Policy & regulation

Clean energy

Will Texas self-destruct its clean energy industry?

The Lone Star State has dominated solar and storage development thanks to its competitive energy market. A new bill could derail that.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 28 March 2025
Utilities

Ohio utility retracts energy-efficiency plan despite potential savings

Duke Energy Ohio’s retreat is the latest chapter in a struggle to restore utility-run energy-saving programs that were eliminated by a 2019 law.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 27 March 2025
Carbon-free buildings

Illinois city passes law to slash emissions from big buildings

Evanston is the latest in a growing wave of municipalities and states enacting laws to decarbonize existing buildings, a major source of planet-warming emissions.

By Akielly Hu . 27 March 2025
Utilities

North Carolina program helps low-income utility customers pay their bills

Duke Energy’s poorest customers use more power per square foot than wealthier ones. A year-old program is connecting them with bill and weatherization help.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 25 March 2025
Energy markets

Texas Senate passes bill to upend energy market, spur gas over renewables

The legislation would require half of new power plant capacity come from dispatchable sources other than batteries. Solar and wind developers would pay fees to comply.

By Julian Spector . 24 March 2025
Utilities

Cutting clean energy won't lower New England utility bills, advocates say

From Maine to Massachusetts, state officials are targeting clean energy programs as a way to reduce costs for ratepayers. Advocates say it's shortsighted.

By Sarah Shemkus . 21 March 2025
Clean energy

Gutting clean energy incentives would drive up electric bills

Rising energy costs are a problem in the U.S. Ending Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and ramping up fossil fuels would make it even worse.

By Jeff St. John . 20 March 2025
Clean energy

Three years into the Ukraine war, is Europe’s energy system cleaner?

In response to the invasion, Europe mostly ditched Russian fossil fuels and built a cleaner grid. But wholesale decarbonization has proven elusive.

By Julian Spector . 19 March 2025
Nuclear

Indiana utilities want ratepayers to fork out for small nuclear reactors

State legislators are advancing bills that allow utilities to charge for the process of planning SMRs, even if the plants never get built.

By Kari Lydersen . 19 March 2025
Clean energy

Vermont’s clean energy transition faces unprecedented political threat

Republican legislative gains, financial worries, and outside interference are stacking the deck against climate progress this session.

By Sarah Shemkus . 18 March 2025