Union of Concerned Scientists6 min readAmerican Government
UCS Testimony on the Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit
Here is testimony provided by Deputy Policy Director with the Climate & Energy program Julie McNamara to the the U.S. Department of the Treasury, on proposed regulations around hydrogen production and use.
Union of Concerned Scientists7 min read
A Trip Down Memory “Train”: A Brief History of Public Transit
An equitable, sustainable future will require us to rally around a system built for people, not cars.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readAmerican Government
Where Is Truck Charging Needed First? We Have the White House’s Answer
Communities most impacted by local air pollution from freight have been leading the call for the zero-emission freight for decades.
Union of Concerned Scientists3 min readAmerican Government
Show Me the (Agriculture Appropriations) Money
The agriculture appropriations bill that was recently signed into law is a mix of good and bad. We need to push Congress to do better in its funding for next year.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readAmerican Government
EPA Strengthens Emissions Controls for Facilities Emitting Cancer-Causing Ethylene Oxide
Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized updated regulations for certain facilities that emit ethylene oxide (EtO), a colorless, cancer-causing gas. These long-awaited rules will require facilities using EtO to sterilize medi
Union of Concerned Scientists4 min read
Growing Shade Equity, One Tree at a Time
Community-engaged science is helping provide shade equity—equal access to the cooling benefits of tree cover—to residents of Los Angeles.
Union of Concerned Scientists3 min readFinance & Money Management
Making It Easier to Choose Electric for Your Next Car
Electric car buyers have new options in 2024 to make it easier to purchase a new electric vehicle (EV) by using the federal EV tax credit. While the tax credit has been around for a while in various forms, the Inflation Reduction Act made substantial
Union of Concerned Scientists6 min readEnvironmental
The US Supreme Court is Operating Like a Rogue EPA
The US Supreme Court seems to have appointed itself as a rogue Environmental Protection Agency, seeking to protect polluters rather than the public.   The latest evidence comes in the arguments the court heard last month in the challenge by Ohio, Ind
Union of Concerned Scientists6 min read
Reevaluating The Role Of Fossil Gas In A Decarbonizing Grid
Fossil gas will certainly have a role to play in helping to meet peak demand as we move to a decarbonized electricity grid. But the latest research and modeling suggests that it’s time to reassess how large a role that should be.
Union of Concerned Scientists3 min readInternational Relations
Hollywood Rewards Nuclear Arms Control While Washington Dithers
Government efforts to modernize and expand their arsenals are increasing the risk that human civilization could be obliterated in a few hours
Union of Concerned Scientists8 min read
Ask a Scientist: UCS Transportation Program Adds Equitable Mobility to its Portfolio
Cars and trucks are a lot cleaner than when I was growing up. 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 e
Union of Concerned Scientists8 min readPoverty & Homelessness
More Transportation Choices Lead to Better Health, Better Communities, and a Healthier Planet
One of my earliest childhood memories is sitting with my mother on a Chicago Transit Authority bus, headed to spend a summer day on Lake Michigan. In fact, images of transportation often come to mind when I think about growing up: Morning walks to el
Union of Concerned Scientists4 min readPolitical Ideologies
US Elections Aren’t as Free and Fair as They Should Be. Here’s How Science Can Help
Two respected assessments of democracies around the world were released recently and, once again, our democracy in the United States scored poorly. Science-based best practices can help turn things around.
Union of Concerned Scientists8 min readAmerican Government
EVs Are at a Turning Point, It May Not Be What You Think
There’s been a lot of nay-saying around EVs lately, including, amongst other things, worries that EV sales are stalling out now that all the early adopters have already made the switch and mainstream buyers aren’t ready to dive in. I wouldn’t blame y
Union of Concerned Scientists7 min read
Wildfire Threat to Texas Nuclear Weapons Facility Highlights Intersecting Risks
Our new map shows where nuclear weapons facilities overlap with areas with a history of wildfires.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readInternational Relations
Three Things from Oppenheimer that Are Happening Again
Read more of UCS’s critical analysis of Oppenheimer and the global security issues it examines here. Oppenheimer documents humanity’s transition into the nuclear age through the eyes of Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.” While it is
Union of Concerned Scientists6 min readIntelligence (AI) & Semantics
Artificial Intelligence and the Evolving Landscape of Nuclear Strategy
How will an increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) affect nuclear security policies?
Union of Concerned Scientists12 min read
El Futuro De Las Comunidades Agrícolas Resilientes Vive En Allensworth
Un pueblo en el Valle Central de California es el faro de esperanza para muchas comunidades rurales en los Estados Unidos.
Union of Concerned Scientists11 min read
The Future of Resilient Agricultural Communities in California Is Alive in Allensworth
A small, Central Valley town is the beacon of hope for many rural communities in the United States.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readAmerican Government
EPA Finalizes Critical Chemical Disaster Prevention Rules
In a major step forward, the long-awaited new regulations require some 12,000 US industrial facilities that use or store hazardous substances to develop Risk Management Plans that identify prevention and response measures for chemical releases.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readPolitical Ideologies
How Bad Ballot Design Can Impact Election Outcomes—And What We Can Do
Bad ballot design can affect election outcomes and often hits some populations disproportionately. Adopting best practices based on election science can help make sure all our voices are heard.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readCrime & Violence
A New EPA Plan Offers a Roadmap on Environmental Justice and Cumulative Impacts
Real progress for communities remains in the offing. But EPA’s new plan offers a roadmap to support an important transition toward environmental justice.
Union of Concerned Scientists4 min readCrime & Violence
Climate Change Accountability: How International Courts Can Drive Climate Action
Governments worldwide are seeking guidance from international courts to determine who bears responsibility for our changing climate.
Union of Concerned Scientists4 min read
Investing in Public Transit Is Investing in Public Health
Investing in public transportation isn't only a better choice for the environment, but also for our lungs, hearts, wallets, and well-being.
Union of Concerned Scientists9 min readInternational Relations
The Deadly $125-Billion ICBM Boondoggle
If the Air Force really wanted to protect Americans, it would get rid of land-based ICBMs, not spend billions of dollars on new ones.
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min readAmerican Government
Could the US House Find a Path to a Bipartisan Budget Deal?
Here's why its record-setting number of failed rules votes could possibly have a silver lining.
Union of Concerned Scientists3 min readAmerican Government
Will the EPA Strengthen Ethylene Oxide Standards Without Outside Interference?
Industry is seeking to weaken EPA's proposed new rule regulating ethylene oxide emissions despite the science-based evidence of harm from long-term exposure.
Union of Concerned Scientists3 min readPolitical Ideologies
A New Election Science Task Force Aims to Strengthen Our Elections—and Our Democracy
A strong and healthy democracy reflects the will of the people. It gives everyone an equal opportunity to participate and have their vote counted, regardless of race, gender, wealth, or social status. It ensures that all voters have the ability to ad
Union of Concerned Scientists17 min read
Something Stinks: California Must End Manure Biomethane Accounting Gimmicks in its Low Carbon Fuel Standard
California’s transportation fuel policy is knee deep in cow poop, and it’s not a good look. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering amendments to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation, but indicated they have no plans to add
Union of Concerned Scientists5 min read
California Regulators Increased Their Clean Energy Ambition. Will They Deliver?
California Public Utilities Commission has lowered its emissions target for the electricity sector with significant consequences for the future of the state's power grid.
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