Articles

ENN

Cool tomatoes? Agrivoltaics could help California crop, if the economics pan out

Emerging research suggests growing tomato plants below and between solar panels could help the country’s billion-dollar-plus tomato industry, especially in places where it faces increasing stress from heat and drought.

By Kari Lydersen . 25 October 2022
EV charging

5 charts that shed new light on how people charge EVs at home

A new report draws on 10 years of detailed data to chart charger use patterns, as well as how they can work as home backup and grid-balancing tools.

By Jeff St. John . 25 October 2022
Guest essay

Why green banks should be able to finance upgrades to old buildings

Green banks are getting billions from the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration should allow them to invest some of it in building renovations in city centers.

By Patrice Frey, Calvin Gladney . 25 October 2022
ENN

New England states poised to capitalize on new federal climate law incentives

Every New England state except New Hampshire has already adopted climate laws requiring greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The work already done around those plans should help them secure Inflation Reduction Act funds.

By Lisa Prevost . 24 October 2022
Just transition

Who should pay to help coal communities in the energy transition?

Staff at Arizona’s utility regulator say customers shouldn’t be charged more to fund a $144 million just transition package for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and other coal communities.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 October 2022
Utilities

Charts: Utilities sticking with fossil fuels despite climate pledges

A new Sierra Club report highlights the major U.S. utilities that plan to burn coal and build new fossil-gas infrastructure through at least 2030.

By Maria Gallucci, Maria Virginia Olano . 21 October 2022
Guest essay

Biden administration should help US aluminum industry go clean

The president is considering a ban on aluminum imports from Russia. His administration should couple that ban with support for low-carbon U.S. aluminum production.

By Bruce Nilles, Justin Guay . 21 October 2022
Climatetech finance

Meet the leader in charge of doling out DOE's $25B for novel cleantech

Former NRG CEO David Crane is now calling the shots for the federal programs racing to ramp up clean hydrogen, carbon capture and other tough climatetech.

By Jeff St. John . 21 October 2022
ENN

Alleging continual pollution, advocates ask U.S. EPA to take over Ohio injection well permitting

The southeastern Ohio groups say underregulation has led to millions of barrels of fracking waste being injected into the ground, causing health and environmental harms.

By David DeWitt . 20 October 2022
ENN

Minnesota utility wants to expand work on community microgrids

Xcel Energy is hoping to build on its success in developing community resilience hubs, but critics argue the utility will hold an unfair advantage over other companies.

By Frank Jossi . 20 October 2022