Climate crisis

Hydropower

Mass. utilities and Hydro-Quebec sue each other over missing hydropower

A new power line failed to deliver promised hydroelectricity for 12 days this winter. Utilities want compensation — but Hydro-Québec says it’s the one who’s owed.

By Sarah Shemkus . 10 September 2026

A Hydro-Québec hydroelectric dam in Havre-Saint-Pierre, Québec (Lars Hagberg/AFP via Getty Images)

Solar

A Virginia school district pioneers solar and battery microgrids

Roanoke City Public Schools is building the state’s first solar-plus-storage systems to keep emergency shelters going during extreme weather and cut down on costs.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 8 September 2026
Climate crisis

Gary power outage underscores stakes of Solar for All cancellation

Some city residents went two weeks without power following storms. The federal program, ended by Trump, would have enabled many to access solar and batteries.

By Kari Lydersen . 31 August 2026
Nuclear

How much of a threat do heat waves pose to nuclear plants?

Hot water and low river levels have hampered nuclear power in Europe this summer, forcing a reckoning over plant preparedness.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 27 August 2026
Solar

Solar delivers as Europe’s power plants struggle amid heat and drought

Extreme weather spiked power demand just as nuclear, gas, and coal plants had to reduce their output. Solar and batteries helped keep people cool.

By Austin Corona, Grist . 25 August 2026
Hydropower

America’s hydropower challenge goes beyond the West

Lakes Mead and Powell have sunk to unprecedented lows, jeopardizing their generation capabilities — but drought persists in the Northeast, too.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 21 August 2026
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
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