Breathtaking Breakthroughs: Clean Air Task Force’s 2024 Impact Unveiled!

The year 2024 experienced a mix of highs and lows. On the positive side, we witnessed unprecedented growth in clean energy deployment, advancements in climate-friendly policies globally, and an increasing demand for diverse energy solutions. Nonetheless, we faced challenges such as conflict, warfare, inflation, geopolitical strains, and a transformed political arena as over half the globe participated in elections. Despite this, global greenhouse gas emissions kept escalating, with little hope for a downturn in this decade.   

As unpredictability sets in and conventional routes become blocked, the merit of CATF’s distinct methodology comes to the forefront once again.  

CATF has consistently advocated for a more transparent confrontation with the climate crisis and a varied strategy to tackle it, recognizing that climate initiatives can only progress alongside efforts to enhance energy security, strengthen competitiveness, advance public health, and promote economic development. We also understand that acknowledging these realities and adapting our approach leads to a quick realization of several key points:  

• We will require more energy, not less

• We are going to need an abundance of climate solutions, not a reduction

• Regional adaptability is essential since a one-size-fits-all approach will not suffice  

• Climate policies must be crafted to be sustainable and capable of withstanding changing political climates

These tenets remain steadfast and are, in fact, strengthened during times of doubt and challenges — such as the recent outcomes from the U.S. elections. Now, more than anytime before, CATF’s pragmatic approach stands out prominently.   

The climate dilemma extends over a century, and a climate strategy that operates effectively only every four to eight years is no true strategy. CATF is equipped to vigorously safeguard our achievements while evaluating the perpetually evolving landscape and discovering new avenues for progress, collaborating with partners across political and business realms.

Continue reading to delve into our impact highlights for 2024 and learn how we plan to sustain this momentum into 2025.

Mitigating pollution: Upholding standards in U.S. courts to lower emissions

Importance: CATF’s legal efforts are essential for maintaining regulations that decrease pollution from industrial sources. In 2024, we:  

• Successfully defended the EPA’s protective limits concerning methane and smog-producing volatile organic compounds from new and existing oil and gas sources in the U.S. Appeals Court for the D.C. Circuit in July. In October, CATF further upheld this defense, while the Supreme Court dismissed two motions aimed at halting the oil and gas methane standards.

• Successfully fought against attempts to postpone the EPA’s stricter regulations for hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, from existing coal-fired power plants at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in August. In October, the Supreme Court rejected applications for a stay regarding EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Technology Review rule, which updates limits on hazardous air pollutant emissions from power plants and mandates more rigorous monitoring to guarantee compliance.

What’s next: Pollution regulations under the Clean Air Act and other guidelines that ensure our air quality remains safe and our climate remains stable are grounded in law, science, and economics. These safeguards are crucial for everyone – and our legal team is prepared to defend them. 

The heat below us: Harnessing the potential of superhot rock geothermal energy

Importance: Superhot rock geothermal energy (SHR) holds the promise of unlocking terawatts of clean, reliable, always-available power globally. This is why CATF is dedicated to transitioning this potentially revolutionary energy resource from research and development into practical application: 

• In 2022, the CATF team established a target: Five superhot rock geothermal projects within five years. With less than half of that timeframe elapsed, we are already more than halfway to our objective, with initiatives launched in the U.S., Iceland, and New Zealand. Two of these three initiatives (those in the U.S. and Iceland) are directly linked to CATF’s advocacy and coordinating efforts.

• Our pioneering modeling, published this year, investigates the case for commercializing superhot rock geothermal energy by estimating its global energy potential.

• In October, CATF brought together leaders from various sectors of geothermal innovation at the inaugural Superhot Rock Energy Summit. We delved into the intricacies of five CATF-commissioned reports that highlight key technological advancements and ongoing challenges for the deployment of superhot rock geothermal—insights that will be critical for guiding public and private investment.

• CATF’s expertise also played a role in shaping the Supercritical Research and Development Act, designed to advance essential R&D for superhot rock geothermal energy. Introduced in June, the bipartisan proposal rapidly progressed through two House committees, with support from prominent figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Paul Gosar. CATF’s SHR Program Director, Terra Rogers, provided testimony regarding the bill at a House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing in July.

• In December, the IEA unveiled its inaugural special report on geothermal energy, acknowledging CATF for our peer review contributions on an earlier draft. The IEA asserts that geothermal energy could fulfill up to 15% of the rise in global electricity demand by 2050, emphasizing the impressive potential of innovative geothermal solutions.solutions. Due to CATF’s initiatives to enhance recognition of the most promising geothermal opportunities, the report explicitly highlights the potential of superhot rock geothermal.

What’s next? CATF is dedicated to promoting SHR advancement through revised Bridging the Gaps resources, an in-depth synthesis report, and establishing a technology roadmap informed by the insights gained during this summit. These resources will aid the SHR community in managing technical, logistical, and funding needs, and the connections fostered at this summit will hasten the SHR timeline and facilitate growth within the community.

Nuclear energy momentum: Advancing clean, reliable power

Why it matters: Nuclear energy is essential for worldwide decarbonization – and can play a vital role in bolstering energy security and driving economic advancement.

• This year, CATF, EFI Foundation, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative launched the Nuclear Scaling Initiative, aimed at catalyzing and constructing a fresh nuclear energy ecosystem to expand to 50 or more gigawatts of clean, safe, and reliable nuclear power annually by the 2030s, representing a tenfold rise from the current deployment pace.

• At COP29, six additional nations committed to a pledge to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. We convened stakeholders from industry, civil society, government, and media to address the challenges and possibilities for enabling the swift, safe, and secure expansion of nuclear energy – tackling both cost and regulatory hindrances.

What’s next? Governments, industrial consumers, and the nuclear sector must work together to devise comprehensive implementation strategies to ensure the prompt and effective realization of nuclear energy initiatives – and CATF is diligently striving to ensure this occurs.

Implementation is crucial: Reducing methane pollution from energy, agriculture, and waste

Why it matters: Methane emissions possess 80 times the warming capacity of CO2 over a 20-year span, indicating that curtailing methane pollution now is the swiftest method to decelerate global warming. At CATF, our focus is on mitigating methane from energy, agriculture, and waste:

• We initiated the Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme in partnership with the UN’s Climate and Clean Air Coalition to offer customized support to low- and mid-income countries in reducing methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal.

• We published a recent report illustrating the actual impact of flaring from 10 major global oil firms – a wasteful and contaminating practice that is escalating methane emissions globally.

• Collaborating with the European Commission and the International Energy Agency, we provided suggestions on how the EU’s “You Collect We Buy” initiative can be effectively implemented, leading to substantial reductions in methane emissions from the global oil and gas sector.

• Through the Waste Methane Assessment Platform (WasteMAP), we organized workshops in Mexico and Colombia to enhance waste management systems and formulate policies and regulations to support them and mitigate methane from their waste sectors.

• We are continuing our collaboration with governments and the livestock sector worldwide to prioritize measures that aim to decrease methane emissions from agriculture.

What’s next: CATF has consistently advocated for methane reduction as one of the most economical and effective means to slow down short-term warming. This effort continues as we strive for tangible progress in lowering methane pollution.

Building our clean energy future: Streamlining energy siting in the U.S.

Why it matters: Before large-scale solar or wind installations can be constructed in a specific state or region, developers encounter a complex process of siting and permitting the new infrastructure. Over the last year, CATF has developed several resources regarding renewable energy siting and electric transmission permitting:

• An inventory of state renewable energy siting regulations, permitting authorities, and an interactive map showcasing all 50 states plus Puerto Rico.

• A series of reports that reveal public-private financing for transmission infrastructure could potentially save Californians $3 billion annually.

• A report investigating why enhancing community engagement for clean infrastructure initiatives is essential to New England’s energy transition.

What’s next: This research and assessment can aid in informing decisions as states are set to receive a surge of federal funding for clean energy projects and can assist lawmakers in crafting policies to facilitate the siting of more projects and modernize grid infrastructure in a way that benefits communities.

Getting real about climate solutions: Controlling the hydrogen hype and clarifying the information on carbon capture

Why it matters: A significant aspect of CATF’s mission is critically assessing where certain climate technologies are viable, where they fall short, and when it’s necessary to revisit our prior notions. This honest broker role is fundamental to our efforts to propel technologies that will facilitate a zero-carbon, high-energy future at an affordable cost.

• Interest in employing hydrogen to decarbonize power systems has surged, yet CATF’s analysis indicates that dedicated clean hydrogen production and utilization in the power sector is expensive and inefficient in numerous instances. The report ultimately advocates for directing limited clean hydrogen resources toward sectors where it is most beneficial – namely, industry and transportation.

• Another study from CATF assesses the efficacy of carbon capture and storage initiatives worldwide – concluding that while the technology is operational, it has not yet been optimized for maximum climatic advantage. When paired with innovation and careful policy, carbon capture projects can set a high standard for environmental performance.

What’s next: This research is instrumental in guiding CATF’s policy advocacy across the globe – and we will persist in promoting practical, enduring solutions that help propel these climate technologies to yield the greatest benefits.

Could the future be fusion? How AI and advanced computing can expedite fusion commercialization

Why it matters: Fusion energy, once perceived as a distant possibility, is on the verge of making a significant breakthrough to revolutionize our energy landscape and satisfy the demand for clean, reliable power. With over $7 billion invested in private fusion enterprises – over $6 billion raised since 2020 – the sector has experienced notable expansion, growing from 10 companies in 2017 toover 40 today. 

• A study from CATF examines how AI and high-performance computing are expediting fusion energy advancements in critical domains, such as material selection, high-temperature superconductors, inertial fusion energy, tritium breeding, and sophisticated diagnostics.

What’s next: CATF will persist in its initiatives to promote fusion energy, aiming to enhance global collaboration, establish early commercial links, and advocate for policies that facilitate fusion commercialization. 

Cost is crucial: Elevated capital expenditures are hindering clean energy investment throughout Africa

Why it’s significant: Elevated capital expenses result in clean energy initiatives incurring significantly greater financing costs, impeding efforts to expand energy accessibility – essential for driving economic expansion and achieving climate objectives. African countries are endeavoring to reconcile economic development with the imperative to decarbonize. Addressing the substantial cost of capital is vital to realizing the continent’s clean energy potential. 

• CATF’s report indicates that the weighted average capital cost in Africa is an astonishing 15.6% – over three times greater than in developed areas like Western Europe and the U.S., where it typically ranges from 2% to 5%.

What’s next: CATF ensures that policymakers, bilateral entities, and multilateral organizations have access to localized, relevant data that informs their decisions with pertinent, region-specific insights. 

An options-oriented strategy: Promoting climate action in Europe

Why this is important: In spite of its historical role in global climate leadership, Europe has encountered setbacks in achieving its own climate aspirations. This year, EU policymakers revealed significant priorities that align with CATF’s long-standing assertions – climate policies must be integrated within an economic framework and must address energy security. 

• The European Commission released its recommendations for the EU’s 2040 climate objectives, creating a foundation for bold legislative action anticipated in 2025. These recommendations encompass essential elements that CATF has long supported, including in its input to the public consultation, emphasizing the significance of carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, nuclear power, and geothermal energy in the decarbonization process. CATF has engaged extensively with the Commission and Member States to ensure that these recommendations translate into actionable measures that can be effectively implemented to meet the EU’s ambitious climate goals.

• Additionally, the EU finalized a deal on its groundbreaking Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) – mandating the bloc to achieve an annual CO₂ injection capacity of 50 Mt by 2030, requiring oil and gas producers to establish projects to meet this target, and launching a comprehensive plan for developing the CO₂ transport infrastructure (including cross-border systems) required to fulfill these objectives. Each of these crucial components, among others, were advocated for by CATF and signify the culmination of a successful advocacy effort.

What’s next: As the new EU administration gains momentum, CATF has provided recommendations for the incoming Commissioners (including Energy and Housing and Climate) and the Executive Vice Presidents for the Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition and Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. In 2025, CATF will maintain its successful advocacy record to promote a variety of technological solutions within EU climate policy. 

A landmark investment: Building on climate funding in U.S. states

Why it’s significant: With unparalleled funding flowing to states from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CATF is working directly with states to help them effectively leverage the funding – and advocating for policies that will have a meaningful impact on the climate. 

• Our Implementation Resource Hub empowers stakeholders to capitalize on federal investments by offering technical research, calculators, and other tools, alongside community benefit guides, covering a diverse range of technologies. The hub additionally monitors progress on the ground to showcase where benefits are reaching communities and to disseminate information about ongoing projects.

• In Louisiana, CATF was designated to the newly formed Clean Hydrogen Task Force and the Community Air Monitoring and Notification Task Force, taking a leading role in shaping clean hydrogen and air monitoring standards.

• In Pennsylvania, CATF championed a pioneering bill that will enhance frameworks, infrastructure, and oversight for the deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies in the state.

• Furthermore, in California, CATF successfully pushed for restrictions on vegetable-oil-based fuels under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and advanced programmatic efforts via AB 3264, a new statute that obligates the California Public Utilities Commission and related agencies to assess public financing and various ownership models that could lower the expenses of expanding California’s transmission infrastructure.

What’s next: Clean energy and clean air are widely favored throughout the nation, and state-level initiatives can advance climate strategies irrespective of the political landscape in the White House or Congress. CATF will persist in its vital work across U.S. states to drive progress and continue expanding the American clean energy revolution.