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 208

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 208

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 23, 2024

Residential electricity rates for many Californians have increased significantly over the last year, making it more expensive to charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home. It’s still cheaper to recharge an EV than buy gasoline, but those savings have been eroded by surging electric rates. to $9.54.

Electricity 235

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2026 Climate Change 235

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

All told, they represent 56 percent of the US population, generate 62 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, and are responsible for 43 percent of the country’s annual carbon emissions. We found that states have technically feasible and highly beneficial ways to achieve 100-percent renewable energy.

Electricity 260

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 260

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 22, 2024

When it comes to the transition to clean energy, 2023 was quite a year for progress: record-breaking amounts of solar installed in the United States, a solid drop in carbon emissions from the US power sector, more than one million electric vehicles sold in the country for the first time, “breakneck” growth in renewable energy globally, and more.

Clean Energy 161

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2024 161

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 208

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 208

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 276

Solar Power Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 276

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 21, 2024

Earlier this month, the US Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service hosted a public hearing on their recent proposed rules governing implementation of the Section 45Y Clean Electricity Production Credit and the Section 48E Clean Electricity Investment Credit. My testimony is copied below.

Electricity 209

Electricity Wind Power Greenhouse Clean Energy 209

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

Fourteen states now have net-zero emissions targets for the economy as a whole, and sixteen have zero-carbon targets for the grid. New California legislation will require corporations to disclose their carbon emissions. Climate policy has been boosted by dramatic changes in the economics of clean energy.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels 2008 2010 Clean Energy 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Extreme weather, which is increasing due to climate change , can degrade the electricity system and cause these failures. Power outages are costly, can have extreme impacts on both the health and safety of a population, and can happen at any point in the process of electricity generation, distribution, and usage.

Electricity 200

Electricity Renewable Energy Climate Change Sea Level 200

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

Unfortunately, the Minnesota Legislature failed to act on climate and clean energy investments this session, leaving progress toward a more affordable, equitable, healthy Minnesota on the table. Most Minnesotans are familiar with their local electricity utility, since that’s who bills them for electricity they provide.

Renewable Energy 321

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 321

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

Last month, DOE solicited applications from states to develop clean energy projects. The possibility of snagging some of this funding may also help nudge some lagging states to think seriously about cutting carbon emissions. Another development with multi-state implications involves electric vehicles.

Carbon Emissions 246

Carbon Emissions Clean Air Act Electricity 2030 246

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 209

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 209

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

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 214

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 214

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. Carbon emissions remain high.

Natural Gas 285

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 285

Legal Planet

MARCH 31, 2022

Net zero emissions from operations, 50% cut from 2000 by 2030. American Electric Power. Xcel Energy. Net zero by 2050, 50% cut by 2030, and 100% clean energy by 2040. Carbon Reduction Goals : net-zero operations-driven emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of a 50% reduction by 2030. 7) Xcel Energy.

2030 246

2030 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2007 246

Clean Energy Law

MARCH 11, 2021

In December 2018, after having successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 53.3%, a majority of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) jurisdictions announced plans to design a program to address carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels.

Carbon Emissions 130

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Regulations Greenhouse 130

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Although its track record has some complexities, this timeline of German actions shows just its early and sustained attention to clean energy policy: 1990. The Federal Cabinet adopts its first climate target, a 25-30% cut in carbon emissions by 2005 under 1987 levels. Fifteen percent of electricity is renewable.

Nuclear Power 203

Nuclear Power Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions 2030 203

Environmental News Bits

APRIL 22, 2022

When we tell the story of our clean energy future, technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles take center stage. These technologies will be crucial to producing 100% clean electricity by 2035 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Clean Energy 80

Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity Technology 80

Legal Planet

APRIL 11, 2022

If we switch to renewables, we won’t need to worry about saving energy. One reason to save energy is to limit carbon emissions from the energy we use. That’s going to important until the energy system has been completely cleaned up. In the end, you might use more electricity, not less.

Conservation 246

Conservation Deforestation Electricity Carbon Emissions 246

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

JANUARY 18, 2024

But hydrogen can be cleanly produced and, with the right guardrails in place, that clean hydrogen can then be used to clean up polluting parts of the economy that can’t readily convert to running on renewable electricity. Otherwise, hydrogen will slow the clean energy transition, not speed it. the “three pillars”).

Fossil Fuels 179

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2028 Carbon Emissions 179

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 16, 2024

I work in the electric utility sector, specifically on the grid issues that shape our energy supply choices. I heard some early warnings of data center growth running into grid limits first from tech companies and then from electric utility planners. This growth is a jolt to the usually slow-moving electricity sector.

Electricity 207

Electricity Clean Energy Nuclear Power Renewable Energy 207

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. Curtailment means we are wasting otherwise clean, perfectly usable electricity.

Fossil Fuels 163

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity Clean Energy 163

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2022

That’s because the case, which was about the nature and scope of EPA authority in regulating carbon emissions from existing power plants, turned on a rule that does not exist. In short: We need to clean up the power sector as much as we can, as fast as we can, to have any chance at staving off the worst of climate impacts.

Fossil Fuels 262

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 262

Environmental News Bits

AUGUST 25, 2022

Today, most companies (including Google) that have declared they’re running on 100 percent renewable energy can do so because they are matching their electricity usage with purchases of solar, wind, hydro, nuclear or other forms of power generation that don’t produce carbon emissions.

Clean Energy 75

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 75

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 31, 2022

Chicago’s new CAP aims to remedy those problems and chart an equitable path to cut the city’s carbon emissions by at least 60 percent by 2040. To improve the lives of all Chicagoans, the plan prioritizes environmental justice, household savings, public health, and clean energy. billion Chicago Recovery Plan.

Renewable Energy 190

Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 2008 190

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Here’s more: “California’s climate ambitions will be met only by deploying clean energy and transportation on an unprecedented scale, and China has a lot to offer on that score. China is also a world leader on offshore wind energy production, an area Newsom has sought to emphasize in California.

Wind Power 195

Wind Power Clean Energy Electricity Carbon Emissions 195

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 26, 2024

My testimony highlighted the critical importance of making sure today’s hydrogen policies choose hydrogen production projects and end uses that are truly aligned overall with the clean energy transition. Using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen does not by itself render produced hydrogen “clean.”

Climate Change 210

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 210

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Quite the opposite: today’s high oil and gas prices are a fresh reinforcement, if we needed that, for why a rapid transition to clean energy is imperative. A rapid clean energy transition is (still) the best path forward. Multiple crises colliding with climate change.

Fossil Fuels 270

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 270

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

The renewable energy transition involves harnessing epic forces of nature. Sleek solar panels forged from silver and silica from the depths of the Earth translate the sun’s blindingly fiery light energy into electricity. Batteries help store surplus energy. Source: UniEnergy Technologies / Wikimedia Commons. Source: UCS.

Wind Power 201

Wind Power Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy 201

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. carbon emissions today.

Climate Change 238

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Nitrogen Oxides 238

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 91

Carbon Emissions 2030 Paris Agreement Natural Gas 91

PA Environment Daily

MAY 22, 2024

The report covers a wide range of topics addressing risks and opportunities that DLC faces as it pursues a clean energy future for all while securing the economic vitality of the Pittsburgh region. At the time of recognition, DLC was one of only two electric utility companies in the U.S. DLC received more than $19.8

Clean Energy 94

Clean Energy 2023 Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 94

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 74

Clean Energy Environmental Protection 2024 Solar Power 74

Legal Planet

JUNE 4, 2021

On the opposite side of the world, a Dutch court mandated a 40% cut over the next ten years in carbon emissions by Shell Oil, including the emissions resulting from the ultimate use of its oil and gas. On the corporate front, Ford announced it would invest $20 billion on electric vehicles over the next four years.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Climate Change Carbon Emissions 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 29, 2022

In a January 2022 report on its climate plans, ExxonMobil pledged to direct $15 billion toward emission reduction efforts over the next six years, but that $15 billion breaks down to $2.5 billion per year—less than 2 percent of ExxonMobil’s annual revenue, and far less than its profits from just the last three months.

Fossil Fuels 266

Fossil Fuels Coastal Erosion Carbon Dioxide Biofuels 266