West

EV charging

In this house, an EV helps power appliances — and the grid

Can electric vehicles finally start working as backup batteries for homes and the grid? This 120-home pilot project in California is working out the kinks.

By Jeff St. John .

9 June 2026

A woman in a white shirt and blak pants smiles next to a white car and black charging cord on white home; plants on the left — Frances Bell, CEO of Bidirectional Energy, shows off the Kia EV9 and the Wallbox Quasar 2 bidirectional charger that can power her home during blackouts and send battery power back to the grid. (Bidirectional Energy)

Long-duration energy storage

Pioneering grid battery nudges California closer to 24/7 clean energy

The Tumbleweed installation just went online in Kern County. It can store clean energy and discharge it for eight hours straight, a harbinger of what’s to come.

By Julian Spector . 8 June 2026
Emissions reduction

California makes controversial change to cap-and-invest program

Air regulators say the new plan balances industry needs and environmental goals — but critics worry that the state has just undermined its own emissions targets.

By Jeff St. John . 1 June 2026
Geothermal

Denver has a plan to heat and cool buildings with — wait for it — sewage

Denver’s largest source of emissions is its buildings, which tend to run on fossil fuels. The city is turning to a surprising solution to kick the habit.

By Ishan Thakore . 25 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
Emissions reduction

California cap-and-invest proposal would threaten state climate goals

Changes suggested by state regulators could put 2030 emissions goals out of reach and shift billions of dollars from state programs to polluters, critics say.

By Jeff St. John . 20 May 2026
Electrification

Bay Area looks to exempt some households from gas water-heater phaseout

The region is finalizing its first-in-the-nation rule to limit the sale of polluting gas water heaters, which will take effect next year.

By Alison F. Takemura . 20 May 2026
Solar

How big can solar go? These 3 projects show us the gigascale future

A handful of sensationally large developments are underway around the world, testing just how big solar can get.

By Julian Spector . 19 May 2026
Clean fleets

Tesla Semis are about to hit the road. That’s good news for California.

Thanks to state incentives, the long-range, lower-cost electric trucks are affordable. Widespread adoption could help California meet clean-trucking targets.

By Jeff St. John . 6 May 2026
Hydrogen

SoCalGas customers spared paying $266M for hydrogen pipeline project

Regulators nixed the utility's funding plans for a massive, controversial hydrogen pipeline. Enviro groups say there are better ways to decarbonize heavy industry.

By Jeff St. John . 1 May 2026
Distributed energy resources

Two California bills would push utilities to get more out of their grids

The state’s three big utilities typically overbuild to meet peak demand. The legislation would order them to try virtual power plants and smarter grid tech instead.

By Jeff St. John . 30 April 2026