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. Illinois is currently considering policy proposals to establish a statewide energy storage target. For instance, around 3,000 megawatts (3 gigawatts) of storage capacity is needed in 2030.

Fossil Fuels 162

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity Clean Energy 162

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 28, 2022

Last week was a big one for clean energy in Michigan. First, Union of Concerned Scientists and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition released a new report on how Michigan and other states can achieve 100-percent renewable energy standards that benefit all communities. Consumers’ plan wisely avoids that risky path.

Clean Energy 270

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2030 270

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

Last November, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) released an interdisciplinary study exploring the various pathways to meeting US goals to cut heat-trapping emissions economywide 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The good news? Let’s dig into it a bit.

Clean Energy 307

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2030 307

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. It also will save US consumers money because they will spend less on fossil fuels.

Carbon Emissions 321

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 321

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

By expanding renewable power, phasing out fossil fuels, electrifying as much of the economy as possible, and deploying other technologies, the U.S. Building substantial amounts of clean energy to power the electrification of transportation (and other sectors like buildings and industry). Today, this makes the U.S.

Clean Energy 345

Clean Energy Biofuels Electricity Renewable Energy 345

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 27, 2023

Fossil fuel power plant owners are facing increased accountability for their air and water pollution, including from a new round of environmental and public health protections that are being rolled out by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We’ve heard these lazily disingenuous narratives before.

Fossil Fuels 232

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2014 Climate Change 232

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 21, 2022

The most consequential vote to advance a clean energy future won’t be happening in Washington, D.C., billion in new transmission investments to accommodate a shift to clean energy. billion in new transmission investments to accommodate a shift to clean energy. or your state capital next week. billion to $11.6

Clean Energy 291

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 291

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). I’ll start off with the good.

Fossil Fuels 198

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 198

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

Senate Bill (SB) 271 requires utilities to achieve, at a minimum, renewable energy-generated electricity sales of 50 percent in 2030 and 60 percent in 2035. Additionally, SB 271 requires utilities to achieve a “clean energy” portfolio of at least 80 percent in 2035 and 100 percent in 2040. What’s In the Bills?

Clean Energy 236

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 236

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 23, 2025

At present, California effectively has a ban on new nuclear power plants, but some California legislators are interested in rolling that back ostensibly to advance California towards its clean energy goals. Diablo Canyon is now Californias last operational nuclear power plant, but its currently slated to shut down by 2030.

Nuclear Power 206

Nuclear Power Clean Energy Technology Technology 206

Energy and Climate Law

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

For almost two year now the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is under revision and negotiations shall finish in 2021. The aim of the EU is to try to stop fossil fuel companies suing states over climate action. The EU now ratched up its position on the reform of the ECT during recent negotiation rounds.

Fossil Fuels 207

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 2020 207

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 12, 2024

A target of 45 to 50 per cent reductions from 2005 levels by 2035 represents no meaningful increase in ambition from Canadas current 2030 target. These will only keep increasing unless Canada seriously commits to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. Targets matter. We know this decade is crucial.

Fossil Fuels 121

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Greenhouse Government 121

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 24, 2023

The progress in the numbers The new numbers are from the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA), which collects data from power plant operators from across the country. They offer a lot of good news about clean energy progress. Renewables up, coal down More renewable energy is desirable for a lot of reasons.

Clean Energy 302

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Solar Power 302

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2021

We need to quickly transition to a clean energy future in Illinois to prevent additional negative public health impacts from fossil fuel plants. The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) HB 0804/ SB1718 is the only bill that puts Illinois on a path to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Fossil Fuels 230

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Renewable Energy 2030 230

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

committed to cutting its emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. A range of state and federal policies—including the Inflation Reduction Act—currently puts it on track to cut emissions about 32-43% below 2005 levels by 2030. In its last NDC, back in 2021, the U.S. For the next round of NDCs, the U.S.

Fossil Fuels 278

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2005 Climate Change 278

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Wider repercussions, including the inequitable impacts of rising food and energy prices and the potential for a food crisis hitting vulnerable populations around the world, must also be urgently addressed by global leaders. Other countries are dependent upon these fossil fuels, they don’t make themselves free of them.

Fossil Fuels 278

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 278

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 13, 2022

We already have so many of the foundational technological building blocks of the clean energy transition at hand: renewables, energy efficiency, energy storage, and pathways to electrifying a vast array of energy end uses. Now we need to rapidly accelerate the clean energy momentum already underway.

Technology 250

Technology Technology Climate Change Fossil Fuels 250

Legal Planet

MARCH 31, 2022

It turns out that most of them are 50-60% reliant on fossil fuels, with a lot of the remainder coming from nuclear and hydro. This table shows how much power is generated from fossil fuels by the top ten utilities (ranked by market value). There was more fuel oil in use in some places than I expected. Xcel Energy.

2030 246

2030 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2007 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Communities and ecosystems continue to suffer the consequences of human-caused climate change , primarily from the burning of fossil fuels across our economy. The case for phasing out of fossil fuels and making a just and equitable transition to clean energy has never been more clear. Sources of PM 2.5

Fossil Fuels 267

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution 267

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2022

First and foremost, despite some fossil fuel interests swinging for the fossil fuel-favored fences, the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA did not revoke EPA’s underlying authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. What the Supreme Court decided in West Virginia v.

Fossil Fuels 276

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 276

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. Renewable energy will help with all of that—but we need a grid that is designed for wind and solar instead of having to rely on expensive coal and gas plants.

Renewable Energy 350

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 350

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 12, 2024

However, as we replace fossil fuels with clean electricity for heating and transportation to meet our climate goals, these peak demands will increasingly shift to the winter in many parts of the country. It’s worth delving into because it has some important implications for our clean energy future. Figure 2.

Fossil Fuels 273

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 273

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, with climate and clean energy majorities in both chambers, Minnesota is poised to join other leading states in updating its clean energy policies equitably with benefits for all residents.

Electricity 238

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 238

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

With respect to the electricity grid, CEJA directs the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to prepare a Renewable Energy Access Plan (REAP) to help ensure that clean energy resources can connect to the grid and be ready to replace coal and gas plants.

Electricity 229

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 229

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 25, 2022

Today, the regional entity overseeing much of the electric power grid in the Midwest—the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)—approved a set of major new transmission system upgrades that will bring billions of dollars in benefits to the region while better enabling states and utilities to pursue transitions to clean energy.

Solar Power 302

Solar Power Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 302

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Last year’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included a clean hydrogen production tax credit (known as “45V”) that is one of a slew of new incentives intended to help catalyze the next and necessary phase of advancing the nation’s clean energy transition as a whole. The costs will be too great otherwise.

Clean Energy 244

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 244

Enviromental Defense

NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Joining an ever growing list of countries from around the world, Canada pledged to end public financing for overseas fossil-fuel projects in 2022 and instead prioritize the clean energy transition. This sends an important signal to investors and people around the world that the sun is setting on fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 103

Fossil Fuels 2022 Clean Energy Climate Change 103

A Greener Life

OCTOBER 24, 2021

IEA says its report is designed to be used as a handbook for policy-makers at the COP26 summit and offers a critical opportunity to accelerate both climate action as well as the clean energy transition. In this scenario, demand for fossil fuels peaks by 2025, and global CO2 emissions fall by 40% by 2050. degree C world.

Clean Energy 98

Clean Energy 2030 Fossil Fuels Technology 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 27, 2022

There is still much we can do to bend that emissions curve sharply within this decade—but only if world leaders, especially leaders of richer countries and major emitting nations, take responsibility to act together quickly and fossil fuel companies are held accountable for their decades of obstruction and deception.

Fossil Fuels 214

Fossil Fuels 2030 Clean Energy Climate Change 214

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2035 The state has already committed to reduce its heat trapping emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and 75 percent by 2040, and to be net zero by 2050. Residents of East Boston protest Eversource’s plans to build a controversial substation in their neighborhood. Here we go, 2023!

Fossil Fuels 216

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Air Pollution Electricity 216

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 25, 2022

These investments will bring more clean energy online, improve grid resiliency, and deliver significant consumer benefits and jobs. According to Clean Grid Alliance, these projects will also enable more than 7,800 MW of new renewable energy resources developed in the state. million homes.

Renewable Energy 245

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 245

Legal Planet

JULY 29, 2021

On Wednesday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a package of four clean energy bills. These laws ban new fossil fuel plants and set aggressive targets for the state’s two major utilities, requiring emission cuts of 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035 and 100% by 2040. House Bill 3141 is the final piece of the package.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Renewable Energy 2010 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 4, 2024

1 capturing three seats on the board by successfully arguing that ExxonMobil was failing to adapt for the transition to clean energy. The fossil fuel giant now claims to be “aligned” with the Paris climate agreement, all while it continues to massively expand oil and gas exploration and production and lobby against climate action.

Climate Scientist 289

Climate Scientist Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 289

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

According to the forecast, while economy-wide CO 2 emissions decrease from 2022 to 2037 due primarily to the growth in renewable energy replacing retiring coal plants, emissions do increase after 2037 from increased usage of natural gas. Transformative change to our energy system is needed if we are to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Natural Gas 289

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 289

A Greener Life

DECEMBER 13, 2023

By Anders Lorenzen Whether or not to include the language stating ‘fossil fuels must be phased out’ rather than ‘phased down’ became the key contentious issue at this year’s UN climate talks. A draft text released Friday, with just under a week for the summit to conclude included the key fossil fuel language as an option.

Fossil Fuels 105

Fossil Fuels 2023 Climate Change 2009 105

Enviromental Defense

JUNE 21, 2021

In a remarkable new report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds that in order to limit warming to 1.5 The IEA is the world’s foremost authority on energy, relied upon by governments and the private sector around the world. That includes: 1 Stop approving fossil fuel projects, and plan for their phase out.

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Climate Change Clean Energy 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

The best hope now for Minnesota legislators to act on the climate and energy agreement is a special session. With only eight years left to attain 80 percent of emission reductions in the electricity sector by 2030 and lay the foundation to meet economy-wide climate goals, they need to get back to work to finish the job before 2023.

Renewable Energy 240

Renewable Energy Clean Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 240