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In 2008, Georgia was the highest spender on net coal imports in the United States, sending $2.62 billion out of state. The state's electricity generation relied on coal for 62.7% of its power despite having no internal coal supplies. The document argues that investing in energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as biomass from the forestry industry, solar, and wind, could improve energy independence and local economic development.

In 2008, Illinois imported 94 percent of the coal used in its power plants, resulting in a net expenditure of $683 million. The document highlights that Midwest Generation and the Baldwin Energy Complex are major contributors to this import dependency. To mitigate these costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the report advocates for the state's energy efficiency resource standard and its renewable energy goals, noting that Illinois has the technical potential to generate over five times its 2008 electricity needs from renewable sources, primarily wind and bioenergy.

In 2008, Iowa imported all the coal used by its power plants, resulting in $496 million leaving the state, primarily to Wyoming. Coal accounted for 76.1% of Iowa's electricity generation, making the state the second most dependent on net imports as a share of total power use (78%). To reduce this dependence, Iowa is utilizing energy efficiency programs and renewable energy, specifically wind power, where it has over 3,600 megawatts of installed capacity.

In 2008, Kansas imported over 99 percent of the coal used by its power plants, primarily from Wyoming, resulting in a net outflow of $516 million. Coal provided 72.9 percent of the state's electricity mix. The document argues that investing in energy efficiency and leveraging the state's high technical potential for wind and bioenergy could reduce this dependence and boost the local economy.

In 2008, Massachusetts imported all the coal used by its power plants, primarily from Colombia, resulting in $252 million leaving the state economy. The state relies on coal for 24.5% of its in-state electricity generation despite having no domestic coal supplies. To reduce this dependence, Massachusetts has implemented aggressive energy efficiency targets, including a $1.7 billion investment from 2010 to 2012, and is expanding renewable energy through programs like Commonwealth Solar and the first US offshore wind facility in Nantucket Sound.

In 2008, Michigan imported all the coal used by its power plants, resulting in an economic drain of $1.36 billion. The state's electricity generation relied on coal for over 60% of its needs, with Detroit Edison's Monroe facility identified as the most import-dependent plant. To reduce this dependence and stimulate the local economy, the document advocates for investments in energy efficiency and homegrown renewable energy, noting that Michigan has the technical potential to produce nearly twice its 2008 electricity needs from renewables, primarily wind and bioenergy.

In 2008, Mississippi relied on coal for 34.6% of its electricity generation, importing over 70% of that coal and spending $457 million out of state. The document argues that the state can reduce this dependence by investing in energy efficiency—noting that 2007 ratepayer-funded efficiency spending was 1,400 times lower per person than spending on imported coal—and by utilizing local renewable resources such as forestry by-products, switchgrass, solar, and geothermal energy.

Missouri is highly dependent on imported coal, spending $1.13 billion in 2008 to import over 99% of the coal used by its power plants. The document highlights that this expenditure represents a significant economic drain, suggesting that energy efficiency standards and renewable energy resources, such as wind and bioenergy, could redirect funds back into the local economy.

In 2008, Nebraska imported all the coal used by its power plants from Wyoming, resulting in $198 million leaving the state. Coal provided 66.3% of the state's electricity mix that year. The document argues that Nebraska could reduce this dependence by investing in energy efficiency—noting that 2007 spending on efficiency programs was 200 times lower per capita than spending on net coal imports—and by leveraging its wind and bioenergy resources through a renewable electricity standard.

In 2008, New Hampshire spent $133 million on imported coal, primarily sourced from South America, to support approximately 15% of its in-state electricity generation. The Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) was the sole purchaser of these imports, with the Merrimack Station plant spending $79 million. The document argues that investing in energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as the Northern Wood Power Project, can redirect these funds into the local economy. New Hampshire has a mandate for utilities to supply about 24% of power needs from renewable resources by 2025.

In 2008, New Jersey imported all the coal used by its power plants, resulting in $347 million leaving the state, including $93 million for international imports from countries such as Indonesia and Venezuela. While coal provided 14.1% of in-state electricity production, the state's overall energy demand exceeded its generation by 26%. The document argues that New Jersey can reduce this dependence by adopting energy efficiency resource standards and leveraging its technical potential for solar, bioenergy, and offshore wind, noting a state requirement for renewables to supply approximately 22% of power needs by 2020.

In 2008, New York imported 100% of the coal used for its electricity generation, resulting in $472 million leaving the state. While coal provided 13.6% of the state's electricity mix, New York has implemented an energy efficiency resource standard to reduce power demand by nearly 2% annually starting in 2011 and a renewable electricity standard requiring 30% of power from renewables by 2015.

North Carolina spent $2.35 billion on imported coal in 2008, ranking second among US states for total net imports. The document highlights that the state relies on coal for 60.5% of its electricity generation despite having no in-state coal supplies. It advocates for a transition to energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as biomass, solar, wind, and small-scale hydropower, to reduce this economic drain and improve energy independence.

Ohio experienced a significant economic drain in 2008 due to its heavy reliance on imported coal, spending a net $1.49 billion on these imports. The document highlights that coal provided 85.2% of the state's electricity in 2008 and suggests that transitioning to energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as wind and solar, can stimulate local economic development and increase energy independence.

South Carolina spent $1.1 billion on net coal imports in 2008, ranking 11th highest in total net imports in the U.S. The state relies on coal for 40.6% of its electricity generation despite having no in-state coal supplies. The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that investing in energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as offshore wind and solar, could redirect funds back into the local economy and improve energy independence.

Tennessee spent a net $1.21 billion on imported coal in 2008, importing over 99 percent of the coal used by its power plants. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is the primary purchaser of these imports, with the Cumberland plant identified as the state's most import-dependent facility. To reduce this economic drain, the document suggests adopting an energy efficiency resource standard and a renewable electricity standard, noting that wind, solar, small-scale hydropower, and biomass could technically meet up to 60 percent of the state's 2008 power demand.

In 2008, Texas imported 63 percent of the coal used for its electricity generation, primarily from Wyoming, resulting in $1.91 billion leaving the state. While Texas leads the US in wind energy capacity, the document argues that its energy efficiency targets remain modest compared to other states and that the state possesses significant untapped renewable energy potential.

In 2008, Wisconsin spent $853 million to import all the coal used by its power plants from nine other states. The state is the 5th most dependent on net imports as a share of total power use (68%). We Energies is the largest importer, spending $313 million, with its Pleasant Prairie facility being the most import-dependent site. To reduce this dependence, the document suggests expanding energy efficiency resource standards and leveraging renewable energy, noting that Wisconsin has the technical potential to generate 4.2 times its 2008 electricity needs from renewables, primarily wind and bioenergy.

The National Clean Vehicle Program harmonizes fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for light-duty vehicles through model year 2016, involving the NHTSA, EPA, and California Air Resources Board (CARB). The program aims to increase average fuel economy to nearly 34.1 mpg and reduce global warming tailpipe pollution by approximately 25% via a fleetwide target of 250 grams per mile. While California agreed to accept these federal standards through 2016, it retains the legal authority to set more stringent standards in the future.

The U.S. EPA and DOT finalized national greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for model year 2012-2016 vehicles, aiming to increase combined average fuel economy to 34.1 mpg and reduce tailpipe emissions to 250 grams per mile. These standards, resulting from a compromise between the White House, automakers, and fourteen states, are projected to save consumers billions of dollars, reduce oil consumption by 1.2 million barrels per day, and cut global warming emissions by 209 million metric tons by 2020.