Politics

Solar

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes school solar bill

SB 1374 would have let public schools follow the more lucrative rooftop solar rules for single-family homes. Without it, schools can’t afford solar, advocates say.

By Jeff St. John . 30 September 2024

Politics

Michigan just passed one of the country’s most ambitious clean energy bills

The state’s Democrat-controlled legislature passed bills that aim to accelerate the energy transition — including a mandate for 100% carbon-free power by 2040.

By Jeff St. John . 9 November 2023
Utilities

Mainers reject historic bid to make for-profit utilities publicly owned

The ballot initiative aimed to bolster Maine’s energy transition, grid reliability and affordability. Utilities fought the effort with a torrent of cash.

By Julian Spector . 8 November 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
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
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
Wind

Wind energy powerhouse Iowa seeing a spike in grassroots opposition

Despite the state's long, successful history with onshore wind, local groups agitating against it threaten to derail further growth.

By Molly Taft . 10 October 2023
Politics

Ohio's climate progress stymied by political ploys

Gerrymandering, voter suppression, dark money and other moves insulate policymakers from accountability when they prop up fossil fuels at the expense of clean energy.

By Kathiann Kowalski . 9 October 2023
Emissions reduction

Virginia may ditch a regional carbon cap-and-invest program

RGGI has helped boost climate resilience and cut emissions in the state, but its Republican governor wants to leave the program. Activists aren’t sure he can.

By Katie Myers . 29 August 2023
Energy efficiency

North Carolina kills effort to make its building code energy-efficient

State Republicans have banned residential building-code updates until 2031, a move that will increase energy costs and make it harder to decarbonize buildings.

By Jeff St. John . 18 August 2023
Politics

Rep. Casten on tackling the US climate law's unfinished business

The congressional energy wonk from Illinois says not to worry too much about "performative nonsense around IRA repeal."

By Julian Spector . 14 June 2023