Emissions reduction

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

Largest solar farm east of the Mississippi provides more than just power

The project helps Chicago and one of its universities meet climate goals, but it will also be a case study for researchers examining the impacts of large-scale solar.

By Kari Lydersen . 2 May 2025
Transportation

Massachusetts should uphold the state’s clean car rules, advocates say

Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has already delayed plans for ramping up zero-emissions medium- and heavy-duty truck sales.

By Sarah Shemkus . 1 May 2025
Clean energy

North Carolina factories and mills cool on clean energy transition

A bill that would unravel North Carolina’s 2021 landmark climate law has won praise from major industrial groups, some of which previously welcomed more clean energy.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 30 April 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
Methane

States lead on landfill methane emissions as federal action stalls

The EPA was set to tighten rules on landfill operators. With Trump in charge, state policies may be the nation’s best bet at curbing these emissions.

By Isobel Whitcomb . 3 April 2025
Carbon-free buildings

How to decarbonize every building everywhere — just not all at once

To become climate-friendly, buildings need heat pumps, energy-efficiency measures, cleaner construction, and tech that makes their power use more flexible.

By Alison F. Takemura . 26 March 2025
Clean energy

A new way to power data centers: pair clean energy and peaker plants

An RMI report finds that solar and wind energy could connect to rarely used gas plants to meet gigawatts of data center demand, and still share power with the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 18 March 2025
Heat pumps

California unveils first state plan to unleash heat pumps

The new blueprint aims to help California reach its goal of deploying 6 million heat pumps by 2030, a target it is currently lagging behind.

By Alison F. Takemura . 17 March 2025
Utilities

Time-based rates convince Chicago-area residents to shift electricity use

ComEd is the latest major utility to adopt voluntary time-of-use rates, which can save residents — particularly EV owners — money on their energy bills.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2025