Table of Contents
We’ve combined science and advocacy for more than fifty years. The results speak for themselves.
Assembled below is a list of recent UCS-driven wins and major milestones, chronicling the many ways we act at the intersection of science and policy. Each success is made possible through the power of our staff, Science Network, activists, and committed members.
Recent wins
Images by K/Getty Images
More Solar for Michigan
It’s now easier for Michiganders to connect clean distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, after UCS advocated for Michigan utility DTE to simplify and modernize its processes.
Cedric Letsch/Unsplash
New CA Laws Reflect Years of UCS Work
Three new UCS-supported laws will save Golden State ratepayers money and increase the amount of clean energy flowing to California’s electric grid, paying off years of analysis and advocacy from UCS Western States staff.
S. Young/UCS
Historic Win for Survivors of Radiation Exposure
For years, UCS has worked with communities exposed to radiation from US nuclear weapons activities for justice and compensation. Legislation providing compensation lapsed in 2024; after much advocacy, Congress renewed and expanded it to cover more people.
Major accomplishments
Cedric Letsch/Unsplash
New CA Laws Reflect Years of UCS Work
Three new UCS-supported laws will save Golden State ratepayers money and increase the amount of clean energy flowing to California’s electric grid, paying off years of analysis and advocacy from UCS Western States staff.
S. Young/UCS
Historic Win for Survivors of Radiation Exposure
For years, UCS has worked with communities exposed to radiation from US nuclear weapons activities for justice and compensation. Legislation providing compensation lapsed in 2024; after much advocacy, Congress renewed and expanded it to cover more people.
Jeremy Bishop/Unsplash
UCS Provides the Science in Major Legal Opinion
Following direct work between UCS scientists and countries on the font lines of the climate crisis, the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights issued the opinion that climate inaction is a violation of international law.
Westend61/Getty Images
Millions of Midwesterners Benefit from Milestone Clean Energy Investment
In a move that will boost reliable, inexpensive clean energy and jobs in the region—that UCS has supported in state legislatures and with utility regulators for years—a Midwestern utility has voted to invest billions in its transmission system.
Michael Fousert/Unsplash
California Passes First-in-the-Nation Bidirectional EV Charging Bill
After years of education and advocacy from UCS and others, California became the first state to require that EVs offer bidirectional charging capability—a forward-thinking solution for lower bills, grid resilience, and clean back-up power.
arbyreed/Flickr
New EPA Rules Offer $370 Billion in Climate and Health Benefits
These new rules, informed by UCS analysis, place limits on carbon emissions from new gas plants and existing coal plants. UCS was invited to the announcement of this historic announcement in recognition of our role in helping pass it.
Bob Korn/Shutterstock
After UCS Advocacy, >13 Million People Protected By New Ethylene Oxide Regulation
UCS ran an advocacy campaign, including media attention, public comments, and testimony, to pressure the EPA into setting stricter limits on ethylene oxide emissions. The outcome? Far stronger new standards and widespread public health benefits.
Antoni Shkraba/Pexels
7 Billion Tons of Climate Pollution Avoided Thanks to New UCS-backed Vehicle Standards
The newest EPA rules will help prevent an estimated 7.2 billion tons of global warming pollution by 2055—to get there, UCS provided technical feedback, facilitated 14,000+ public comments from supporters, and rallied reinforcement in Congress.
Patrick Hendry/Unsplash
More Than 12,000 Chemical Facilities Better Prepared for Disasters
UCS has worked for years to draw attention to weak standards that do not protect workers and adjacent communities from potential chemical plant disasters. A new EPA rule strengthens requirements for such facilities’ preparedness and prevention.
Sam Churchill/Flickr
UCS Helps Bring Clean Energy to Michigan
Multiple clean energy bills that UCS advocated for have been signed into law in Michigan—establishing a 100% clean energy standard, expanding energy efficiency programs, and creating strong new jobs.
Feature
50 Years of Science and Action
Since our founding in 1969 we've helped address some of the world’s most pressing problems.