Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Energy storage, or the storing of electricity for later use on the power grid, plays an important role in the clean energy transition. Renewable generation is variable—wind and solar power produce electricity when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. Curtailment means we are wasting otherwise clean, perfectly usable electricity.

Fossil Fuels 163

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity Clean Energy 163

Yale E360

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

Meanwhile, in China, emissions scarcely grew in the spring and fell in the summer amid a shortage of coal and a slowdown in construction. Read more on E360 ?.

Carbon Emissions 237

Carbon Emissions Natural Gas Electricity 2021 237

Circle of Blue

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Carbon-reduction plans, if not well designed, can worsen water scarcity and pollution. Plans to reduce carbon emissions should take water into account. Some low-carbon energy options require significant amounts of water. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – September 23, 2021. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue.

Biofuels 363

Biofuels Carbon Emissions Cooling Fossil Fuels 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

However the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, the Midwest’s regional grid manager, has stepped up to approve long-awaited upgrades that will improve the reliability of the electricity system across the region, including Minnesota as well as Illinois and Michigan. That’s not a Minnesota utility…is it?

Renewable Energy 353

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 353

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

They just released their 2022 “Annual Energy Outlook” (AEO), which is a big deal: it tells us where electricity is headed over the next 30 years. Here are five key takeaways from this year’s AEO, focused primarily on the electricity sector: 1. CO 2 emissions remain mostly level through 2050—nowhere close to meeting US climate goals.

Natural Gas 291

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 291

Circle of Blue

JUNE 6, 2022

Besides the kilowatt-hours it generates, Glen Canyon provides key services to the electric grid. The country’s second largest reservoir and a lynchpin in the intermountain electric grid, Powell is more dirt than water these days. Hydropower generation will likely shut down when Lake Powell’s elevation drops below 3,490 feet.

Electricity 338

Electricity Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Greenhouse 338

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

New California legislation will require corporations to disclose their carbon emissions. Wind power costs fell by half from 2008 to 2021. The Department of Energy estimates the cost of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack declined 89% between 2008 and 2022. Utility-scale solar was an even more dramatic story.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels 2008 2010 Clean Energy 279

Clean Energy Law

MARCH 11, 2021

On March 1, 2021, the TCI released draft Model Rules for public review. See Latham’s blog post TCI Proposes to Reduce Carbon Emissions From Transportation in the Northeast.) Projects that include an electric generation component are generally not eligible for offsets.

Carbon Emissions 130

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Regulations Greenhouse 130

Legal Planet

JUNE 13, 2022

That’s understandable in terms of India’s current carbon emissions, which are now only a quarter of China’s. The national electricity plan projected that renewables will exceed coal in 2027. But given the growth of the economy, carbon emissions were projected to continuing growing steadily through 2030.

2030 246

2030 Carbon Emissions 2027 Sea Level 246

Circle of Blue

DECEMBER 6, 2022

This first report presents data from 2021, but only for a few topics. The report’s authors claim that success in lowering carbon emissions will be determined by how well the world manages its water. Freshwater ecosystems like marshes and wetlands store carbon, protect biodiversity, and improve soil and water quality.

2022 246

2022 Biofuels Carbon Emissions Cooling 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 30, 2024

But as I showed in my 2013 and 2021 reports, the hype surrounding SMRs is way overblown, and my conclusions remain valid today. According to the economies of scale principle, smaller reactors will in general produce more expensive electricity than larger ones. What are SMRs?

Nuclear Power 363

Nuclear Power Electricity Waste Cooling 363

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 2, 2023

The Federal Cabinet adopts its first climate target, a 25-30% cut in carbon emissions by 2005 under 1987 levels. Note: the estimates of 1990 emissions that I found are not entirely consistent, with one estimate closer to 1.2 Fifteen percent of electricity is renewable. Renewables are a third of electricity consumption.

Nuclear Power 203

Nuclear Power Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions 2030 203

Legal Planet

MARCH 31, 2022

Net zero by 2050, including downstream emissions and upstream emissions from suppliers. Net zero emissions from operations, 50% cut from 2000 by 2030. American Electric Power. Carbon Reduction Goals : net-zero operations-driven emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of a 50% reduction by 2030. Xcel Energy.

2030 246

2030 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2007 246

Legal Planet

JUNE 16, 2022

With economic growth have come carbon emissions. As of 2016, half of its total emissions are from the power sector, with 20% from industry and 15% from transportation, and. In 2021, South Korea set a target under the Paris Agreement of a 40% cut from 2018 levels by 2030.

Climate Change 246

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 22, 2022

Switching from gasoline and diesel engines to electric motors is one of the most effective ways to reduce global warming emissions and air pollution. In California, driving on electricity using the average plug-in vehicle can lower emissions to that of a hypothetical gasoline car that achieves 116 miles per gallon fuel economy.

Air Pollution 287

Air Pollution 2026 Nitrogen Oxides 2030 287

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 7, 2023

The Pittsburgh 2030 District , a project of the Green Building Alliance , has released its 2022 Progress Report , revealing District property partners have reduced carbon emissions by 44.8% This achievement moves the District within range of reaching its target goal of 50-65% reduction in carbon emissions before the 2030 deadline.

Carbon Emissions 98

Carbon Emissions 2030 Paris Agreement Natural Gas 98

Circle of Blue

AUGUST 5, 2021

Water Sector Carbon Emissions, But Its Potential Remains Underdeveloped. Like all other industries, the clock is ticking for the sector to cut its carbon pollution, given President Joe Biden’s goal to halve the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. IN RECENT WATER NEWS.

2021 147

2021 Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Waste 147

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 26, 2022

Though transportation emissions decreased around 10% from the previous pre-pandemic year, no one would wish for the turmoil and economic disruption that came with it. FHWA, 2021 ). In December 2021, Colorado approved a greenhouse gas emission reduction standard to require this analysis, and other states are thinking to do the same.

Greenhouse 311

Greenhouse Climate Change 2005 2021 311

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 288

Clean Energy 2028 Electricity Wind Power 288

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Sleek solar panels forged from silver and silica from the depths of the Earth translate the sun’s blindingly fiery light energy into electricity. While most energy storage for the US electricity grid today is in the form of pumped hydro systems , batteries are a growing piece of the storage pie. Batteries help store surplus energy.

Wind Power 221

Wind Power Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy 221

Enviromental Defense

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

The federal government can reduce carbon emissions by 135 million tonnes with one neat trick. Transportation accounts for one quarter of Canada’s emissions – and we need action now to stop climate disaster. . In 2021 the federal government reaffirmed their commitment to phase out the sale of new gasoline cars by 2035.

Carbon Emissions 72

Carbon Emissions Electricity Regulations Government 72

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 12, 2024

More than 20,000 Americans died prematurely in 2015 from tailpipe emissions, according to a 2019 study. Writ large, transportation is responsible for 29 percent of US carbon emissions—more than any other sector—and car and truck emissions today represent 81 percent of the US transportation sector’s global warming pollution.

Nitrogen Oxides 292

Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide Electricity Law 292

Enviromental Defense

MAY 24, 2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) play an important role in reducing carbon pollution from transportation. But there are some false and half true claims being made about electric vehicles. Here we will separate fact from fiction about electric vehicles. Question: Do Electric Cars work in cold weather?

Electricity 100

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2030 2010 100

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 27, 2023

These new protections will include updates to power plant standards on carbon emissions , mercury pollution , and toxic coal ash pollution , just to name a few. Last year, for the first time ever, US renewable electricity generation surpassed coal-fired electricity generation.

Fossil Fuels 239

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2014 Climate Change 239

Environmental Progress

APRIL 20, 2021

Testimony before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce For a hearing on “Power Struggle: Examining the 2021 Texas Grid Failure” Written statement submitted by: Michael D. Some have argued that weather-dependent energies would, paradoxically, make electricity even more reliable. percent, 47.4

2021 108

2021 Renewable Energy Electricity Natural Gas 108

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 23, 2024

Last year, my UCS colleagues working on climate science and corporate accountability found, in a peer-reviewed study , that 37% of the area burned in western North America since 1986 is attributable to the carbon emissions of just 88 fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. That 37% equates to 19.8

Fossil Fuels 277

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Electricity 2019 277

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 29, 2022

That requires bringing global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. To meet that goal, the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Roadmap released in 2021 says no new oil and gas supply projects can come online. degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Coastal Erosion Carbon Dioxide Biofuels 279

Legal Planet

MAY 9, 2022

Carbon markets are at a crossroads. As of 2021, 30 emissions trading systems were in force globally, covering 16 – 17 % of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California has perhaps the most comprehensive protocols on offsets in the world, but this has not quieted concerns. Focusing on data accuracy and MRV.

Government 241

Government Politics Climate Change Paris Agreement 241

Environmental Leader

MARCH 16, 2022

Through its virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) with the Blooming Grove Wind Farm, and additional renewables contracting, Saint-Gobain North America has reduced a significant percentage of its CO2 emissions from electricity usage in 2021.

Carbon Emissions 52

Carbon Emissions Electricity 2021 Renewable Energy 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Earlier this month the International Energy Agency (IEA) released data showing that global carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions hit an all-time high in 2021, rebounding sharply from the 2020 decline caused by COVID-19 related economic slump. It’s clear we cannot continue to live this way, it will destroy our civilization.”.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 279

Law and Environment

JUNE 16, 2021

On June 10, 2021, the Transportation Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) states released a final model rule creating a regional cap-and-trade-program to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. We wrote about the draft model rule and its implementation challenges when it was released at the beginning of March.

Politics 130

Politics Carbon Emissions Clean Energy Greenhouse 130

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 13, 2021

Electric Vehicles. The federal government offers a $5,000 incentive towards electric vehicle purchases (both battery electric and plug-in hybrid). In British Columbia, 10 per cent of all vehicles sold in Q2 2021 were EVs. In Quebec, 9 per cent of all vehicles sold in Q2 2021 were EVs. Let’s take a look. Here’s why.

Greenhouse 115

Greenhouse Electricity 2017 2018 115

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 15, 2021

Second, none of the scenarios include estimates of Canada’s carbon emissions. Energy Futures 2021 has two main projections of Canada’s future energy needs. A net zero analysis for electricity only. The CER does present one net zero by 2050 scenario, but that is for the electricity sector only.

Regulations 97

Regulations Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 97

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 21, 2021

2021 was a year dominated by environmental news. With this rebound came the increase in carbon emissions and effects of climate change. Electric vehicles finally come into their own : The coming year will mark the introduction of many new EV models with greater range and lower prices than ever.

2022 133

2022 Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Climate Change 133

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Key Takeaways Here are some key takeaways from the hearing-- -- Natural Gas Continues To Have A Reliability Problem: 70% of the PJM electric generation that failed to perform during the December freeze were natural gas-fired power plants. Natural gas had the same problems during a cold weather event in 2014 and the polar vortex in 2018.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 98

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

By Penn State News With a goal of achieving 100% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2035, Penn State – under the direction of President Neeli Bendapudi -- is moving forward with several of the recommendations presented by the University’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force in Spring 2022.

Greenhouse 98

Greenhouse Carbon Emissions Electricity 2005 98

Enviromental Defense

MAY 18, 2021

The decision to ditch coal was the biggest single action of its time to cut carbon emissions in North America. 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. Source: IESO Annual Planning Outlook (updated Feb 2021).

Electricity 52

Electricity Natural Gas Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 52