Electrification

This little-known agency has billions to make federal buildings green

With nearly $3.4 billion from the climate law, the U.S. General Services Administration is working to slash emissions from building operations and construction.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 July 2024

Large corner building at dusk with American flag flying from roof. — The U.S. General Services Administration headquarters at 1800 F Street, NW Washington, DC (Sarah A. Garner)

Solar

Can smart solar inverters help keep grid voltages in balance? Sunnova, SolarEdge and National Grid team up to find out

One of the largest tests of its kind will tap thousands of rooftop solar inverters in Massachusetts and Rhode Island — and examine what it’s worth to both utilities and customers.

By Jeff St. John . 27 July 2021
Grid edge

Could digital circuit breakers make EV charging and home energy controls even smarter?

Startup Atom Power is dragging Edison-era electrical equipment into the 21st century.

By Jeff St. John . 22 July 2021
Long-duration energy storage

Newsletter: DOE goes long on long-duration storage

Plus, California's gas fixation threatens its ambitious climate goals.

By Julian Spector . 15 July 2021
Fossil fuels

California has embraced clean energy, so why is it still building natural gas infrastructure?

Decarbonization advocates are fighting ratepayer subsidies that incentivize the growth of an increasingly obsolete gas system.

By Elizabeth McCarthy . 14 July 2021
Climate crisis

How do you know if a climate policy is good? Here’s the test

Clean electrification at warp speed for the next decade is the most important thing of all.

By David Roberts . 9 July 2021
Guest essay

Cities want to ban natural gas in new construction. State lawmakers are blocking them

Twenty states have already passed "ban the ban" laws and more might follow suit. They're backed by money and lobbyists from the gas industry.

By Rushad Nanavatty, Daniel Tait . 9 July 2021
EV charging

Newsletter: Forget La Croix, this is the employee perk of the future

Want your employees to drive your corporate electric vehicles? Give them a free home EV charger.

By Julian Spector . 30 June 2021
Opinion

Pacific Northwest heat wave makes the case for incentivizing heat pumps

Electric heat pumps can act as air conditioners — and move home heating systems away from natural gas.

By Justin Guay, Nate Adams . 29 June 2021
Energy efficiency

The secret of home energy efficiency? Don’t talk about home energy efficiency

Residential retrofit startups agree: Energy savings must pay for quality-of-life improvements to grow business and bring in lower-cost capital.

By Jeff St. John . 24 June 2021
Policy & regulation

Newsletter: Oregon shows how to broaden the coalition for ambitious climate policy

Take a look at what Oregon's doing.

By Julian Spector . 24 June 2021

Electrification

This little-known agency has billions to make federal buildings green

Can smart solar inverters help keep grid voltages in balance? Sunnova, SolarEdge and National Grid team up to find out

Could digital circuit breakers make EV charging and home energy controls even smarter?

Newsletter: DOE goes long on long-duration storage

California has embraced clean energy, so why is it still building natural gas infrastructure?

How do you know if a climate policy is good? Here’s the test

Cities want to ban natural gas in new construction. State lawmakers are blocking them

Newsletter: Forget La Croix, this is the employee perk of the future

Pacific Northwest heat wave makes the case for incentivizing heat pumps

The secret of home energy efficiency? Don’t talk about home energy efficiency

Newsletter: Oregon shows how to broaden the coalition for ambitious climate policy