Policy & regulation

Recycling renewables

A new Energy Department program aims to recycle wind turbine magnets

Wind turbines often contain huge magnets made with valuable elements like neodymium. Scientists are exploring how to get a second life out of them.

By Maddie Stone . 5 March 2024
EV charging

EVs will put more stress on California's grid. Smart charging can help

What's the best way to get millions of EV owners not to charge all at once or sign their cars up as grid backup batteries? A new program will test different approaches.

By Jeff St. John . 4 March 2024
Hydrogen

The brewing rift within the Biden admin’s clean hydrogen strategy

The Energy Department's seven hydrogen hubs oppose the administration’s strict rules that aim to ensure the new 45V tax credits reward truly clean hydrogen.

By Julian Spector . 29 February 2024
Solar

Low-income communities will soon get $7 billion for local solar

Per a new analysis of 35 proposed state programs, the historic climate-law funding would benefit more than 700,000 low-income households. Here’s how.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 February 2024
Liquefied natural gas

Inside the fight to stop LNG export projects in South Texas

Construction on the giant Rio Grande LNG export terminal has started, and plans for more LNG infrastructure are underway. Local leaders are rallying to stop the projects anyway.

By Maria Gallucci . 28 February 2024
Liquefied natural gas

This report puts a price tag on the climate impacts of US LNG exports

Drawing from the Energy Department’s own data, NYU researchers show that the climate harms of expanding LNG exports outweigh the benefits.

By Jeff St. John . 27 February 2024
Transmission

Smart tech could help fix the biggest barrier to building clean energy

A new report finds that "grid-enhancing technologies” can help gigawatts of solar and wind leapfrog the clean energy logjam — and save a ton of money.

By Jeff St. John . 22 February 2024
Grid edge

California’s patchwork push to scale up virtual power plants

The state has created more ways for solar-and-battery-equipped homes to get paid to help the grid — but not enough to save the crashing rooftop solar market.

By Jeff St. John . 22 February 2024
Clean energy

US climate goals: EVs are on track, but clean power is lagging

Clean Investment Monitor finds that EV sales are on target, but permitting and grid barriers are stalling the wind and solar growth needed to meet decarbonization goals.

By Jeff St. John . 21 February 2024
Liquefied natural gas

Does LNG really fight climate change? 5 common LNG claims, examined

The LNG industry frames itself as a tool of foreign policy and a climate solution. Canary Media digs into the details.

By Julian Spector . 20 February 2024