Support for InfrastructureUSA.org
has been provided by these organizations and individuals:

John Hennessy III,
P.E.

Posts Tagged ‘Union of Concerned Scientists’

Lights Out? Storm Surge, Blackouts, and How Clean Energy Can Help

Monday, November 2nd, 2015
FIGURE 1. U.S. Electric Grid Disruptions

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
To maintain our present and future access to reliable electricity—and all the health, safety, and economic benefits such access allows—we must prepare our electric grid for increased coastal flooding. One necessary approach is adapting electricity infrastructure. However, it is also critical to simultaneously pursue solutions that go beyond intervening with specific pieces of equipment. For that, we can look to bolstering the overall electricity resilience of critical facilities and vulnerable populations.

View this complete post...

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Aging Infrastructure, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, Infra Views, Smart Grid, Sustainability

View 1 Comment on this post »

Strengthening the EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014
FIGURE 1. The EPA’s Renewable Energy Targets under Its Proposed Clean Power Plan Are Modest

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
This brief outlines a better way to make the most of renewable energy in the Clean Power Plan, and to strengthen its state renewable energy targets as the cost of sources such as wind and solar power decline. The UCS proposal builds on the EPA’s approach while utilizing the latest available market data, demonstrated rates of growth in renewable energy, and existing state commitments to deploy renewables. Using our recommended modifications, the EPA could nearly double the amount of cost-effective renewable energy in their state targets—from 12 per-cent of total 2030 U.S. electric sales to 23 percent (Figure 1, p. 3).

View this complete post...

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Carbon Tax, Clean Air, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, Infra Views, National, Pollution

Comments Off on Strengthening the EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Climate Change Puts Our National Landmarks at Risk

Monday, June 9th, 2014
National Monuments at Risk

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
This report is not a comprehensive analysis of climate change threats to all of the United States’ historic places, monuments and memorials, but rather a selection of case studies that vividly illustrate an urgent problem. These examples represent just a few of the many that could have been included, but the places they examine symbolize many of the rich and diverse elements of the American experience. The stories were chosen because the science behind the risks they face is robust, and because together they shine a spotlight on the different kinds of climate impacts already affecting the United States’ cultural heritage.

View this complete post...

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Climate Change, Infra Views

Comments Off on Climate Change Puts Our National Landmarks at Risk

Infographic: The Climate Risks of Natural Gas

Thursday, March 13th, 2014
The Climate Risks of Natural Gas

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS

View this complete post...

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Climate Change, Energy, Environment, Green, National, Show Us Your Infra, Sustainability

Comments Off on Infographic: The Climate Risks of Natural Gas

Water-Smart Power

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
Water-Smart Power

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS Executive Summary The heat waves and drought that hit the United States in 2011 and 2012 shined a harsh light on the vulnerability of the U.S. electricity sector to extreme weather. During the historic 2011 drought in Texas, power plant operators trucked in water from miles away to keep the plants […]

View this complete post...

Tags: , ,
Posted in Clean Air, Energy, Infra Views, Smart Grid, Water Treatment

Comments Off on Water-Smart Power

Burning Our Rivers: The Water Footprint of Electricity

Monday, August 13th, 2012

RIVER NETWORK
It takes water to produce electricity. As many Americans retreat to air-conditioned environments to get out of the heat, the flame increases under our limited freshwater resources. The electrical energy used to create our comfort zones requires massive withdrawals of water from our rivers, lakes and aquifers to cool down nuclear, coal and natural gas power plants.

View this complete post...

Tags: , ,
Posted in Energy, Infra Views, Inland Waterways, Local, National, Pollution, Sustainability, Water Treatment

Comments Off on Burning Our Rivers: The Water Footprint of Electricity

State of Charge: Electric Vehicles’ Global Warming Emissions and Fuel-Cost Savings across the United States

Monday, April 16th, 2012

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS

Introduction

Over the past 100 years, we have become increasingly dependent on our cars for meeting life’s most basic needs. For most Americans, getting to and from work, bringing food home from the grocery store, or going to the doctor means using one’s car.

View this complete post...

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Clean Air, Environment, Infra Views, Pollution, Roads, Sustainability, Technology, Transit

Comments Off on State of Charge: Electric Vehicles’ Global Warming Emissions and Fuel-Cost Savings across the United States

Climate Change in the United States: The Prohibitive Costs of Inaction

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
“Recognizing the urgency of global warming, policy makers are beginning to pursue solutions to help us avoid the worst effects of climate change, while transitioning the nation to a clean energy economy. However, the debate over comprehensive climate and energy policy often focuses on the costs of climate action, rather than on the serious economic and environmental consequences if we fail to act. One study shows that if global warming emissions continue to grow unabated—a high-emissions scenario—the annual economic impact of more severe hurricanes, residential real-estate losses to sea-level rise, and growing water and energy costs could reach 1.4 percent of GDP by 2025, and 1.9 percent by 2100 (Ackerman and Stanton 2008).”

View this complete post...

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Clean Air, Climate Change, Competitiveness, Energy, Environment, Green, Hazardous Waste, Infra Views, National, Pollution, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Transit

Comments Off on Climate Change in the United States: The Prohibitive Costs of Inaction

Follow InfraUSA on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr

CATEGORIES


Show us your infra! Show us your infra!

Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra!  Upload and instantly share your message.

Polls Polls

Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!

Views

What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think.  Ask questions.  Share a different view.

Blog

The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.

Dear Friends,

 

It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.

 

Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.

 

We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.

 

We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.

 

Steve Anderson

Managing Director

 

SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org

917-940-7125

InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure