Articles

ENN

Georgia experts offer path to lower emissions

Georgia’s leaders have long rejected carbon reduction targets, calling such policies too complex, too politicized and too risky to the state’s economy. Experts from three of the state's top research universities say otherwise.

By Daniel Cusick . 29 July 2021
Guest essay

Newsletter: Big Tech is coming for your carbon

Google, Facebook and other tech heavy-hitters are perfecting a bottom-up approach to large-scale decarbonization.

By Dan Finn-Foley . 29 July 2021
Grid edge

What could Tesla’s virtual power plant do for California’s grid — and what will customers get out of it?

Will customers sign up for its incentive-free program or flock to other distributed energy aggregators that are willing to pay?

By Jeff St. John . 28 July 2021
Climate justice

Newsletter: Want to pass a 100% clean grid law? Don't pick too many fights

Oregon built broad support for its clean grid law. Can other places learn from the example?

By Julian Spector . 28 July 2021
ENN

Massachusetts considers higher efficiency bar for large commercial buildings

The Better Buildings Act would phase in energy efficiency requirements for large commercial buildings. The standards would be developed by state officials and vary depending on the type of building.

By Sarah Shemkus . 28 July 2021
Climate justice

From climate justice organizing to legislating: How Rep. Khanh Pham helped pass Oregon's 100% clean grid law

A Q&A with Pham on how building a wide-ranging coalition and sitting down with affected industries led to a clean energy victory.

By Julian Spector . 27 July 2021
Solar

Can smart solar inverters help keep grid voltages in balance? Sunnova, SolarEdge and National Grid team up to find out

One of the largest tests of its kind will tap thousands of rooftop solar inverters in Massachusetts and Rhode Island — and examine what it’s worth to both utilities and customers.

By Jeff St. John . 27 July 2021
ENN

‘Do your job’: Was Line 3 message from powerful Minnesota legislator a form of intimidation — or ‘respectful’ advocacy?

A voicemail from Minnesota's Senate majority leader to the then-MPCA commissioner about Enbridge’s controversial oil pipeline project offers a rare glimpse of political machinations at the Minnesota Capitol

By Walker Orenstein . 27 July 2021
ENN

In Wisconsin, conservatives make the case for third-party community solar

A proposal from two Republican lawmakers would expand competition and options for community solar in the state, but Wisconsin utilities and other business groups opposed the legislation, saying it would hurt customers.

By Kari Lydersen . 27 July 2021
ENN

A Rhode Island utility successfully lobbied to increase solar net metering

As larger utilities seek to limit payments for customer-generated solar power, the ratepayer-owned Block Island Power Company convinced state legislators this session to remove a previous cap on its net metering program.

By Lisa Prevost . 27 July 2021