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. Although the country’s federal energy regulator has had a disconcertingly nonchalant attitude towards these events.) Gas power plants have a problem.

Fossil Fuels 289

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Technology 289

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

Bidirectional EVs Could Be the New Standard Electric vehicles (EVs) should be a clean transportation and a clean energy solution. This could let drivers use these batteries to power critical appliances during emergencies, their homes during power shutoffs, or even the grid when electricity demand is high.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Recycling Clean Energy 2004 246

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 20, 2025

To build a clean economy and avoid a climate disaster, Canada needs an emissions-free electricity supply. As we electrify everything, from our cars to our home heating systems, we need electricity to come from sources that dont emit greenhouse gases. The Clean Electricity Regulations are an important part of Canadas climate plan.

Electricity 88

Electricity Regulations Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 88

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. The 2021 law allows, but does not require, PJM to plan ahead because various fossil fuel plants must reduce and then cease emissions by a specific date.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 264

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

We progress despite regular cries of impending doom from regulated industries and their enablers. Over its short lifetime, the program has already transformed many segments of the fuels market. If CARB approves amendments to the program, the shift to clean fuels in California will only accelerate. But it’s never easy.

Air Pollution 279

Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Greenhouse 2010 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 9, 2025

I came to Madison ten years ago to pursue a masters in electrical engineering. To underscore the negative impacts of fossil fuels on our grid, I also pointed to key research around resilience. Eventually, I met my wife, bought a home, and welcomed a son into the world who is now three years old. Madison is our home.

Fossil Fuels 218

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Natural Gas Clean Energy 218

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 299

Electricity Renewable Energy Clean Energy Law 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Since the beginning of 2022, electric vehicle sales in the United States have been downright electrifying. Last year, US drivers bought more than 800,000 new electric vehicles (EVs), 65 percent more than in 2021, even as overall car sales declined. billion to help California drivers switch from gasoline to electricity.

Electricity 338

Electricity Air Pollution 2030 Clean Air Act 338

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 278

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 278

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 14, 2025

At the top of the list of key climate regulations that need to be finalized before March 24th is the governments cap on pollution from the oil and gas industry. Without a strong oil and gas pollution cap, fossil fuel companies will continue to prioritize their profits at the expense of our health, climate and future.

Politics 113

Politics Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Climate Change 113

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 289

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 289

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. Most Minnesotans are familiar with their local electricity utility, since that’s who bills them for electricity they provide.

Renewable Energy 363

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 8, 2025

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are increasing , and these vehicles are important to reduce fossil fuel use and air pollution. In the 2024 California legislative session, both houses passed SB 615, but it was vetoed by Governor Newsom, due to concerns related to administrative costs of implementing the regulation.

Recycling 130

Recycling Fossil Fuels 2026 Air Pollution 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 25, 2022

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Without power grid modeling tools, the transition to clean electricity would be an absolute mess. Luckily, we don’t have to resort to guesswork because we have sophisticated grid modeling tools that help guide the transition to clean electricity. Are you ready for my wonkiest blog post yet?

Electricity 279

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 279

Legal Planet

AUGUST 5, 2021

electricity. A big shift to renewables could leave stranded assets — existing fossil fuel plants that the utility will no longer get paid for using. In those states where rates are regulated, regulators can do some things to shift these incentives. Investor-owned utilities supply almost three-quarters of U.S.

Fossil Fuels 299

Fossil Fuels Regulations Clean Energy Renewable Energy 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

electricity generation. Renewables are continuing to increase their share of the power sector, rising to almost 23 percent of the nation’s electricity supply last year, which was higher than the generation from both coal-fired and nuclear plants. In other words, when the air is hot, gas power plants cannot generate as much electricity.

Fossil Fuels 272

Fossil Fuels Cooling Electricity 2015 272

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2022

That’s because the case, which was about the nature and scope of EPA authority in regulating carbon emissions from existing power plants, turned on a rule that does not exist. Because while this decision does still recognize EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, it simultaneously sharply curtails the agency’s ability to do so.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 279

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Klein Chair, who has long studied public utility regulation, electricity market design, and renewable energy finance. Ruthie Lazenby, a UCLA Law fellow and Legal Planet blogger who is currently writing a series on community solar , is also contributing to E-CELL.

Law 325

Law Renewable Energy Clean Energy Fossil Fuels 325

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) A. Nuclear power regulation D. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules bearing on electricity transmission E. FERC pipeline regulation (natural gas and hydrogen). California authority to regulate new vehicles D. Social Cost of Carbon D.

Law 246

Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

California’s transportation fuel policy is knee deep in cow poop, and it’s not a good look. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering amendments to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation, but indicated they have no plans to address the problems caused by counter-productive subsidies for manure biomethane.

Fossil Fuels 331

Fossil Fuels Regulations Carbon Dioxide Renewable Energy 331

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

How would that change if I hopped on the electric bus route at the end of my block? The situation would indeed be much better if our gifts were delivered by a team of flying reindeer fueled by magic and apples instead of trucks running on polluting diesel fuel.

Nitrogen Oxides 312

Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 312

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 9, 2021

It attempted to move away from fossil fuels and toward zero-carbon sources like solar power to supply electricity. Here are the options going forward for regulating existing power plants. Switch to another legal basis for regulation. The Clean Power Plan was based on section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 246

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 17, 2025

As fossil-fueled fires get worse, tap water contamination concern grows. To name a few ways water can be contaminated post-fire: Incineration of urban infrastructurehouses, buildings, electric wires, etc.leaches toxic chemicals not only into our air but when hot enough, can melt the underground pipe network that deliver drinking water.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels 2017 Electricity Regulations 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

In December, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service proposed regulations governing implementation of the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit , passed as part of 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act. In particular, emissions loopholes related to biomethane and fugitive methane (i.e.,

Fossil Fuels 336

Fossil Fuels Waste Regulations Electricity 336

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

More efficient (and cleaner) gasoline cars are part of the reason why gasoline use is down, but the increasing number of electric vehicles being sold in the state will likely drive gasoline use down even further. These regulations (both state and federal) that UCS has advocated for have saved drivers money and reduced emissions.

Carbon Dioxide 313

Carbon Dioxide 2005 Electricity Nitrogen Oxides 313

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 12, 2024

While municipalities may have some flexibility in how they zone or regulate oil and gas operations – provided they do not exceed limitations in state or federal law – doing so in an unreasonable manner which prevents future natural gas development should render the municipality ineligible for state collected and distributed impact fees.

Natural Gas 110

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Law 2019 110

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

That’s the nightmare scenario we’re facing now as federal regulators establish guidelines for implementing the new hydrogen tax credit. Electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, releases no carbon emissions at the point of production. The costs will be too great otherwise.

Clean Energy 264

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 264

Enviromental Defense

AUGUST 28, 2024

Statement from Keith Brooks, Programs Director, Environmental Defence Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Today’s announcement by Energy Minister Stephen Lecce is a significant and shocking reversal on electricity planning in Ontario.

Electricity 135

Electricity Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Clean Energy 135

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 16, 2021

The key to getting climate change under control is to rapidly decrease the user of fossil fuels. Storage technology is threatening to upend one of the central axioms of the energy system: that the electricity generation and consumption must balance on a minute-by-minute basis. There are three interlinked reasons for the change.

Law 246

Law Fossil Fuels Regulations Electricity 246

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 359

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 359

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 18, 2024

In late December, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations for the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. Today, hydrogen is overwhelmingly produced through a heavily polluting fossil fuel-based process. It is a climate problem, not a climate solution.

Fossil Fuels 263

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2028 Carbon Emissions 263

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 13, 2022

It means committing to incentives and standards that clearly align with the trajectory we need to be on across all sectors of the economy—both valuing the beneficial aspects of clean energy resources, and accounting for the negative effects of polluting fossil fuels. to 80 percent of electricity from zero-carbon resources by 2030.

Technology 264

Technology Technology Climate Change Fossil Fuels 264

Legal Planet

MAY 9, 2022

Texas and a number of other states have passed laws banning what they call “boycotts of fossil fuel companies.” ” More precisely, they ban state investment or contracting with firms that “boycott” fossil fuel companies. That’s generally — but not always — going to be firms “utilizing” fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Law Carbon Emissions Politics 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. This year’s projections are a bit grim. Carbon emissions remain high.

Natural Gas 290

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 290

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 17, 2024

In the electric utility industry, this conflict is on display in the debate over who makes decisions on new electric transmission and how to include policies set by state laws. PJM directs the revenues and operation of the largest fossil fuel power plant fleet (124 gigawatts), making it the largest utility in the US.

Electricity 277

Electricity Fossil Fuels Climate Change Sea Level 277

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 3, 2022

The majority 6–3 decision sharply curtails the EPA’s authority to set standards based on a broad range of flexible options to cut carbon emissions from the power sector—options such as replacing polluting fossil fuels with cheap and widely available wind and solar power coupled with battery storage.

Climate Change 326

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Nitrogen Oxides 326