Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 12, 2023

Utility companies, as well as state and federal government regulatory agencies, made a series of questionable decisions that together created the situation we find ourselves in today. Three decades of deregulation allowed private companies, as opposed to public regulators, to make critical decisions about reliability.

Fossil Fuels 205

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 205

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 19, 2024

As another summer Danger Season gets underway with extreme floods in Texas and Florida , wildfires in California , and an above-average hurricane season predicted, it’s time for policymakers and regulators to get serious about real solutions to address the insurance crisis.

Climate Change 337

Climate Change Regulations Fossil Fuels 2022 337

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Statement by Alienor Rougeot, Senior Program Manager, Climate and Energy, on Ontario’s claims regarding the federal Clean Electricity Regulations. The federal government’s proposed regulations to reduce emissions in electricity generation are achievable without breaking the bank. Battery storage is very cost-effective.

Electricity 114

Electricity Regulations Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 114

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 23, 2023

And fossil fuel power plants may not stick to their retirement schedules for a variety of reasons. The bottom line: There’s still a long way to go, and the clean energy transition must move quicker than it has been—despite the fossil fuel industry’s self-serving claims to the contrary. A bit more on those reasons later.

Fossil Fuels 203

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 203

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 14, 2025

It is unlikely that the government will last long once Parliament resumes. 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. If a policy isnt finalized before March 24th, its unlikely to ever be. Time is ticking!

Politics 108

Politics Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Climate Change 108

Legal Planet

AUGUST 5, 2021

A big shift to renewables could leave stranded assets — existing fossil fuel plants that the utility will no longer get paid for using. In much of the country, those wholesale transactions are under the control of regional transmission organizations established by federal power regulators, but that’s not true everywhere.

Fossil Fuels 299

Fossil Fuels Regulations Clean Energy Renewable Energy 299

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 278

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 278

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

New science has shown that the largest fossil fuel, dairy, and waste methane super-emitters contribute a sizeable fraction of the total methane emissions in the regions the study authors monitored. Corporate high emitters When a methane super-emitter is identified, the company or government who owns that site needs to take action.

Fossil Fuels 300

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Climate Change 2030 300

Legal Planet

MAY 9, 2022

Continual reform is necessary so that emissions trading systems do not become merely symbolic regulation, or even worse create harmful negative consequences for climate policy – by for example subsidizing fossil fuel use or preempting useful complementary regulations. Implications for China. Stay tuned. Download as PDF.

Government 241

Government Politics Climate Change Paris Agreement 241

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Klein Chair, who has long studied public utility regulation, electricity market design, and renewable energy finance. I’m excited to work alongside Emmett Institute faculty like William Boyd, faculty co-director and Michael J.

Law 325

Law Renewable Energy Clean Energy Fossil Fuels 325

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 4, 2022

Now the reports driven by these resolutions are beginning to roll in, and while they certainly provide some insight into the fossil fuel industry’s investment in political influence, a sleight of hand is preventing investors from seeing the companies’ full strategy. The organization received between $2.5

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2020 Politics 264

Legal Planet

MAY 19, 2023

County of Monterey –a major case involving the authority of California local governments to limit oil and gas development within their borders. County of Monterey case raises important and difficult questions for both the justices and the Executive Branch of California state government.

Law 264

Law Fossil Fuels Climate Change Regulations 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

Many of my colleagues have already described the various ways we’ve gotten into this elevated fuel price mess, why doubling down on fossil fuels at this moment is a horrible idea, and why doing so would not improve our current or future economic, geopolitical or environmental problems. How Did We Get Here?

Clean Energy 241

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 241

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 26, 2023

That would be the straw man erected by defenders of the fossil fuel industry who claim that facing climate change is a doctrinaire liberal policy. This year, many on the far-right are attempting to rebrand Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing as “woke capitalism.”

Fossil Fuels 304

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Government 2021 304

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Fossil fuel companies are well established as founts of disinformation , agents of obstruction, and drivers of climate change. Taken together, the need for governments to meaningfully regulate these super polluters has never been clearer. What is an advisory opinion?

Climate Change 255

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Law Government 255

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 13, 2022

Overly focusing on technological innovation will miss the basic changes needed to drive the clean energy transition at scale and at pace today, including required breakthroughs on collaboration, collective action, communication, governance, and business model reforms. The actual barriers to progress. We must turn our attention there first.

Technology 254

Technology Technology Climate Change Fossil Fuels 254

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 294

Fossil Fuels Regulations Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 294

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

But governments must put policy measures into place immediately to be effective. Methane emissions come from two main sources : fossil fuels and agriculture—primarily animal-based agriculture. At COP27, 636 registered attendees are lobbyists for the fossil fuel industry. We need to phase out fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 265

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 Climate Change 265

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 17, 2025

As fossil-fueled fires get worse, tap water contamination concern grows. For residents of LA County, the UCLA LA County Water System Governance Map , shows the service areas for more than 200 systems in the county, and is available in Spanish or English.

Fossil Fuels 216

Fossil Fuels 2017 Electricity Regulations 216

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 17, 2023

However, great opportunities for more new clean energy supplies to replace fossil fuel energy need supporting grid investments. Transmission policy is vital to supplying grid modernization, and some state governments see their role in planning ahead for the grid we need. Where do we go for that modern infrastructure?

Clean Energy 237

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Regulations 237

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 277

Fossil Fuels Waste Regulations Electricity 277

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 16, 2021

The key to getting climate change under control is to rapidly decrease the user of fossil fuels. The resulting government policies are forcing radical change on the energy system of a kind not seen in a century or more. Energy use accounts for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions. Technological changes.

Law 246

Law Fossil Fuels Regulations Electricity 246

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 9, 2025

There are undoubtedly those in Alberta who are thrilled with the governments recent announcement on buffer zones and viewscapes for renewable energy development. According to the Alberta Energy Regulator, there are 482,495 wells in the province. But can they?

Renewable Energy 97

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Government Regulations 97

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Unless the government adopts a similarly holistic perspective when implementing the tax credit, though, the incentive could wind up doing more harm than good. That’s the nightmare scenario we’re facing now as federal regulators establish guidelines for implementing the new hydrogen tax credit. The framing is consequential.

Clean Energy 249

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 249

Enviromental Defense

MAY 31, 2024

Statement by Emilia Belliveau, Energy Transition Program Manager Montréal/Tiohtià:ke | Traditional, unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka/Mohawk Nation, a gathering place for many First Nations, including the Anishinaabeg – We are disappointed that the Government of Alberta is attacking the federal government’s attempts to clamp down on greenwashing.

Government 141

Government Fossil Fuels Climate Change Regulations 141

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 30, 2023

The key word here is “ intensity :” Fossil fuel companies often focus on emissions intensity, meaning emissions per barrel of oil, rather than absolute emissions, which is a set number measured in metric tons. That means Exxon still plans to spend the vast majority of its funds on fossil fuel exploration and production.

Fossil Fuels 257

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 Greenhouse 257

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Three trade associations—the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, Texas Oil and Gas Association, and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)—were identified as “partially aligned” for failing to fully support these positions.

Fossil Fuels 268

Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Paris Agreement Climate Change 268

Law and Environment

OCTOBER 26, 2023

Yesterday, Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer issued a report detailing how “to implement the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s whole-of-government approach to addressing the climate crisis.” The post New Report Details Massachusetts Whole-of-Government Approach to Climate Crisis first appeared on Law and the Environment.

Government 130

Government Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2024 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

EN: Besides the fact that state and federal officials largely ignore the harm gas does to public health, the environment and the climate, government policies let gas developers off the hook for cleaning up their pollution. VY: They do. How can we make sure the decisionmaking process for a clean grid transition is equitable?

Clean Energy 333

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 333

Legal Planet

JUNE 4, 2021

, its district, appellate , and supreme courts decided in favor of Urgenda, an upstart environmental organization, ordering the government to more aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the face of disappointing legislation and regulation, activists have increasingly turned to courts in the last fifteen years.

Carbon Dioxide 246

Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Climate Change 2010 246

Law Columbia

MARCH 27, 2025

City of New York , plumbing and building trade groups challenged New York Citys Local Law 154 of 2021 , a piece of legislation that prohibits fossil fuel combustion in most new buildings. In other words, EPCAs text and structure clearly intended to avoid a patchwork of conflicting and unpredictable regulations.

Law 59

Law Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Regulations 59

Law Columbia

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

Starting in 2017, cities, counties, and states across the United States have filed claims (see here and here ) in state courts against fossil fuel companies seeking redress for the climate harms their products have caused. By Korey Silverman-Roati. Background. Many of these cases asserted nuisance and other tort law claims.

Fossil Fuels 85

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Air Act Law 85

Legal Planet

MARCH 15, 2023

Several cities in California, including Los Angeles and in the Bay Area, have outlawed new gas hookups, but these are the first regulations that would effectively ban the sale of gas appliances. Such a Request for Information could be a potential first step toward implementing safety standards or other regulations governing their use.

Nitrogen Oxides 305

Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution Ozone 2029 305

Circle of Blue

JANUARY 17, 2022

Last week, the outgoing center-right government of President Sebastián Piñera signed over rights to two private companies to extract 160,000 tons of lithium. Amid a growing global appetite for electrical power as an alternative to planet-warming fossil fuels, the value of this natural endowment is soaring. .

Renewable Energy 279

Renewable Energy 2016 Fossil Fuels Radiation 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

In late April, California air regulators are poised to pass one of the most meaningful regulations to reduce pollution from commercial trucks, vans, and buses. 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.

Electricity 266

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Regulations 266

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

California’s leadership on reducing truck pollution has been on full display the past few years, passing critical regulations requiring 90 percent reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions from diesel trucks and requiring manufacturers sell an increasing share of electric trucks to move away from fossil fuels altogether.

Nitrogen Oxides 238

Nitrogen Oxides Clean Air Act Ozone Fossil Fuels 238

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 16, 2024

How we do this, and how well it happens, depends on planning and collaboration across local, state and federal government. Smaller, decentralized growth in electric heat pumps for buildings, and electric transportation replacing fossil fuels also require more access to electricity and a modern grid.

Electricity 265

Electricity Renewable Energy Clean Energy Law 265