Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 24, 2023

Utilities and grid operators prepared for the storm as it was coming down the pike, but they still underestimated the energy demand it would trigger, as well as the number of outages at fossil fuel power plants—mainly natural gas-fired, plus some coal-fired plants.

Fossil Fuels 290

Fossil Fuels 2014 Climate Change Electricity 290

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

Energy and Climate Law

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

The aim of the EU is to try to stop fossil fuel companies suing states over climate action. On fossil fuel investments, however, the document was rather unspecific, merely stating that the modernized ECT shall reflect climate change and clean energy transition goals.

Fossil Fuels 207

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 2020 207

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. EN: What were your top findings? Our analysis also demonstrates renewables’ power.

Electricity 279

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 279

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. A small number of big corporations are responsible for the climate crisis.

Fossil Fuels 321

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 321

Legal Planet

JUNE 16, 2022

According to the Energy Information Agency , South Korea’s power sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Two thirds of generation capacity is based on fossil fuels, split evenly between coal and natural gas, with 17% nuclear, and 14% hydro and other renewables. 50% coal, 26% gas, and 25% nuclear.

Climate Change 246

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

They just released their 2022 “Annual Energy Outlook” (AEO), which is a big deal: it tells us where electricity is headed over the next 30 years. Here are five key takeaways from this year’s AEO, focused primarily on the electricity sector: 1. Relying on market trends is nowhere near enough to do the job. Carbon emissions remain high.

Natural Gas 290

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 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

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. However, one important attribute of gas not directly related to cost is starting to be put under the microscope: gas plants’ reliability.

Fossil Fuels 289

Fossil Fuels Cooling Electricity 2015 289

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

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

Legal Planet

JANUARY 4, 2023

The City of Los Angeles is going into the new year with a big new building-decarbonization ordinance : starting this year, nearly all new buildings in the city will have to be entirely electric. All-electric as the new normal. And getting buildings to use electric appliances isn’t enough.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Electricity Climate Change Natural Gas 246

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 328

Technology Technology Fossil Fuels Electricity 328

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. While maximizing energy efficiency is crucial, there will still be enormous amounts of electricity needed.

Renewable Energy 306

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Nitrogen Oxides 306

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.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels 2025 2026 Climate Change 264

Legal Planet

JULY 15, 2024

The first efforts to use of wind to generate electricity was 134 years ago, and the photoelectric effect was discovered six decades earlier. But the scientific and technological advances that made these technologies competitive with fossil fuels are much more recent. La Cour builds windmill in Denmark to generate electricity.

Renewable Energy 264

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 2005 Technology 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

US ratepayers very likely will pay even more for electricity and heating this winter compared to the already-expensive winter of 2021-2022. The US Energy Information Administration is forecasting the wholesale price of gas to reach its highest level since the winter of 2009-2010 in inflation-adjusted terms.

Fossil Fuels 340

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 340

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. EN: What needs to be done to make the electric grid more equitable—and reliable?

Clean Energy 359

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 359

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. It indeed accounts for 40% of the electricity currently generated for the grid.

Fossil Fuels 325

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 325

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 26, 2024

Because one of Pennsylvania’s two hubs, ARCH2, is also proposing to be heavily reliant on fossil fuel-based hydrogen production projects, I also detailed the serious risks of policymakers propping up such an approach. Using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen does not by itself render produced hydrogen “clean.”

Climate Change 290

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 290

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 7, 2022

A two-bill package has been introduced in the House and Senate to establish new incentives for the use of fossil-fueled vehicles-- rebranded as “low emission transportation fuels”-- and eliminating rebates and grants for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Electricity Biofuels Natural Gas 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Gas power plants have a problem. 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. In the worst instance , widespread gas plant failures led to rolling blackouts that impacted millions of people for days on end.

Fossil Fuels 290

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Technology 290

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

A substantial portion of the guidance and supporting materials is dedicated to electrolytic production of hydrogen; i.e., using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. In particular, emissions loopholes related to biomethane and fugitive methane (i.e., These are the key issues to watch in the time ahead.

Fossil Fuels 338

Fossil Fuels Waste Regulations Electricity 338

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

Circle of Blue

AUGUST 3, 2021

But as the market grows, some urge caution before using wastewater to create renewable natural gas. Like all other industries, the clock is ticking for the sector to cut its carbon pollution, given President Joe Biden’s goal to halve the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. million metric tons.

Carbon Emissions 317

Carbon Emissions Waste Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 317

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 11, 2022

As a result, when today’s fossil fuel end uses can be directly electrified via renewables instead, such as for heating in buildings , it is overwhelmingly a better decarbonization path. Geographic diversity, with hubs to be located in different regions of the US and using energy resources that are “abundant” in that region.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Natural Gas Waste 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

These targets must be matched with the power sector at the forefront by decarbonizing electricity supplies and electrifying other sectors of the economy, such as transportation and home heating. Now is the time to enact legislative proposals such as the 100% Clean Act , which is aligned with Healey’s own campaign commitment.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Air Pollution Electricity 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 17, 2023

Yet, in 2022, almost 40% of electricity in the US was generated by power plants fueled by natural gas. Note: “Natural gas” is an industry misnomer; UCS considers methane, fossil gas, and gas to be much more appropriate terms. I’ll be using the term “gas” from here on out.)

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

CARB has proposed to rapidly increase the stringency of the standard to increase demand for credits, but it should also address the supply of credits, to make sure the fuels supported by the LCFS help move California towards a clean transportation future. Each credit one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent pollution below the standard.

Fossil Fuels 331

Fossil Fuels Regulations Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 331

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 5, 2024

Demand for electricity was high, but there was not enough gas available to keep all the gas-fired power plants running. Meanwhile, the power plants that burned oil had only a few days’ worth of fuel left in their tanks. Instead, it has focused on increasing the supply of fossil fuels during extreme cold weather.

2018 312

2018 Fossil Fuels Electricity Natural Gas 312

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules bearing on electricity transmission E. FERC pipeline regulation (natural gas and hydrogen). Rules relating to renewable and fossil fuel development on public lands and offshore. Electric vehicle and biofuel policies E. Nuclear power regulation D. Adaptation A.

Law 246

Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 246

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

APRIL 19, 2023

The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which I’ve blogged about in detail before, will phase out fossil-fueled trucks over the next several decades. A full transition to electric drayage truck operations in 2035. After 2036, all new MHDVs sold in California will be electric. There are more than 1.8 pollution from vehicles.

Electricity 279

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Regulations 279

Circle of Blue

JUNE 6, 2022

Besides the kilowatt-hours it generates, Glen Canyon provides key services to the electric grid. The country’s second largest reservoir and a lynchpin in the intermountain electric grid, Powell is more dirt than water these days. Hydropower generation will likely shut down when Lake Powell’s elevation drops below 3,490 feet.

Electricity 338

Electricity Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Greenhouse 338

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

It is overwhelmingly produced by a process known as steam methane reforming (SMR), which is heavily carbon-polluting, and the resulting hydrogen is primarily consumed as a feedstock for industrial purposes, such as oil refining and fertilizer production, not as a way to displace fossil fuels. And this isn’t just hypothetical.

Clean Energy 264

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 264

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

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