Emissions reduction

Policy & regulation

Missed deadlines pile up as New York’s climate law turns five

New York’s clean energy rollout is not moving fast enough to meet the ambitious emissions-cutting targets the state adopted in 2019.

By Colin Kinniburgh . 26 June 2024
Heat pumps

This NYC high-rise is using heat pumps and waste heat to cut fossil fuels

The cutting-edge, state-backed project at 345 Hudson could be a model for other big buildings sprinting to comply with the city’s building decarbonization law.

By Alison F. Takemura . 19 June 2024
Clean industry

Southern California adopts landmark rule to electrify industrial heat

The effort will slash emissions from more than 1 million boilers and water heaters over the next three decades. Advocates hope other regions will follow suit.

By Maria Gallucci . 7 June 2024
Electrification

Electric lawn equipment, solar could be home-electrification ‘gateways’

People with firsthand home electrification experience are much more interested in cutting fossil fuels from other areas of their lives, per a new survey.

By Alison F. Takemura . 6 June 2024
Carbon capture

CO2-removal leader Climeworks says new tech can halve costs, energy use

Direct air capture is expensive and energy-intensive. Climeworks, which operates the world’s largest DAC plant, says it’s making progress tackling both challenges.

By Maria Gallucci . 4 June 2024
$Flares burning off gas at Belridge Oil Field and hydraulic fracking site which is the fourth largest oil field in California$

Fossil fuels

The US oil and gas industry is emitting less carbon than it used to

American oil and gas companies have cut back on methane emissions even as production reached record heights, a new analysis shows.

By Julian Spector . 3 June 2024
Batteries

Is adding a battery to your rooftop solar worth it? Here’s how to decide

Although expensive upfront, batteries can help you get through power outages and lower your utility bills. Federal and local incentives can sweeten the deal.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 May 2024
Electrification

Helping low-income families electrify could save Americans $96 billion

If U.S. policymakers pursue equitable electrification strategies, the societal benefits would be vast, says new report.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 May 2024
Heat pumps

A call to replace air conditioners with heat pumps in California

Advocates want new building codes to include a heat-pump provision that could benefit consumers and the climate. But regulators have cooled on the proposal.

By Alison F. Takemura . 28 May 2024
Clean industry

Chart: Which sectors are the biggest industrial emitters in the US?

Industry is set to become the country's largest source of CO2 emissions, largely driven by chemical manufacturing and oil and gas refining.

By Maria Gallucci . 24 May 2024