Policy & regulation

Solar

California bill would undo rules making it hard for schools to go solar

State regulators slashed solar programs that school districts rely on to cut energy bills and finance sustainability projects. A new bill could fix that.

By Jeff St. John . 21 May 2024

Students at a school in Merced, California use handheld solar sensors to check power output from a carport solar canopy — Students at a school in Merced, California standing next to a carport solar canopy hold solar cells powering small fans to learn how solar power works. (TerraVerde Energy)

Distributed energy resources

California’s new rules allow solar and batteries to help out the grid

Utilities tend to treat solar and batteries as threats to their power grids. California’s policy will now tap their flexible power to benefit the grid instead.

By Jeff St. John . 2 April 2024
Utilities

California regulator takes income-based electric bills off the table

CPUC’s new proposal ditches the controversial plan to charge ratepayers based on their income and instead puts forth fixed monthly charges.

By Jeff St. John . 29 March 2024
Clean energy

Chart: Which states support community-led clean energy the most?

A new report finds that every state has room to improve when it comes to promoting community ownership of clean energy resources.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 29 March 2024
Nuclear

Michigan nuclear plant aims to be first ever to reopen in US

The Palisades Nuclear Plant won a $1.5B conditional federal loan to reopen. Plant owner Holtec plans to move fast — but the path ahead is murky.

By Eric Wesoff . 28 March 2024
Liquefied natural gas

As Europe shifts to clean energy, does it still need so much US LNG?

Gas exporters point to Europe's energy demand to justify building more LNG terminals, but Europe's clean energy transition could change that calculus.

By Julian Spector . 28 March 2024
Carbon-free buildings

Homes need to electrify. New building codes will make that harder

A nonprofit group that sets U.S. building codes has nixed rules to make new homes ready for EVs and heat pumps. Climate advocates blame fossil gas lobbyists.

By Jeff St. John . 26 March 2024
Clean industry

Biden admin invests $6B to cut carbon from steel, cement — and snacks

The Energy Department’s historic new investment aims to decarbonize the dirty, energy-intensive sectors that underpin the modern global economy.

By Maria Gallucci . 25 March 2024
Electric vehicles

How to electrify trucking in the US, one step at a time

The Biden administration wants to promote electric long-haul trucks by focusing heavy-duty charging investments on key hubs and highways. Here's the plan.

By Jeff St. John . 21 March 2024
Solar

A Boston grocery store is bringing community solar to a low-income area

An 81-kilowatt project on the roof of the Dorchester Food Co-Op will test a community ownership model. New federal climate policies could help make it scalable.

By Sarah Shemkus . 21 March 2024
Transportation

Is CARB staff blocking reform at California’s clean transport program?

Members of the agency’s board have raised concerns about the role biofuels play in its Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Critics say CARB's staff hasn’t acted on them.

By Jeff St. John . 14 March 2024