure'—such as bioretention areas, porous pavements, and cisterns—the model aims to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) while providing community benefits like beautification and recreational amenities. The report details four sample designs (Hunter Park, Edgewood Crossroads, Sterrett School, and Regent Square Gateway) that meet specific hydrologic and budget criteria, and recommends the establishment of a permanent coordinating body to manage the watershed across municipal boundaries.

The authors critique 'the new botany' of genetic engineering, contrasting it with traditional botany and evolutionary biology. They argue that transgenic crops are developed for patentability and profit rather than productivity or subsistence, leading to ecological hazards such as 'superweeds' and the disruption of species barriers. The text compares the trajectory of transgenic technology to that of nuclear fission, suggesting it follows a pattern of overreach and eventual failure, and advocates for a biologically informed agriculture focused on fair food distribution.

The paper argues that the transition to a hydrogen economy can be accelerated by first deploying fuel cells in buildings for co-generation and then in 'Hypercars'—ultralight-hybrid vehicles that require significantly less fuel-cell capacity. This approach allows for a decentralized hydrogen infrastructure using existing natural gas and electricity grids, eventually scaling up to bulk supply from renewable sources or carbon-sequestering natural gas reforming.

The report presents eight case studies of commercial and industrial facilities where energy-efficiency measures—specifically improved lighting, heating, and cooling—led to unanticipated gains in worker productivity and quality of work. It posits that because employee costs are substantially higher than energy costs, even a 1 percent increase in productivity can offset a company's entire annual energy bill. The findings suggest that designs improving visual acuity and thermal comfort are the most effective at driving these productivity gains.

The Hypercar concept, developed by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), proposes a 'whole-system' approach to vehicle design to achieve fuel economies of 90 to 200 mpg. This is accomplished through the synergy of advanced polymeric composites to reduce mass by 50-65%, aerodynamic improvements to cut drag by 40-50%, and hybrid-electric drivesystems that recover up to 50% of braking energy. The document asserts that these vehicles can maintain safety standards, including in collisions with heavier cars, and could be compatible with various fuels, including hydrogen via fuel cells. RMI estimates that production-volume Hypercars could appear in the early 2000s, with costs comparable to conventional vehicles.

The report examines a range of high-efficiency fixtures and systems to reduce residential water use. It highlights the potential of dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and faucets, graywater recycling, composting toilets, and rainwater collection. The author argues that while the 1992 U.S. standards significantly reduced per-capita indoor water use, further gains can be achieved through technology and native landscaping, while raising broader questions about sustainability and growth.

The paper assesses the state of advanced polymer composites in the automotive industry, noting that while automakers are exploring advanced technologies like fuel cells and hybrid drives, the composites industry remains fragmented and focused on niche applications. It introduces the 'hypercar' concept—integrating ultralight platforms with hybrid propulsion—and explains how 'mass decompounding' can lead to 'cost decompounding', making expensive materials economically viable. The authors contrast the passive approach of composites firms with the aggressive, whole-system strategies of the steel (e.g., ULSAB project) and aluminum industries. To avoid being squeezed out, the authors recommend ten strategic actions, including building a high-profile composite demonstration car, partnering with automakers, and collaborating through trade groups.

The document challenges the assumption that climate protection is a financial burden, asserting that energy-efficiency investments often yield returns exceeding 100% per year. It identifies eight categories of market failures—including capital misallocation, organizational failures, and perverse regulatory incentives—that cost the American economy approximately $300 billion annually. By shifting focus from theoretical economic models to empirical business evidence, the authors demonstrate that 'whole-system engineering' and 'barrier-busting' policies can reduce carbon emissions while increasing GDP and competitiveness. The report highlights that high energy prices are not the only driver of efficiency, citing Seattle's success in saving electricity faster than Chicago despite lower prices. It concludes that a market-transformation approach can stabilize the climate and foster economic growth globally, particularly in developing nations.

The paper proposes a 'hypercar' design—characterized by ultralight composite bodies and hybrid-electric propulsion—to overcome the traditional barriers to hydrogen fuel cell adoption. By reducing vehicle mass and aerodynamic drag, the authors argue that the required fuel-cell capacity is significantly lowered, making the technology economically viable sooner. Modeling of three PEMFC scenarios shows that such vehicles could achieve high fuel efficiency (up to 124 mpgequiv) and long ranges (approximately 925 km) with modest hydrogen storage. The document further suggests that the mass production of PEMFCs could be accelerated by their application in stationary building power systems, which could eventually displace traditional thermal power stations.

The document proposes the "hypercar" concept, which utilizes a recursive "mass decompounding" process to create ultralight vehicles. By combining advanced composites and hybrid-electric drives, the authors argue that cars can achieve significantly higher fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing performance or cost. The paper examines the lifecycle benefits of this approach, including reduced embodied energy in manufacturing, lower in-use emissions, and the potential for high-value recycling of polymer composites through processes like low-temperature catalytic pyrolysis.

The author outlines twelve fundamental transitions in electricity efficiency, moving from fragmented equipment upgrades to integrated, whole-system optimization. He argues that 'negawatts' (saved electricity) are often cheaper than new generation and that market failures currently penalize efficiency. The paper proposes eight improvements to make efficiency programs more cost-effective and critiques the concept of 'retail wheeling' as a distraction from the more significant shift toward wholesale competition and decentralized generation via fuel cells and superflywheels.

The document argues that 'hypercars'—vehicles combining ultralight advanced-composite bodies with hybrid-electric drivesystems—could dramatically improve fuel efficiency and emissions while challenging existing steel-based recycling infrastructures. Because current recycling relies on ferrous metal recovery, the shift to composites would render existing shredding processes unprofitable, necessitating new technologies like solvolysis and low-temperature catalytic pyrolysis to recover high-value fibers and resins. The authors suggest that 'clean-sheet design' and the inherent durability of composites could either slow fleet turnover or increase the per-vehicle profit for recyclers through the recovery of expensive materials.

The report presents four narrative scenarios for the future of U.S. municipal water systems in 2010, structured around two critical uncertainties: the extent of the federal government's regulatory and managerial role and the availability and cost of capital. The scenarios—'Mandate', 'Approaching Apocalypse', 'Seeking Camelot', and 'Off to Market'—explore how different combinations of these drivers, alongside factors like public health concerns, technological advances, and demographic shifts, could shape water infrastructure, quality, and management. The document emphasizes that these are not predictions but tools to help water managers and policymakers identify risks and develop robust strategies.

Amory Lovins advocates for 'green design' that integrates biologically informed human comfort, high-performance technology, and community-rooted architecture. He argues that combining Japanese sensibilities regarding dynamic environments with Western innovations—such as 'superwindows' and advanced daylighting—can reduce building energy use by 80-90% while improving productivity and well-being. The text highlights several case studies, including the ING bank headquarters in Amsterdam and DeMontfort University in England, to demonstrate that sustainable design can enhance financial performance and human health without increasing capital costs.

The paper presents a technical case for 'ultralight hybrid vehicles' (UHVs), asserting that fuel efficiency can be improved 3–4x over conventional cars without compromising marketability. It emphasizes that reducing tractive loads—through mass reduction, aerodynamic optimization, and low-rolling-resistance tires—is the most critical factor in making hybrid drivesystems cost-effective. Using the SIMPLEV model, the author demonstrates a design with a curb mass of 585 kg and a drag coefficient of 0.19 that achieves high fuel economy (up to 115 mpg on highways) and low emissions, while meeting strict performance criteria for acceleration and gradability.

The paper argues that achieving tripled fuel economy requires a systems-optimization approach rather than incremental improvements. It proposes a combination of carbon-fiber composite body-in-white structures, low-drag aerodynamics, and series hybrid-electric propulsion. Modeling suggests that such a 'leapfrog' approach can yield vehicles achieving 80-100+ mpg while maintaining family-sedan utility and safety.

RMI provides comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding its March 1995 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) on open-access transmission. The document argues for symmetrical economic rewards for demand-side resources and warns that rapid technological advances in distributed generation could render central thermal power plants and the traditional utility model obsolete.