Politics

Solar

Duh, solar power doesn’t work at night — but it excels during the day

Trump’s Department of Energy bashes solar panels for not producing 24/7, but the renewable energy source just got Texas through a heat wave.

By Dan McCarthy . 24 July 2026

the sun setting over solar panels — (JOKER/Erich Haefele/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Solar

Solar is having its best summer yet in Europe

It was the EU’s top power source in early summer, generating a record 25% of electricity. The clean energy boom is likely to accelerate further from here.

By Dan McCarthy . 24 July 2026
Clean energy

State legislatures are getting better at clean-energy permitting policy

Unlike in 2025, almost no states have passed laws that make it harder to permit and site renewables this year, a report finds. What’s driving the shift?

By Jeff St. John . 22 July 2026
Energy efficiency

Energy Department disappears website’s energy-saving tips as costs soar

The agency purged resources for people looking to conserve energy and lower bills — right after it proposed a rule to “permanently end” appliance mandates.

By Kate Yoder . 22 July 2026
Energy efficiency

Massachusetts Senate preserves energy-efficiency funding in new bill

Earlier this year, the House proposed $1B in cuts to the state’s nation-leading efficiency program. The Senate rejected that idea in a sweeping new energy bill.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 June 2026
Energy efficiency

Clean energy and efficiency spared in Rhode Island budget process

The state legislature rebuked Democratic Gov. Dan McKee’s effort to roll back emissions targets and funding for energy efficiency in the name of affordability.

By Dan McCarthy, Sarah Shemkus . 10 June 2026
Clean aluminum

Energy-hungry aluminum plant is swept up in Oklahoma governor’s race

The state’s Republican attorney general — a gubernatorial candidate — sued to stop the new Trump-backed smelter, which would double America’s aluminum output.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 June 2026
Emissions reduction

New York state gives up on its most ambitious climate targets

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat up for reelection in November, pushed hard to water down the state’s 2019 climate law. With a new budget vote, she’s succeeded.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 27 May 2026
Geothermal

Geothermal energy gets boost from new coalition of Western governors

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah are joining forces to accelerate deployment of clean, around-the-clock geothermal energy in the region.

By Maria Gallucci . 21 May 2026
Land use

Resident-led campaign fails to reverse Ohio county’s ban on renewables

Locals pushed deep-red Richland County to be the first to nix a wind and solar ban. The close vote suggests bipartisan support for clean energy.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 May 2026
Energy efficiency

Why are blue states scapegoating energy efficiency?

Energy-efficiency programs yield long-term benefits for utility bills and the climate. We found three reasons why Democrats are looking to cut them anyway.

By Sarah Shemkus . 28 April 2026