Policy & regulation

Nuclear

A small modular nuclear reactor just got US approval — a big milestone

Modular reactor pioneer NuScale finally got one of its designs certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but the company is still years away from a deployment.

By Eric Wesoff . 23 January 2023
Energy efficiency

Which states could gain the most from energy-saving building codes?

There's federal money on the table to help states modernize their building energy codes. But some states could benefit from it more than others.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 January 2023
Solar

How to get solar to low-income families? Rhode Island has a new plan

Solar companies will partner with the state government to install and lease solar arrays with the aim of saving money for homeowners from the start.

By Lisa Prevost . 16 January 2023
Fossil fuels

Can clean-energy advocates stop new gas plants in North Carolina?

Duke Energy wants new gas plants and limits on new solar. Regulators are going along for now. But opponents say federal incentives make clean energy the best choice.

By Jeff St. John . 12 January 2023
Solar

Qcells to invest $2.5B in building out US solar supply chain

Inflation Reduction Act tax credits spur Qcells to make a major investment in Georgia solar factories and to expand its U.S. polysilicon supply.

By Jeff St. John . 11 January 2023
Carbon capture

More NYC high-rises to be outfitted with novel carbon-capture system

Startup CarbonQuest had a successful pilot project in a New York City apartment building and now has a contract to roll out its technology at more buildings.

By Julian Spector . 10 January 2023
Energy equity

Pilot project brings rooftop solar to low-income households in Ohio

The initiative in Cleveland aims to find out how much money people can save with solar panels and bring solar to communities that haven’t previously had access.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 4 January 2023
Transmission

Fixing the US power grid: A challenge for 2023 and beyond

Lack of investment in the country's transmission grids has become a huge roadblock to clean energy and reliable power. Will 2023 be the year things start to change?

By Jeff St. John . 29 December 2022
Climate crisis

States have a huge role to play in enacting the Inflation Reduction Act

Congress finally took action on climate change in 2022, but the federal government can't implement IRA on its own. States will be vital actors in putting the act's incentives to work.

By Jeff St. John . 27 December 2022
Clean fleets

US Postal Service commits to buy 66,000 EVs — finally

After facing backlash for plans to add thousands of gas guzzlers to its fleet, the USPS has shifted course with a game-changing pledge to go electric.

By Eric Wesoff . 21 December 2022