Climate Fast Facts: Nebraska

Climate & Energy Resources

• Latest Climate Science (Union of Concerned Scientists)
• Global Warming & Nebraska (National Wildlife Federation)
• Cost of Delay (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Meeting the International Clean Energy and Climate Change Challenges (The White House)

Jobs

Residents of the Cornhusker State should be all ears about the clean energy economy. The state could gain 11,000 jobs and about $930 million in investment revenue if $150 billion was invested in clean energy nationwide, and drop unemployment by 1.1 percent.

• Clean-Energy Investments Create Jobs in Nebraska (Center for American Progress/PERI)
• Nebraska: Green Prosperity and Poverty Reduction (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Clean Energy and Climate Policies Lead to Economic Growth in Nebraska (Environmental Entrepreneurs)

Opportunity

Nebraska has the will be a powerhouse of wind energy in coming years, with the 6^th highest potential wind energy capacity of any nation in the union. A nationwide $100 billion investment in green infrastructure over the next two years would bring almost 1,600 jobs in solar and wind industries to Maine. Under the ACES bill Nebraska would receive $308 million for expanded energy efficiency investments, $270 million for oil, propane, and kerosene energy efficiency investments.

• ACES Funding for Efficiency Investments- NE (Environment Northeast)
• Charting a New Path for Nebraska’ Electricity Generation and Use (National Wildlife Federation)
• The Clean Energy Economy: Nebraska (Pew Center)
• Boosting the Economy and Conserving Wildlife (National Wildlife Federation)
• Renewable Energy Works: Nebraska

Cut Costs

The average family in Nebraska would save sizeable $14.81 per month on vehicle fuel costs if the American Clean Energy and Security Act was enacted.

• Climate Bill Cuts Electricity Bills (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Climate-Protection Policies Cut Fuel Bills (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Summary of Competitiveness Provisions in ACES (Center for Clean Air Policy)
• Clean Energy, Green Jobs: A National Renewable Electricity Standard Will Boost the Economy and Protect the Environment (Union of Concerned Scientists)

Climate Consequences

An irreplaceable component of America’s breadbasket, Nebraskan agriculture may be hit hard by global climate change if the government does not act soon. Increased annual temperatures will may lead to severe drought, new pests, and changed weather patterns in the region.

• Global Climate Change Impacts on the U.S.: Great Plains Assessment (Union of Concerned Scientists)
• Hotter Fields, Lower Yields: Global Warming's Impact on Agriculture (Environment America)
• Safeguarding our Natural Resources from Global Warming (National Wildlife Federation)

• Climate Change in the United States: The Prohibitive Costs of Inaction (Union of Concerned Scientists)

State Actions

While Congress debates climate and energy legislation on the Hill, Nebraska has provided green incentives of its own, including public benefit funds for energy efficiency.

• Repower Nebraska (Alliance for Climate Protection)
• State Action on Global Warming (Pew Center on Climate Change) (see maps on state actions)

Regulating Carbon Markets

• Five Reasons Why Trading Allowances Will Help Meet Our Climate Objectives (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• The Senate’s Role in Getting Carbon Market Regulation Right (Natural Resources Defense Council)

News & Opinion

• Climate Change is Most Important Issue (The Grant Tribune Sentinel)