Energy & Utilities
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New bill would tax polluters, redirect funds to impacted communities
The Save Our Future Act would invest millions in emissions reduction programs and help areas reliant on fossil fuels transition away from them through direct payments, career training, business development and other programs.
By Chris Teale • June 18, 2021 -
Nevada passes clean energy bill requiring state to join RTO, accelerating $2B transmission project
The bill also requires utilities to forecast a path to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by the end of the decade.
By Jason Plautz • June 04, 2021 -
Wikipedia Commons
PG&E, BMW smart-charging pilot highlights potential for EVs as grid resource
Aligning electric vehicle charging loads with renewable energy can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, efficiently manage the grid and save customers money, according to data from a Northern California study.
By Robert Walton • June 02, 2021 -
Mark Makela via Getty Images
Biden proposes more than $2B for clean energy infrastructure, $14B+ increase in climate spending
The administration's first proposed budget includes sizable increases in spending for climate mitigation, research, EVs and clean energy infrastructure.
By Emma Penrod • June 01, 2021 -
Szekely, Pedro. (2017). "Chicago Skyline" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Chicago explores alternative electricity provider to support equitable climate goals
The city is exploring its electric utility agreement for the first time in 30 years, aiming to support its new clean electricity and carbon reduction goals, Chicago's chief sustainability officer said.
By Katie Pyzyk • May 11, 2021 -
NREL app expected to significantly speed up US residential solar permitting
A new app designed by NREL will address a key concern among solar contractors with near-instantaneous permit decisions for residential installations in the majority of U.S. jurisdictions.
By Emma Penrod • May 10, 2021 -
LEED-certified federal buildings aren't using less energy: study
Despite being "one of the most sought-after" green building certifications, Carnegie Mellon researchers found that LEED has "no effect" on the average energy consumption of federally-owned buildings.
By Robert Walton • May 05, 2021 -
Tesla's Musk admits 'significant mistakes' with solar roof project
Following customer complaints of increased installation costs, the company said it will sell home solar and storage together to streamline installations.
By Jason Plautz • April 29, 2021 -
Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston
Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'
One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.
By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021 -
Retrieved from The White House/YouTube on January 29, 2021
Biden pledges to halve US carbon emissions by 2030
The United States will work to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, sending clear signals to business and world leaders.
By Robert Walton • April 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of GE Renewable Energy
Clean energy jobs 'hit hard' by COVID-19 in 2020: report
Research from Environment Entrepreneurs found the sector shed 307,000 jobs but rebounded in the second half of the year — and could be set for major recovery in 2021.
By Chris Teale • April 20, 2021 -
Equitable energy transition will require more than funding and job training, researchers say
Utilities, governments must ensure clean energy jobs provide stable, middle-class earnings, according to a new guide from Inclusive Economics and the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge.
By Emma Penrod • April 19, 2021 -
Permission granted by Steelblue for the City of Sacramento / Perkins&Will.
Sacramento to transform historic train station into people-first mobility hub
The city council approved the 31-acre Sacramento Valley Station Area plan, which will prioritize people over cars and is designed to be one of the state's most sustainable public places.
By Cailin Crowe • April 19, 2021 -
Biden's infrastructure plan goes big on EVs, but his first budget starts small, analysts say
The Biden administration's infrastructure plan includes $174 billion to electrify transportation, though the FY22 budget request starts cautiously.
By Robert Walton • April 15, 2021 -
Getty Images
Few states taking steps for equitable EV infrastructure investment, report cautions
Benefits of the shift to electric transportation could be constrained to higher-income populations without the right policies, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy lays out.
By Robert Walton • April 12, 2021 -
Opinion
US building codes need a major retrofit to meet climate goals and spare consumers
The International Code Council, which recently rolled back local governments' say in energy efficiency regulations for buildings, needs to adapt to the times or step aside, writes Energy Innovation's Sara Baldwin.
By Sara Baldwin • April 07, 2021 -
Permission granted by First Solar
Local governments set record for new renewable energy procurement in 2020, groups report
Transactions last year grew renewable capacity 23% from 2019's totals, according to World Resources Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute data.
By Chris Teale • April 05, 2021 -
Retrieved from Business Wire.
As EV economics improve, medium- and heavy-duty trucking may be 'next big frontier' for clean transportation
Heavy-duty trucks represent just 5% of vehicles on the road, but experts say they account for more than a quarter of overall U.S. transportation emissions.
By Robert Walton • March 26, 2021 -
Permission granted by Fermata Energy
New coalition calls on Biden admin to prioritize electrified transportation
CHARGE, a group of 37 organizations, is urging EV charging infrastructure be especially deployed in communities traditionally underserved by transportation or that have struggled with pollution burdens.
By Chris Teale • March 25, 2021 -
Permission granted by Bergen County Utilities Authority
Climate-driven water infrastructure failures risk becoming 'business as usual'
Monday's World Water Day comes one month after extreme weather wreaked havoc on Texas' water supply, an event that experts warn could become the new normal if leaders fail to invest in resiliency.
By Chris Teale • March 22, 2021 -
Arizona utility opposes legislation barring state regulators from decarbonization mandate
As with many other states, Arizona is embroiled in a debate about the extent of regulators' authority when it comes to decarbonization.
By Emma Penrod • March 17, 2021 -
San Antonio power provider sues ERCOT, citing 'unlawful' pricing
Mayor Ron Nirenburg gave the city's full support for the suit against the Texas grid operator, saying "state regulators are presiding over one of the largest illegal transfers of wealth" in state history.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 16, 2021 -
Retrieved from Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
DOE to spend billions on electric vehicle R&D in jobs fight with China
President Biden's administration is tackling transportation electrification in part to prevent China from cornering a $23 trillion market in carbon-reducing tech, according to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
By Robert Walton • March 11, 2021 -
House Democrats clear pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035
The bill would require economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050, targeting transportation electrification, environmental justice and building efficiency.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 03, 2021 -
Getty Images
USPS to continue purchasing gas vehicles, despite Biden all-electric pledge
The postal service says the procurement allows for flexibility, and hinted at the ability to "retrofit" some vehicles. But EV advocates say "this will lock USPS into an outdated technology for many years."
By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2021
