Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

Without electricity or heat, some people apparently turned to portable generators, which can fill a home with carbon monoxide exhaust. This means that for an indefinite amount of time—depending on the cause of the outage —a home can go without electricity for lighting, heating, cooling and other needs that people depend on every day.

Carbon Monoxide 279

Carbon Monoxide Cooling Clean Energy Electricity 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Despite the clean energy transition that is well underway in the United States, methane gas, or natural gas, remains the largest source of U.S. electricity generation. This is a particularly dangerous risk given the coincident grid strain and high electricity demand that is typically triggered by these weather conditions.

Fossil Fuels 289

Fossil Fuels Cooling Electricity 2015 289

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

This would have enabled the CAISO to expand its operations into the rest of the west as a regional transmission organization (RTO), an independent entity that plans and operates the electricity grid. Now, 22 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have 100% clean energy goals on the books.

2018 279

2018 Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 19, 2022

Solar panels generated almost 4 percent of electricity in the US in 2021, up from less than 1 percent in 2015. In some places that number is much higher; for example, 17% of California’s electricity generation came from solar in 2021. Almost half of all new energy capacity added to the US grid in 2021 came from solar.

Carbon Monoxide 317

Carbon Monoxide Electricity Carbon Dioxide Renewable Energy 317

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 12, 2022

That often brings to mind images of people trying to catch some shade under a baking hot sun or city kids cooling off in a fountain while their parents sweat on the sidelines. The types of clouds that have increased—specifically thick, precipitating clouds —reflect sunlight back into space during the day and have a cooling effect.

Climate Change 306

Climate Change Cooling Radiation Electricity 306

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 9, 2025

Attacks on nature, clean energy, and livable communities filled the headlines. The way we get around, where and what kind of places we live in, and how we heat and cool our homes are going to be key to our quality of life and the health of our environment this year. 2024 had some bumps in the road for environmental protection.

2025 80

2025 Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Cooling 80

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 31, 2022

At any point in the summer, extreme heat could trigger electricity supply shortages and rotating power outages. In reality, a big heat wave could lead to electricity supply shortages and rotating power outages during any summer month, but September is when it’s most likely. How well has California’s grid been performing this summer?

Solar Power 299

Solar Power Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 27, 2022

As electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to increase, questions about how these cars and their batteries will be disposed of have been top of mind for current owners, future buyers, policymakers, and many experts in the automotive industry. Recycling is key to making EVs greener.

Recycling 362

Recycling Electricity Renewable Energy Technology 362

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 31, 2022

To improve the lives of all Chicagoans, the plan prioritizes environmental justice, household savings, public health, and clean energy. Energy burden , a household’s heating and electric expenses as a percentage of income, is a major issue for Illinois low-income families, who on average spend 13 percent of their income on energy.

Renewable Energy 279

Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 2008 279

Legal Planet

APRIL 11, 2022

That can mean a decrease in your total energy use, but not necessarily. If cooling your house gets cheaper because you’re more energy efficiency, you might decide you can afford to keep your house even cooler. In the end, you might use more electricity, not less. Bottom line: if we use less energy, we use less land.

Conservation 246

Conservation Deforestation Carbon Emissions Electricity 246

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. If the Democrats can pass some version of the reconciliation bill, renewable energy would get a really big boost.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 30, 2023

And I love hearing about new renewable electricity records as spring unfolds. A few recent examples for that last love: California scored a new record for total generation from renewable energy in mid-April and a new record for solar production in mid-May. Spring tends to be a time when there is lower electricity demand.

Renewable Energy 245

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Climate Change Electricity 245

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Like many other public-serving institutions throughout society, electricity and gas utilities are facing calls to be more equitable in their operations, planning, and treatment of customers. How are energy equity and energy justice connected? Energy equity lives under the umbrella of energy justice.

Electricity 306

Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Renewable Energy 306

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 24, 2024

As my colleague John Rogers explains , extreme heat can have cascading impacts on our electricity system making electricity more expensive, more polluting, and less reliable. As temperatures rise, so too does the demand for energy as more people turn to AC to keep cool.

Climate Change 312

Climate Change Sea Level Fossil Fuels Government 312

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 23, 2024

Grid failures start fires From 2001 to 2023, roughly 92 million acres in the United States have been burned by lightning-caused fires , and about 68 million acres have been burned by fires caused by human activity , electrical operations being just one example. Downed power lines can remain “energized” as they fall to the grass below.

Fossil Fuels 328

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Electricity 2019 328

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

However, homes with energy efficiency retrofits can retain cool or warm air longer , while simultaneously saving money throughout normal yearly temperature fluctuations. Energy efficiency retrofits increase home comfort during normal temperature deviations and home safety during extreme events.

Cooling 264

Cooling Climate Change Regulations Solar Power 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 26, 2022

For example, they may need to choose between cooling down with their windows open at night or breathing polluted air, as residents often don’t have air conditioners or the economic capacity to pay for higher electricity bills. Annual average PM2.5 and ozone concentrations highlighting air quality issues in the Central Valley.

Climate Change 348

Climate Change Ozone Air Pollution Particle Pollution 348

Energy and Climate Law

OCTOBER 22, 2020

By Ceciel Nieuwenhout, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Groningen Centre of Energy Law and Sustainability; Lead Author of WP 1 T1.2 Report to the H2020 POCITYF-project A substantial part of energy in the EU is consumed by households , for powering electric appliances and for heating and cooling.

Electricity 246

Electricity Renewable Energy Law Regulations 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 27, 2023

Further, the going price of gas can be volatile and generally tracks very closely with US wholesale electricity prices, since the country grew so over-reliant on gas power plants throughout the 2010s. Last year, for the first time ever, US renewable electricity generation surpassed coal-fired electricity generation.

Fossil Fuels 290

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2014 Climate Change 290

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 20, 2024

13 Webinar On EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program [PaEN] -- TribLive: Plum School District Working To Cover Costs Of Adding Electric Buses To Fleet -- WHYY: Philly Property Owners Could Soon Face Fines If Their Electric Vehicle Chargers Don’t Work Help Wanted -- Sustainable Pittsburgh Executive Director Joylette Portlock, Ph.D

Clean Energy 84

Clean Energy Toxic Substances Control Act Conservation 2025 84

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 8, 2025

Penn Energy Savers Rebates Are Coming Soon To Help Eligible Households Upgrade To Energy Efficient Appliances, Do Building Retrofits [PaEN] -- City Of Reading Begins Energy Efficiency, Solar Energy Project To Save $13.3

Renewable Energy 84

Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions Cooling Clean Energy 84

Physics World

JANUARY 7, 2022

One of the biggest challenges in tackling the climate crisis will be to clean up our transportation networks. Electric vehicles already offer a viable route to zero-emission road travel, but more innovation is needed to build better batteries that enable longer journeys and faster charging – and all within an affordable price tag.

Clean Energy 100

Clean Energy Technology Technology 2016 100

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 2, 2024

Whatever the weather in March and beyond—in-like-a-lion blustery or out-like-a-lamb sunny—spring tends to be a season of strong electricity production from solar and wind in particular. Spring is also a glorious time for taking stock, since the official data on the previous year’s US electricity generation become available.

Electricity 157

Electricity 2013 2023 Clean Energy 157

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 12, 2023

Rather than using treated wastewater to cool the steam the Allen plant uses to make electricity, as other plants have done, the TVA continues to tap into the source of Memphis’s drinking water. TVA CEO Jeff Lyash has often referred to gas as a bridge fuel , needed in the transition to renewable energy.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 11, 2023

While it is a heavily polluting fossil fuel that is set to continue declining as a fuel source for US electricity generation over the next decade, coal still accounted for roughly 20 percent of the country’s generation in 2022. Fuel transport – Spring floods can hinder the transportation of fuels like coal.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels 2011 Climate Change Nuclear Power 246

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

The cost of electricity generated from solar panels fell by 89 per cent between 2010-2022. Both onshore wind and solar are less than half as expensive as the cheapest fossil-fired electricity sources. Without incentives to replace gas stoves with clean induction stoves, home cooking fills the air with carcinogenic pollutants.

Fossil Fuels 131

Fossil Fuels Cooling Climate Change Electricity 131

Law and Environment

NOVEMBER 7, 2022

Other research and development opportunities identified include innovation in energy storage, alternative biofuels, electric vehicle batteries, and advanced wind and solar power. We will be tracking future funding announcements under this initiative.

Technology 130

Technology Technology Biofuels Solar Power 130

Enviromental Defense

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

The company is falsely claiming that “natural” gas, better described as fossil gas, is the most cost-effective way for people to heat their homes, when in reality electric heat pumps are a significantly cheaper option. Natural Gas vs Electric For a long time, fossil gas was the cheapest way to heat buildings.

Carbon Emissions 116

Carbon Emissions Natural Gas Electricity Cooling 116

Enviromental Defense

MARCH 22, 2022

We all know that to successfully address climate change we need to phase out fossil fuels and switch to electric power. A s we transition our homes and vehicles to electric power, it’s imperative that the electricity sector be clean. creating ice in off peak periods to supply cooling in peak periods.

Solar Power 124

Solar Power Wind Power Renewable Energy Electricity 124

Ocean Conservancy

MARCH 3, 2025

Designed by the marine company Cowley, the eWolf is the first fully electric tug in the United States. It is powered by a 6-megawatt-hour battery system that eliminates emissions, equipped with onboard energy management systems to optimize power use and fitted with azimuth thrusters for enhanced maneuverability.

Nitrogen Oxides 52

Nitrogen Oxides Ocean Conservation Technology 52

A Greener Life

JANUARY 2, 2025

Ironically, Germany also imports nuclear-produced electricity from France. Last month, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its report, Coal 2024, which looks at how coal usage is far from decreasing worldwide. Globally, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing the demand for electricity.

2027 52

2027 Nuclear Power Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 52

Enviromental Defense

APRIL 16, 2024

Kicking fossil fuels out of our homes and our modes of transportation – with electric heat pumps, electric vehicles and electric buses – is key to addressing the cost of living crisis. Compared to funding for fossil fuels, clean energy stimulus creates nearly three times as many jobs for equivalent investments.

Fossil Fuels 125

Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy Government 125

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 23, 2023

One of the biggest challenges with the transition to clean electricity is figuring out how to keep the grid reliable. Now, if you thought I was going to say that clean energy technologies aren’t capable of providing a reliable electricity supply, you’re way off track.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Electricity Natural Gas Climate Change 246

Legal Planet

MARCH 28, 2023

The clean-energy transition that is one focus of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will require big changes in our electric grid. On the demand side, switching our buildings, industries, and vehicles to electric power could double our electricity usage.

Renewable Energy 130

Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy Energy Policy Act 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 11, 2022

Continued fossil fuel energy dependence takes more money out of historically marginalized communities’ pockets, as the costs of heating, cooling, and gasoline are a larger portion of their household budgets (for low-income households, the national average energy burden for electricity and gas alone is 8.1

Climate Change 55

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Politics Radiation 55

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 10, 2024

Natural Gas vs Electric For a long time, fossil gas was the cheapest way to heat buildings. But now, electric heat pumps are a much cheaper option. Due to their high efficiency – three to five times higher than gas – annual energy costs for heat pumps are much lower. But Enbridge Gas does not want you to know that.

Carbon Emissions 95

Carbon Emissions Natural Gas Electricity Cooling 95

HumanNature

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

These statistics are extremely encouraging and are critical steps in the transition to a clean energy system. On the other end of the electric grid, advanced technologies can help reduce the amount of energy that is required for basic services like lighting, heating, and cooling. Energy Information Administration.

Renewable Energy 105

Renewable Energy 2009 Solar Power 2023 105