Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 20, 2024

Last week, I participated in the Scientists Speakout Day during the Summer of Heat on Wall Street , to protest and disrupt the financial institutions that are enabling the fossil fuel industry (and, as a result, our current climate crisis).

Fossil Fuels 240

Fossil Fuels Sea Level Paris Agreement Climate Change 240

Legal Planet

JULY 15, 2024

But the scientific and technological advances that made these technologies competitive with fossil fuels are much more recent. Congress passed the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, creating incentives for renewable energy generators. Both are below the levelized cost of new natural gas or coal generation.

Renewable Energy 264

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Technology Technology 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 12, 2023

The same scenario has played out with the power plants that use fossil fuels, predominantly methane (“natural”) gas, delivered by pipelines. The electric power system is trapped by gas-dependent power plants that cannot obtain gas when it needs it to keep the lights on. It’s a vicious feedback loop.

Fossil Fuels 232

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 232

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 16, 2025

Source: PSE Spatial distribution tools like the one used here (InMAP) allow us to visualize how pollution from gas plants in eastern Wisconsin affect not just local populations, but also neighboring states downwind like Michigan. Now is the time for Wisconsin and the PSCW to tell We Energies that profits cannot be placed over communities.

Nitrogen Oxides 268

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Ozone 268

Ocean Conservancy

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

If we are to protect the ocean, its marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them, we must address climate change at its root: the burning of fossil fuels for energy. But this cannot happen without clean-energy solutions, such as offshore wind and other marine renewables , that can replace them.

Fossil Fuels 133

Fossil Fuels Ocean Climate Change Clean Energy 133

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. The transition to 100-percent renewables is possible.

Fossil Fuels 322

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 322

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 23, 2023

Renewable projects can experience delays due to the country’s antiquated (and slow) system of connecting to the grid, as well as other reasons like permitting and transmission constraints. And fossil fuel power plants may not stick to their retirement schedules for a variety of reasons. A bit more on those reasons later.

Fossil Fuels 232

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 232

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.

Electricity 279

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

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. Renewable energy generation increases faster than any other technology.

Natural Gas 291

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 291

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In fact, studies show that clean energy is a more affordable option than continuing to rely on fossil fuels. Ontario can meet its growing electricity needs with renewable energy when combined with storage technologies that enable the energy to be used when needed. Battery storage is very cost-effective.

Electricity 128

Electricity Regulations Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 128

Circle of Blue

AUGUST 3, 2021

energy policy has done little to incentivize the growth of these technologies, relying on a patchwork of energy credit programs, tax breaks, and development spending to promote renewable energy production. But as the market grows, some urge caution before using wastewater to create renewable natural gas.

Carbon Emissions 317

Carbon Emissions Waste Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 317

Legal Planet

MARCH 31, 2022

There’s a lot of discussion of how the private sector is supporting renewable energy, but it’s almost all about power consumers like Apple and Walmart. 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. Fossil Fuel Use. Carbon Goal.

2030 246

2030 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2007 246

Legal Planet

JULY 13, 2023

Those benefits will flow to people in rural areas as well as urban ones, to national security and international development, and to nature itself. To begin with, there are the health benefits of the energy transition away from fossil fuels. There will also be major economic benefits.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Air Pollution Natural Gas 246

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.

Climate Change 246

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 246

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules bearing on electricity transmission E. FERC rules for wholesale markets that impact renewable energy. FERC pipeline regulation (natural gas and hydrogen). Rules relating to renewable and fossil fuel development on public lands and offshore.

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 275

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change 275

Legal Planet

AUGUST 9, 2021

Sources of renewable energy, such as Iowa wind farms, are often located far from the urban centers that need the power. Transmission also helps to deal with weather issues that may impact renewables: even if it’s too cloudy for solar in one state, the sun may be shining a state or two over. Download as PDF.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Government Natural Gas 246

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 24, 2025

data centers risks deepening Americas reliance on fossil fuels and can put consumers and communities at risk, according to the report. Maximizing energy efficiency, generating clean power on-site, and ensuring that data centers pay the full cost of necessary grid upgrades can help reduce the impact on consumers.

Nuclear Power 81

Nuclear Power Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 81

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 278

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Natural Gas Waste 278

Law Columbia

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Flickr: Natural Gas Plant. As Senior Fellow Amy Turner documented last year , a number of local governments around the country have moved to prohibit natural gas hookups in buildings. These prohibitions are part of cities’ broader effort to participate in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Natural Gas 96

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 96

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

The LCFS is designed to hold fuel producers accountable for their supply chain emissions The LCFS and related Clean Fuel Standard policies are performance standards for transportation fuel based on lifecycle analysis. Negative CI scores undermine California’s goal of phasing out fossil fuels and combustion fuels in general.

Fossil Fuels 319

Fossil Fuels Regulations Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 319

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Meeting 100 percent of Massachusetts’ electricity demand with renewables by 2035 can bring multiple benefits, including an 85 percent drop in the power sector’s heat-trapping emissions, more than $1.7 billion in health savings, more than 45,000 additional jobs, and $13 billion in additional state gross domestic product by 2040.

Fossil Fuels 241

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Air Pollution Electricity 241

A Greener Life

JULY 26, 2021

The French oil and gas major Total. In order to make their portfolio more sustainable and respond to lower fossil fuel demand, oil majors are increasingly snapping up renewable energy projects as the pressure grows to take action on climate change. Photo credit: Reuters. By Anders Lorenzen.

Renewable Energy 98

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power 2030 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 31, 2022

As California decarbonizes its economy, the state will build enormous amounts of renewable energy and energy storage to clean up the electricity sector. The solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower, geothermal, energy storage and natural gas on the grid right now are the resources the state has this month.

Solar Power 299

Solar Power Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 299

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 263

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 263

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

These higher costs are being driven by a major overreliance on natural gas, which has sharply spiked in price and is currently the dominant fuel source in the US for both home heating and electricity generation. Likewise, pipeline giant Williams Companies now refers to its gas projects as “clean energy” projects.

Fossil Fuels 331

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 331

A Greener Life

AUGUST 2, 2023

The country’s new energy transition plan targets an estimated US$7.4 By Fermín Koop New government plan says US$86 billion of spending needed to boost energy transition – while backing natural gas too. These targets represent a potentially significant shift in Argentina ’s energy mix. Are its goals realistic?

Renewable Energy 95

Renewable Energy 2030 Fossil Fuels Electricity 95

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 29, 2022

Companies are spending millions fighting lawsuits that would hold them accountable for the costs that fossil fuel extraction has imposed on people and the planet. DO: Dramatically increase your investment in renewable energy. DO: Pay your fair share of the costs of climate change. Chevron alone is facing a $9.5

Fossil Fuels 280

Fossil Fuels Coastal Erosion Carbon Dioxide Biofuels 280

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 318

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 318

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. Renewable Energy.

Clean Energy 147

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2027 147

Environmental News Bits

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

is now on track to source 62% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040 thanks to recent state policy developments and the rising cost of fossil fuels, especially natural gas, according to a second-quarter briefing by S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Renewable Energy 81

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 81

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 2, 2023

On March 2, the Independent Fiscal Office issued a report on fourth quarter 2022 natural gas production in Pennsylvania showing a 1.6% drop in natural gas production growth and each of the other top producing counties-- Susquehanna, Washington, Bradford and Greene also saw a decrease in growth.

Natural Gas 94

Natural Gas 2022 Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 94

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Key Takeaways Here are some key takeaways from the hearing-- -- Natural Gas Continues To Have A Reliability Problem: 70% of the PJM electric generation that failed to perform during the December freeze were natural gas-fired power plants. The Commission is continuing to work with PJM to evaluate the results of the storm.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 98

Ocean Conservancy

SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

Nearly all of these plastics are made from fossil fuels including crude oil, natural gas liquids and coal. Ocean plastics, such as those collected by our International Coastal Cleanup partners last week on beaches and waterways around the world, are a product of the fossil fuel industry that is driving climate change.

Fossil Fuels 138

Fossil Fuels Ocean Renewable Energy Climate Change 138

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 15, 2025

In 2011, Tregs Independent Brewing worked with Solar Renewable Energy to install a rooftop solar array large enough to produce 15-20 percent of its annual electricity usage. The 1,628 panels, partnered with a new white roof membrane and added insulation, make the brewery more energy efficient while saving on their electricity bills.

Electricity 58

Electricity Renewable Energy Clean Energy Solar Power 58

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.

Natural Gas 147

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Carbon Dioxide 147

PA Environment Daily

MAY 1, 2023

On May 1, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee was told the wholesale prices of electricity in the PJM regional electric grid are too low to support coal and natural gas power plants. Replacing 1 MW of gas, nuclear or coal takes about 6 to 7 MW of solar and onshore wind from a reliability perspective.

Natural Gas 92

Natural Gas Electricity Renewable Energy Technology 92