Land use

Wind

Huge new turbines could let biggest UK wind farm do more with less

ScottishPower’s Whitelee onshore wind farm could double its capacity with far fewer turbines. It’s an example of how much wind technology has improved.

By Julian Spector . 13 August 2026

Two walkers wearing hats on a path near rows of wind turbines under on a cloudy day — Members of the public walk past the turbines at Whitelee wind farm, southwest of Glasgow, in January 2022. (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

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
Food and farms

Virginia lays groundwork to combine more solar with farming

A new state law aims to spur agrivoltaics projects where crops or livestock thrive amid solar panels, as AI power demand booms and concerns about farmland loss rise.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 3 August 2026
Solar

New York takes on the myth that solar is swallowing farmland

As the White House and viral influencers push misleading info about solar, New York says the facts show the clean energy source and agriculture can thrive together.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 31 July 2026
Solar

This Texas coal mine will soon be home to a 1.2GW solar farm

Panamint Capital broke ground on a $1.7 billion solar and storage project at the Calvert coal mine. The mine and an adjacent coal plant will stay online.

By Maria Gallucci . 30 July 2026
Solar

Solar is booming in Indiana. Not everyone is happy about it.

The state was No. 3 in solar installations last year — but with more solar has come more local opposition. Experts say genuine community engagement is needed.

By Kari Lydersen . 23 July 2026
Clean energy

State legislatures are getting better at clean-energy permitting policy

Unlike in 2025, almost no states have passed laws that make it harder to permit and site renewables this year, a report finds. What’s driving the shift?

By Jeff St. John . 22 July 2026
Energy equity

Massachusetts lawmakers try new way to kill ‘zombie’ wood power plant

Both chambers passed bills to stymie a key revenue source for the proposed polluting plant, but so far its developer hasn't flinched.

By Sarah Shemkus . 16 July 2026
Solar

Ohio Power Siting Board asks court to punt on high-stakes solar case

The Kingwood Solar case could provide clean energy developers in Ohio with much-needed clarity about the regulatory environment — if the court doesn’t dismiss it.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 9 July 2026
Solar

In Ohio, solar is no big threat to farmland

Fears over farmland loss have fueled arguments against renewables in Ohio — but golf courses and suburban sprawl take up far more acreage than solar does.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 2 July 2026
Food and farms

Your morning coffee is killing the planet

Coffee farms take a heavy toll on wildlife and the climate, as seen recently with deforestation in Vietnam. But the food you eat is causing even more damage.

By Michael Grunwald . 23 June 2026