Articles

Guest essay

To meet Biden’s new climate goal, forests and farms must sequester a lot more carbon

A new "One Gigaton Land Carbon Bank" could unlock billions of dollars a year to help U.S. landowners "grow" a hot new commodity: carbon.

By Emily McGlynn . 4 May 2021
Solar

Can a new SunShot push the US toward 100% clean energy?

The Department of Energy has a new solar price goal — but getting to carbon-free electricity will require more sweeping changes in electricity strategy, experts say.

By Emma Foehringer Merchant . 4 May 2021
Solar

Newsletter: Like a solar roof, but it actually exists

Plus: Carbon spotting in space, geothermal heating up, and big bets on batteries.

By Julian Spector . 4 May 2021
Climatetech finance

Mainspring Energy raises $95M for linear generators to clean up the grid

The startup envisions its novel technology as a linchpin of a distributed, resilient and renewable power grid.

By Jeff St. John . 4 May 2021
ENN

Michigan’s energy activists start to see a decade of work pay off in Highland Park

Soulardarity is increasingly finding a seat at the table in official conversations about Highland Park’s energy future — a contrast with its early days when city leaders largely dismissed them as noisemakers.

By Tom Perkins . 4 May 2021
ENN

Charity or manipulation? Memphis nonprofits discuss, defend accepting donations from Byhalia Pipeline

Critics argue pipeline developers are using cash to win community support, but some who received money say they can’t be bought.

By Carrington J. Tatum . 4 May 2021
ENN

Commentary: Biden’s TVA appointments offer crucial chance for climate justice

Biden's nominations to the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority could help fulfill his climate promise by making TVA a model for how public power can lead the clean energy transition, writes guest commentator Gaby Sarri-Tobar.

By Gaby Sarri-Tobar . 4 May 2021
Electric vehicles

BMW, Ford bet $130M on Solid Power's advanced batteries for electric vehicles

Carmakers are racing to secure next-gen batteries to improve EV range and safety.

By Julian Spector . 3 May 2021
Geothermal

Hot and bothered about geothermal energy

Enhanced geothermal could provide gigawatts of low-cost baseload power. VCs, entrepreneurs, governments and the oil industry are paying attention. Here's a news roundup.

By Eric Wesoff . 3 May 2021
Solar

GAF Energy has installed more solar roofs than Tesla

"The industry will evolve from rack-mounted to building-integrated PV."

By Eric Wesoff . 3 May 2021