EPA Sets Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing an important rule designed to reduce air pollution from passenger cars and trucks. Starting in 2017, Tier 3 sets new vehicle emissions standards and lowers the sulfur content of gasoline, considering the vehicle and its fuel as an integrated system.…

California Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory – 2019 Edition

California’s annual statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory is an important tool for establishing historical emission trends and tracking California’s progress in reducing GHGs. In concert with data collected through various California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) programs, the GHG inventory is a critical piece in demonstrating the state’s progress in achieving the statewide GHG target. The inventory provides estimates of anthropogenic GHG emissions within California, as well as emissions associated with imported electricity; natural sources are not included in the inventory. The Air Resources Board (ARB) is responsible for maintaining and updating California’s GHG Inventory per H&SC section …

Health Co-Benefits of Sub-National Renewable Energy Policy in the US

State and local policy-makers in the US have shown interest in transitioning electricity systems toward renewable energy sources and in mitigating harmful air pollution. However, the extent to which subnational renewable energy policies can improve air quality remains unclear. To investigate this issue, we develop a systemic modeling framework that combines economic and air pollution models to assess the projected sub-national impacts of Renewable Portfolio Standards(RPSs) on air quality and human health, as well as on the economy and on climate change. We contribute to existing RPS cost benefit literature by providing a comprehensive assessment of economic costs and estimating …

Estimating Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Costs Across Major U.S. Metropolitan Areas

This paper analyzes the capital costs of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure needed for public, workplace, and home charging for the most populous 100 metropolitan areas in the United States from 2019 through 2025. The 100 metropolitan areas analyzed represent 88% of all new electric vehicles sold and 75% of the overall U.S. vehicle market.

The analysis revealed:

Substantial charging infrastructure investments are needed to fill the charging gap. Necessary investments in workplace, public Level 2, and DC fast charging infrastructure would increase from approximately $110 million in 2019 to $270 million in 2025, amounting to a total of about …

Bitcoin, Blockchain, and the Energy Sector

The popularity of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and the underlying blockchain technology presents both challenges and opportunities to the energy sector. As interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has increased, the energy demand to support cryptocurrency “mining” activities has also increased. The increased energy demand—when localized—can exceed the available power capacity and increase customers’ electricity rates. On the other hand, not all cryptocurrencies require energy-intensive mining operations. Some cryptocurrencies can operate under algorithms that require less energy. In addition, blockchain technologies could present opportunities for the energy sector by facilitating energy and financial transactions on a smart grid.…

Climate Change and Land

An IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems.…

Economic, Emissions Impact Of Trump Fuel Economy Rollback-Emissions Standards Freeze: U.S., California, Canada

The Trump Administration’s proposed fuel economy standard rollback and emissions standards freeze will harm consumers and the environment. This research note finds the proposal would cost the U.S. economy up to $400 billion through 2050, increase U.S. emissions up to 10%, and gasoline use up to 7.6 billion barrels through 2035. It would also cost Canada up to $70 billion through 2050 and increase its emissions up to 11% by 2035.…

2019 Utility Energy Storage Market Snapshot

2018 was a banner year for energy storage growth with the residential and Public Power Utility markets thriving under favorable policies and falling costs, growing by 1400% and 500% respectively. Across the residential, non-residential, and utility-supply markets SEPA found a 2018 market growth of 44%.

The utility survey underpinning this annual, must-read report yields insight into the national market, industry trends, policy impacts, and energy storage technology. Download this report to get what no other industry report can deliver, unbiased analysis and figures based on verified interconnection data from over 211 US utilities.…

Tech@Risk: The Domestic Innovation, Technology Deployment, Manufacturing, and Jobs at Risk in Stepping Away from Global Leadership on Clean Cars

In this report, we unpack these topline statistics and look in detail at the impact of less stringent standards on demand for clean vehicle technologies and the companies that build them. We look both at today’s vehicle technology manufacturing jobs that may be impacted if standards are weakened, and estimate the impact on future jobs and job growth in the industry.…

A Framework for the Green Real Deal

The threats posed by climate change to the world, our nation, and our way of life present an unprecedented and urgent challenge. Subnational entities have adopted aggressive carbon reduction targets and public support is mounting for climate action in the United States. In this context, a coalition-building and pragmatic strategy is needed—one that minimizes costs, maximizes economic opportunities, accelerates solutions, and promotes social equity—to translate climate mitigation ambitions into action. This is The Green Real Deal—A Framework for Achieving a Deeply Decarbonized Economy.…