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The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) created the Clean Energy Momentum State Ranking to evaluate how US states are advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and vehicle electrification. California, Vermont, and Massachusetts are identified as top overall leaders. The report emphasizes that state-level policy is a critical driver of progress, particularly in the absence of consistent federal leadership, and that clean energy momentum creates jobs and improves public health by reducing power plant emissions.

The Union of Concerned Scientists ranked U.S. states on their clean energy momentum using 12 metrics divided into technical progress, direct effects, and policy environments. California ranked first overall, followed by Vermont and Massachusetts. The analysis found that 13 percent of U.S. electricity was generated from renewable energy in 2015, and 36 percent of generating capacity being built between 2016 and 2019 is expected to be renewable. Significant reductions in power plant emissions were noted between 2011 and 2015, with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide declining by 47, 24, and 11 percent, respectively.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) evaluated the 50 US states using 12 indicators to rank their progress in clean energy, focusing on renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and transport electrification. California leads the ranking, followed by Vermont and Massachusetts. The analysis highlights that clean energy progress is tangible across the US, with wind farms in 41 states and over half a million electric vehicles on the road. The report argues that state-level leadership is critical for job creation and public health improvements, and recommends that states adopt multi-dimensional policies, facilitate corporate participation, and improve energy equity for low-income and minority communities.

The report analyzes the climate impact of electric vehicles (EVs) based on the electricity sources used for charging across different U.S. regions. It finds that while EVs generally produce fewer emissions than gasoline cars, their full potential depends on decarbonizing the power grid by shifting from coal and natural gas to renewable energy. The document also highlights the inherent efficiency of electric drive and the synergistic potential between EVs and renewable energy integration.

The report examines the lifecycle emissions of major transportation fuels, finding that while electricity and biofuels are becoming cleaner, oil is becoming more polluting due to the shift toward unconventional sources like tar sands and fracking. It advocates for the 'Half the Oil' plan to reduce U.S. oil use by 50% by 2035 and calls for greater corporate accountability, transparency in emissions reporting, and a shift toward renewable electricity and non-food biofuels.

The report argues that while vehicle tailpipe emissions are decreasing due to efficiency gains, the overall climate impact of gasoline is rising because the oil industry is shifting toward more energy-intensive and polluting extraction and refining methods. It highlights the high emissions from depleted wells, tight oil (fracking), and tar sands, and calls for increased transparency, the elimination of routine flaring, and a transition to cleaner fuels to reduce the projected 100 billion barrels of oil consumption between 2015 and 2035.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) argues that the impact of self-driving vehicles depends on policy guidance. To prevent increased vehicle miles traveled and emissions, the UCS recommends pairing autonomous technology with low-carbon vehicles, integrating them with mass transit, and incentivizing shared rides. The brief also emphasizes the need for equitable access, a 'just transition' for displaced workers in trucking and taxi industries, and open data-sharing to inform science-based policy.

The document provides an overview of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and its potential societal impacts. It highlights risks including increased vehicle miles traveled, potential for increased climate emissions if gasoline-powered, and algorithmic biases in detecting people of color and children. To address these, the Union of Concerned Scientists proposes seven guiding principles focusing on safety, clean vehicles, integrated transit, improved access, just transition for workers, public accountability, and livable communities.

A group of Maine-based scientists urges Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to vote against the nomination of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator, arguing that his record of challenging science-based public health standards threatens the health and safety of Maine's residents.

The document advocates for a transition from flat electricity rates to time-varying pricing to better align consumer demand with the availability of renewable energy. It details three primary rate structures—Time-of-Use, Critical Peak Pricing, and Real-Time Pricing—and explains how households can respond through discretionary shifts, interruptible loads, and energy storage. Using a pilot program from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District as a case study, the brief demonstrates that default enrollment in time-varying rates is more cost-effective and achieves higher aggregate savings than voluntary opt-in programs. The authors emphasize the need for transparent customer education, 'shadow billing,' and protections for low-income and vulnerable populations to ensure an equitable transition.

The Union of Concerned Scientists outlines a framework for preserving scientific integrity in the US federal government. It recommends establishing a dedicated scientific integrity coordinator within the White House OSTP, strengthening whistleblower protections via the WPEA, and reforming the OIRA regulatory review process to prioritize statutory standards over economic tests. The report also advocates for greater transparency through FOIA reforms, open data initiatives, and the removal of barriers to public participation in rulemaking, particularly regarding environmental justice.

The report examines the systemic challenges to scientific integrity in the US federal government, contrasting the widespread suppression of science during the George W. Bush administration with the partial progress made under Barack Obama. It argues that while the Obama administration established scientific integrity policies and improved morale, significant gaps remained in implementation, transparency, and the prevention of political interference in rulemaking. The document provides a framework and specific recommendations for the Trump administration to protect independent science, increase government transparency, and enhance public participation to ensure evidence-based decisionmaking.

The document lists various training initiatives in California aimed at supporting the transition to electric buses and trucks. It details government programs like the California Energy Commission's ARFVTP, community college initiatives such as the Alternative Transportation and Renewable Energy Program, and nonprofit efforts like the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, focusing on workforce development, technical certification, and job placement in the clean energy sector.

The Union of Concerned Scientists calls for a coordinated federal food policy to replace a dysfunctional system that prioritizes commodity crop subsidies over public health and sustainable farming. The document advocates for shifting subsidies toward healthy foods, supporting mid-sized family farms, and adopting agroecological practices to mitigate climate change impacts and reduce healthcare costs.

The document details a spreadsheet model designed to quantify the effects of hypothetical green banks in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont from 2017 to 2031. It outlines the financial assumptions, including initial capitalization based on New York's per-capita rates, a 5% borrower interest rate, and a 5:1 private-sector leverage ratio. The methodology explains how funds are allocated across energy efficiency, solar photovoltaics, and community wind, and how these investments are translated into installed capacity, electricity savings, and avoided carbon emissions using data from NREL, ACEEE, and the EPA.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes that Maine establish a green bank to catalyze private-sector investment in clean energy. An analysis suggests that an initial public capitalization of $14 million could leverage $300 million in total investment over 15 years. This initiative would support 70 MW of new solar and wind capacity, save homes and businesses $33 million annually on electricity bills through efficiency, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 176,000 tons by 2031. The document identifies Efficiency Maine, the Finance Authority of Maine, and the Maine Technology Institute as potential hosts for the bank and outlines financial tools such as credit enhancements, warehousing, and direct lending to drive market transformation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes that New Hampshire establish a clean energy finance authority to leverage public funds for private investment. An analysis suggests that an initial $14 million capitalization could drive $300 million in total investment over 15 years, resulting in 70 MW of new solar and wind capacity, $40.3 million in annual electricity bill savings, and a reduction of 222,900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2031.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that US farm and food policies are uncoordinated and often work at cross-purposes, leading to economic stagnation in rural areas, environmental degradation, and high public health costs. The brief urges the Trump administration to realign these policies to ensure access to healthy, sustainably produced food while supporting the livelihoods of farmers and food system workers.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) proposes that Vermont could leverage an initial $7 million public investment into $148 million of total clean energy investment over 15 years. This expanded financing capacity would support nearly 50 MW of new solar and wind power, save homes and businesses $14.6 million annually on electricity bills, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 111,500 tons by 2031. The report details existing Vermont programs—such as Efficiency Vermont, PACE financing, and the Clean Energy Development Fund—and suggests a more comprehensive, coordinated public-private financing initiative to meet the state's long-term goal of 90% renewable energy and efficiency by 2050.

The document details how the low-lying cities of Opa-locka and Hialeah in Miami-Dade County are susceptible to inland flooding and storm surges due to their porous limestone geography and rising sea levels. It highlights the compounding effects of poverty, lack of health insurance, and food insecurity on the resilience of these majority-minority populations. Through resident testimonies, the text describes the inadequate government recovery efforts following Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and the increasing frequency of routine flooding, arguing that economic revitalization efforts must integrate climate resilience to protect property values and public safety.