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Ask a Scientist: The US Has to Do More to Meet Its Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

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? Below is an abridged version of our conversation.

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Renewables Have Pulled Ahead of Coal. What’s Next?

Union of Concerned Scientists

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. percent of the country’s electricity supply (up 1.1 It supplied 10.5

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Illinois Has No Time to Waste in Building Its Carbon-Free Electricity Future

Union of Concerned Scientists

Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) sets a bold goal for the state—no carbon pollution from electricity generation by 2045, which means zero global warming emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. CEJA also extends the state’s successful energy efficiency programs and expands the savings goals utilities must meet.

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Building a Better Power Grid for Minnesota

Union of Concerned Scientists

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? Source: MISO LRTP Report.

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Boosting Michigan’s Energy Future with Regional Transmission Upgrades

Union of Concerned Scientists

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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What Happens to Wind Turbine Blades at the End of Their Life Cycle?

Union of Concerned Scientists

To learn about the current lifecycle and a more sustainable solution for the rare earth elements in wind turbine generators, read How Are Wind Turbines Made? A wind turbine includes a foundation, a tower, electrical wiring, a nacelle between the blades, and the blades themselves. Blade materials are special.

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Want Clean Energy? Then You Also Want Battery Recycling.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for decarbonizing transportation through electric vehicles and building a resilient, renewable energy grid through energy storage batteries. By 2050, battery recycling could supply 22 to 27% of lithium, 40 to 46% of nickel, and 45 to 52% of cobalt needed for electric vehicles in the US.

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