Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 13, 2024

Paul Arbaje is an energy analyst in the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists and an expert on electricity policies and reforms that reduce fossil fuel use and reliance. The energy enthusiast who owns their own homes can take further steps toward making their homes completely free of direct fossil fuel use.

Fossil Fuels 240

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 240

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

We progress despite regular cries of impending doom from regulated industries and their enablers. Over its short lifetime, the program has already transformed many segments of the fuels market. If CARB approves amendments to the program, the shift to clean fuels in California will only accelerate. But it’s never easy.

Air Pollution 162

Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Greenhouse Regulations 162

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Over three-fourths of Indonesia electricity comes from fossil fuels: 60% from coal and 16% from gas. Jakarta is consistently near the top end of the world’s cities with the worst air pollution. Indonesia is also heavily exposed to tropic storms, which are expected to get more severe. Several official plans.

Paris Agreement 261

Paris Agreement Sea Level Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions 261

Law Columbia

MAY 28, 2021

This week’s advancements offer two new models for local governments looking to require or promote building electrification: air pollution and land use regulation. First, by setting an air emissions standard, it limits preemption risk by the U.S. The New York City bill is tailored to avoid preemption in two main ways.

Air Pollution 56

Air Pollution Regulations Fossil Fuels Natural Gas 56

Enviromental Defense

JUNE 6, 2024

Statement by Emilia Belliveau, Energy Transition Program Manager Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – At today’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI), Members of Parliament grilled the fossil fuel industry about their climate pollution.

Fossil Fuels 138

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Sustainable Development Greenhouse 138

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 2, 2023

Robert Bullard, “environmental justice embraces the principle that all people and communities have a right to equal protection and equal enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.” A myriad of studies since have validated these findings across a number of exposures, such as soot air pollution (PM2.5

Air Pollution 354

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Fossil Fuels 354

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 345

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 345

Legal Planet

MARCH 15, 2023

Several cities in California, including Los Angeles and in the Bay Area, have outlawed new gas hookups, but these are the first regulations that would effectively ban the sale of gas appliances. Furnaces and water heaters are even bigger polluters, with major contributions to outdoor air pollution in the Bay Area.

Nitrogen Oxides 253

Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution Ozone 2029 253

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 360

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 360

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

Upcoming research from my colleague Dave Cooke shows that electric delivery trucks can reduce climate-warming emissions from driving by up to 92 percent and reduce lifecycle public health impacts by up to 85 percent compared to today’s average fossil-fueled delivery trucks.

Nitrogen Oxides 279

Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 279

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 12, 2024

While municipalities may have some flexibility in how they zone or regulate oil and gas operations – provided they do not exceed limitations in state or federal law – doing so in an unreasonable manner which prevents future natural gas development should render the municipality ineligible for state collected and distributed impact fees.

Natural Gas 109

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Law 2019 109

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

Switching from fossil fuels like gasoline to increasingly clean electricity sources is vital for hitting climate and air pollution goals. However the long term drop in per person gasoline use is likely due to fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards that have made gasoline vehicles more efficient over the prior decades.

Carbon Dioxide 186

Carbon Dioxide 2005 Electricity Nitrogen Oxides 186

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 17, 2023

We need more electricity to transition our homes and cars off fossil fuels, but we can’t afford to let that electricity come from more gas power plants. Because unlike moving sources of air pollution like cars, gas plants are completely stationary. Why is this inequitable and disproportionate siting a problem?

Fossil Fuels 240

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 20, 2023

Through the Clean Air Act , and as affirmed—and reaffirmed—through multiple legal sagas, EPA is statutorily obligated to address carbon pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants. Indeed, EPA still retains the ability to set strong standards that curtail carbon pollution at the scale, speed, and rigor required.

Clean Air Act 220

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Clean Energy 220

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 150

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Ozone 150

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

These communities are often already exposed to lots of air pollution from things like other industries, airports, and nearby highways. Pollution control is expensive and air pollution regulations are not strict enough. But is burning waste cheaper than landfill? Sorry, but no again. So, what is the solution?

Fossil Fuels 102

Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Waste Pollution Control 102

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

In late April, California air regulators are poised to pass one of the most meaningful regulations to reduce pollution from commercial trucks, vans, and buses. The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which I’ve blogged about in detail before, will phase out fossil-fueled trucks over the next several decades.

Electricity 261

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Regulations 261

Enviromental Defense

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Respected bodies like the International Energy Agency have been clear – there is no room for new fossil fuel infrastructure if we want to hold warming to 1.5 Along with their contribution to larger climate change impacts, gas plants also cause local air pollution – mainly nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Nitrogen Oxides 134

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Electricity 134

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

A growing body of scientific evidence supports regulating chemicals with similar structures, functions, and impacts as a chemical class rather than one pollutant at a time. This is particularly important for pesticides since active ingredients are regulated while so-called “inert ingredients” are normally not.

Air Pollution 345

Air Pollution Regulations Fossil Fuels Environmental Protection 345

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 2, 2023

The closure in January 2016 of one of Pittsburgh’s biggest coal-processing plants led to immediate and lasting declines in emissions of fossil fuel–related air pollutants. The impact of the closure persisted through at least December 2018, the last month for which data were analyzed. Thurston, ScD.

Fossil Fuels 96

Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 2018 2016 96

Law Columbia

MARCH 14, 2024

In the first months of 2024, legislators in four states— Maryland , Massachusetts , New York , and Vermont —have pushed for legislation that would collectively require large fossil fuel producers and refiners to pay for hundreds of billions of dollars of state-level climate adaptation infrastructure.

Fossil Fuels 60

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Regulations Carbon Dioxide 60

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Million Settlement Of Air Pollution Violations For 2019 Philadelphia Refinery Explosion, Fire; Public Comments Invited [PaEN] -- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs Down 2 From Last Week; Down 38% Since Aug. 16 [PaEN] -- EPA Files $4.2 Million Settlement Over 2019 South Philly Refinery Explosion, Fire -- AP: EPA Reaches $4.2

Natural Gas 105

Natural Gas 2019 Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 105

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 18, 2024

The jobs did not come, and while the price of gas didn’t go up, air and water pollution sure did. That means they are going to politicians with their hand out to receive more of your tax dollars with nothing to show for it except receipts from past failures like leaking pipelines, harmful air pollution, and dangerous explosions.

Natural Gas 109

Natural Gas Toxic Substances Control Act Fossil Fuels 2019 109

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

California’s leadership on reducing truck pollution has been on full display the past few years, passing critical regulations requiring 90 percent reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions from diesel trucks and requiring manufacturers sell an increasing share of electric trucks to move away from fossil fuels altogether.

Nitrogen Oxides 244

Nitrogen Oxides Clean Air Act Ozone Fossil Fuels 244

Legal Planet

JUNE 30, 2022

CT , the Supreme Court said this: We hold that the Clean Air Act and the EPA actions it authorizes displace any federal common law right to seek abatement of carbon-dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants. And, most relevant here, §7411(d) then requires regulation of existing sources within the same category.

Carbon Dioxide 130

Carbon Dioxide 2011 Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

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 132

Fossil Fuels Cooling Climate Change Government 132

MGKF Law

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

The holding halts former Governor Tom Wolf’s efforts to make Pennsylvania the first major fossil-fuel producing state to implement a price on carbon emissions. Read More » Tags: Air , Climate Change , Commonwealth Court , Pennsylvania , Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection , Taxes

Fossil Fuels 40

Fossil Fuels Pollution Control Air Pollution Carbon Emissions 40

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 7, 2024

. - EGTS-Oakford Compressor Station: DEP issued a renewal of a Title V Air Quality Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Salem Twp., North Summit Compressor Station: DEP approved a request for a de minimis increase in air pollution emissions at the facility located in North Union Twp.,

Air Pollution 117

Air Pollution Waste Natural Gas Recycling 117

Law Columbia

APRIL 18, 2023

Since 2019, more than seventy local and state jurisdictions have followed Berkeley’s lead in requiring or strongly incentivizing all-electric or fossil-fuel-free new buildings, with more considering similar approaches. can be fueled by natural gas), and must base these options on a defensible “one-for-one” basis.

Conservation 117

Conservation Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Government 117

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 20, 2023

The community is locked into a lasting and significant source of plastics production and dirty air pollution that will degrade the Commonwealth’s air quality and our environmental legacy for decades to come. Our organizations have filed a notice of intent to sue Shell for the consistent violation of air pollution limits.

Air Pollution 98

Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide Fossil Fuels 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 16, 2024

We need to plan for energy infrastructure that supports our economy and reduces harmful air pollution. These firms recognized that they could not assume the risks of exacerbating climate damage from continued burning of fossil fuels. Some forecasting models must use observations of young people, no?

Electricity 237

Electricity Clean Energy Nuclear Power Renewable Energy 237

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). Today, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) projects that 50 percent of US passenger car sales could very well be electric by 2030.

Electricity 329

Electricity Air Pollution Clean Air Act 2030 329

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 3, 2024

Because of this, regulators worked closely with impacted businesses, community advocates, and technical and policy experts (like UCS!) Other Frequently Asked Questions… What are the climate benefits from the ACF Regulation? The ACF is estimated to significantly reduce pollution from the statewide commercial truck and bus fleet.

Electricity 130

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 21, 2024

PA Bulletin, page 3573 ) Air Quality Permits -- EQT ARO, LLC - COP [state land] Tract 231 Compressor Station: DEP approved an Air Quality Plan Approval for multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Snow Shoe Twp., You’ll also get notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations.

Natural Gas 116

Natural Gas Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Waste 116

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Coming off its recent decision requiring all new passenger cars and trucks be zero-emission by 2035, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing a first-of-its-kind regulation to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles like delivery vans, big rigs, box trucks, and buses. The rule would also reduce NOx and PM2.5

Climate Change 273

Climate Change Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels 273

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

Power companies will therefore have to pay more for the fuel, but utilities are generally allowed by state regulators to pass those cost increases onto their customers in the form of higher electricity rates. These claims just add to the deluge of greenwashing and disinformation from the fossil fuel industry.

Fossil Fuels 316

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 316