Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 30, 2023

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? Those scenarios showed that the IRA would accelerate solar and wind deployment and reduce carbon emissions to 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Electricity 264

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 8, 2023

Electric transportation is essential for a cleaner and healthier world. Replacing gasoline vehicles with electric can reduce emissions that cause climate change and illnesses. Let’s talk solutions A solution to decreasing pollution is moving away from gasoline-based modes of transportation to electric. Wind turbine: 2.75

Electricity 312

Electricity Recycling Fossil Fuels Climate Change 312

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 279

Electricity Renewable Energy Climate Change Sea Level 279

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. Most Minnesotans are familiar with their local electricity utility, since that’s who bills them for electricity they provide.

Renewable Energy 363

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 363

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 290

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 290

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 334

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Nitrogen Oxides 334

Legal Planet

JUNE 16, 2022

With economic growth have come carbon emissions. As of 2016, half of its total emissions are from the power sector, with 20% from industry and 15% from transportation, and. According to the Energy Information Agency , South Korea’s power sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. 50% coal, 26% gas, and 25% nuclear.

Climate Change 246

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 26, 2024

Because one of Pennsylvania’s two hubs, ARCH2, is also proposing to be heavily reliant on fossil fuel-based hydrogen production projects, I also detailed the serious risks of policymakers propping up such an approach. Using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen does not by itself render produced hydrogen “clean.”

Climate Change 290

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 290

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. First and foremost, despite some fossil fuel interests swinging for the fossil fuel-favored fences, the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 279

Circle of Blue

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Carbon-reduction plans, if not well designed, can worsen water scarcity and pollution. Plans to reduce carbon emissions should take water into account. Some low-carbon energy options require significant amounts of water. But is there the same focus on water’s role in reducing carbon emissions as there is for adaptation?

Biofuels 363

Biofuels Carbon Emissions Cooling Fossil Fuels 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 18, 2024

This included a bill that would have started a statewide conversation about the diminished role fossil fuels should play in Maine’s energy system as the state strives to meet its climate and clean energy commitments. Gas is primarily composed of methane—a fossil fuel with extremely high global warming potential.

Fossil Fuels 249

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 249

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

New California legislation will require corporations to disclose their carbon emissions. The Department of Energy estimates the cost of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack declined 89% between 2008 and 2022. Cheaper renewable energy attracts private investment and makes limits on fossil fuels more feasible.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels 2008 2010 Clean Energy 279

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 312

Solar Power Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 312

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

In a recent column , Paul Krugman argued that cutting carbon emissions doesn’t have to mean an end to economic growth. Carbon emissions and growth aren’t joined at the hip. The numbers are really clear about the disconnect between the trajectories of GDP and emissions. He’s right about that.

Carbon Emissions 246

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels 2007 Air Pollution 246

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

MAY 5, 2022

Mexico’s carbon emissions are about the same as those of Texas, the highest-emitting US state. Per capita emissions, however, are far lower, given Mexico’s much larger population. AMLO has come under criticism for his commitment to fossil fuel production and refining in Mexico.

Paris Agreement 264

Paris Agreement Carbon Emissions Climate Change Rainforest 264

Circle of Blue

JUNE 6, 2022

Besides the kilowatt-hours it generates, Glen Canyon provides key services to the electric grid. The country’s second largest reservoir and a lynchpin in the intermountain electric grid, Powell is more dirt than water these days. Hydropower generation will likely shut down when Lake Powell’s elevation drops below 3,490 feet.

Electricity 338

Electricity Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Greenhouse 338

Legal Planet

MAY 9, 2022

Texas and a number of other states have passed laws banning what they call “boycotts of fossil fuel companies.” ” More precisely, they ban state investment or contracting with firms that “boycott” fossil fuel companies. That’s generally — but not always — going to be firms “utilizing” fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Law Carbon Emissions Politics 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 18, 2024

Today, hydrogen is overwhelmingly produced through a heavily polluting fossil fuel-based process. 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.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2028 Carbon Emissions 264

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) A. Standards for carbon and methane emissions from new sources Permitting requirements for carbon emissions from new stationary sources of major sources of existing pollutants. Standards for emissions from new vehicles. Adaptation A.

Law 246

Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 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

APRIL 3, 2023

It’s not surprising to see companies lobbying to try to optimize this lucrative credit for their profits rather than ensuring the produced hydrogen is genuinely low-carbon, but it is astounding to see regulators at risk of following suit. But, as important as those considerations are, even that broader perspective is insufficient.

Clean Energy 264

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Fossil fuels are the root cause of climate change, of long-standing environmental injustices, and are also frequently connected to geopolitical strife and violent conflicts. Other countries are dependent upon these fossil fuels, they don’t make themselves free of them. This is a fossil fuel war.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 279

A Greener Life

JULY 7, 2021

New research from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) confirms renewables are continuing to outpace fossil fuels on cost. They found that the share of renewable energy that achieved lower costs than the most competitive fossil fuel option doubled in 2020. With record-low auction prices of $1.1

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2010 2020 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 19, 2023

That timing makes it a hugely important potential resource when winter hits hard and fossil fuels fail. And it will make it even more important when winter electricity demand increases because more households are using electric heat pumps. In the Northeast, for example, offshore wind is strongest in winter.

Electricity 325

Electricity Fossil Fuels Wind Power Renewable Energy 325

Legal Planet

JUNE 13, 2022

That’s understandable in terms of India’s current carbon emissions, which are now only a quarter of China’s. The national electricity plan projected that renewables will exceed coal in 2027. But given the growth of the economy, carbon emissions were projected to continuing growing steadily through 2030.

2030 246

2030 Carbon Emissions 2027 Sea Level 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 11, 2022

As a result, when today’s fossil fuel end uses can be directly electrified via renewables instead, such as for heating in buildings , it is overwhelmingly a better decarbonization path. And in an encouraging sign, DOE raised many of these issues in its February’s request for information (RFI) on H2Hubs implementation strategy.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Natural Gas Waste 279

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

APRIL 20, 2023

Because beyond the importance of cleaning up the power sector itself, we also need a clean electricity system to enable the decarbonization of so many other aspects of our economy, from vehicles to homes and businesses to industrial processes. EPA ruling, EPA can still establish rigorous carbon emissions standards.

Clean Air Act 246

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Clean Energy 246

Legal Planet

MAY 23, 2022

Polling showed broad public support for more aggressive cuts in carbon emissions. Labor’s climate policy calls for a 43% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Australia gives AU$11 billion a year to subsidize fossil fuel industries, and another AU$55 billion for supportive infrastructure and activities.

Carbon Emissions 246

Carbon Emissions Climate Change Fossil Fuels Politics 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

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. Here are five key takeaways from this year’s AEO, focused primarily on the electricity sector: 1. CO 2 emissions remain mostly level through 2050—nowhere close to meeting US climate goals.

Natural Gas 290

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 290

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 263

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2024 263

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. Renewable generation is variable—wind and solar power produce electricity when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. Curtailment means we are wasting otherwise clean, perfectly usable electricity.

Fossil Fuels 162

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity Clean Energy 162

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Sleek solar panels forged from silver and silica from the depths of the Earth translate the sun’s blindingly fiery light energy into electricity. While most energy storage for the US electricity grid today is in the form of pumped hydro systems , batteries are a growing piece of the storage pie. Batteries help store surplus energy.

Wind Power 298

Wind Power Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy 298

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 264

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy Carbon Emissions 264

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 290

Electricity Clean Energy Nuclear Power Renewable Energy 290

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. percent of electricity sales, but at a lower level than the 2 percent clean energy advocates proposed and that utilities have previously achieved. What’s In the Bills?

Clean Energy 279

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 279