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Ask a Scientist: The US Has to Do More to Meet Its Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

The legislation committed nearly $400 billion to support, among other things, wind and solar power, battery storage, electric vehicles, and other clean energy technologies that will make a significant dent in US heat-trapping emissions. What are the main solutions? SC: There are three primary solutions that can get us most of the way.

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Ask a Scientist: Two Dozen States Can Meet 100 Percent of Electricity Demand with Renewables by 2035

Union of Concerned Scientists

All told, they represent 56 percent of the US population, generate 62 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, and are responsible for 43 percent of the country’s annual carbon emissions. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants in alliance states drop 88 percent and 77 percent respectively by 2040.

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Ask a Scientist: UCS Transportation Program Adds Equitable Mobility to its Portfolio

Union of Concerned Scientists

In 1963, a typical car—which ran on leaded gasoline without pollution control devices— emitted 520 pounds of hydrocarbons, 1,700 pounds of carbon monoxide, and 90 pounds of nitrogen oxide every 10,000 miles traveled. More than 20,000 Americans died prematurely in 2015 from tailpipe emissions, according to a 2019 study.

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Stepping Up to the Challenge: US Can Meet Climate Goals if Policymakers Take Immediate, Concerted Action

Union of Concerned Scientists

Under the net zero scenario: Wind, solar, and other renewables nearly triple their share of US electricity generation from 22% in 2021 to 60% in 2030, 81% in 2035, and 92% in 2050. Overall economywide fossil fuel use falls 50% between 2021 and 2040 and 82% by 2050.  Coal is phased out of the power sector by 2030.

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Can California Stop Selling Polluting Cars by 2035? Yes It Can.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Switching from gasoline and diesel engines to electric motors is one of the most effective ways to reduce global warming emissions and air pollution. In California, driving on electricity using the average plug-in vehicle can lower emissions to that of a hypothetical gasoline car that achieves 116 miles per gallon fuel economy.

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Ask a Scientist: Top Takeaways from the New EPA Carbon Pollution Rules

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new power plant carbon pollution standards that, if strengthened, would go a long way to help meet the Biden administration’s goal of slashing carbon emissions in half from 2005 levels by the end of this decade. In 2012, coal generated 37 percent of US electricity.

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Bay Journal: As Federal Support Emerges, PA Wants To Be A Carbon Capture Hub

PA Environment Daily

Nevertheless, the belief that carbon capture is part of the climate solution is firmly embedded in Biden’s climate change plan, which doesn’t anticipate achieving a carbon-free electricity sector earlier than 2035. The opportunities for carbon capture retrofits of all kinds abound in Pennsylvania.