Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels

Trump’s pro-coal crusade hits a snag in Washington state

The DOE just ordered the TransAlta coal plant to keep running. But it has been offline since December, and a new state law would make it too costly to turn back on.

By Jeff St. John . 17 March 2026
Heat pumps

Did fake comments sink SoCal clean heat rules? Advocates want answers.

Last year, Southern California regulators rejected rules that would have phased down gas heaters after an industry-tied campaign generated 20,000+ critical comments.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 March 2026
Fossil fuels

Sky-high oil prices are about to hit Puerto Rico’s grid

The Iran war has spurred a historic disruption of the global oil market. In Puerto Rico, which relies on imported fossil fuels, consumers will foot the bill.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 13 March 2026
Guest essay

AI: Does not compute

Building fossil-fuel infrastructure to power data centers is a poor bet. Renewables are by far the cheaper, faster choice.

By Amory B. Lovins, Justin Locke . 2 March 2026
Utilities

Illinois cities move to cut ties with a massive coal plant

Two communities seeking cleaner, cheaper energy are resisting pressure to extend deals that bind them to getting power from one of the nation’s dirtiest plants.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 February 2026
Clean energy

A new Ohio bill could be a de facto statewide ban on solar and wind

The state is mulling a bill that calls for all new generation to be “affordable, reliable, and clean” — but its strained definitions would exclude renewables.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 February 2026
Transmission

What Energy Secretary Wright gets wrong about the grid

Chris Wright trashed solar and wind for not providing much power during Winter Storm Fern — and ignored basic facts about how much renewables contribute year-round.

By Jeff St. John . 10 February 2026
Fossil fuels

What’s driving up Maine’s energy bills? Natural gas.

A new report finds more renewable energy could help make electricity more affordable, despite efforts to scapegoat clean power for rising costs.

By Sarah Shemkus . 6 February 2026
Fossil fuels

Massachusetts scrutinizes pipeline-safety program as gas bills spike

The program aims to fix leaky pipes, but critics say utilities use it to boost profits and overbuild fossil-fuel infrastructure not needed as the state decarbonizes.

By Sarah Shemkus . 5 February 2026
Fossil fuels

Colorado co-ops to Trump: Let us close our aging coal plant

Tri-State and Platte River become the first utilities to challenge Trump’s emergency stay-open orders for coal plants, citing the cost to customers.

By Jeff St. John . 3 February 2026