Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 23, 2023

With the clean energy transition already under way, the US electricity mix is set to continue changing this year. Solar power is expected to make up about half of all additions of US electric generating capacity in 2023, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). I’ll start off with the good.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

This is exacerbating a crisis in energy insecurity that has only worsened during the pandemic, leaving many more families struggling to pay their bills, facing disconnection, or already shut off from their utility service. And such action cannot be influenced by fossil fuel interests and their policy proposals that we are seeing in Congress.

Clean Energy 246

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 246

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

Union of Concerned Scientists’ (UCS) research shows that top fossil fuel producers’ emissions are responsible for as much as half of global surface temperature increase. The best solution: Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. Pitting climate and energy against each other is an insidious lie.

Fossil Fuels 321

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 321

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Just how bad is fossil “natural” gas? And, as it turns out, the infrastructure used to produce, store, distribute, transmit, and burn gas leaks like a sieve , making gas as bad as coal for the climate. VY: Clean energy sources will be absolutely pivotal for an equitable and reliable grid.

Clean Energy 359

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 359

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

The most promising and comprehensive solution is to meet grid reliability needs with clean resources rather than gas plants. Instead, I’m going to dig into one particular solution that could reduce the risk of grid reliability problems: revamping gas plant capacity accreditation.

Fossil Fuels 290

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Technology 290

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

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 290

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 290

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

According to the forecast, while economy-wide CO 2 emissions decrease from 2022 to 2037 due primarily to the growth in renewable energy replacing retiring coal plants, emissions do increase after 2037 from increased usage of natural gas. Renewable energy generation increases faster than any other technology.

Natural Gas 290

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 290

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 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Natural Gas Waste 279

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2035 The state has already committed to reduce its heat trapping emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and 75 percent by 2040, and to be net zero by 2050. Residents of East Boston protest Eversource’s plans to build a controversial substation in their neighborhood. Here we go, 2023!

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Air Pollution Electricity 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

We also evaluated the potential to accelerate the use of renewable energy dramatically through state-level renewable electricity standards, which have been major drivers of clean energy in recent decades. What job opportunities would this clean energy transition create?

Electricity 279

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 279

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

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 264

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 264

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. It’s worth noting that not every team partners with oil and gas companies.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels 2025 2026 Climate Change 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

While the epicenter of the war and its horrors has remained trained on and in Ukraine, Russia has also leveraged its position as a major fossil fuel exporter to fund its war efforts and to manipulate and threaten others, including countries across Europe that have long relied on Russian supplies of gas.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Carbon Dioxide Natural Gas 264

Legal Planet

JANUARY 4, 2023

This means that, with few exceptions, new buildings will need to exclusively use electric appliances, and will not be allowed to contain any fossil-fuel infrastructure, like natural-gas lines. All-electric as the new normal. A win for climate, health & safety, and equitable process.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Electricity Climate Change Natural Gas 246

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. But what does extreme weather actually do to cause gas plants to run into trouble? electricity generation.

Fossil Fuels 289

Fossil Fuels Cooling Electricity 2015 289

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

methane released from fossil fuel systems) could entirely undermine the climate benefits of the hydrogen tax credit and, worse, drive vast amounts of public dollars to subsidize what are ultimately still heavily-polluting fossil fuel-based projects, now just greenwashed as “clean.”

Fossil Fuels 338

Fossil Fuels Waste Regulations Electricity 338

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 12, 2023

Unfortunately, the very source of the TVA’s grid failure during Winter Storm Elliott in the winter of 2022 is the same source of energy that the TVA is now doubling down on : gas. Note: “Natural gas” is an industry misnomer; UCS considers methane, fossil gas, and gas to be much more appropriate terms for this energy source.)

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 10, 2024

In New England, the percent of people of color living near fossil fuel power plants is up to 23.5 On the other side of the country, half of California’s gas plants are in communities considered among the state’s 25% most disadvantaged communities. These reforms will be a much bigger boon to grid reliability and grid equity.

Fossil Fuels 325

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 325

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Power plants fueled by methane gas have a serious climate problem. The fuel, commonly known as natural gas, now powers the biggest portion of US electricity generation—more than 40 percent. For communities and the climate, the imperative is clear: use renewables more, use gas plants less.”

Renewable Energy 306

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Nitrogen Oxides 306

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

These higher costs are being driven by a major overreliance on natural gas, which has sharply spiked in price and is currently the dominant fuel source in the US for both home heating and electricity generation. Likewise, pipeline giant Williams Companies now refers to its gas projects as “clean energy” projects.

Fossil Fuels 340

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 340

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 25, 2023

With an outsized credit for the lowest-carbon tier, the incentive’s aim is clear: Drive deployment of hydrogen production technologies that will be needed by, and aligned with , the nation’s overall clean energy transition. How do biomethane, lifecycle carbon accounting, and the tax credit interact?

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy Carbon Emissions 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 17, 2023

cranks its air conditioners to get through historic high temperatures , the need for energy that slows, not hastens, climate change is more apparent than ever. Yet, in 2022, almost 40% of electricity in the US was generated by power plants fueled by natural gas. I’ll be using the term “gas” from here on out.)

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 246

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 18, 2024

However, there is one notable exception: how much you pay for natural gas. Instead, they provide the gas industry with justification to increase prices in the name of jobs and national security. 19, natural gas costs $2.26 It’s focused on increasing the price of natural gas to increase its bottom line.

Natural Gas 111

Natural Gas Toxic Substances Control Act Fossil Fuels 2019 111

Ocean Conservancy

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

If we are to protect the ocean, its marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them, we must address climate change at its root: the burning of fossil fuels for energy. But this cannot happen without clean-energy solutions, such as offshore wind and other marine renewables , that can replace them.

Fossil Fuels 132

Fossil Fuels Ocean Climate Change Clean Energy 132

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 73

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Conservation Nuclear Power 73

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. Meanwhile, annual reports show corporations are pushing ahead with plans to expand production, betting on new technologies to somehow make it all okay in the future.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Coastal Erosion Carbon Dioxide Biofuels 279

Law and Environment

JULY 1, 2022

The decision focuses on EPA’s authority under a specific section of the Clean Air Act. But a closer read suggests more sweeping, longer-term implications for incentivizing the development of clean energy projects nationwide. The Court ruled that EPA lacked the authority under the Clean Air Act to issue the Clean Power Plan.

Clean Energy 130

Clean Energy Climate Change Clean Air Act Greenhouse 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 31, 2022

Gavin Newsom made a habit of waiving all state environmental rules to allow fossil fuel power plants and backup generators to run without restrictions when the grid was under stress. The solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower, geothermal, energy storage and natural gas on the grid right now are the resources the state has this month.

Solar Power 299

Solar Power Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 299

A Greener Life

AUGUST 30, 2022

The combination of offshore wind turbines, floating solar panels and green hydrogen are some of the hybrid clean energy technologies currently under development off the Dutch coast. . The low-lying European country is using its expertise in water engineering to build up its next wave of clean energy infrastructure.

Clean Energy 98

Clean Energy Technology Technology Fossil Fuels 98

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 3, 2024

By John Quigley, Senior Fellow, Kleinman Center Next year, the electricity bills for twenty percent of Americans will start reflecting the high cost of failing to transition to clean energy. Massive amounts of clean energy generation and storage projects are backlogged in PJM.

Clean Energy 113

Clean Energy Natural Gas 2025 Electricity 113

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 20, 2023

All across the country, coal- and gas-fired power plants are still running, still polluting, and still showing signs of staying relentlessly online. And more gas is slated to come. One critical tool for forcing that reckoning comes from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Will EPA use CCS or other means as the BSER?

Clean Air Act 246

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Clean Energy 246

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 13, 2023

Growing by over 30 percent-- to 92,773 jobs since the height of the COVID-19 economic crisis in 2020–clean energy jobs in Pennsylvania have proved their resilience. Increased investment in the clean energy sector can support the continued trajectory of this job market lifting up Pennsylvania’s communities.

Clean Energy 97

Clean Energy Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Waste 97

A Greener Life

OCTOBER 24, 2021

IEA says its report is designed to be used as a handbook for policy-makers at the COP26 summit and offers a critical opportunity to accelerate both climate action as well as the clean energy transition. In this scenario, demand for fossil fuels peaks by 2025, and global CO2 emissions fall by 40% by 2050. degree C world.

Clean Energy 98

Clean Energy 2030 Fossil Fuels Technology 98