Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

The renewable energy transition involves harnessing epic forces of nature. Sleek solar panels forged from silver and silica from the depths of the Earth translate the sun’s blindingly fiery light energy into electricity. Once the battery looks up to code, it is off to the grid to power our renewable energy future!

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Wind Power Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy 292

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for decarbonizing transportation through electric vehicles and building a resilient, renewable energy grid through energy storage batteries. Nearly every part of a renewable energy grid can be circular, with all outputs circulating back as inputs in a regenerative cycle.

Recycling 294

Recycling Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 294

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.

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Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Solar Power 306

Law Columbia

JUNE 11, 2024

Local opposition has proven to be a significant barrier to the rapid expansion of renewable energy facilities across the United States. The report also identifies 395 local restrictions across 41 states, along with 19 state-level restrictions, that are so severe that they could have the effect of blocking a renewable energy project.

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Renewable Energy 2023 Government Natural Resources 107

A Greener Life

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

The Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm. By Anders Lorenzen The UK government has said that the UK’s sixth renewable energy auction has delivered a record 131 clean energy projects. Under current projections and with no change to the scale, the 2024 record auction would power 11 million British homes.

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Renewable Energy Clean Energy Government 2030 59

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 15, 2022

We at the Union of Concerned Scientists think a lot about wind power. In honor of Global Wind Day , here’s a roundup of what we’re seeing and what we’ve been thinking—five facts about wind energy to keep in mind as you celebrate, or at least make note, on June 15. Wind power is big, and getting bigger.

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Wind Power Fossil Fuels Electricity Climate Change 360

A Greener Life

APRIL 7, 2023

By Anders Lorenzen Tenders for 250 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy by 2028 are set to be unveiled by the Indian government, according to a government memo. Wind power is set to play a key part in the target of 50 GW of new green energy tenders each year at 10 GW. Photo credit: Reuters / Amit Dave. in 2019 to 72.8%

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Clean Energy 2028 Wind Power Renewable Energy 52

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

Climate policy has been boosted by dramatic changes in the economics of clean energy. Perhaps the most important development of the past decade has been the dramatic decline in the cost of renewables. Wind power costs fell by half from 2008 to 2021. But it does make other things easier.

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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.

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Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Along with interim goals and priorities for pollution reduction in environmental justice areas, the law provides authorization and resources for state agencies to enable the transition to clean, renewable energy. Illinois legislators and clean energy advocates celebrate CEJA’s signing in September 2021.

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Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 246

Ocean Conservancy

NOVEMBER 7, 2022

To avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, it’s crucial that we shift energy production away from the unsustainable fossil fuels that cause climate change and towards those that release little to no greenhouse gases (GHG), such as solar and wind power. Clean energy is key to national security.

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Clean Energy Ocean Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 64

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.

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Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 279

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Here’s more: “California’s climate ambitions will be met only by deploying clean energy and transportation on an unprecedented scale, and China has a lot to offer on that score. China is also a world leader on offshore wind energy production, an area Newsom has sought to emphasize in California.

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Wind Power Clean Energy Electricity Carbon Emissions 195

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. How is that going to happen? Their report, however, comes with a warning.

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Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 331

A Greener Life

OCTOBER 12, 2023

The country, which is one of the largest oil producers in the region, is nevertheless keen to showcase that they do believe in shifting to clean energy. The country has launched what will be its first ever commercial wind project. Masdar added that it is innovative, as the turbines can exploit low wind speeds at scale.

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Wind Power Renewable Energy Clean Energy 111

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.

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Solar Power Clean Energy Carbon Emissions Electricity 312

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022). 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.

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Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 290

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 19, 2023

The results include two developers cancelling their offshore wind power contracts with states and utilities, another cancelling two projects altogether, and hesitation elsewhere. The good news-bad news balance, though, would seem to tip decidedly in favor of a whole lot more offshore wind.

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Electricity Fossil Fuels Wind Power Renewable Energy 323

A Greener Life

AUGUST 3, 2023

By Anders Lorenzen China continues to set renewable energy records and has once again reaffirmed its commitment to the sector. In a groundbreaking move, China installed the largest wind turbine ever erected, solidifying its position as a global leader in the renewable energy sector.

Renewable Energy 97

Renewable Energy Clean Energy Electricity Wind Power 97

Law Columbia

DECEMBER 22, 2023

On November 16, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a proposed rule to expedite the environmental review process for certain renewable energy infrastructure projects through the use of categorical exclusions.

Clean Energy 60

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Greenhouse Conservation 60

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 9, 2023

On August 9, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority announced it would be committing to the purchase of wind power and the use of clean energy to support the production and operations of water services. PWSA holds the largest share at 30% of the total, underlining our strong commitment to sustainable energy practices.

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Wind Power Clean Energy 2029 Fossil Fuels 70

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 12, 2022

The wind is in our sails on the voyage towards a clean energy future. Wind energy is currently the largest renewable energy source in the US, and the industry is growing fast. Global demand for neodymium for wind turbines is estimated to increase 48% by 2050. That place rocks! Promethium.

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Recycling Renewable Energy Clean Energy Technology 147

Law Columbia

APRIL 3, 2024

Achieving the United States’ ambitious emissions reduction goals depends in large part on the rapid adoption of wind and solar energy and the electrification of consumer vehicles. However, misinformation and coordinated disinformation about renewable energy is widespread and threatens to undermine public support for the transition.

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Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Radiation 133

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.

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Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 263

Environmental News Bits

DECEMBER 14, 2022

National Grid and LineVision are expanding the capacity of New York’s grid to carry greater amounts of wind power. Read the full story at Canary Media. Why aren’t more U.S. utilities doing the same?

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Clean Energy Wind Power Renewable Energy 45

A Greener Life

JULY 4, 2024

In the past 14 years much has happened in the space of climate change as well as the advancement of clean energy , but it has also become clear how hard it is to say goodbye to fossil fuels. These are symbolic and cultural attachments as much as it is the challenge of putting a proper energy transition in place.

Clean Energy 59

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Climate Change Conservation 59

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 12, 2023

Renewable energy competition Now that renewable energy sources are economically competitive, companies are building more wind and solar facilities. At the same time, wind farms produced well above expectations. Market forces are moving private investment to renewables. It’s a vicious feedback loop.

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Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 274

A Greener Life

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

Forecasts of cool weather and expectations of lower wind power output had driven up demand for more fossil-fuel produced energy. The EU’s emissions trading system forces manufacturers, power companies and airlines, to pay for each tonne of CO2 they emit, in an effort to reduce emissions and to meet climate targets.

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Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Wind Power Carbon Emissions 52

Ocean Conservancy

AUGUST 23, 2023

As people around the world grapple with climate change, scientists and engineers are exploring new and exciting ocean-based solutions to generate renewable energy. Tidal energy is emerging as another clean energy source alongside offshore wind farms and wave energy technology. What is tidal energy?

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Ocean Renewable Energy Clean Energy Electricity 93

Law Columbia

JULY 27, 2020

On Monday, July 27, the Sabin Center filed comments with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in support of the proposed Vineyard Wind energy facility offshore Massachusetts on behalf of the group Win with South Fork Wind (“Win with Wind”).

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Renewable Energy Greenhouse 2030 Electricity 40

A Greener Life

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Across the continent of Africa, there has been a rapid growth of investment in renewable energy projects. The country already generates more than 70% of its power from renewable energy sources and has recently received a commitment from the UK to support further expansion of renewables. .

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Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 12, 2022

To ensure the wind industry upholds environmental justice and stewards its raw materials, many companies are replacing balsa with other materials. For example, LM Wind Power has minimized balsa in its blades, substituting in synthetic plastic PET and PVC foams. Click the links below for answers: How Are Wind Turbines Made.

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Recycling Wind Power Technology Technology 309

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 22, 2024

Josh Shapiro joined Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, Constellation President & CEO Joseph Dominguez, and Lightsource bp Senior Vice President Alyssa Edwards to unveil the Commonwealth’s renewable energy initiative, the Pennsylvania Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy (PA PULSE).

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Electricity Government Clean Energy Renewable Energy 106

E2 Law Blog

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Watch the “Renewables Year-End Review: M&A, Tax Equity and Finance Markets” webinar presented by GT’s Global Co-Heads of Energy Project Finance Jeffrey Chester and John Eliason , co-hosted with CohnReznick Capital.

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Renewable Energy Clean Energy 2023 Nuclear Power 52

Legal Planet

MARCH 6, 2023

Hydrogen’s supply-side has been buttressed by incentives from state and federal governments, refineries and utilities looking to extend the life of fossil fuel infrastructure, and renewable energy companies seeking to take advantage of the huge amounts of clean energy needed to produce green hydrogen.

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Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Carbon Dioxide 147

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 2, 2024

Spring is a glorious time for renewable energy. 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. And, this spring, that clean energy production is looking more impressive than ever.

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A Greener Life

OCTOBER 10, 2022

Australia’s new pro-climate action government has meant an acceleration in clean energy interest and capacity. To meet that target, 96 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy capacity is needed. Offshore wind developers, Orsted , Shell and Equinor have already shown a strong interest in helping.

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Clean Energy Government Renewable Energy Electricity 96