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. The United States needs to speed its transition to clean energy in order to stave off even worse impacts of climate change.

Fossil Fuels 236

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 236

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 351

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 351

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 303

Solar Power Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 303

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 9, 2021

My last post argued that EPA should immediately repeal the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan. It attempted to move away from fossil fuels and toward zero-carbon sources like solar power to supply electricity. Fossil fuel plants — coal-fired power plants in particular — cause serious air pollution problems.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 246

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 173

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2024 173

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. This can sound like an attractive pitch: Turn fossil fuels, the climate problem, into fossil fuels, the climate solution.

Climate Change 237

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 237

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 246

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 246

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

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. However, there are important differences in the mix of gas and coal in generation, which matters a lot since coal-fired generators emit much more carbon per kilowatt. Fossil Fuel Use.

2030 246

2030 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2007 246

Legal Planet

JUNE 4, 2021

Some events last week sent a strong signal that the tide is turning against fossil fuels. To paraphrase Churchill, this may not be beginning of the end for fossil fuels, but at least it is the end of the beginning of the campaign against them. Each of the events standing alone would have been noteworthy.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Climate Change Carbon Emissions 246

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.

Climate Change 258

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Nitrogen Oxides 258

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 30, 2024

Replacing gasoline with electricity greatly reduces the carbon emissions from driving. Based on where electric vehicles (EVs) have been sold, driving the average EV in the US produces global warming emissions equal to a hypothetical 94 mile per gallon gasoline car, or less than a third of the emissions of the average new gasoline car.

Electricity 336

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2012 Climate Change 336

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 11, 2022

The November 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL, includes an $8 billion “regional clean hydrogen hubs” program that charges the Department of Energy (DOE) with the development of at least four hydrogen hubs to advance the nation’s clean hydrogen sector.

Fossil Fuels 263

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Natural Gas Waste 263

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 15, 2025

This is not only saving the school district money on its utility bills, but the array also eliminates tons of carbon emissions annually. Additionally, the district received six electric school buses and chargers through the EPAs Clean School Bus Rebate Program. Solar energy is a key part of this transformation.

Electricity 109

Electricity Renewable Energy Clean Energy Solar Power 109

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 18, 2022

The US Supreme Court’s recent decision dramatically limiting EPA’s ability to curb carbon emissions is bad news for our fight against climate change. In Massachusetts, this near-term opportunity would drive progress on clean energy, clean transportation, and equity. Accelerate responsible clean energy.

Clean Energy 246

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 20, 2023

This is despite the clean energy progress the power sector has experienced to date—and despite the groundwork laid for more progress from leading states, as well as the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Section 111 of the Clean Air Act constrains how EPA sets standards—but gives states wide latitude in implementation.

Clean Air Act 202

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Clean Energy 202

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 29, 2022

Companies are spending millions fighting lawsuits that would hold them accountable for the costs that fossil fuel extraction has imposed on people and the planet. Further, these efforts are focused on carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and biofuels—technologies that aim to stash carbon emissions away, not reduce their production.

Fossil Fuels 277

Fossil Fuels Coastal Erosion Carbon Dioxide Biofuels 277

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 18, 2024

The tax credit, passed as part of 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act, provides a generous incentive for the production of clean hydrogen. Today, hydrogen is overwhelmingly produced through a heavily polluting fossil fuel-based process. Otherwise, hydrogen will slow the clean energy transition, not speed it.

Fossil Fuels 205

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2028 Carbon Emissions 205

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

Three years later, energy production emerges as a force to be reckoned with by fishermen, clean energy advocates, those focused on the endangered Right Whale, and everyone who depends upon the Gulf of Maine (hereafter referred to as “GOM”) and its future. Sea levels are rising.

Fossil Fuels 225

Fossil Fuels Ocean Sea Level Carbon Dioxide 225

A Greener Life

APRIL 21, 2025

The global energy transition The theme promotes a global transition to clean, renewable energy. Reduce the dependency on fossil fuels It urges governments, companies, and individuals to reduce fossil fuel dependency and scale up sustainable alternatives.

Earth Day 56

Earth Day Renewable Energy 2025 Fossil Fuels 56

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

CO 2 emissions remain mostly level through 2050—nowhere close to meeting US climate goals. Carbon emissions remain high. Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022). 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

APRIL 3, 2025

In turn, this means a given percentage of hydrogen (by volume) blended in doesnt lead to the same percentage reduction in the amount of gasor to the same reduction of carbon emissions. A blend with 50% hydrogen by volume, for example, gets you only 23% less smokestack carbon pollution.

Renewable Energy 143

Renewable Energy Electricity Carbon Dioxide Carbon Emissions 143

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 25, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act’s new hydrogen production tax credit , known as code 45V, is intended to incentivize a shift to low-carbon hydrogen production by offering producers a credit that increases in value as the carbon emissions associated with produced hydrogen declines.

Fossil Fuels 201

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy Carbon Emissions 201

A Greener Life

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

Weifang Port’s “zero-carbon” certification was primarily achieved by transitioning away from fossil fuel use, according to China Electric Power News (CEPN). It has built a wind power system to provide green energy for its operations and deployed hydrogen-powered vehicles to replace fossil-fuel-powered trucks.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Wind Power Solar Power 52

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 98

Carbon Emissions 2030 Paris Agreement Natural Gas 98

Legal Planet

MAY 15, 2023

State clean energy laws have been bedeviled by challenges based on this doctrine. Fossil fuel interests challenged laws like this, claiming that states were meddling in affairs outside their territory by taking account of carbon emissions outside their borders.

Law 246

Law Carbon Emissions Regulations Fossil Fuels 246

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 233

Electricity Clean Energy Nuclear Power Renewable Energy 233

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Once the battery looks up to code, it is off to the grid to power our renewable energy future! Battery energy storage is powerful and growing. Battery energy storage can help store clean energy for the grid. Challenges and Opportunities in Mining Materials for Energy Storage Lithium-ion Batteries.

Wind Power 218

Wind Power Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy 218

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 19, 2023

That timing makes it a hugely important potential resource when winter hits hard and fossil fuels fail. People A strong consideration for many in advocating for offshore wind is its potential to address the harmful effects of fossil fuels in the power sector, which disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities.

Electricity 255

Electricity Fossil Fuels Wind Power Renewable Energy 255

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 27, 2023

They will have to fight to fend off a provincial government and oil and gas industry determined to stop progress on climate action, the creation of clean energy jobs, and a responsible approach to protecting the public from the toxic and expensive consequences of expanding oil extraction. You can read more here.

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2024 Fossil Fuels Government Electricity 142

Corp Watch

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

ADANI’S MASSIVE FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION PLANS Market Forces PaulaR Thu, 11/16/2023 - 19:21 Read more Despite the need to urgently reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy to limit global warming, the Adani Group conglomerate is pursuing and supporting massive new fossil fuel projects that endanger key climate goals.

Fossil Fuels 40

Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Clean Energy 2023 40

A Greener Life

FEBRUARY 11, 2022

With most energy investments still in fossil fuels, significant reform is needed to modernise the sector and meet Kazakhstan’s pledge to become net-zero by 2060. Social unrest related to fossil fuels is not a new phenomenon in Kazakhstan. An oil pump in a dust storm on the road to Aktau, Kazakhstan.

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas 2019 Greenhouse 98

Enviromental Defense

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Despite what Enbridge’s marketing materials are saying, a typical resident recently connected to Enbridge’s fossil gas system could save over $10,000 if they install an electric heat pump (over the lifetime of the equipment) rather than connecting to fossil gas. Switching from propane or oil to gas may result in lower carbon emissions.

Carbon Emissions 124

Carbon Emissions Natural Gas Electricity Cooling 124

Enviromental Defense

MARCH 24, 2022

It focuses on reducing carbon emissions and building resilience in the real world, whereas most activity in climate finance focuses on reducing risks for investment portfolios. Instead, finance needs to help mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions and building resilience.

Paris Agreement 128

Paris Agreement Climate Change Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels 128

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

In contrast to other solutions which primarily serve to enhance resilience, microgrids also help get more renewable energy on the grid, supporting a reduction in carbon emissions while reducing energy costs. Modernizing our power grid by shifting from fossil fuels to renewables makes sense for many reasons.

Electricity 228

Electricity Renewable Energy Climate Change Sea Level 228

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 13, 2023

18 Webinar On New Research On Community Exposures To Oil & Gas Development & Groundwater Contamination In Beaver, Greene & Washington Counties [PaEN] -- Lock Haven Express Letter: Who Does Senator Yaw Represent?

Fossil Fuels 108

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Clean Energy 2007 108