Carbon-free buildings

Heat pumps

SoCal rejects plan to phase down new gas furnaces and water heaters

After an opposition campaign waged by SoCalGas and others, regulators tanked rules that would’ve encouraged, but not required, a transition to electric heat pumps.

By Alison F. Takemura . 10 June 2025
Heat pumps

Electrifying this affordable housing complex made financial sense

In Sacramento, California, property owner BRIDGE Housing moved ahead with a heat-pump-plus retrofit designed to save both itself and its residents money.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 May 2025
Carbon-free buildings

Why killing home-energy tax credits would be bad for the economy

House Republicans passed a budget bill that would axe consumer tax credits for energy efficiency, solar, and more, a move that could hurt consumers, jobs, and the grid.

By Alison F. Takemura . 22 May 2025
Fossil fuels

Gas stoves increase cancer risk, especially for kids, new study finds

The appliances emit benzene, a potent carcinogen. Exposure varies depending on ventilation and other factors, but there’s no safe level.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 May 2025
Energy efficiency

Trump’s all-out war on energy efficiency

From targeting Energy Star to pausing more obscure rules, the Trump administration is derailing measures that help save money by reducing energy use.

By Alison F. Takemura . 12 May 2025
Carbon-free buildings

After LA fires, could it be cheaper and faster to rebuild without gas?

The city waived its all-electric building requirement in an effort to fast-track recovery after the January fires. A new report argues that’s the wrong approach.

By Alison F. Takemura . 5 May 2025
Solar

Balcony solar is all the rage in Germany. Why not in the US?

A new Utah law promoting balcony solar reveals the challenges of making the clean-energy tech mesh with the U.S. grid.

By Akielly Hu . 1 May 2025
Heat pumps

Meet one of NYC’s first housing co-ops to electrify heating and cooling

The 1962 building hit its emissions reduction targets well ahead of Local Law 97's first reporting deadline on May 1. Here’s how.

By Alison F. Takemura . 22 April 2025
Heat pumps

Massachusetts heat pump owners could pay less for electricity next winter

The state’s high electricity prices are a barrier to heat pump adoption, so regulators are working with utilities to reduce rates in winter when demand is lower.

By Sarah Shemkus . 16 April 2025
Electrification

Massachusetts home-electrification pilot could offer a national model

Installations are wrapping up this month for the turnkey program providing solar, heat pumps, and batteries to households that couldn’t otherwise afford them.

By Sarah Shemkus . 7 April 2025