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.

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Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 264

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 279

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2030 279

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 331

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 331

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 279

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 279

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 299

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 31, 2024

As I discussed in a previous blogpost , this funding is crucial for lower-income countries to be able to make a rapid clean energy transition while closing the huge energy poverty gap for millions of people without access to modern forms of energy. Progress on support for climate adaptation.

Fossil Fuels 290

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Renewable Energy Climate Change 290

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 264

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Renewable Energy 2030 264

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.

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Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 2020 207

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 306

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Solar Power 306

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.

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Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 317

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 290

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution 290

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.

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Technology Technology Climate Change Fossil Fuels 264

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 279

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

The most promising and comprehensive solution is to meet grid reliability needs with clean resources rather than gas plants. Study after study after study has shown that a geographically diverse mix of clean energy solutions (including solar, wind, energy storage, and transmission) can go a long way towards maintaining grid reliability.

Fossil Fuels 290

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Technology 290

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 363

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 363

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.

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2030 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2007 246

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 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 279

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 264

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 264

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 264

Fossil Fuels 2030 Clean Energy Climate Change 264

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 246

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 246

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 264

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 264

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!

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Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Air Pollution Electricity 246

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.

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Solar Power Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 312

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.

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Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity Clean Energy 162

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.

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Climate Scientist Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 334

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 264

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 264

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.

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Clean Energy 2030 Fossil Fuels Technology 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 3, 2022

The majority 6–3 decision sharply curtails the EPA’s authority to set standards based on a broad range of flexible options to cut carbon emissions from the power sector—options such as replacing polluting fossil fuels with cheap and widely available wind and solar power coupled with battery storage. The West Virginia v.

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Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Nitrogen Oxides 334

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 101

Fossil Fuels 2022 Clean Energy Climate Change 101

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 264

Renewable Energy Clean Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 264

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

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 290

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 290

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 29, 2022

Over the past year, precisely as our ability to identify the specific magnitude of action required to hit 2030 climate targets of 50-52 percent below 2005 levels has resolved into ever clearer view, the range of viable pathways for meeting those targets has consistently and considerably narrowed. It’s the only forward course.

Clean Energy 264

Clean Energy 2005 2030 Fossil Fuels 264

Law and Environment

AUGUST 11, 2022

Based on numerous sources, Governor Baker has now signed an Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind. This bill includes a number of key advancements for increased adoption of zero emission vehicles and clean transportation throughout the Commonwealth. Stay tuned for Foley Hoag’s continuing zero emission transportation series.

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Clean Energy Electricity 2025 Fossil Fuels 130

A Greener Life

AUGUST 30, 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. . The low-lying European country is using its expertise in water engineering to build up its next wave of clean energy infrastructure.

Clean Energy 98

Clean Energy Technology Technology Fossil Fuels 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 25, 2022

These models are essentially designed to determine what resources need to be added to the grid to meet certain goals, such as clean energy or emissions reduction goals. Capacity expansion modeling helps determine how many clean resources, such as solar and wind, need to be added to the grid to meet clean energy goals.

Electricity 279

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 16, 2024

These owners understood both the need for a supply of energy, and the value and reliability of clean energy. A significant fraction of the clean energy built in the US was financed on the commitments by such high profile, public data companies. Data centers’ total energy demand is challenging to meet.

Electricity 290

Electricity Clean Energy Nuclear Power Renewable Energy 290