Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 17, 2023

The fabulous growth of wind and solar builds on states’ clean energy policy and corporate decarbonization targets. However, great opportunities for more new clean energy supplies to replace fossil fuel energy need supporting grid investments. Where do we go for that modern infrastructure?

Clean Energy 242

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Regulations 242

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law a standard that will make the North Star State’s electricity 100 percent carbon-free by 2040. Stay tuned for more updates as Minnesota and its climate and clean energy champions move closer to a healthier, equitable energy future for the state and its residents.

Electricity 262

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 262

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 10, 2025

And how can we provide job opportunities for the tremendously skilled workers in traditional energy domains while also training the workers we need to accelerate emerging technologies? In fact, pursuing more climate-forward energy policies can be an opportunity to do right by our neighbors working in Pennsylvanias oil and gas fields.

Clean Energy 97

Clean Energy Cooling 2025 Greenhouse 97

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 17, 2024

On December 17, Sustainable Pittsburgh released Clean Energy Workforce: Needs and Opportunities for Southwestern PA , a comprehensive document that explores the opportunities and challenges in building a robust and equitable clean energy workforce in southwestern Pennsylvania. Sustainable Pittsburghs Executive Director.

Clean Energy 80

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2024 80

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 30, 2023

On January 26, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 7 —the 100% Clean Energy Bill. Now it’s on to the state Senate, where the question is: Will this be the year Minnesota sets a path toward 100-percent carbon-free electricity?

Electricity 253

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 253

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

Rising prices of methane gas used for power and heating, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are contributing to soaring electric and heating bills across the country. And between 2010 and 2020 across all economic sectors, the share of US primary energy consumption from methane gas increased from 25 to 34 percent. .

Clean Energy 244

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 244

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 24, 2023

There’s good news in the recently released official data on electricity generation in the United States in 2022: renewable energy has continued to grow, coal power has continued to drop, and renewables are now firmly ahead of coal for the first time ever. They offer a lot of good news about clean energy progress.

Clean Energy 306

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Solar Power 306

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 4, 2024

This represents an unprecedented influx of state and federal support for clean energy in Pennsylvania, including a just-announced $303.5 million closed loan from the US Department of Energy for Eos Energy Enterprises, and has made the Pittsburgh region a clean energy gateway for the state.

Clean Energy 83

Clean Energy Environmental Protection 2024 Solar Power 83

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Since the beginning of 2022, electric vehicle sales in the United States have been downright electrifying. Last year, US drivers bought more than 800,000 new electric vehicles (EVs), 65 percent more than in 2021, even as overall car sales declined. billion to help California drivers switch from gasoline to electricity.

Electricity 334

Electricity Air Pollution 2030 Clean Air Act 334

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 21, 2024

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included a major—forthcoming—refresh for one of the biggest policy drivers of the nation’s clean energy transition to date: tax credits subsidizing the deployment of clean electricity resources. What’s “clean,” and how is it measured?

Electricity 291

Electricity Clean Energy Greenhouse Technology 291

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

Last spring, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) , which operates the electricity grid serving 45 million people across the central United States, found o ut it was at a higher risk of power outages than it believed. The result, as I explain below, was skyrocketing electricity bills for thousands of people.

Electricity 255

Electricity Clean Energy Natural Resources 2022 255

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

This experience, not far from Seattle and with ties to the information tech industry, highlights some of the issues surrounding the electric power needs of data centers. He was obviously oblivious to the fact that old-style electric heat (i.e. He assured me he hadnt: it doesnt require electricity!

Nuclear Power 180

Nuclear Power Electricity Clean Energy Technology 180

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. percent higher than the number of wealthier residents, according to a 2022 UCS study. EN: What needs to be done to make the electric grid more equitable—and reliable?

Clean Energy 343

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 343

Law and Environment

JANUARY 24, 2023

This past year represents a real turning point in the transition to electric vehicles, demonstrated by new major incentives and regulatory activities at both federal and state government levels and several notable accomplishments in the private sector. This all contributed to making 2022 the best year yet for EVs. First, the U.S.

Electricity 130

Electricity 2022 2028 2027 130

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. How is that going to happen? Their report, however, comes with a warning.

Carbon Emissions 329

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 329

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2022

Climate Alliance (USCA) can meet all of their electricity needs with renewable energy—while decarbonizing other sectors of the economy and ensuring equitable benefits to all communities. States have technically feasible and highly beneficial paths to achieving 100 percent renewable energy. by 2035 is needed.

Renewable Energy 363

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Clean Energy 363

Law and Environment

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced that proposed amendments to the state’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) were finalized earlier this month without substantive changes from draft language initially proposed by the agencies in April 2022.

Clean Energy 130

Clean Energy Electricity Renewable Energy 2030 130

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Using an interactive online dashboard-- Renewables on the Rise 2024 -- documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the United States over the past decade and ranks states accordingly for solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.

Renewable Energy 101

Renewable Energy Clean Energy Solar Power Electricity 101

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 254

Renewable Energy Clean Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 254

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 13, 2024

As electric vehicle charging stations sprout like mushrooms along our roads and clusters of new wind turbines come online, these two clean energy solutions to the climate crisis are becoming more commonplace. But beyond more electric cars and solar panels, what can everyday people do?

Fossil Fuels 252

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 252

Circle of Blue

JULY 26, 2022

July 26, 2022. An independent analysis found that while electrical problems at wastewater pumping systems exacerbated the sewer backups, most of the devastation was due to heavy rainfall, not government failure. WIND ENERGY: A wind farm has emerged as the latest energy flashpoint in New York, the Buffalo News reports.

2022 236

2022 Climate Change Regulations Carbon Emissions 236

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

The Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) is one of the go-to sources for reliable information about the US power sector. 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.

Natural Gas 291

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 291

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 12, 2024

Fossil gas power plants currently provide the largest source of electricity generation and capacity in the United States. To meet our climate goals and reach net zero emissions by 2050, most studies show that we need to dramatically reduce gas use for generating electricity, heating homes and businesses, and running industrial processes.

Fossil Fuels 291

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 291

Law and Environment

AUGUST 11, 2022

5060 ), titled An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, into law on Thursday August 11, 2022. Other provisions include a ban on incentives and rebates from Mass Save related to fossil fuel powered systems, except as backup for electric heat pumps. Electric Grid. Governor Baker signed the climate bill ( H.5060

Clean Energy 147

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2027 147

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

Climate policy has been boosted by dramatic changes in the economics of clean energy. The Department of Energy estimates the cost of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack declined 89% between 2008 and 2022. Cheaper renewable energy attracts private investment and makes limits on fossil fuels more feasible.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels 2008 2010 Clean Energy 279

A Greener Life

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

The United States supports Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners in meeting their clean energy goals. 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. © Zul Kifli / AFP / Getty Images.

Clean Energy 105

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity Wind Power 105

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 25, 2023

PPL continues to serve Kentuckians reliable, low-cost, clean electricity and natural gas. Even more, the company has begun executing its clean energy strategy, which is part of their effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

2022 130

2022 Carbon Emissions Clean Energy Natural Gas 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 26, 2024

As one example of these rising costs, Californians’ electricity bills have been skyrocketing over the past few years. The new rate structure guidance lowers electricity bills on average for lower-income households and those living in regions most impacted by extreme weather events.

Climate Change 258

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 258

Legal Planet

JULY 29, 2021

On Wednesday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a package of four clean energy bills. By 2022, the utilities must file Integrated Resource Plans, which will detail their strategies for making the cuts. The law also contains provisions addressing wages and benefits for workers on renewable energy projects.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Renewable Energy 2010 264

Law and Environment

JULY 1, 2022

EPA on Thursday, June 30, 2022, curbing the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants across the country. The decision focuses on EPA’s authority under a specific section of the Clean Air Act. What does this mean for clean energy projects?

Clean Energy 130

Clean Energy Climate Change Clean Air Act Greenhouse 130

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

And yet, one of the largest threats to California’s clean transportation leadership in recent history has materialized right under our noses — and it’s coming from our own legislature. Our elected leaders understand that California’s transition to a clean energy future is essential both for the health of our residents and our economy.

Clean Air Act 338

Clean Air Act Electricity Clean Energy 2025 338

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 31, 2023

Done right, a transformative shift to clean energy can also be a tremendous boon to community well-being, public health, and the economy. An approach built around clean electricity will further help ensure a cleaner, more reliable power system while also lowering costs for ratepayers.

Fossil Fuels 241

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Clean Air Act Pollution Control 241

A Greener Life

AUGUST 30, 2022

The first wind turbine erected at the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm in April 2022. The combination of offshore wind turbines, floating solar panels and green hydrogen are some of the hybrid clean energy technologies currently under development off the Dutch coast. . Photo credit: Vattenfall / Ties van der Horst.

Clean Energy 98

Clean Energy Technology Technology Fossil Fuels 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 2, 2024

For hydrogen to have any role in the clean energy transition , it must be cleanly produced. As a result, they’ve been subjecting the administration’s approach to relentless attacks , claiming that adhering to this framework would irreparably harm the nation’s clean energy transition. But the tell is in the asks.

Carbon Emissions 183

Carbon Emissions Clean Energy Electricity Air Pollution 183

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 3, 2024

By John Quigley, Senior Fellow, Kleinman Center Next year, the electricity bills for twenty percent of Americans will start reflecting the high cost of failing to transition to clean energy. Massive amounts of clean energy generation and storage projects are backlogged in PJM.

Clean Energy 111

Clean Energy Natural Gas Electricity 2025 111

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 10, 2024

Higher and more volatile energy bills An electric system that is over-reliant on gas can contribute to higher and more volatile electricity bills. Wholesale electricity prices rose 7,400% , in part because gas plants disproportionately failed in the cold weather causing electricity supply shortages.

Fossil Fuels 307

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 307

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

This would have enabled the CAISO to expand its operations into the rest of the west as a regional transmission organization (RTO), an independent entity that plans and operates the electricity grid. Now, 22 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have 100% clean energy goals on the books.

2018 264

2018 Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 264