Articles

ENN

In former 'Dirtiest City in America,' clean transportation is thriving

A small Tennessee city is emerging as a national leader in clean transportation, with electric buses, a bike share system and a soon-to-launch electric car sharing program.

By Gillian Neimark . 11 July 2016
ENN

Minnesota advocates ‘pleasantly surprised’ with new U.S. Bancorp climate policy

Minnesota climate activists say they are “pleasantly surprised” after Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp issued a new environmental policy in June that will reduce lending for coal-fired power plants, coal mines and other environmentally harmful projects.

By Frank Jossi . 8 July 2016
ENN

Q&A: In ‘The Madhouse Effect,’ climate scientist uses satire to convey ‘difficult truths’

Michael Mann’s “hockey stick” graph demonstrated that average global temperatures spiked rapidly in the twentieth century and continue to rise. That visualization provided a key narrative device for Al Gore’s landmark 2006 global warming documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.”

By Kevin Featherly . 7 July 2016
ENN

Utility-backed group divides Illinois solar advocates

Critics say the Illinois Smart Solar Alliance, which was recently founded by Chicago-based ComEd, is little more than a front group created to push controversial, utility-backed legislation in Illinois. However, the alliance’s supporters say the group is helping bring access to solar power for low-income communities — something they say has been missing from the traditional “big green” movement.

By Kari Lydersen . 6 July 2016
ENN

After a slow start, PACE financing picking up in Florida

Since Florida’s Supreme Court upheld the state's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) law against challenges last autumn, applications for the innovative financing have been rising fast.

By Doreen Hemlock . 6 July 2016
ENN

Small utilities more likely to seek out renewables after FERC ruling

Rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities are better-positioned to obtain power from renewable sources in the wake of a decision last month by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 5 July 2016
ENN

Q&A: Does clean energy face a tougher standard on its impacts?

Are clean energy developers held to a double standard? A crisis communications expert offers some insight.

By Kevin Featherly . 5 July 2016
ENN

Is North Carolina reaching 'peak solar'? Not so fast, say advocates

While North Carolina's largest utility says solar development might be peaking in the state, advocates note that there is still plenty of room for growth.

By Rhiannon Fionn . 5 July 2016
ENN

Q&A: Unlocking energy-use data has vast efficiency potential, researcher says

A treasure trove of energy savings and environmental benefits sit untapped in reams of data from smart meters that show individuals how to cut their energy use. The data also reveal larger insights about the value of different efficiency investments, potentially sparking a vibrant, competitive efficiency market.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 July 2016
ENN

Commentary: Declaring independence from oil is a national security priority

While the United States of America is the most powerful nation in the world, many of our young men and women in uniform will argue that we are still not free of control by a distant ruler. The modern oppressor we face today is oil.

By Guest Contributor . 1 July 2016