Climate crisis

Energy efficiency

Massachusetts embraces backyard homes as housing and climate solution

The state needs more housing, fast. ADUs offer a path forward — and their compact, sometimes all-electric designs offer lower energy bills and carbon emissions.

By Sarah Shemkus . 4 August 2026

Overhead shot of gray house with dark gray ADU in backyard surrounded by trees in fall color — Marsha Gleason built an 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit in her backyard in Northborough, Massachusetts, when she decided it was time to downsize. (Backyard ADUs)

Offshore wind

Here’s how offshore wind helped New England beat record heat

The region has added dozens of turbines off the East Coast since last summer. They and other clean energy sources cut the need for oil power amid recent hot weather.

By Maria Gallucci . 14 July 2026
Grid edge

Clean energy helped the grid avoid heat-wave catastrophe

Last week's high temperatures pushed the U.S. grid to its limits, and showcased how new wind and solar additions are essential to keeping the lights on.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 10 July 2026
Utilities

Ohio utilities report subpar grid reliability as they seek a lower bar

FirstEnergy and Duke say factors like worsening extreme weather led to missed 2025 targets. The state will soon decide whether to accept more and longer outages.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 18 May 2026
Energy efficiency

How Oregon is building back smarter after wildfire

After a destructive fire, residents faced the task of rebuilding. Thanks to state incentives, the new homes are more energy efficient and resilient to future threats.

By Juliet Grable . 23 February 2026
Climate crisis

States push climate superfund bills despite Trump’s opposition

The legislation would make oil and gas firms pay for climate damages from burning their products. Trump has referred to such laws as “extortion.”

By Sarah Shemkus . 17 February 2026
Policy & regulation

The EPA’s biggest emissions-fighting tool is dead — at least for now

The Trump administration has repealed the endangerment finding, setting up legal battles that could determine the future of the bedrock climate policy.

By Dan McCarthy, Kathryn Krawczyk . 13 February 2026
Climate crisis

Is Trump’s assault on climate and clean energy reversible?

The president’s rollbacks of climate rules and renewable-energy incentives have made headlines, but executive action is much less durable than legislation.

By Zoya Teirstein . 26 January 2026
Solar

After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs

More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national model.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 20 January 2026
Politics

The great climate vibe shift of 2025

In 2025, energy “dominance” and “abundance” entered the lexicon, while “climate change” was pushed out.

By Sarah Shemkus . 30 December 2025
Solar

Clean energy is getting its own national day of action. It’s about time.

The first-ever “Sun Day” is coming up Sept. 21. You can get involved in one of the more than 150 events across the country — or plan your own.

By Alison F. Takemura . 25 August 2025