Policy & regulation

Transmission

Three big transmission projects win $1.3B in DOE loans

The Department of Energy is boosting transmission lines in New England and the Intermountain West — a small step in solving a big barrier to clean energy.

By Jeff St. John . 30 October 2023
Utilities

Mainers will vote on replacing for-profit utilities with public power

Organizers of the ballot initiative hope to improve service and speed up the shift to clean energy by taking profits out of the utility sector.

By Julian Spector . 30 October 2023
Guest essay

How 'Buy Clean' policies will help decarbonize heavy industries

The U.S. government and leading states are leveraging their vast purchasing power to spur manufacturing of low-carbon steel, cement and more.

By Anish Tilak . 27 October 2023
Transmission

A $7B power line from Kansas to Indiana moves closer to reality

The Grain Belt Express is an example of what’s required to carry clean power from where it’s plentiful to where it’s needed. Now, it’s almost ready to be built.

By Jeff St. John . 20 October 2023
Transmission

The US just made its biggest-ever investment in the grid

The power grid is not ready to handle the energy transition — or extreme weather. The Biden administration hopes $3.5B in new investments will fix that.

By Jeff St. John . 18 October 2023
Hydrogen

The case against the US government’s big 'blue hydrogen' bet

A slice of the $7B in federal “hydrogen hub” funding will go to creating hydrogen with fossil gas and carbon capture. Advocates say that’s an emissions disaster.

By Jeff St. John . 18 October 2023
Electrification

Here's why electric lawn mowers are cutting down the gas-fueled competition

Making the leap to battery-powered lawn equipment can help you ditch the noise, fumes and hassle of gas models — and slash your carbon emissions, too.

By Alison F. Takemura . 17 October 2023
Politics

How IRA funds help break through climate-action barriers in Wisconsin

A new injection of federal money is jump-starting local and state initiatives that advocates hope will gain significant ground despite legislative inertia.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 October 2023
Hydrogen

The problem with making green hydrogen to fuel power plants

A new plant in Florida will produce green hydrogen to help power the grid. But experts warn that its approach would be wasteful and ineffective if scaled up.

By Jeff St. John . 10 October 2023
Solar

California looks to add solar and transmission along highways

Many states are building solar next to highways. Only one uses them as transmission corridors. A new bill orders California to explore both options.

By Jeff St. John . 4 October 2023