Fossil fuels

Clean energy

Support for renewables shrinks as fossil fuel interest grows

Observers blame "culture wars,” while a Republican consultant says messaging for clean energy must emphasize economic, not environmental, benefits.

By Pam Radtke, Floodlight . 11 June 2025
Politics

A Michigan coal plant was about to close. Trump ordered it to stay open.

Environmental and consumer advocates say the DOE has “manufactured an emergency” to keep a costly, polluting coal plant running and serve Trump’s pro-coal agenda.

By Jeff St. John . 26 May 2025
Fossil fuels

Some of the most polluted US cities are home to coal-based steel plants

Seven factories still use blast furnaces — and worsen pollution in the cities they are located, according to an analysis by climate research group Industrious Labs.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 21 May 2025
Fossil fuels

Federal regulators reject MISO’s plan to fast-track gas plants

FERC says the Midwest grid operator’s proposal would cause more problems than it would solve in a victory for clean power, reliability, and energy developers.

By Jeff St. John . 19 May 2025
Fossil fuels

Gas stoves increase cancer risk, especially for kids, new study finds

The appliances emit benzene, a potent carcinogen. Exposure varies depending on ventilation and other factors, but there’s no safe level.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 May 2025
Emissions reduction

The country’s biggest grid operator has a new tool to track emissions

Utilities, states, and Big Tech firms want to know how dirty their grid power is. MISO and startup Singularity have rolled out a tool that can show them.

By Jeff St. John . 14 May 2025
Transmission

How fast-tracking fossil gas could snarl the Midwest grid

MISO’s plan to let gas plants cut the interconnection line is unfair, costly, and counter to grid reliability goals, former federal regulators and advocates say.

By Jeff St. John . 6 May 2025
Utilities

Is Georgia Power quietly planning a massive buildout of fossil gas?

Watchdog groups and tech giants want more clean energy. But some fear the utility is pursuing a big fossil-gas expansion plan outside of public scrutiny instead.

By Jeff St. John . 23 April 2025
Solar

In California, solar generation could finally surpass gas this year

Solar produced nearly as much electricity as gas in the nation's most populous state in 2024. Could this be the year it takes the lead?

By Julian Spector . 15 April 2025
Utilities

Wisconsin utility’s data center–driven gas expansion meets skepticism

Some of the data centers may never even materialize, sticking ratepayers with the bill for overbuilt fossil-fuel infrastructure, advocates argue.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 April 2025