Policy & regulation

Utilities

New York state just approved publicly owned renewables

The state has set ambitious climate targets. Now it can build the clean energy it needs to meet them.

By Akielly Hu . 11 May 2023
Energy equity

Income-based electric bills: The newest utility fight in California

A state law calling for utility bills to be based on household income could drive adoption of EVs and heat pumps — or punish rooftop solar and efficiency.

By Jeff St. John . 9 May 2023
EV charging

A California bill could help EVs prevent blackouts

The state might require every electric vehicle to be capable of powering your home — and the grid — through a process called bidirectional charging.

By Gabriela Aoun Angueira . 8 May 2023
Solar

Are new solar tariffs coming soon? Here's what you need to know

The House just voted to undo a pause on solar tariffs. If the repeal becomes law, tariffs would derail the U.S. solar rollout this year — but that's unlikely.

By Dan McCarthy, Eric Wesoff . 3 May 2023
Fossil fuels

New York passes first statewide ban on gas in new buildings

The first-in-the-nation law takes aim at a major source of carbon emissions and air pollution starting in 2026, but it doesn't affect existing buildings.

By Maria Gallucci . 3 May 2023
Transportation

California adopts first-ever rules to decarbonize freight trains

All new locomotives operating in California will have to be zero-emissions by 2035. But rail operators say the technology isn’t ready to roll just yet.

By Maria Gallucci . 2 May 2023
Electric vehicles

How quickly can trucking decarbonize? California is about to find out

California's new Advanced Clean Fleets rule will push trucking to go electric over the next 20 years — the most ambitious such mandate in the country.

By Jeff St. John . 1 May 2023
Carbon capture

EPA rules may push power plants to capture carbon. Is the tech ready?

The Biden administration is poised to propose new regulations for coal- and gas-burning power plants, which could breathe new life into a long-beleaguered technology.

By Maria Gallucci . 28 April 2023
Solar

How the rooftop solar industry is adapting to California's new rulebook

The state’s once-thriving industry faces an uneasy future now that California has slashed financial incentives for people to put solar panels on their roofs.

By Julian Spector . 26 April 2023
Wind

Republican donors are funding misinformation about offshore wind

There's no evidence that offshore wind development harms whales, but fossil-fuel-backed groups have latched onto the claim as a way to hamper the industry.

By Akielly Hu . 24 April 2023