Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Replacing petroleum with renewable electricity as the primary source of transportation energy will leave us all much better off. Tailpipes from our cars, trucks and buses are also a major source of toxic local air pollution that disproportionately harms overburdened and underserved communities.

Electricity 269

Electricity Biofuels Technology Technology 269

Legal Planet

JULY 13, 2023

To begin with, there are the health benefits of the energy transition away from fossil fuels. As we clean up our energy system, we simultaneously reduce the tons of pollutants we now produce from burning coal, oil, and natural gas. Pollution from these sources kills thousands of Americans a year and millions of people globally.

Fossil Fuels 212

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Air Pollution Natural Gas 212

Enviromental Defense

JULY 5, 2023

Almost all plastic is made from fossil fuels. In fact, plastic and petrochemicals (chemicals made from oil and gas) have been called the fossil fuel industry’s Plan B – a way to prop up demand for oil and gas as the world stops using it for transportation and energy in order to meet climate commitments.

Fossil Fuels 88

Fossil Fuels 2009 Air Pollution Climate Change 88

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2022

Now comes the court’s crippling of the most important federal weapon available to avoid catastrophic climate change and its associated killing of tens of thousands of Americans every year with fossil fuel air pollution. The Supreme Court is ignoring the science on health. The data are overwhelming.

Fossil Fuels 263

Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Climate Change 2016 263

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Communities and ecosystems continue to suffer the consequences of human-caused climate change , primarily from the burning of fossil fuels across our economy. The case for phasing out of fossil fuels and making a just and equitable transition to clean energy has never been more clear. comes from burning fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 245

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution 245

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

It also will save US consumers money because they will spend less on fossil fuels. First, decarbonizing the electricity sector mainly with wind and solar to replace coal and fossil gas. Second, replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity in the transportation, building, and industrial sectors.

Carbon Emissions 303

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 303

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

These targets must be matched with the power sector at the forefront by decarbonizing electricity supplies and electrifying other sectors of the economy, such as transportation and home heating. Now is the time to enact legislative proposals such as the 100% Clean Act , which is aligned with Healey’s own campaign commitment.

Fossil Fuels 215

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Air Pollution Electricity 215

PA Environment Daily

MAY 8, 2024

However, the availability of CCS is highly dependent on local topology, such as salt caverns available to sequester carbon and the availability of a pipeline infrastructure to transport carbon emissions from individual generating plants to CCS sites potentially hundreds of miles away. Friel-Otten, Rep. Abney Introduce Gov.

Air Pollution 102

Air Pollution Natural Gas Electricity Clean Air Act 102

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

The answers to these questions are quite nuanced and vary greatly depending on where we live, the mode of transportation that our items travel, and what we purchase. Even when accounting for pollution from electricity generation, electric trucks can significantly reduce air pollution and get us on a better track to addressing climate change.

Nitrogen Oxides 250

Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 250

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

DBA Protect PA - $365,887: Recipient will expand Protect PT’s air monitoring efforts in environmental justice communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania to address the lack of knowledge about fossil fuel air emissions and their impact on quality of life for those living in counties that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. /DBA

Air Pollution 88

Air Pollution Environmental Protection Fossil Fuels Natural Gas 88

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2022

And we’re still trying to recover from a pandemic that has made even more clear the disproportionate impacts of air pollution on overburdened communities, making them even more vulnerable to the negative impacts of COVID 19. Similarly, communities now tied to fossil fuels need support in moving beyond that dependence.

Renewable Energy 363

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Clean Energy 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

First, there’s air pollution. Gas plants and infrastructure emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) during combustion, which degrade local air quality. Exposure to NOx and other gas infrastructure air pollutants has been associated with respiratory illnesses and an increase in childhood asthma rates.

Clean Energy 326

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 326

Enviromental Defense

APRIL 16, 2024

Fossil fuel subsidies are hurting us Subsidies and public financing to oil and gas companies: Harm our health : Governments are propping up an industry that is killing us. A recent report found that one in five premature deaths is caused by air pollution from burning fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 101

Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy Government 101

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

Union of Concerned Scientists’ (UCS) research shows that top fossil fuel producers’ emissions are responsible for as much as half of global surface temperature increase. The best solution: Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. A small number of big corporations are responsible for the climate crisis.

Fossil Fuels 299

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 299

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

million in 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to help municipalities, schools, and businesses around the state switch to clean transportation and improve air quality in their communities. A growing number of organizations and businesses in Pennsylvania want to lower their transportation emissions.

Nitrogen Oxides 74

Nitrogen Oxides Ground-Level Ozone Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide 74

Legal Planet

MARCH 28, 2022

Revising the standards will also help address air pollution. Changing the standards will require states to tighten their controls on all these sources, making it more expensive to burn fossil fuels. And reducing the use of fossil fuels is crucial for addressing climate change.

Pollution Control 200

Pollution Control Ozone Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 200

Legal Planet

APRIL 24, 2023

EPA, the Supreme Court said for agencies to change policy so drastically, as Obama wanted to do to force power plants to change to renewable fuels, they must have clear direction from Congress.” The regulations coming out of the EPA and the Transportation Department are the most expensive in U.S. And this case is even more influential.

Clean Air Act 218

Clean Air Act 2026 Electricity Air Pollution 218

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 19, 2022

Policymakers have a brief window to enact the policies necessary to halve heat-trapping emissions within this decade, including significant investments in decarbonizing the power sector and electrifying sectors such as transportation and buildings. The more of that we do, the more economic and health benefits the state will see.

Clean Energy 228

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity 228

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 4, 2023

In the coming years, Californians will begin to see a massive switch away from highly polluting fossil-fueled trucks to zero-emission electric trucks. Additionally, the rule phases out the sale of fossil-fueled trucks in 2036. The rule will apply to commercial, federal, state, municipal, and drayage fleets.

Nitrogen Oxides 145

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Ozone 145

Legal Planet

MARCH 21, 2024

The distinction between renewables and fossil fuel generation is stark, and EPA had not previously tried to dictate a utility’s energy source. It also applies to conventional air pollutants – the same pollutants that EPA has regulated since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970.

Clean Air Act 287

Clean Air Act Regulations Air Pollution 2016 287

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Getting energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed. Unlocking the gridlock for Minnesota’s renewable energy future.

Renewable Energy 348

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 348

Science & Climate

APRIL 22, 2021

Decarbonizing California Transportation by 2045. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California. Those policy options, when combined, could lead to a zero-carbon transportation system by 2045, while also improving equity, health and the economy. featured image by Getty.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 52

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 9, 2021

It attempted to move away from fossil fuels and toward zero-carbon sources like solar power to supply electricity. Fossil fuel plants — coal-fired power plants in particular — cause serious air pollution problems. The Plan was Obama’s signature climate policy.

Clean Air Act 208

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 208

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

If passed, this new law would finally put an end to the millions of tonnes of coal – the world’s dirtiest and deadliest fossil fuel – that are shipped overseas from Canada’ west coast every year. Air pollutants from coal plants are linked to chronic heart and respiratory disease, and a host of acute ailments.

Air Pollution 115

Air Pollution Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Government 115

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

The shift from fossil fuels in the 100-percent RES scenario reduces the amount of toxic power plant air pollution much more than what we called a “no-new-policy,” or business-as-usual, scenario. And what about fossil fuel-dependent workers and communities? Our analysis also demonstrates renewables’ power.

Electricity 259

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 259

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

That’s a far cry from just six years ago, when EVs were considered a niche technology (and the fossil fuel baron Charles Koch and his minions wanted to keep it that way). To avoid the worst potential consequences of climate change, we will have to transform the transportation and electric power sectors in tandem.

Electricity 311

Electricity Air Pollution Clean Air Act 2030 311

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 2, 2023

Beverly Wright, Vernice Miller-Travis , and Peggy Shepard, among others, shows that Black and brown communities are disproportionately exposed to and harmed by pollution. A myriad of studies since have validated these findings across a number of exposures, such as soot air pollution (PM2.5

Air Pollution 339

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Fossil Fuels 339

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 18, 2022

In Massachusetts, this near-term opportunity would drive progress on clean energy, clean transportation, and equity. It’s not the full provisions of the air quality bill that we and our allies have pushed this session, but it would be an important next step in improving equity around transportation and power generation in the commonwealth.

Clean Energy 233

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 233

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

This fine particulate often comprises a toxic brew of carbon, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide created by several sources, including combustion in fossil fuel power plants, factories, and from car and truck emissions. years of life lost on average, more than from cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use, or polluted water.

Air Pollution 197

Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Climate Change 197

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

However, goods movement through the Ports is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the L.A. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has reported that the Ports are “the single largest fixed source of air pollution in Southern California.”

Air Pollution 147

Air Pollution 2030 Greenhouse Fossil Fuels 147

Legal Planet

MAY 24, 2022

It seems clear that the Court will strike down the third pillar of the Clean Power Plan, which targets overall shifts in a state’s generation mix, including shifts away from companies owning fossil fuel plants to other generators. Here are the possible ways the Court might rule, from the narrowest to the most damaging.

Fossil Fuels 218

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Regulations Ozone 218

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 25, 2024

This support for EV charging, and by extension EV ownership among individuals and businesses, is key for accelerating the electrification of the transportation sector that we need to make progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution from transportation.

Electricity 212

Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Natural Gas 212

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 25, 2022

Such a low number is not driven by fossil fuel company disinformation alone. They don’t need to wait for scientists to tell them about climate change, as billowing carbon pollution from power plants and transportation is deeply intertwined with deadly particulates. It is also evidence of general White privilege.

Climate Change 362

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Politics Air Pollution 362

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 22, 2024

At UCS, we’re working to ensure effective and equitable implementation of key clean energy and clean transportation provisions. The IRA also includes some less than ideal fossil-fuel supporting incentives that will need continued monitoring. It is made up of $4.75

Earth Day 253

Earth Day 2024 Renewable Energy Air Pollution 253

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

We are at a crossroads between a more affordable and climate safe future, and one that entrenches our reliance on dirty fossil fuels, increases the rift between the highest and lowest earners and puts profit over people. Fossil fuel price volatilities continue year-round, and energy prices are unaffordable.

Fossil Fuels 111

Fossil Fuels Cooling Climate Change Electricity 111

Acoel

JUNE 29, 2022

EPA’s latest proposed rule targeting NOx emissions from fossil-fueled electric generating units (EGUs) is a classic study of diminishing returns. The downwind air quality benefits are minimal. The post Improving EPA’s Latest Ozone Transport Rule appeared first on ACOEL. million tons, a reduction of 5.1

Ozone 40

Ozone Clean Air Act 2026 2015 40

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 11, 2022

The petition points to these potential benefits of electrification-- -- Benefits to electric-grid utilization – electrification of transportation could improve load factor on the grid, increasing the overall efficiency of the system. The burning of transportation fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, is a substantial source of air pollution.

Electricity 98

Electricity Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Ozone 98