Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

The simple fact is that ditching fossil fuels for low-cost clean energy resources is good for the planet, good for the US economy, and good for public health. The studies the DOE reviewed also found that transmission investments would provide a host of benefits beyond access to clean energy. The good news?

Clean Energy 338

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2030 338

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 12, 2023

What happens when promise of electricity reliability fails in bad weather? How can gas power plant owners claim to be reliable but fail to make adequate efforts to purchase fuel? We know that consumers pay for electricity reliability and bear the cost when supplies are tight.

Fossil Fuels 254

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 254

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

The world’s biggest fossil fuel companies recently released their 2022 earnings reports, revealing record-breaking profits last year; just five companies–ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, and TotalEnergies–reported a total of nearly $200 billion in profits.

Fossil Fuels 321

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Sea Level 2022 321

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 304

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2026 2025 304

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 276

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 276

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 19, 2022

Minnesota needs substantial investments now to build toward an equitable clean energy future. The bad news is, they have to find a compromise between two vastly different clean energy bills—by Monday. Minnesotans are already experiencing the climate crisis, as well as health impacts, from burning fossil fuels.

Clean Energy 264

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 17, 2023

The fabulous growth of wind and solar builds on states’ clean energy policy and corporate decarbonization targets. However, great opportunities for more new clean energy supplies to replace fossil fuel energy need supporting grid investments. Where do we go for that modern infrastructure?

Clean Energy 246

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Regulations 246

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

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 283

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 283

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 217

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2024 217

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

Rising prices of methane gas used for power and heating, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are contributing to soaring electric and heating bills across the country. And such action cannot be influenced by fossil fuel interests and their policy proposals that we are seeing in Congress. How Did We Get Here?

Clean Energy 246

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy from wind and solar will depend on upgrading the electric power grid, which is currently plagued by planning delays and gridlock. PJM has only recently considered the states’ energy policies as relevant to its FERC-authorized role as transmission planner for its region.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 28, 2022

Last week was a big one for clean energy in Michigan. First, Union of Concerned Scientists and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition released a new report on how Michigan and other states can achieve 100-percent renewable energy standards that benefit all communities. No new gas plants.

Clean Energy 279

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2030 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law a standard that will make the North Star State’s electricity 100 percent carbon-free by 2040. Building on the success of the 100 percent standard, there are many other energy- and environment-related bills ready for discussion and approval. Congratulations, Minnesota! What’s next?

Electricity 264

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 26, 2024

As one example of these rising costs, Californians’ electricity bills have been skyrocketing over the past few years. And we know that as our climate warms further—driven by burning fossil fuels—the risk of large wildfires will only grow. There are many more capital costs likely coming.

Climate Change 274

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 274

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 16, 2024

Much of our electricity system is 50 to 70 years old, yet current plans for domestic manufacturing, electric vehicle fleets, community solar gardens and more clean energy all depend on a modern grid. New demands for electricity and the need to reduce climate-changing emissions are driving new grid planning efforts.

Electricity 297

Electricity Renewable Energy Clean Energy Law 297

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 264

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 21, 2022

The most consequential vote to advance a clean energy future won’t be happening in Washington, D.C., It will be happening in the (virtual) boardroom of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which has authority over the bulk electric transmission system across much of the Midwest. or your state capital next week.

Clean Energy 299

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

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. It also will save US consumers money because they will spend less on fossil fuels.

Carbon Emissions 331

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 331

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

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. Illinois legislators and clean energy advocates celebrate CEJA’s signing in September 2021.

Electricity 246

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

Nearly all of the alliance members have a renewable electricity standard (RES), which requires utilities in their jurisdiction to increase their use of renewable energy to a particular percentage by a specific year. We found that states have technically feasible and highly beneficial ways to achieve 100-percent renewable energy.

Electricity 279

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 279

PA Environment Daily

JULY 31, 2024

Following is a reaction from Tom Rutigliano , senior advocate with the Sustainable FERC Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council -- “The bill is suddenly due for an overreliance on fossil fuels and inadequate planning for a more affordable, diverse power grid in PJM. will be the ones who pay the price. Partners Host Aug.

Natural Resources 100

Natural Resources Clean Energy Electricity Fossil Fuels 100

A Greener Life

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

By Anders Lorenzen The UK’s Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Ed Miliband, used a speech at the UK’s trade association for the energy sector, Energy UK Annual Conference, to make a compelling case for scaling up the clean energy transition.

Clean Energy 59

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Government 2008 59

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

In extreme weather, when electricity demand is at its highest and the grid needs gas plants the most, gas plants have been failing at alarming rates. The most promising and comprehensive solution is to meet grid reliability needs with clean resources rather than gas plants. Gas power plants have a problem.

Fossil Fuels 242

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Technology 242

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 273

Electricity Renewable Energy Climate Change Sea Level 273

Law and Environment

AUGUST 11, 2022

5060 ), titled An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, into law on Thursday August 11, 2022. Reduction of Fossil Fuels. Other provisions include a ban on incentives and rebates from Mass Save related to fossil fuel powered systems, except as backup for electric heat pumps. Electric Grid.

Clean Energy 147

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2027 147

Cresforum

OCTOBER 25, 2023

need to deploy clean energy technologies to achieve net zero emissions? How will this energy transition impact energy security and the country’s position today as a major energy exporter? biofuels, and fossil fuels. Electrification will reduce overall fossil fuel use. As the U.S.

Clean Energy 90

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Biofuels 2007 90

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 24, 2023

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. They offer a lot of good news about clean energy progress.

Clean Energy 306

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Solar Power 306

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 21, 2024

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included a major—forthcoming—refresh for one of the biggest policy drivers of the nation’s clean energy transition to date: tax credits subsidizing the deployment of clean electricity resources. What’s “clean,” and how is it measured?

Electricity 303

Electricity Clean Energy Greenhouse Technology 303

Environmental News Bits

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Global spending on clean energy technologies and infrastructure is on track to hit $2 trillion in 2024. Much of this funding is slated to be put toward renewables, electric vehicles, low-emission fuels, storage solutions, nuclear power and other green technology. Read the full story at ESG Dive.

Clean Energy 40

Clean Energy 2024 Nuclear Power Fossil Fuels 40

Energy and Climate Law

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

For almost two year now the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is under revision and negotiations shall finish in 2021. The aim of the EU is to try to stop fossil fuel companies suing states over climate action. This shall also apply to electrical energy derived from these materials.

Fossil Fuels 207

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 2020 207

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 28, 2023

By Dave Jenkins, Conservatives For Responsible Stewardshi p The following goest essay first appeared in the Erie Times on March 27, 2023 -- We are at an inflection point on energy: 2022 was the first year when global investment in carbon-free sources of energy matched investment in fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 95

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Conservation Nuclear Power 95

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

That includes 25 sponsorship deals with Big Oil companies as well as 36 deals with lesser-known utility companies that generate electricity predominantly from fossil fuel-burning power plants and sell fossil gas directly to consumers. He didn’t single out sports teams, but he could have. Far from it.

Fossil Fuels 256

Fossil Fuels 2025 2026 Climate Change 256

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 26, 2024

For the rural communities living in or near national parks, electricity was a commodity. Something I really care about is to make sure the benefits of clean energy are reaching everyone in our society,” García said. Back home in Colombia, García’s family is witnessing the consequences of a fossil fuel-centered energy system.

Renewable Energy 327

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 327

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 130

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity Clean Energy 130

New Scientist

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

An old idea to use ocean heat to generate clean electricity has long failed to gain traction, but the technology – known as ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) – is seeing a resurgence of interest from islands dependent on fossil fuels

Ocean 142

Ocean Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 142

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 12, 2024

Fossil gas power plants currently provide the largest source of electricity generation and capacity in the United States. However, as we replace fossil fuels with clean electricity for heating and transportation to meet our climate goals, these peak demands will increasingly shift to the winter in many parts of the country.

Fossil Fuels 314

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 314