Articles

ENN

Troubled Illinois coal plant never received an operating permit, ran ‘illegally’ for over a decade, lawsuit says

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, the Sierra Club alleges that the Illinois EPA never granted nor denied Prairie State’s application for an operations permit under the Clean Air Act, leaving it to operate illegally for most of the last decade.

By Kari Lydersen . 22 March 2023
Marine transport

Amogy lands $139M to scale ammonia tech for zero-emissions cargo ships

The startup is working to launch an ammonia-powered vessel in New York as the global shipping industry searches for cleaner fuels.

By Maria Gallucci . 22 March 2023
ENN

Missouri, Kansas utilities back bills to reestablish monopoly on transmission projects

Ameren opposed the legislation in Kansas in 2016 when it stood to lose financially. Now that it stands to earn cash, it’s in favor.

By Allison Kite . 22 March 2023
Heat pumps

When it comes to heat pumps, bigger is not always better

A heat pump that's too big raises costs and reduces comfort. Here are some tips for sizing your system right.

By Alison F. Takemura . 22 March 2023
Clean industry

An Arizona plant will pull CO2 from the air and trap it in concrete

The first-of-its-kind initiative by CarbonBuilt, Aircapture and Block-Lite aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from concrete production by 70 percent.

By Maria Gallucci . 22 March 2023
ENN

Builder opposition prompts N.C. officials to reconsider energy code overhaul

If developers remain unhappy, the fight over North Carolina’s energy conservation code could well end up in the state legislature.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 21 March 2023
ENN

Connecticut needs a plan — and a definition — for ‘clean hydrogen,’ stakeholders say

A bill based on recommendations from a state hydrogen task force calls for developing a strategic plan for encouraging hydrogen produced with renewable energy, and to prioritize its use in hard-to-electrify sectors.

By Lisa Prevost . 21 March 2023
Heat pumps

Heat pumps are already ubiquitous in Asia. When will the US catch up?

A recent trip to East Asia prompted our correspondent to reframe his understanding of heat pumps, the crucial tool for cleaning up the heating and cooling of buildings.

By Julian Spector . 21 March 2023
Grid edge

Sunnova seeks $3.3B DOE loan guarantee to expand virtual power plants

An SEC filing suggests the federal Loan Programs Office is gearing up to help lower-income households access rooftop solar and batteries that can help the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 21 March 2023
Fossil fuels

New York must chart new course for gas utilities to hit climate targets

They can’t keep spending on pipelines, and alternative fuels can't scale. But electric heat and thermal networks could save utility business models and jobs.

By Jeff St. John . 20 March 2023