Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 22, 2024

The next day, Wednesday, August 14, Puerto Rico woke up with 728,000 clients (almost half) without electricity, thousands without drinking water (because many communities rely on electricity to pump water), and flood warnings throughout the island. What awaits Puerto Rico with Genera in charge of electricity generation?

Renewable Energy 285

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 2025 285

Enviromental Defense

JULY 29, 2024

But the thing about a heat dome is that the air barely cools off in the evening. Well, for one, we stop fueling the fire. We need to phase out the fossil fuels causing climate change: coal, oil, and gas. That’s why electric heat pumps are an integral climate solution. So how do we bring down the heat?

Fossil Fuels 130

Fossil Fuels Cooling Climate Change Electricity 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 13, 2022

We would run around all day until we finally needed to cool off, which meant we would go to whoever’s house had the most sodas, ice cream, or popsicles. Just last week I went without electricity and air conditioning for over 8 hours on a day when the heat index reached over 105°F. Without electricity, our home reached 87°F.

Cooling 202

Cooling Fossil Fuels Electricity 2019 202

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 30, 2023

And I love hearing about new renewable electricity records as spring unfolds. That same month, New England recorded its lowest demand ever for electricity from the regional grid, which the grid operator attributed to record rooftop solar production. 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

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Gas, which now generates 40 percent of US electricity, is considered by some to be critical to maintain grid reliability. For example, Dominion Energy, an electric and gas utility in Virginia, is planning to build a mammoth 1,000-megawatt gas plant in an area with a high percentage of residents who are people of color and low-income.

Clean Energy 311

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 311

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 270

Solar Power Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 270

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

While industry tried to paint hydrogen combustion engines as a “bridge” technology to hydrogen fuel cells, their own presentations undermined that very point—instead, this path is a clear dead end. We need to make sure regulators like EPA and CARB restrict its usage before it gains a fossil-fueled foothold in the marketplace.

Technology 274

Technology Technology Fossil Fuels Electricity 274

Law and Environment

AUGUST 11, 2022

The legislation covers a wide range of policy changes focused on electrifying vehicles and transit, reducing fossil fuel connections in new construction, and revamping policy related to solar, offshore wind, and other carbon-free energy sources. Reduction of Fossil Fuels. Electric Grid.

Clean Energy 147

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2027 147

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 11, 2023

Fuel transport – Spring floods can hinder the transportation of fuels like coal. 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.

Fossil Fuels 197

Fossil Fuels 2011 Climate Change Nuclear Power 197

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 26, 2022

It has been reported that on August 25, the plant temporarily lost all of its off-site electrical power from the grid, which is essential for its safe operation, forcing it to rely on on-site backup power. That could lead to loss of the cooling ponds, which are needed to cool the plant’s diesel generators, enabling them to function.

Cooling 332

Cooling Electricity Radiation Nuclear Power 332

Circle of Blue

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on September 21 that his country would no longer finance coal-fired power plants abroad, making a high-profile commitment to move away from some forms of fossil fuel infrastructure less than six weeks before a pivotal global climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Does it have back-up sources?

Biofuels 363

Biofuels Carbon Emissions Cooling Fossil Fuels 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 12, 2023

They continue to cater to the best interests of the fossil fuel industry,” she says. 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.

Fossil Fuels 180

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change 180

Environmental Progress

JANUARY 20, 2022

Notably, in the same proposal, the Commission has also included screening criteria for gaseous fossil fuels. The Regulation sets a time limit on the inclusion of nuclear energy but not on fossil fuels and grants the Commission special powers to rule on nuclear taxonomy compliance.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Regulations Waste Technology 52

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 244

Carbon Monoxide Cooling Clean Energy Electricity 244

Edouard Stenger

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

One of the main tools to slash our global dependence to fossil fuels for heating and cooling is the mighty heat pump. The beauty of heat pumps is that w ith just one unit of electricity, they can produce three to four units of heat or cooling. ” Check out the full PV Magazine article for more on this.

Cooling 52

Cooling Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity 52

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 124

Carbon Emissions Natural Gas Electricity Cooling 124

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. Upfront equipment costs can also be lower because heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in one unit and they qualify for a number of government rebate programs.

Carbon Emissions 98

Carbon Emissions Natural Gas Electricity Cooling 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 24, 2024

We’re witnessing an increase in costly damages thanks to fossil-fueled climate change , which has increased the intensity and frequency of some extreme events , and also thanks to more buildings and people in risky areas. As temperatures rise, so too does the demand for energy as more people turn to AC to keep cool.

Climate Change 237

Climate Change Sea Level Fossil Fuels Government 237

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. For example, think of how unequal burdens manifest themselves amid Danger Season , when a range of climate impacts hit increasingly hard.

Electricity 256

Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Renewable Energy 256

Enviromental Defense

NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Ontario’s plan to ramp up gas In 2022, the Ontario government mandated the Independent Electricity Service Operator (IESO) to solicit proposals for 1500 MW of new gas electricity generation by 2024. Burning fossil fuels is a main contributor to climate change.

Carbon Dioxide 133

Carbon Dioxide Climate Change Fossil Fuels Cooling 133

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 30, 2024

We should do everything we can to reduce the effects of global warming and that means burning less fossil fuels, which includes burning less gas. Heat pumps run on electricity and do not emit any greenhouse gasses so using one will be part of your contribution to reducing the effects of climate change.

Carbon Monoxide 98

Carbon Monoxide Cooling Climate Change Fossil Fuels 98

Enviromental Defense

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Enbridge’s marketing materials claim heating with gas is cheapest, though electric heat pumps would save a typical homeowner over $10,000 by comparison. Enbridge’s dishonest marketing is duping people into signing up for its gas service, falsely claiming it’s cheaper than heating with electricity which is just not true.”

Cooling 81

Cooling Natural Gas Greenhouse Electricity 81

Energy and Climate Law

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

By 2030, this has to increase to around 24% through further development and deployment of electric vehicles, advanced biofuels and other renewable and low carbon fuels as part of a holistic and integrated approach´ (p.8). Improving energy efficiency legislation is a further cornerstone.

Paris Agreement 246

Paris Agreement 2030 Biofuels Cooling 246

A Greener Life

MARCH 2, 2023

IRENA argues that the best way to support the energy transition is for more funds to go to less mature technologies, as well as to other sectors beyond electricity such as heating, cooling, and system integration.

2022 52

2022 Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2030 52

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 14, 2023

On June 13, Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille told the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee Winter Storm Elliot has again demonstrated extreme weather can have a significant impact on electric grid operations in terms of reliability and resilience.

Natural Gas 55

Natural Gas Electricity Nuclear Power Fossil Fuels 55

Edouard Stenger

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Even if renewables will become the first global electricity source in the next three years , our energy transition won’t be successfull until we drastically slash per capita energy consumption in G20 countries. That’s why fossil fuels lobbying and subsidies are skyrocketing to counter and slow down efforts.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Waste Renewable Energy Conservation 52

Edouard Stenger

JANUARY 24, 2023

His viewpoint is based on facts such as the exponential growth of renewable energy sources (something I blogged about recently ) as well as the increase in sales of electric cars. Simply switching from fossil fuels to renewables for our electricity and converting our fossil fuels cars to electric ones won’t cut it.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Electricity Climate Change Deforestation 52

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 12, 2022

Including an emphasis on energy efficiency measures not only reduce electricity load, emissions, and the need for additional generation, but also leads to local job creation and savings for consumers. Expenditures on energy efficiency and resulting residential bill savings support 12,416 total jobs in 2035, and 15,353 total jobs by 2050.

Natural Gas 52

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 52

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. Extreme heat , winter storms , and flooding regularly remind us that the grid is struggling to keep up in the face of more climate change-fueled extreme weather.

Fossil Fuels 179

Fossil Fuels Electricity Natural Gas Climate Change 179

Greenbuilding Law

MAY 1, 2022

Since the combustion of fossil fuel is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, changes in emissions from fossil fuel combustion have historically been the dominant factor affecting total U.S. Surprising to some, carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. decreased by about 8% between 1990 and 2020.

Greenhouse 52

Greenhouse Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Atmosphere 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

This marked a career shift toward direct climate and equity advocacy, where I could use my background in electrical engineering to more directly tackle the climate challenges threatening our planet’s critical resources, including the glaciers I would soon visit.

Climate Change 198

Climate Change 2030 Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions 198

Greenbuilding Law

JUNE 5, 2022

Carbon Dioxide A naturally occurring gas, and also a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and biomass, as well as land-use changes and other industrial processes. A person’s carbon footprint includes greenhouse gas emissions from fuel that an individual burns directly, such as by heating a home or riding in a car.

Greenhouse 98

Greenhouse Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere Fossil Fuels 98

Greenbuilding Law

AUGUST 7, 2022

Emissions from natural gas consumption represent 79% of the direct fossil fuel CO2 emissions from the residential and commercial sectors in 2020. Additionally, indirect emissions from electricity use by homes and businesses increased from 1990 to 2007 but have decreased since then to approximately 10% below 1990 levels in 2020.

Greenhouse 52

Greenhouse Fossil Fuels Waste Cooling 52

A Greener Life

MAY 12, 2023

A woman pours water over her head to cool off during soaring temperatures in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 11 April 2023. gigawatts of installed power capacity comes from fossil fuels like coal. The burning of fossil fuels is the main driver of climate change. Photo credit: Habibur Rahman /Alamy Live News.

Climate Change 52

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 52

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 9, 2022

Every time a company or organization installs an energy-efficient heating, cooling, or lighting system, it’s another step for Pennsylvania and the nation toward independence from fossil fuels. These measures will cut electricity use by over 51,000 kilowatt hours annually. The Leon H.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Natural Gas Electricity 52

Environment Blog

MARCH 25, 2020

Verifying transactions uses electricity. The cost of this electricity is borne by the miner, so it is no surprise that they have improved the hardware used for the process, creating increasingly more powerful machines. Those that live in areas where electricity has a high cost will find it difficult to turn a profit.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Carbon Dioxide 52

Physics World

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Ongoing advances in battery technology have for the first time made electric vehicles a viable alternative to cars powered by fossil fuels. “Overall it could improve the fuel efficiency because you’re not using so much energy to power the electrical components.”

Electricity 104

Electricity Fossil Fuels Cooling Technology 104