Energy efficiency

Electrification

After a gas furnace leak, this retiree went all-electric — for free

A low-income Baltimore homeowner got help from a nonprofit to install electric appliances and a solar array. She’s very thankful for the “blessings.”

By Alison F. Takemura . 9 November 2026

Woman in green and white dress and wearing glasses outside her front door — When Sherry Frazier needed a new fridge, she ended up getting cleaner indoor air — and much more. (Binh Nguyen/Canary Media; Sherry Frazier)

Energy efficiency

Massachusetts bill could hinder push to weatherize lower-income homes

The measure would add paperwork for some residents while leaving the rules unchanged for others, as legislators question how the state targets efficiency benefits.

By Sarah Shemkus . 22 October 2026
Clean energy jobs

US clean energy jobs fell in 2025 for the first time in years

Employment in the sector dipped in Donald Trump’s first year back in office — and many more expected jobs won’t materialize thanks to canceled clean energy projects.

By Julian Spector . 16 October 2026
Energy efficiency

This hidden device could free up gigawatts of power for the US grid

Millions of electric motors run inside the country’s buildings, often inefficiently. Variable frequency drives can slash motors’ power use and reduce grid strain.

By Maria Gallucci . 5 October 2026
Electric vehicles

Your gas car works fine. Consider an EV anyway.

Swapping your gas car for an electric vehicle is a climate win in almost all cases, says a new study, which even “tipped the scales” against EVs.

By Tik Root, Grist . 14 August 2026
Virtual power plants

Federal ruling hands virtual power plants a win in PJM

Firms that enlist homes to reduce energy demand — and costs — have long complained that utility data rules prevent them from helping in PJM. FERC agrees.

By Jeff St. John . 13 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
Energy efficiency

Energy Department disappears website’s energy-saving tips as costs soar

The agency purged resources for people looking to conserve energy and lower bills — right after it proposed a rule to “permanently end” appliance mandates.

By Kate Yoder . 22 July 2026
Data centers

New Jersey law will let data centers pay for home energy upgrades

In a first, the state could speed up data centers’ grid connection if they bankroll energy-saving residential tech like heat pumps and batteries.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 July 2026
Energy efficiency

New manufactured homes may get more efficient thanks to housing law

The Trump administration has a year to issue updated energy conservation standards for the homes, a move that would especially help the rural South.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 15 July 2026
Electrification

New Trump rules make it more costly to electrify North Carolina homes

The Department of Energy recently announced new guidance that prevents “fuel switching,” scrambling the state’s first-ever electrification program.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 July 2026