Articles

Policy & regulation

Newsletter: Clean energy wins in Michigan and California

Start your Monday with two accounts of cleaner energy beating out dirtier options.

By Julian Spector . 28 June 2021
Solar

California just OK'd a massive new buildout of renewables and clean storage

A plan to replace the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant with 11.5 GW of zero-carbon capacity — and no natural gas — will test the grid value of renewables and batteries.

By Jeff St. John . 25 June 2021
Fossil fuels

Michigan utility plans to phase out coal ahead of schedule — but replace it with gas

Consumers Energy says closing coal plants by 2025 will help reach its goal of being 90% carbon-free by 2040. But the switch to natural gas is opposed by climate advocates.

By Jeff St. John . 25 June 2021
ENN

Energy efficiency can rein in costs from healthy building air quality projects

Steps to improve commercial building ventilation often use more energy, but experts say energy efficiency work can offset added savings.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 25 June 2021
Energy storage

ESS is betting the world is ready for a billion-dollar battery disrupter

The advanced energy storage company already has a working factory, putting it ahead of some recent cleantech SPACs.

By Julian Spector . 24 June 2021
Energy efficiency

The secret of home energy efficiency? Don’t talk about home energy efficiency

Residential retrofit startups agree: Energy savings must pay for quality-of-life improvements to grow business and bring in lower-cost capital.

By Jeff St. John . 24 June 2021
ENN

Heat pumps, already on the rise in rural Minnesota, get boost from new state law

Minnesota’s new energy conservation law allows utilities to more freely market heat pumps to customers that currently rely on propane furnaces.

By Frank Jossi . 24 June 2021
Policy & regulation

Newsletter: Oregon shows how to broaden the coalition for ambitious climate policy

Take a look at what Oregon's doing.

By Julian Spector . 24 June 2021
Clean industry

Green steel is picking up steam in Europe

Strong demand from automakers is driving the first wave of hydrogen-powered plants producing iron for steel production.

By Christian Roselund . 23 June 2021
Clean energy

Oregon bill targets 100% clean power by 2040, with labor and environmental justice on board

After Democratic cap-and-trade bills faltered in the face of GOP revolts, an electricity-focused, consensus-driven bill gains ground in Oregon.

By Jeff St. John . 23 June 2021