Policy Solutions: Reports & Issue Papers

More Reports & Issue Papers

Cooling India with Less Warming
The Business Case for Phasing Down HFCs in Room and Vehicle Air Conditioners

Issue Paper

Choices made in the next few years will shape whether Indian consumers, companies and government authorities can turn the challenges of the room and vehicle air conditioning expansion into business advantage and national opportunity while reducing climate change, improving air quality, and making air conditioning more efficient and less costly to operate.

Energy Saving Home Networks

Issue Paper

In 88 million homes across the United States, digital content flows through high-speed modems and routers, streaming our videos, pinging email into our inboxes -- and consuming 8.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. All of that energy comes with a $1 billion price tag as small networks guzzle power around the clock, even when our gadgets hibernate and we sleep.

Fulfilling the Promise of U.S. Offshore Wind
Targeted State Investment Policies to Put an Abundant Renewable Resource within Reach

Issue Paper

Offshore wind is an inexhaustible resource that lies just off our shores. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy's landmark study found that the United States could obtain 20 percent of its electricity from wind by 2030, and more than 15 percent of that wind power could come from offshore projects, totaling 54,000 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity.

Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the U.S., 2013

Report

The Benchmarking project uses public data to compare the emissions performance of the 100 largest power producers in the United States, and discusses market trends affecting the electric generating sector, including trends in fuel prices, technology developments, and environmental regulations.

Who Pays for Climate Change?
U.S. Taxpayers Outspend Private Insurers Three-to-One to Cover Climate Disruption Costs

Issue Paper

Despite the lengthy debate on the federal budget in Congress, climate change rarely gets mentioned as a deficit driver. Yet paying for climate disruption was one of the largest non-defense discretionary budget items in 2012.

Never Eliminate Public Advice!

Fact Sheet

With an emphasis on "smart from the start" federal decision making, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) protects our health, our homes, and our environment. Thanks to this law, hundreds of millions of Americans have participated in important federal decisions. We are able to know the risk a government project or practice could pose to our community or health because of NEPA -- and we are guaranteed a voice.

Burning Trees for Electricity Will Accelerate Climate Change and Destroy Southern Forests

Fact Sheet

Power companies in the United States and Europe are expanding their use of trees, known as woody biomass, as a fuel source to replace fossil fuels. In the Southeast, the massive fuel needs of these energy companies could double logging rates and significantly increase carbon emissions, contributing to climate change at a time when we need to actively cut our carbon pollution.

Combined Heat and Power Systems
Improving the Energy Efficiency of Our Manufacturing Plants, Buildings, and Other Facilities

Issue Paper

Improving the energy efficiency of our manufacturing facilities, buildings, and homes can help us meet our energy challenges affordably. Combined heat and power (CHP) systems are strong examples of how energy-efficiency technologies can help achieve significant benefits for end-user facilities, utilities, and communities.

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