Policy & regulation

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
Carbon capture

CarbonCapture wants to take carbon removal down the cost curve

The aptly named startup just raised $80 million in private funding to try to prove out its “swappable” CO2-absorbing machines.

By Maria Gallucci . 14 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
Transportation

Critics question assumptions at core of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard

State regulators have entered "speculative territory" in forecasting biofuel and EV needs into the 2040s, climate scientists say — and they want to see the data.

By Jeff St. John . 13 March 2024
Utilities

Minnesota utility’s plan for getting off gas isn’t enough, critics say

CenterPoint Energy’s "innovation plans" won’t put the state on track to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by midcentury.

By Frank Jossi . 12 March 2024
Food and farms

California’s biofuel bias is hampering its EV future. Can that change?

The California Air Resources Board is at a crossroads: It can stay the course on its widely criticized Low Carbon Fuel Standard — or transform it to meet climate goals.

By Jeff St. John . 12 March 2024
Liquefied natural gas

How safe are LNG terminals? Nearby communities have no way of knowing

As more liquefied natural gas terminals are built along the U.S. Gulf Coast, residents say a lack of transparency leaves them unsure about the safety hazards.

By Pam Radtke, Floodlight . 7 March 2024
Solar

New policy proposal dims hopes of reviving community solar in California

State regulators and utilities could kill off a community-solar plan backed by lawmakers, pro-solar groups, environmental-justice advocates, unions and homebuilders.

By Jeff St. John . 6 March 2024
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