Policy & regulation

Carbon-free buildings

Can this California bill help get neighborhoods off gas?

The legislation would enable 30 “zonal electrification” pilots across California — a step toward the gas-to-electric transition that’s already underway in other states.

By Jeff St. John . 11 June 2024
Virtual power plants

California budget cuts could decimate key virtual-power-plant programs

Governor Gavin Newsom plans to slash funding for batteries and utility customers to help with grid emergencies — but money for fossil fuel generators keeps flowing.

By Jeff St. John . 5 June 2024
Clean energy

Will new tariffs on EVs, solar, and other cleantech help Americans?

The Biden admin has launched an election-year barrage of trade restrictions on Chinese imports, but they're unlikely to spur a domestic manufacturing surge.

By Eric Wesoff . 31 May 2024
Solar

California regulators torpedo popular plan to boost community solar

The CPUC rejected a broad coalition’s effort to enable community-solar-and-battery projects, voting instead to approve a proposal solar groups say is dead on arrival.

By Jeff St. John . 30 May 2024
Solar

More batteries, less solar: California's solar turmoil in charts

A year after state regulators slashed rooftop solar incentives, new data shows mixed results — and presages tougher times ahead for solar installers.

By Jeff St. John . 23 May 2024
Emissions reduction

Portland, Maine, could launch a 'trust fund' to fight climate change

The city council is voting on an ordinance that would sell off renewable energy credits from solar projects to pay for new emission-cutting efforts.

By Annie Ropeik . 22 May 2024
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
Solar

El auge de la energía solar en Puerto Rico está en riesgo, advierten sus defensores

La energía solar ha sido un salvavidas para el territorio estadounidense durante apagones. Ahora una entidad gubernamental quiere deshacer la ley que protege un programa solar clave.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 May 2024
Solar

Puerto Rico’s rooftop solar boom is at risk, advocates warn

Rooftop solar has been a lifeline for the U.S. territory during blackouts. Now a government entity wants to undo a law protecting a key solar program.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 May 2024
Transmission

Landmark transmission reform could dramatically speed US energy transition

FERC released a long-awaited rule meant to fix the sluggish power line buildout. Advocates say it’s a win for clean energy, consumers — and grid reliability.

By Jeff St. John . 13 May 2024