Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2024

Together with other modes of transportation, our vehicles emit the most heat-trapping gases in the US economy: 28 percent, followed closely by the electricity sector. In our study, by 2035 all new vehicles sold are either battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Fossil Fuels 332

Fossil Fuels Biofuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 332

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

How would that change if I hopped on the electric bus route at the end of my block? A 2021 meta-analysis of over 40 peer-reviewed studies on the subject concluded that “there is no particular type of shopping that has an absolute environmental advantage and it is in no way possible to shop ourselves out of the environmental crisis.”

Nitrogen Oxides 276

Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 276

Legal Planet

AUGUST 22, 2024

To address these dual needs, UC Berkeley Law’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE) and the UCLA Law Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment are today releasing the new report Fueling & Financing: Addressing the Urgent Challenges Facing Electric Heavy-Duty Vehicle Deployment.

Electricity 147

Electricity Climate Change Fossil Fuels 2009 147

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 26, 2022

California’s Central Valley consistently experiences the country’s worst air quality, and climate change is poised to make air quality even worse. In a region known for its exceptional agricultural productivity, climate change is quickly amplifying a dangerous type of climate risk in California’s Central Valley: air pollution.

Climate Change 314

Climate Change Ozone Air Pollution Particle Pollution 314

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 6, 2023

As early as 1966 , the state began to take regulatory action to reduce pollution from passenger cars and trucks. As a result of continuing progress on regulations, the air-polluting emissions of new passenger vehicles currently for sale are thankfully much lower than those of older vehicles. Combining the PM 2.5

Air Pollution 215

Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides 2004 2003 215

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Most Minnesotans are familiar with their local electricity utility, since that’s who bills them for electricity they provide.

Renewable Energy 350

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 350

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Gas, which now generates 40 percent of US electricity, is considered by some to be critical to maintain grid reliability. Likewise, housing discrimination has forced poorer folks and racial and ethnic minorities to live in areas with polluting infrastructure. First, there’s air pollution.

Clean Energy 328

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 328

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 27, 2025

Its a daily litany of spills, polluted water supplies, smell of natural gas in the air, noise, air pollution, explosions, landslides, truck traffic, radioactive waste, gas flares, erosion problems, dust, lights, road dumping waste, abandoned equipment and wells. 27 Released 1.1

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Air Pollution Waste Natural Gas 2023 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) contains a tax credit that can be used for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. You might have missed it because its name is a bit wordy and doesn’t contain the words “electric” or “charging.” The most recent extension expired at the end of 2021. Why now and why in 2032?

Electricity 243

Electricity Air Pollution Renewable Energy Technology 243

Real Climate

AUGUST 17, 2022

This is an historic effort though it falls short of the broader ‘ Green New Deal ‘ goals that were proposed in 2019, and doesn’t include all of the elements that were in the proposed 2021 reconcilliation package (the American Jobs Plan in “ Build Back Better “) that ultimately floundered.

Paris Agreement 349

Paris Agreement Air Pollution Renewable Energy 2030 349

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 10, 2024

And all this polluting infrastructure has serious health and environmental implications for the surrounding communities. Air pollution Gas-fueled power plants and compressor stations release emissions that pollute local air and have dangerous health impacts to nearby residents.

Fossil Fuels 291

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 291

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

The legislation committed nearly $400 billion to support, among other things, wind and solar power, battery storage, electric vehicles, and other clean energy technologies that will make a significant dent in US heat-trapping emissions. First, decarbonizing the electricity sector mainly with wind and solar to replace coal and fossil gas.

Carbon Emissions 321

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 321

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Although the nuclear bailout was repealed and refunded in 2021, some of the law’s other egregious provisions requiring ratepayers across the state to subsidize money-losing coal plants and gutting renewable energy and energy efficiency standards are still in place today. Even if you don’t live in Ohio, you may have heard about H.B.

Renewable Energy 326

Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Clean Energy 326

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 24, 2023

Over the past several years, the USPS worked to plan the replacement of its aging delivery truck fleet with a mix of both electric and combustion vehicles. If electric delivery vehicle deployment is maximized, this transition could have significant positive impacts on both air quality and the larger adoption of commercial electric vehicles.

Air Pollution 199

Air Pollution Electricity 2026 2022 199

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

On the last day of the 2022 Minnesota legislative session, state legislators had a real case of the Mondays: They failed to deliver on climate and energy policies that would have accelerated renewable energy enough to forge a clear path to carbon-free electricity and set the state on track to meet science-based emission reduction targets.

Renewable Energy 240

Renewable Energy Clean Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

US ratepayers very likely will pay even more for electricity and heating this winter compared to the already-expensive winter of 2021-2022. Between 2015 and 2021, 274 North American oil and gas producers filed for bankruptcy with a debt load of $177 billion. The bankruptcies were set in motion even before 2020.

Fossil Fuels 303

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 303

Legal Planet

JUNE 13, 2022

The national electricity plan projected that renewables will exceed coal in 2027. In November 2021, Prime Minster Modi announced in Glasgow that India would get half its energy from renewables by 2030 as well as significantly cutting its emissions. Natural gas, oil, and nuclear are minor players. As in the U.S.,

2030 246

2030 Carbon Emissions 2027 Sea Level 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 19, 2022

A recent Union of Concerned Scientists analysis found that Minnesota could meet its electricity demands with 100-percent renewable energy by 2035, which would provide significant economic and health benefits. million to support electric vehicles , including charging infrastructure and bus electrification.

Clean Energy 240

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 23, 2023

With the clean energy transition already under way, the US electricity mix is set to continue changing this year. Solar power is expected to make up about half of all additions of US electric generating capacity in 2023, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). GW record from 2021.

Fossil Fuels 198

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 198

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

To reach the state’s goals of 100% clean electricity and economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has been tasked with planning the clean electricity transition via its Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process. But the turn is not yet over.

Clean Energy 265

Clean Energy Regulations 2030 Electricity 265

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

DTE’s proposal, known as an integrated resource plan, describes how the utility intends to fulfill its customers’ electricity needs over the next 20 years. These types of long-term energy plans include forecasting the amount of electricity customers will need and examining different options for supporting that need.

Clean Energy 282

Clean Energy 2028 Electricity Wind Power 282

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 10, 2022

SB 1020 signals the state’s continued prioritization of clean energy development, adding to the state’s existing goal for 100% clean electricity retail sale by 2045 by establishing interim clean energy targets of 90% of all retail electricity sales be renewable and zero-carbon by 2035 and 95% by 2040. Download as PDF.

2021 130

2021 2022 Sea Level Clean Energy 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 27, 2023

Further, the going price of gas can be volatile and generally tracks very closely with US wholesale electricity prices, since the country grew so over-reliant on gas power plants throughout the 2010s. Last year, for the first time ever, US renewable electricity generation surpassed coal-fired electricity generation.

Fossil Fuels 232

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2014 Climate Change 232

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 10, 2023

The $10 million grant will be utilized by PRT to replace four 40-foot diesel transit buses with electric buses. The grant will also support the purchase and installation of two electric chargers along with necessary infrastructure in the garage to which the buses would be assigned. Based on data collected and analyzed by the ACHD, PM2.5

Electricity 98

Electricity Air Pollution 2026 Environmental Protection 98

A Greener Life

JUNE 27, 2022

In March, start-up BasiGo became the first company to launch an electric passenger bus in Kenya. We selected BYD because they are the largest manufacturer of electric buses globally and they are known for battery technology that is state-of-the-art,” BasiGo co-founder and CEO Jit Bhattacharya told China Dialogue. million in funding.

Electricity 97

Electricity Greenhouse 2030 2020 97

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Like many other public-serving institutions throughout society, electricity and gas utilities are facing calls to be more equitable in their operations, planning, and treatment of customers. That law created the state’s Community Air Protection Program focused on reducing exposure in communities most impacted by air pollution.

Electricity 274

Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Renewable Energy 274

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 12, 2024

Thanks largely to the Clean Air Act, new passenger vehicles are 98 to 99 percent cleaner than they were 60 years ago when it comes to most tailpipe pollutants, including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter. Even so, cars and trucks are still making us sick—and killing us.

Nitrogen Oxides 286

Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide Electricity Law 286

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 7, 2024

2023 was a milestone year for electric car sales in the US. That is A LOT of EVs and A LOT less oil use, air pollution and climate emissions. But it shouldn’t be surprising that the transition to electric vehicles might not be a straight line up, up and up. Automakers pushed back, concerned the rules were too stringent.

Electricity 362

Electricity Climate Change 2023 Environmental Protection 362

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Since global and local pollutants are often byproducts of the same activities, mitigation policies for global warming emissions have the potential to simultaneously mitigate local air pollution 2. One good example of the nexus between global warming and local pollution is ground-level ozone. Bermix Studio/Unsplash PM2.5:

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Ground-Level Ozone Fossil Fuels Ozone Air Pollution 231

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

If enacted, Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council would not only surpass former Mayor De Blasio’s goal of an all-electric city fleet by 2040, but also make New York City the first major jurisdiction in the U.S. New York City lags behind other major cities in both electric vehicle (EV) uptake and charging infrastructure deployment.

Electricity 236

Electricity Fossil Fuels Regulations 2024 236

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

Back in 2021, the federal government committed to ending the export of thermal coal before 2030. Air pollutants from coal plants are linked to chronic heart and respiratory disease, and a host of acute ailments. In 2021, the federal government introduced a policy to end mining for thermal coal.

Air Pollution 134

Air Pollution Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Greenhouse 134

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

For example, Hurricane Laura (2020) resulted in a two-week disruption at the Sabine Pass LNG export facility but well over a month at Cameron LNG, the latter of which was sidelined by an accumulation of incidents, including to external supplies of electricity as well as required repairs and dredging to the associated shipping channel.

Fossil Fuels 228

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Carbon Dioxide Natural Gas 228

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 27, 2025

Industry Has No Interest In Changes In September 2021, environmental groups submitted rulemaking petitions to the Environmental Quality Board to increase well plugging bonding amounts for conventional and unconventional shale gas wells to what it costs taxpayers to plug oil and gas wells abandoned by their owners. Read more here.

2025 62

2025 2026 2009 2013 62

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 2, 2024

Air Quality Permits -- Iron Pennsylvania Land, LLC - Cumberland Mine Methane Flare Abatement System: DEP invites comments on an Air Quality Plan Approval to construct and operate a temporary coal mine methane flare system located in Jackson Twp., Greene County. ( Adams County. ( Susquehanna County. ( Butler County. ( Venango County. (

Natural Gas 114

Natural Gas Air Pollution Recycling 2024 114

A Greener Life

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

By Leigh Hartman When Son Nguyen lived in the US, he saw rapidly advancing electric vehicle technology and heard stories from back in Vietnam about air pollution. The US Agency for International Development works with Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturers, such as VinFast, to reduce emissions. © Dita Alangkara/AP.

Clean Energy 105

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity Wind Power 105

Law Columbia

APRIL 18, 2023

Berkeley’s so-called “natural gas ban” was the first local ordinance in the country to effectively require all-electric construction of new buildings. Local governments have structured or are considering structuring all-electric construction policies in a variety of ways, some of which remain untouched by the Ninth Circuit ruling.

Conservation 122

Conservation Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Government 122

Enviromental Defense

MAY 18, 2021

But what you probably haven’t heard is that our grid is getting dirtier again, with fossil fuels increasing in our electricity supply from burning natural gas. That means carbon emissions from electricity in Ontario will be rising back up again after years of decline. Source: IESO Annual Planning Outlook (updated Feb 2021).

Electricity 52

Electricity Natural Gas Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 52