Policy & regulation

Guest essay

Electricity is too expensive. Here are three ways to fix that.

Lawmakers nationwide can lower power bills by cutting utility profits, rewarding the companies for boosting efficiency, and unleashing solar and storage.

By John Farrell . 14 November 2025
Policy & regulation

Massachusetts bill would undo climate goals and cut efficiency spending

The Democratic lawmaker behind the proposal says it will make energy more affordable, but opponents say it would harm the environment and consumers.

By Sarah Shemkus . 13 November 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump’s DOE may soon force more coal plants to stay open

Colorado coal plants are likely to face DOE orders to keep running past planned closure dates, even as the costs of keeping an old Michigan plant open pile up.

By Jeff St. John . 12 November 2025
Clean aluminum

Can Australia power its big aluminum smelters with clean energy?

The country is launching subsidies for smelters that use wind and solar power to produce the metal. It’s part of early global efforts to decarbonize heavy industry.

By Maria Gallucci . 12 November 2025
Carbon-free buildings

Is New York backpedaling on its pledge to electrify new buildings?

The state’s all-electric building standard is set to take effect Dec. 31. Gov. Hochul is considering delaying its implementation after pushback from some lawmakers.

By Alison F. Takemura . 11 November 2025
Carbon-free buildings

Massachusetts considers expanding effort to ban gas in new buildings

Lawmakers are weighing a bill that would allow 10 more cities and towns to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in new construction through an existing pilot program.

By Sarah Shemkus . 11 November 2025
Hydrogen

In Ohio, hydrogen industry presses on despite federal uncertainty

Trump has pulled billions in funding for hydrogen, a sector that was already on shaky ground. Projects in Ohio are chugging along anyway.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 November 2025
Solar

One North Carolina company’s plan for keeping rooftop solar going

Home solar tax credits expire this year, but through 2027 installers can pass on the savings from a separate incentive to customers who are willing to lease panels.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 November 2025
Policy & regulation

NYC’s next mayor Zohran Mamdani has a big climate policy to-do list

The mayor-elect did not talk a lot about climate change on the campaign trail. But the city has major electrification plans that he can help accelerate.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 6 November 2025
Clean industry

Boston’s century-old steam heat system is getting a low-carbon makeover

Boston and Cambridge’s decades-old district energy system is being retooled to shift away from gas and toward heat pumps and electric boilers.

By Jeff St. John . 5 November 2025