Agriculture & Land Use

Arizona

Mohave County could pause renewable energy projects

Energy remains a vital resource for Arizonans this week, as a drought of two decades continues throughout the Southwest. But multiple pending solar projects in Mohave County would require extensive use of the county's second-most precious resource: Land. Today’s News-Herald

Illinois

Chicago Looks to Overhaul Its Zoning and Land Use Policies to Address Environmental Discrimination

After decades of work by environmental justice activists, the city consulted communities plagued by industrial pollution to make a new plan addressing the disproportionate burdens on Black and Hispanic residents. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Bill Introduced to Protect Farmland Used for Renewable Energy

Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have introduced the Protecting Future Farmland Act designed to support farmers' land stewardship efforts as many choose to deploy solar energy on their land. SFNToday

Colorado

OPINION: The power of design in sustainable, equitable solutions

As we stand at the crossroads of a climate-impacted future, sustainable design beckons as both our compass and destination. By intertwining design with equity, we have the unique opportunity to craft urban spaces that are not only resilient but are bastions of community, equity and hope. Design, in its most profound form, can indeed transform our world. We just need the vision to wield it right, writes Julia Perbohner, climate justice coordinator for the Rocky Mountain NAACP. Colorado Newsline

Oregon

Oregon's first large-scale solar park and farm hinges on 50-year-old land use laws

A farmer behind the state's first "agrovoltaic" farm says critics cannot stop "an idea whose time has come." Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S.

Analysis: why biomass removals credits like biochar are luring investors

Storing carbon in living biomass has long been touted as a solution to climate change, but as successive scandals and concerns about destruction by wildfires has dampened the market for tree-planting credits, many believe that storing carbon in biomass that is already dead is a safer bet. Reuters

Georgia

Eminent domain case involving Georgia railroad could have widespread property law implications

A hearing began recently in an eminent domain battle that involves one of rural Georgia's poorest areas but could have implications for property law across the state and nation. At stake is determining whether a railroad can legally condemn property to build a rail line 4.5 miles long that would serve a rock quarry and possibly other industries. The Associated Press

Maryland

Solar power and farmland in Maryland: How those at upcoming conference may seek a balance

This year, the state commission that signs off on large solar projects has had five such cases, and between the farmers, local governments and developers involved, things have not always gone smoothly, the commission's chair says. The energy industry veteran is trying to change that. The Herald-Mail

Missouri

Missouri farmers adopt practices that improve their land, support environment

A new generation of farmers is working to make their operations more environmentally friendly. Traditional farming practices such as tilling and monoculture -- cultivating a single crop -- have come under fire in recent years for their role in harming soil and exacerbating climate change. The new Climate-Resilient Crop and Livestock Project gives farmers and ranchers needed funding and technical assistance to make their operations more climate-smart. Missouri Independent

International

The Climate Summit Starts to Crack a Tough Nut: Emissions From Food

How do we feed ourselves without further damaging the planet or worsening rising levels of hunger? This year's United Nations climate summit has confronted this question like never before, and more than two-thirds of the world's countries endorsed an agreement to retool the global food system, though it's vague, lacks concrete targets and is nonbinding. The New York Times

U.S.

How much carbon can farmers store in their soil? Nobody's sure.

Dirt is a humongous receptacle of carbon, some 2.5 trillion tons of it -- three times more than all the carbon in the atmosphere. The problem is, no one really knows how much carbon farmers can store in their soil, and there's pretty much no good way for a farmer to know how much carbon they're storing on their land. Grist

Wyoming

OPINION: Fighting climate change is important. But so is protecting our landscapes.

Save Wyoming. Let someone else feel that awe when they stand on the same ridge where you stood so long ago and marveled at the space and light. Let them see a landscape unchanged since the ice age. You owe this to the planet as well. Only in this way, can our Wyoming make it through the next decades of renewable development. Wyoming is not expendable, writes Wyoming state Sen. Cale Case. WyoFile

Agriculture

Oregon

U.S. ag secretary touts Biden climate agenda as boost for rural America in Oregon visit

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sees the Biden administration's climate agenda as a boon for rural economies, he said Monday during a visit to Portland's World Forestry Center. Georgia Recorder

U.S.

Diversifying farm income through renewable energy ventures

Renewable energy is providing American farmers with an opportunity to diversify their income and operations, but experts say they need to ask the right questions before signing on the dotted line. Successful Farming

New Hampshire

Climate change is hurting NH farmers. Climate resiliency offers a path forward.

Climate change is hurting New Hampshire: It has over 4,000 farms and 97 percent are family-owned, according to the most recent data from the 2017 census of agriculture. The majority bring in less than $10,000 in sales each year, making this year's losses devastating for some. State officials have requested aid from the federal government in hopes of mitigating the damage. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire has also created its own emergency farmer relief fund for farmers recovering from summer flooding. New Hampshire Bulletin

U.S.

Farmers have bought into Biden's climate program. Now comes the hard part.

President Joe Biden's administration poured $3 billion into greening agriculture. Some climate advocates aren't convinced it will help. Politico

International

Climate change is coming for your olive oil, too

Heatflation has doubled the price of olive oil over the past year. Grist

International

New E.U. Climate Change Rules Anger Bloc's Farmers

To meet climate goals, some European countries are asking farmers to reduce livestock, relocate or shut down -- and an angry backlash has begun reshaping the political landscape before national elections in the fall. The New York Times

U.S.

How Solar Energy Can Help Boost Biodiversity And Farming

Using cleaner and greener forms has many obvious benefits, including reducing carbon emissions and other types of pollution, but in the case of farming it can also have additional benefits. In particular, combining both agriculture and solar power generation -- often called agrivoltaics -- can also help optimize the productivity and efficiency of land use. Forbes

U.S.

Chemical fertilizer is a climate disaster. Can high-tech biology fix it?

Startup Pivot Bio has developed a smarter way to get nitrogen to crops, and it has a new CEO who aims to supercharge growth. Canary Media

U.S.

Failure to regulate livestock emissions is a threat to agriculture

As the old business school adage says, you can't manage what you can't measure. But the U.S. agriculture industry isn't just failing to evaluate one of its biggest risk factors -- it's actively working to avoid doing so. The Hill

U.S.

New carbon credit integrity guidelines could boost buyer confidence in agriculture

Voluntary carbon markets are a source of much-needed finance to help the agriculture sector realize its potential for climate mitigation. Still, carbon credit buyers face challenges in differentiating carbon credits that represent real and verifiable climate impact, based on the latest science and best practices in a crowded marketplace. It takes due diligence to get this right, and changes are underway to make the process easier. Environmental Defense Fund

International

Why can't we just quit cows?

Cattle play a colossal role in climate change: As the single largest agricultural source of methane, a potent planet-warming gas, the world's 940 million cows spew nearly 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions -- much of it through belches and droppings. As such, there's an astonishing amount of time and money being funneled into emission control. Grist

Florida

In the Florida Everglades, a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hotspot

The Everglades Agricultural Area, is among the nation's most bountiful. Growing evidence suggests that draining the water and exposing the peat also has made the region a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, which are warming the global climate and contributing to impacts like hotter temperatures, rising seas and more damaging hurricanes. Inside Climate News

Florida

In the Florida Everglades, a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hotspot

The Everglades Agricultural Area, is among the nation's most bountiful. Growing evidence suggests that draining the water and exposing the peat also has made the region a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, which are warming the global climate and contributing to impacts like hotter temperatures, rising seas and more damaging hurricanes. Inside Climate News

Pennsylvania

USDA promotes rural energy investments in Pennsylvania

To promote President Joe Biden's "Investing in Rural America" event series, the Department of Agriculture visited the Keystone State twice recently, touting the latest round of grants in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star

International

Emissions keep rising among world's biggest meat and dairy producers

A $70 trillion-backed investor group has called for an "urgent" policy focus on accelerating climate action across the global food and agriculture sector at the upcoming COP28 Climate Summit, after fresh data underscored how greenhouse gas emissions from the world's largest meat and dairy producers are still on the rise. GreenBiz

International

Emissions keep rising among world's biggest meat and dairy producers

A $70 trillion-backed investor group has called for an "urgent" policy focus on accelerating climate action across the global food and agriculture sector at the upcoming COP28 Climate Summit, after fresh data underscored how greenhouse gas emissions from the world's largest meat and dairy producers are still on the rise. GreenBiz

New York

OPINION: Anaerobic digesters would help state cut methane

Rather than wait on the shaky timeline of offshore wind production, the state should invest in developing these digesters to reach its climate goals, says Joanna D. Underwood, founder of Energy Vision, a national environmental non-profit. Times Union

U.S.

Biden's climate cash is paying dividends to big farms along the Colorado River

Billions of dollars of Inflation Reduction Act money meant to tackle drought looks likely to make it more expensive to clinch a broader deal critical to economies in several states. Politico

International

Why regenerative agriculture is only a part of the answer to sustainable food systems

The best path forward is not a choice between regenerative agriculture and other sustainability approaches -- because solving our climate, biodiversity and economic crises requires multiple approaches. Let's instead use the success of regenerative agriculture as an example for building momentum for additional improvements. With regenerative agriculture's established support and rising global awareness of required food system reform, now is a good time for sustainability teams to recalibrate and onboard more tools. GreenBiz

U.S.

How meat and milk companies are racing to ease your climate guilt

A climate-friendly hamburger? A carbon-neutral glass of milk? As companies make bold claims, a heated debate erupts. Washington Post

U.S.

Urban agriculture isn't as climate-friendly as it seems, but these best practices can transform it

On average, the urban agriculture sites we studied were six times more carbon intensive per serving of fruit or vegetables than conventional farming. The Conversation

International

Making Farming More Climate Friendly Is Hard. Just Ask Europe's Politicians.

Farmer protests across the continent have triggered a rollback of ambitious rules aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. New York Times

U.S.

Urban Farming Shows Higher Carbon Footprint than Conventional Agriculture

Urban produce is carbon-competitive only against crops like tomatoes, which are conventionally grown in carbon-intensive greenhouses, or crops like asparagus that are usually air-freighted. The Energy Mix

U.S.

The new Census of Agriculture shows carbon-intensive farms and factory-scale animal operations are only getting bigger

One way to reverse the trend, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, is to boost support for agricultural methods and practices that have climate benefits so farmers can earn money for them. Inside Climate News

Deforestation

International

Most Countries are Falling Short of Their Promises to Stop Cutting Down the World's Trees

An annual report evaluating pledges to stop deforestation takes clear aim at financial institutions for supporting agricultural companies with ties to forest loss. Inside Climate News

International

New Study Shows Reforestation And Protecting Current Forests Could Store 226GT Of CO2

A new study is looking into forests' ability to sequester CO2 and reveals their enormous potential in mitigating excess emissions in the atmosphere. Carbon Herald

International

Indigenous environmental activist killed in Peru

A Peruvian Indigenous leader involved in the fight against Amazon deforestation has been shot dead in the country's north, the government said Thursday. AFP

U.S.

Biden Administration Takes Historic Step to Protect Old-Growth Forest

In an unprecedented step to preserve and maintain the most carbon-rich elements of U.S. forests in an era of climate change, President Joe Biden's administration last week proposed to end commercially driven logging of old-growth trees in National Forests. Inside Climate News

Land Use

U.S.

US to open Energy Department land to clean energy development

The DOE said it has identified about 70,000 acres (283 square kilometers) of land across five states, most of which has been used as a buffer for national security purposes, that could eventually host clean energy projects including solar, wind and nuclear power. Reuters

U.S.

OPINION: Rewilding the U.S. could be a powerful tool for addressing climate change

Changes in land use in America could have a big impact on emissions reduction, biodiversity and quality of life, not just in the U.S. but around the world. Here's what companies should know, writes ED4S Academy's Matt Orsagh. GreenBiz

Hawaii

OPINION: The Fire Next Time

Preventing another Lahaina could require reforestation of abandoned grasslands, says botany professor David Duffy. Honolulu City Beat

Wyoming

In A 'Sacred' Desert, The U.S. Turns Away From Drilling And Mining

The Biden administration faces a backlash in Wyoming as it puts more emphasis on conservation, recreation and renewable energy on public lands. The Washington Post

Wisconsin

Bill would protect farmland from 'nonsense' renewable energy projects

Farm fields with solar power installations would no longer qualify for state tax credits under a new Republican bill. One GOP lawmaker claims it's about protecting farmland from being used for "nonsense" renewable energy projects. Wisconsin State Farmer

International

How Much Can Forests Fight Climate Change? A Sensor in Space Has Answers.

A new NASA program is helping researchers more accurately calculate how much planet-warming carbon protected areas are storing. It's a lot. The New York Times

International

Rural Backlash Could Impede Climate Ambition

The urban-rural divide on climate policy, which could pose problems for siting these facilities. The Regulatory Review

Building Decarbonizarion

New York

Local Law 97, Which Limits Pollution From NYC Buildings, Faces Backlash

Rules for Local Law 97, which curbs carbon emissions from large buildings, have come under fire as too lax or not lax enough. The New York Times

Energy Efficiency

New York

Governor Hochul Announces Six Leading Real Estate Groups Selected in Round Two of Empire Buildings Challenge to Advance Climate-Friendly Buildings in New York State

The companies were selected to implement a replicable, low-carbon retrofit demonstration project addressing one or more barriers to decarbonizing their buildings. The governor also announced the launch of a third round calling for a new cohort of real estate teams to join the Challenge to advance replicable energy-efficient and low-carbon retrofit solutions for multifamily buildings. Gov. Hochul

Building Decarbonization

Illinois

Chicago to pay for electric stoves, heat pumps for lower-income homes

Chicago is committing $15 million to help lower-income residents decarbonize their buildings, through grants for electric stoves, heat pumps and energy efficiency measures. Energy News Network

Massachusetts

Boston Mayor Wu bans fossil fuels in new city-owned building construction

In the latest push for her Green New Deal, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed an executive order that prohibits city-owned buildings from being constructed or renovated in a way that allows for the use of fossil fuels. Boston Herald

New York

Time Is Running Out for Co-ops and Condos to Comply with Local Law 97

Jessica Tusing, the director of compliance at Argo Real Estate, a Manhattan-based property management firm that oversees about 120 residential buildings across the city, tells amNY that the longer co-op and condo boards wait to comply with Local Law 97, the worse the financial repercussions will get. Habitat magazine

Colorado

The 'future of housing' has arrived in all-electric Colorado developments

Incentives offered for clean energy technology, which helps state achieve emission reduction targets. Colorado Newsline

Colorado

Xcel disputes role heat pumps can play in emissions reductions

Even before Xcel Energy files its plan with state regulators on how its gas operations will cut its greenhouse gas emissions, the battlelines between the company and environmentalists are already forming. The Colorado Sun

California

This Bay Area startup will help steer billions of dollars toward clean energy investments

WattCarbon is launching a marketplace that helps companies invest in decarbonizing buildings, along with a system that accurately measures the impact of these actions. Fast Company

Maine

Making Maine's next generation of housing fossil-free -- and affordable

Maine's deepening housing crisis is colliding with the global climate crisis. The state's population is growing faster than its housing supply -- and that growth is driven in part by people seeking out temperate locations to call home in a rapidly warming world. Energy News Network

Massachusetts

More Massachusetts cities seek to ban gas, citing lack of diversity in pilot and urgency of climate crisis

Climate activists, legislators, and municipal leaders in Massachusetts are pushing a bill that would give any town or city the option to ban new fossil fuel hookups. State law currently allows just 10 communities to enact these prohibitions, but advocates argue the climate crisis is too urgent for this piecemeal approach. Energy News Network

New Hampshire

Reducing energy consumption, costs in more than 700 New Hampshire-owned buildings

In fiscal 2022, the New Hampshire government spent more than $18.4 million on its own energy costs. Building on an effort that's been ongoing since 2005, two state agencies will partner to reduce energy consumption and costs in state buildings using federal funds, as approved by the Executive Council this week. New Hampshire Bulletin

California

Elias: Forcing appliance electrification may cause California backlash

There's been copious news coverage of attempts by state government to force dense new housing construction on cities around California. Much less is said about attempts to compel Californians to switch almost every type of domestic appliance or machine from running on natural gas to electricity, writes columnist Thomas Elias. The Mercury News

Colorado

Opinion: Energy upgrades to apartment buildings will help Colorado hit its climate target

This week, Colorado air quality regulators can take a major step forward in slashing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from our state's largest buildings while fighting high energy costs. Today the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is scheduled to hold hearings and could cast a key vote on a policy called Building Performance Standards, write Colorado state Reps. Cathy Kipp (D), Alex Valdez (D) and Jenny Willford (D). The Colorado Sun

New Jersey

Plan would 'decarbonize' buildings with RGGI funds

The Murphy administration plans to devote most of its investments from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to pay for decarbonizing buildings and electrifying the transportation sector in environmental-justice communities. NJ Spotlight News

U.S.

How to Upgrade and Electrify Millions of US Homes and Buildings

The White House and Department of Energy (DOE) recently laid the foundation for two monumental home energy upgrade initiatives: the Home Efficiency Rebates program, which offers up to $8,000 to households, and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, which provides up to $14,000. Rocky Mountain Institute

U.S.

OPINION: Building Emissions Are Falling, Now the Real Work Begins

We must unlock the enormous creative potential of the architecture, planning, and design community to broaden our efforts beyond buildings by addressing the entire built environment, says Edward Mazria, founder of think tank Architecture 2030. Common Edge

U.S.

Electrifying your home is about to get a lot cheaper

Making homes more efficient and more electric is critical to combating climate change. But the undertaking can be expensive and beyond the financial reach of many families. Help, however, is on the way. Grist

California

California must mandate all-electric new buildings, local officials tell governor

Newsom must step in with a "unified state standard," otherwise "many municipalities will be forced to backtrack on progress cutting emissions from buildings, due to insufficient resources to fight frivolous and opportunistic lawsuits," according to the letter. Utility Dive

Maryland

Maryland inching forward with building energy performance standards

The rule sets standards for carbon reductions in the buildings, which will gradually increase over the next 17 years, and requires building owners to follow guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program. Maryland Matters

International

Heat pumps outperform boilers and furnaces -- even in the cold

Some utilities and fossil-fuel interests like to say heat pumps don't work in the cold. A new study provides yet more evidence to debunk that myth. Canary Media

Michigan

OPINION: It's time to strengthen renewable energy and efficiency requirements

Michigan's asthma rates among children and adults continues to be greater than the national average, with our Black and brown communities shouldering a higher burden. Bridge Michigan

New York

New York City Offering Some Wiggle Room for Building Decarbonization Law

Local Law 97, which requires that buildings over 25,000 square feet reduce emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050, has had landlords on edge as they scramble to avoid fines while simultaneously having no guidelines from New York City before the law goes into place next year. Commercial Observer

U.S.

Commercial water heating market moves toward electrification

Industry professionals discuss the engineering, manufacturing and sales challenges to decarbonizing commercial buildings. Supply House Times

U.S.

OPINION: Energy Efficiency Matters Now More Than Ever

Achieving a low-carbon future is in reach-but only if policy-makers take swift and decisive actions to prioritize energy efficiency. Natural Resources Defense Council

Florida

How energy-efficient rebates to help households became a political fight in Florida

A U.S. Energy spokesperson says Florida has until next summer to access $346 million in federal funds for rebate programs. Energy News Network

U.S.

HUD Funds Energy Efficiency and Climate Resilience Efforts in Multifamily Assisted Housing Properties

Initial awards of $18 million under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program will support upgrades that advance energy efficiency and climate resilience in rental homes for low-income families. HUD

U.S.

Manufacturers, efficiency advocates reach agreement on rules for refrigerators, other appliances

The joint support "clears the path ahead" for new standards, said Appliance Standards Awareness Project Executive Director Andrew deLaski. Utility Dive

U.S.

NREL Researchers Reveal How Buildings Across United States Do -- and Could -- Use Energy

New Data Set Reveals How Improvements to U.S. Buildings Could Reduce Carbon Emissions and Increase Occupant Comfort. Clean Technica

U.S.

'Keep up the pace': DOE gains on appliance efficiency standards with potential to save $570B

There are almost 40 appliance energy efficiency standards scheduled for completion by late 2024, say conservation advocates. Utility Dive

U.S.

What A 20 Million Heat Pump Commitment Means For The US

Meeting the goal set by these governors would quadruple the number of residential heat pumps and heat pump water heaters operating in these states between 2020 and 2030, bringing the states within reach of the deployment needed to hit US climate targets. Clean Technica

International

New research describes sustainable alternative to air conditioning

The researchers set out to answer how to achieve a new benchmark in passive cooling inside naturally conditioned buildings in hot climates such as Southern California. TechXplore

Massachusetts

Boston launches pilot to help small housing owners go electric

Boston will give grants to 10 owners of two- to four-unit housing to electrify their buildings through measures such as heat pump installation and weatherization, the city announced Thursday. Smart Cities Dive

New York

Window Heat-Pump Units Planned for NYC Public Housing

The state of New York is moving forward with its Clean Heat for All Challenge, a partnership between the New York Power Authority, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the New York City Housing Authority to develop a new electric HVAC product that can better serve the heating and cooling needs of existing multifamily buildings and hasten the transition to fossil-fuel free HVAC equipment. The ACHR News

U.S.

Holcim US reduces power grid demand and fossil fuel reliance with solar arrays

The Fort Totten installation, which is made of both silo rooftop solar modules and a separate carport with solar modules, will produce between 1300 and 1500 MWh per year of renewable green energy. World Cement

International

As sales dip, heat pump sector warns EU goals at risk without supportive policies

The EU currently has a goal of 60 million more heat pumps to be installed by 2030, to boost energy independence and decarbonise heating and cooling. After outstanding sales in 2022, first sales figures from 2023 from show a worrying drop in sales, indicative of a larger trend. Renewable Energy Magazine

Washington

Washington officials remove heat pump mandate in new homes

The Washington Energy Code Council has removed a mandate for heat pumps in new houses and apartments, though the delayed update still maintains certain regulations that building industry advocates say constitute a veritable ban on natural gas. Building Industry Association of Washington Executive Vice President Greg Lane said in a statement that the council "insist on unnecessary new codes that restrict access to natural gas energy for new homeowners, restaurants and other businesses and continue to drive up the cost of housing for no discernable gain in energy efficiency." The Center Square

U.S.

Treasury, IRS issue guidance on energy efficient home credits

Specifically, the Inflation Reduction Act extended and enhanced the energy efficient home credit (45L) allows home builders who construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate energy efficient homes a tax credit of up to $5,000 per home. Daily Energy Insider

International

Replacing gas heating with reverse-cycle aircon leaves some people feeling cold. Why? And what's the solution?

Our computer modeling of air flows in the home offers an answer: the quality of the building's insulation makes a big difference to how people feel with reverse-cycle heating. TechXplore

U.S.

Biden administration will define zero emissions for buildings

The federal government plans to define what a "zero-emissions" building is as part of a push to address the building sector's contribution to climate change. The proposed definition will rest on a three-pillared approach to building decarbonization: an adherence to stringent energy-efficiency guidelines, the use of 100% clean energy and a requirement for buildings to refrain from generating emissions on-site. Facilities Dive

U.S.

DOE finalizes gas furnace efficiency rule, potentially saving consumers $25B over 30 years

The new standards will go into effect in late 2028 and require non-weatherized gas furnaces and those used in mobile homes to be 95% efficient. Utility Dive

U.S.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace Cost: 6 Considerations That Affect How Much You'll Pay

Look at the costs and benefits of choosing between heat pumps and traditional furnaces Bob Vila

U.S.

Hmm...How Much Did My Heat Pumps Really Cost?

Look at the timing of when incentives from the IRA kick in for heat pumps and what that means for addressing climate change generally Energy Central

U.S.

Why windows remain one of the clearest climate solutions in the U.S.

The federal government estimates about 30 percent of energy used to heat and cool buildings in the U.S. goes out the window, forcing power plants and furnaces to burn more fossil fuels. Colorado Public Radio

Nevada

Allegiant Stadium makes history as first NFL stadium to be fully powered by renewable energy

According to NV Energy, the renewable energy solution they identified guarantees cost stability now and for years to come for the stadium. The renewable power is produced within Nevada and serves the stadium and other NV Energy customers. KLAS - 8 News Now

Maryland

Report: Fossil fuel equipment in Md. buildings causes more smog than power plants

As Maryland policymakers look to fulfill the state's many mandated climate goals, a new report suggests that the fossil fuel appliances and other heavy equipment used to power homes and businesses are contributing far more to poor air quality than all of the state's power plants combined. Maryland Matters

U.S.

Biden administration launches 'Earthshot' effort to slash energy bills

The Department of Energy's new initiative aims to cut household energy bills by 20 percent and the cost of decarbonizing by 50 percent. Grist

Colorado

Colorado's $3.1 billion energy upgrade mandate for large buildings takes effect today

Gov. Jared Polis' $3.1 billion mandate to upgrade energy efficiency in large buildings takes effect Oct. 15. So do civil penalties of up to $5,000 per month for buildings not in compliance with Air Quality Control Commission Rule 28. Critics said the rule is unprecedented, and, in some cases, may be unachievable. Some also argued that the authority the state is exercising to implement the rule exceeds constitutional norms. The Denver Gazette

New York

New York Governor announces launch of $10 million Empire Technology Prize to advance low carbon heating system retrofits

The Empire Technology Prize is an opportunity for equipment manufacturers and entrepreneurs to develop low-carbon solutions in discussion with leading real estate partners while exploring opportunities for heating system retrofit demonstration projects in tall commercial and multi-family buildings. Renewable Energy Magazine

U.S.

NREL Researchers Reveal How Buildings Across United States Do -- and Could -- Use Energy

To facilitate decarbonization of the U.S. building stock, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have created a new, meticulously researched data set that details how buildings do--and could--use energy. This data set, called the End-Use Load Profiles, reveals the massive climate impacts that improvements to the U.S. building stock could have. National Renewable Energy Laboratory

U.S.

100 years ago, industrials built the electric grid. Now they're leaving it

Expensive upgrades, prolonged timelines, and reliability shortfalls are now fueling a trend of industrials taking back their power, at least a good chunk of it, according to One Energy CEO Jereme Kent. Renewable Energy World

Maryland

First-of-Its-Kind Zero Energy Community Breaks Ground in Prince George's County

Development brings affordable, net zero energy homes to the Town of Fairmount Heights and supports local climate goals, energy equity and grid resiliency. Yahoo

North Carolina

With N.C. home efficiency codes frozen, advocates eye other opportunities

With a statewide building code overhaul off the table until 2031, efficiency advocates look to federal tax credits and utility incentives to advance building efficiency in North Carolina. Energy News Network

U.S.

Architecture's next challenge is to do more with less

According to data from the Energy Information Administration, from 2005 to 2022 the U.S. building industry, despite adding 62.5 billion square feet to stockpiles, showed a remarkable decrease (28.4 percent) in operational CO2 emissions (those resulting from energy used to heat, cool, and power buildings), resulting in a whopping $1.8 trillion savings for building owners. The Architect's Newspaper

U.S.

Statewide Residential Building Upgrade Planning Just Got Easier Thanks to New Dashboard

Communities and states looking to develop decarbonization plans for residential buildings now have a new tool at their disposal thanks to National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers. A recently launched Tableau dashboard utilizing ResStock data disseminates energy efficiency and electrification package modeling results to residential housing consumers across the contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. Users can view the impact of 16 energy efficiency and electrification package models for various residential units by state, filtering through housing stock, heating and air conditioning type, and other energy considerations. National Renewable Energy Laboratory

New York

NYPA to Administer Decarbonization and Electrification Initiative

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 10 announced the Decarbonization Leadership program, a decarbonization and electrification initiative administered by the New York Power Authority. The initiative includes developing energy and emissions profiles of the state's largest carbon-emitting facilities and decarbonization action plans that will guide state agencies on facility improvements that will reduce carbon emissions in support of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. American Public Power Association

U.S.

How Gas Utilities Used Tobacco Tactics To Avoid Gas Stove Regulations

The industry-backed studies focused on uncertainties in the health research and magnified them, leaving the impression that the science is not clear, even as evidence has accumulated about a link between using gas stoves at home and greater risk of respiratory illnesses. NPR

U.S.

Study predicts potential for 110% electricity increases in U.S. urban buildings

Fossil fuels account for approximately 40% of all building energy use in urban city centers in the United States, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that residential and commercial buildings in U.S. cities are one of the major energy consumers (39%) and greenhouse gas emitters (28%). Tech Xplore

California

California sets first appliance standards to balance renewables

California has set flexible demand standards for pool controls. The standards will help the state achieve its target of 7 GW of load flexibility by 2030 while saving consumers money. pv magazine

International

Impacts of climate change, population growth, and power sector decarbonization on urban building energy use

Nature publishes academic study on the future of energy use in buidlings Nature.com

Michigan

Legislation weighs in on energy options to drive down costs for Michiganders

Michigan legislators considering upgrades for efficiency standards as part of overall climate packages. Public News Service

New York

This hockey legend is making buildings more energy-efficient

Interview with former NY Ranger Goalie who now runs an energy efficiency firm. Canary Media

Texas

Houston City Council seeking $2M grant for energy efficiency projects

Houston City Council seeking $2 million grant from DOE to improve efficiency at city facilities. Community Impact

U.S.

Feds Offer More Than $100 Million for Energy Efficiency and Climate Resilience Upgrades in 1,500 Low Income Households

Biden Administration puts up $100 million to help upgrade efficiency and resilience of low-income homes HUD

U.S.

How Owning a Passive Home Could Wipe Out Your Energy Bill

An examination of "passive homes" that are designed to meet strict efficiency standards. CNET

Virginia

OPINION: Houses can be built to use much less energy. Why aren't they?

Important energy efficiency elements of Virginia's residential building code are stuck all the way back in 2009, says Ivy Main, the Sierra Club's renewable energy chair. Virginia Mercury

U.S.

How facilities managers can transition away from fossil fuels

Building decarbonization is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires forward planning starting now, says Dan Arant, manager of North America sales at the energy and ESG division of Brightly. Utility Dive

U.S.

New construction projects are focusing on electric power over gas

Building electrification has become a hot topic in the construction world because it too has the ability to significantly reduce pollution. A recent report estimated that over three million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will come from new construction on residential buildings if developers continue to use gas instead of electricity over the next ten years. KSL-TV

Minnesota

Diverse coalition aims to curb emissions in Minnesota buildings

Minnesota is making progress in lowering greenhouse gas emissions in electricity production, but emissions from buildings remain high. Clean Heat Minnesota hopes to change that. Sahan Journal

New York

Governor Hochul Announces $12 Million Heat Recovery Program to Modernize Buildings in New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the $12 million Heat Recovery Program to modernize buildings in New York State, focusing on decarbonization and retrofit projects that reuse heat to save energy and reduce fossil fuel use in buildings across the state. The practice of heat recovery, which is recuperating wasted heat and reusing it directly or storing it for later, represents a promising approach to building decarbonization, and helps accelerate progress toward the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse emissions 85% by 2050. Governor Kathy Hochul

U.S.

Heat pumps are everywhere -- even in clothes dryers

Using heat pumps to dry clothes is dramatically more energy-efficient. Thanks to new rebates, the appliance could be coming soon to a laundry room near you. Canary Media

New Hampshire

This may be the healthiest building in New Hampshire

Lighting choices that reduce eye strain. Live moss walls and pollinator gardens. On-demand ventilation. Rainwater storage and electric vehicle charging stations. These are just a few sustainability and well-being features at Unitil's Seacoast Operations Center in Exeter, a building that very well may be the healthiest in New Hampshire. It's the only building in the state to have achieved a coveted certification. New Hampshire Bulletin

International

Green construction practices could unlock this $1.5 trillion opportunity, study finds

Switching to greener technologies in the construction and operation of buildings, combined with more climate-friendly capital markets, could reduce emissions from the global construction industry's value chain by almost a quarter over the next decade or so, according to fresh research backed by the World Bank. GreenBiz

U.S.

ASHRAE releases guide on how grid interactivity can accelerate decarbonization

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers on Thursday released the Grid-Interactive Buildings for Decarbonization: Design and Operation Resource Guide, which provides information on maximizing carbon reduction through building interactions with electrical power grids. Facilities Dive

U.S.

ASHRAE releases guide on how grid interactivity can accelerate decarbonization

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers on Thursday released the Grid-Interactive Buildings for Decarbonization: Design and Operation Resource Guide, which provides information on maximizing carbon reduction through building interactions with electrical power grids. Facilities Dive

Maine

Maine eyes time-of-use rates to encourage home electrification

Maine is considering new kinds of electric rates to encourage more widespread home adoption of electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps while easing the strain these technologies add to the power grid. Energy News Network

U.S.

For Microsoft, AI is an 'unlock' for decarbonization

Microsoft was an early mover in integrating OpenAI's large language model into its Azure cloud services. Now every part of Microsoft's technology stack -- from cloud infrastructure to data analytics to consumer apps -- will be "reimagined" for the AI era, according to CEO Satya Nadella. As a result, every industry will inevitably be impacted by AI. Canary Media

U.S.

For Microsoft, AI is an 'unlock' for decarbonization

Microsoft was an early mover in integrating OpenAI's large language model into its Azure cloud services. Now every part of Microsoft's technology stack -- from cloud infrastructure to data analytics to consumer apps -- will be "reimagined" for the AI era, according to CEO Satya Nadella. As a result, every industry will inevitably be impacted by AI. Canary Media

U.S.

12 Ways Architects Can Combat Climate Change

In the global fight against climate change, architects are pivotal in steering the construction industry toward more sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Renewable Energy Magazine

U.S.

12 Ways Architects Can Combat Climate Change

In the global fight against climate change, architects are pivotal in steering the construction industry toward more sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Renewable Energy Magazine

Massachusetts

OPINION: Let's be honest about cost, challenges of electrification

Simply wishing for immediate electrification does not make it so -- and charging ahead with electrification mandates without knowing all the answers is a bad idea, writes Michael S. Giaimo, director of the northeast region of the American Petroleum Institute. Commonwealth Beacon

New York

NYers face skyrocketing costs to switch to electric heat under new 'green' policies: study

New York residents could face skyrocketing heating bills under the state's new "green" policies -- which may not even have a significant impact on greenhouse-gas emissions, a new study warns. New York Post

U.S.

Electric heat to cost 77 percent more than natural gas, federal agency says

The average American household that uses electricity to heat a home this winter will pay hundreds of dollars more than those who use natural gas, according to a new report from a federal agency. The Denver Gazette

Massachusetts

Boston's plan to ban fossil fuels in new buildings goes up in smoke

More than three years after introducing her Green New Deal plan for Boston as a mayoral candidate, Mayor Michelle Wu said in an interview last week that the city will not be participating in a state program that will allow 10 communities to ban developers from including fossil fuels in new buildings. The Boston Globe

California

Santa Cruz building code changes move forward

At its recent meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council approved the first reading of new building codes related to natural gas and electrification use in new buildings and will study the implications of taking away impact fee exemptions for 100% affordable housing projects, among other actions. Santa Cruz Sentinel

U.S.

Less than one-third of U.S. commercial buildings were all-electric in 2018

Fewer than one-third of U.S. commercial buildings were all-electric in 2018, and all-electric commercial buildings were most prevalent in the South, according to data from our Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey. As of 2018, 31%, or 1.8 million commercial buildings, were all-electric nationwide. Energy Information Administration

Colorado

Denver's 143-year-old city steam system faces challenges, notably from electrification

Denver's office of Climate Action Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) wants building owners to move away from its steam system because the steam is generated by natural gas -- to full electrification, primarily by installing heat-pump systems. The office is offering rebates to offset the difference in cost between replacing a gas system with a heat pump. The Denver Gazette

U.S.

Hydrogen for heating is gaining steam. Is it safe?

A Utah project set to start up "green" hydrogen production this month is underscoring a national debate over how the fuel should be used, who should fund it and if it's safe to heat homes. By the end of November, Dominion Energy Utah, which blends methane-derived hydrogen in its natural gas pipelines, plans on switching to a green version made on-site with renewable electricity. Almost 2,000 customers in the state now have stoves and furnaces partially fueled by hydrogen, making Dominion's project one of the most advanced in the country in using the fuel for home heating. E&E News

International

Who Will Bankroll the Greening of CRE?

The evolving climate tech landscape is a mosaic of innovations, some incredibly consequential and some destined to fail. As expected, the jury's still out on many of them. One thing is certain, however. Commercial real estate's reckoning with its role in climate change and climate solutions is here. Commercial Property Executive

U.S.

The Benefits and Challenges of Facility Electrification

There is a growing need for both efficiency and sustainability for a facility's operations. Given this, many facility managers want to know what methods or paths are available to them to achieve these two goals. One possible route forward is through electrification. FacilitiesNet

U.S.

HUD announces new building decarbonization efforts at COP28

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Energy on national building decarbonization efforts, HUD announced Dec. 6 at the United Nations COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Smart Cities Dive

U.S.

Building Electrification Gains Momentum with Heat Pump Adoption

Heat pumps are gaining in popularity in the United States, but the pace of installation still lags. At the current pace, the International Energy Agency indicates the world is well below the goals of aligning with 2050 net zero emissions targets. During the "Getting to Zero" conference in May, one presenter said at the current pace, it will take 60 years to retrofit all existing buildings to achieve decarbonization goals. FacilitiesNet

Washington

Seattle requires large buildings to zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

As building performance standards gain traction nationwide, Seattle's policy is the city's most ambitious plan ever to reduce building emissions, the City Council said. Utility Dive

U.S.

Department of Energy Developing a National Definition for a Zero Emissions Building

DOE's Building Technologies Office has released a request for information to solicit feedback from stakeholders on Part 1 of a draft National Definition for a Zero Emissions Building. Department of Energy

U.S.

How to get people to kick fossil fuels out of their homes

A new study of 10,000 Americans suggests decarbonization programs should focus on reducing upfront costs and emphasize health, comfort -- and even aesthetic benefits. Canary Media

New York

New York will replace gas pipelines to pump clean heat into buildings

A state law has spurred 13 utility pilot projects aimed at creating neighborhoodwide thermal energy networks -- a climate strategy gaining traction nationwide. Canary Media

Ohio

Dominion Energy tests blending of hydrogen into natural gas on appliances

The Hydrogen Heights project aims to blend 5% hydrogen with 95% methane. Five percent might sound like a small amount, but it makes a big impact. Spectrum News 1

U.S.

U.S. Invests Over $100 Million in Projects to Decarbonize Federal Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $104 million of investments in net zero-focused energy conservation and clean energy projects at 31 federal facilities, including initiatives to boost building electrification, add on-site solar and install heat pumps. The new investments form the first of three disbursements from a $250 million funding program launched last year by the Biden administration, aimed at helping federal agencies to implement and advance net zero building projects, through the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies program. ESG Today

California

Who should foot the huge bill to switch California homes to heat pumps?

Fearful of short-term rate hikes, regulators nixed Southern California Edison's $744M building electrification plan. Environmental groups say the climate can't wait. Canary Media

U.S.

The Industry 'Scandal' That Might Upend How America Builds Houses

Fossil fuel companies are trying to strip a series of climate-friendly measures out of the latest round of model building codes used to regulate construction virtually everywhere in the United States. HuffPost

U.S.

Industrial Heat Pumps Are Coming For Your Fossil Fuels

Hard-to-decarbonize industries are next in line for a clean energy makeover, and the U.S. Department of Energy is on it. CleanTechnica

Maryland

Better Buildings Act' would mandate electrification in new Maryland construction

With Maryland's commitment to be carbon neutral by 2045 on the horizon, the General Assembly is taking up the issue of building codes. During this legislative session, the Assembly will consider the Better Buildings Act, which would update the code to require new construction, and buildings undergoing significant improvements to meet energy needs without fossil fuels. Public News Service

New York

Ithaca wants to electrify all 6,000 of the city's buildings by 2030.

In downtown Ithaca, some businesses and nonprofits have switched to heat pumps. It's a good first step, but the city still has a long way to go. Fast Company

U.S.

Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces again last year -- and the gap is growing

According to data from the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute released last week, Americans bought 21 percent more heat pumps in 2023 than the next-most popular heating appliance, fossil gas furnaces. That's the biggest lead heat pumps have opened up over conventional furnaces in the two decades of data available from the trade group. Canary Media

Michigan

Michigan Public Service Commission approves settlement for energy efficiency programs

The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a settlement recently between environmental and housing advocates, the Attorney General's Office and Consumers Energy. The agreement will expand investments into energy efficiency building on a previous agreement from 2022. Through the agreement Consumers Energy, one of the state's largest energy companies, will increase investments in communities most impacted by high energy burdens. Michigan Advance

Ohio

Climate action: Cincinnati partners to advance building decarbonization

Cincinnati is the first municipal partner to integrate solar feasibility data into BlocMaps to identify buildings with high potential for solar. The city is working with climate tech firm Blocpower and sustainability alliance Green Umbrella to meet the goals outlined in the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan. SmartCitiesWorld

Maryland

OPINION: State's energy efficiency program needs major update

With the right changes, the EmPOWER program can turbocharge this work, reduce our state's reliance on polluting fossil fuels, contribute to the creation of more green, healthy and energy-efficient homes, and help low-income Marylanders save money and contribute to our efforts to build a clean-energy state, writes Ruth Ann Norton, CEO of the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative. Maryland Matters

New York

Balancing Act: Ithaca Juggles Environmental Progress, Citizen Needs

In spring 2023, three of the four fossil-fuel-based heating units at Lifelong Community Center stopped functioning. Lifelong couldn't replace them, so Brooklyn-based energy solutions company BlocPower, which the City of Ithaca has partnered with to facilitate the electrification of its some 6,000 buildings, applied on Lifelong's behalf to a New York State Electric & Gas incentive referred to as a "gas kicker" that gave money to replace gas-powered HVAC appliances with electric ones. While the whole project cost approximately $200,000, LifeLong had to pay only $36,000. Heating was brought back during the winter, and the project is near complete. The Cornell Daily Sun

Cooking

New York

Induction Stove Challenge Launched to Electrify Cooking Systems at NYC Public Housing Apartments

NYCHA, NYPA, and NYSERDA partner to issue request for proposals seeking manufacturers to produce a new class of induction stove. NYSERDA

California

Sacramento's Mexican restaurants are considering switching to electric cooking. Here's why

The unofficial dean of Sacramento's Mexican restaurants, Ernesto Delgado brought his staff to see how a pair of electric cookers from a German company called Rational might fit in their kitchens. The iCombi Pro is an electric oven with adaptable features for grilling, frying or steaming its contents. The iVario Pro more closely resembles a tilt skillet or braising pan that allows chefs to evenly cook and transfer food. The Sacramento Bee

Illinois

Chicago could be first major Midwestern city to ban gas in new construction

The Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance, introduced by Mayor Brandon Johnson during the first city council meeting of the year last week, would effectively phase out fossil fuel-based appliances and heating systems in new construction and substantially improved buildings. The new rule would take effect within a year of approval. Grist

U.S.

The gas stove fight finally flames out

Republicans and some centrist Democrats spent months last year defending the fossil-fuel-powered appliances against a threat that the Biden administration had never actually made: banishing the stoves from Americans' kitchens. Politco

U.S.

Heat Pumps, Water Heaters, And Cooktops, Oh My!

Not surprisingly, the research showed the biggest barrier to adding heat pumps and other decarbonizing equipment to American homes was money. Clean Technica

Energy Efficiency

National

U.S. Government Plans to Leverage P3s to Make Federal Buildings More Energy Efficient

Federal plans to use public-private partnerships to cut emissions from the government's building stocks are outlined by law firm Troutman Pepper

National

DOE sets path for $8.5B in consumer energy rebates

DOE announces $8.5 billion from IRA made available for home retrofits around the country - some aimed at pure efficiency, some at electrification E&E News

New Hampshire

NH prioritizing 'disadvantaged' public schools in energy efficiency grant funding

New Hampshire funding for efficiency going to disadvantaged schools to match federal program Concord Monitor

U.S.

DOE opens up $8.5B to states, territories for home efficiency, electrification rebate programs

States and territories can now apply for more than $8.5 billion in funding to reduce energy usage and electrify appliances in homes through a pair of rebate programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday. Utility Dive

California

California sees success tying energy efficiency to real results

California regulators are updating utility efficiency plans with a major change to focus on actual benefits for customers and the grid, as opposed to old spending based around estimates Canary Media

Georgia

Federal investments could help some Georgia residents lower energy bills

Georgia is getting $84 million in federal funds for home energy efficiency uprates, weatherization becoming more important with rising temperatures WFXG/Fox 54

International

Less power, lower emissions: improving AC technology

A look into the history of air conditioning technology and how it could change to become more efficient, which would have a major impact on cutting power demandn TechXplore

Michigan

OPINION: Michigan Legislature must seize moment to address clean energy

NRDC wants Michigan legislature to expand efficiency and clean energy with Clean Energy Standard Lansing State Journal

National

Environmental Protection Agency Launches Tool to Evaluate US Distilleries' Energy Efficiency

EPA launches new tool to evaluate energy efficiency at distilleries, can be used to measure progress on ee by sector Whisky Raiders

National

Biden Energy Efficiency Rebate Uptake Hinges on Home Contractors

Efficiency rebates will need contractors to implement them, but they need education around often complex new requirements Bloomberg Law

National

Energy Efficiency: What Do All Those Ratings Really Mean?

Bob Villa website exmaines different energy effiiciency programs available for homeowners and builders Bob Villa

National

DOE: New efficiency standards could save Americans more than $1 billion per year

DOE expects $1 billion in savings from new efficiency rules Daily Energy Insider

U.S.

Inside the IRA's historic, high-stakes investment in energy efficiency

The Inflation Reduction Act made an $8.8B investment in home energy efficiency. Now, it's up to states to figure out how to put the money into practice. Canary Media

Alabama

Alabama Power lands near bottom in new energy efficiency scorecard, company disputes report

Alabama Power scored as one of the lowest utilities in the country in a new energy efficiency report published this week, ranking 51st out of 53 utilities surveyed. Advance Local Media

International

These startups are using AI to cut energy waste from buildings

Buildings use -- and waste -- an enormous amount of energy. A growing number of startups are trying to wield buzzy AI technologies to fix this problem. Canary Media

U.S.

A Heat Pump Water Heater Will Save All the Electricity You'll Need to Power Your Electric Vehicle

About half of the US has electric resistance water heaters, so as those homes switch to heat pump water heaters, we won't have to worry about finding more electricity to power their electric vehicles. CleanTechnica

U.S.

Exploring Thermal Energy Storage Solutions for Energy-Efficient Buildings

Can Cooling Methods of the 1800s Advance Energy Storage Needs for a Clean Energy Future? NREL

California

How pre-cooling homes could dramatically reduce energy usage

The study found that if people sufficiently cool their homes in the afternoon when solar energy is plentiful, they will use less electricity between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., when the power grid is most at risk of rolling blackouts. TechXplore

California

Sacramento Manor completes largest-ever apartment electrification retrofit project

The recent transformation of 260 senior living garden apartments at Sacramento Manor, a sprawling, 10-acre, low-income housing community in South Sacramento, is considered the largest electrification retrofit project of its kind in California. Sacramento News & Review

California

Cupertino home is a Silicon Valley Clean Energy showcase

Cupertino homeowner wins award for efforts to electrify their domicile The Mercury News

Massachusetts

Winthrop Center In Boston Named World's Largest Passive House

Millennium Partners, in collaboration with MIT, has delivered the world's largest building -- 812,000-square-feet near Faneuil Hall in Boston's historic district -- ever to meet the Passive House Network standard CleanTechnica

Michigan

MPSC report: Michigan residents see returns from energy efficiency investments

Michigan PSC report on efficiency shows 3 to 1 benefits for investments Michigan Advance

New Jersey

Energy Efficiency & Electrification Take Center Stage in New Jersey

New Jersey is becoming a leader in clean, efficient buildings. CleanTechnica

North Carolina

Duke to launch innovative 'tariffed on-bill' energy efficiency program in 2024

Beginning in 2024, Duke Energy will offer a "tariffed on-bill" energy efficiency program to customers in North Carolina that supporters say will be one of the first-of-its-kind for an investor-owned utility. Utility Dive

U.S.

DOE Supports Energy Efficiency to Improve Community Resilience

With rising instances of extreme weather, efficiency is part of DOE's strategy to minimize its impact AZoCleantech

Washington

Commerce eyes energy standard updates for EV chargers, some appliances

Washington State considering new efficiency standards for EV Chargers and other appliances The Center Square

U.S.

Utah is most energy-efficient state, South Carolina is the least: WalletHub

The energy efficiency sector is struggling to find qualified workers, potentially slowing efforts to reduce power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, say experts. Utility Dive

Massachusetts

OPINION: My energy efficiency efforts were frustrated by Mass Save

There's a broad consensus in Massachusetts, affirmed by state law and policy, to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies as an important way to advance our climate and energy goals. In the experience of Boston and Massachusetts employee Paul Rehme, unfortunately, the Commonwealth's energy efficiency programs do not appear capable of supporting these goals, he writes. CommonWealth Magazine

U.S.

Rubio Takes Aim at Biden's Energy Efficiency Move, Using Military Budget Rider

The Florida Republican was the home builders' top recipient of campaign contributions in the Senate last year. His proposal takes up a key industry agenda item. Inside Climate News

International

The power of green computing

Interview with Intel's sustainability officer on making computing more efficient/greener. MIT Technology Review

Kansas

Energy Efficiency Begins at Home and with Buildings Yet to be Built

Story on building decarbonization and how the trend is playing out in Kansas. Kansas Public Radio

Michigan

HOAs could lose ability to ban energy saving measures under new bill

As lawmakers continue to push for broad changes to Michigan's clean energy laws, some legislators are working to craft policy to address concerns from Michiganders looking to take advantage of energy-saving measures. Michigan Advance

U.S.

How Energy Efficiency Programs Help Families

Blog post from consumer group highlighting how efficiency programs help ratepayers. Public Citizen

U.S.

TVA brings back rebates for energy efficiency

TVA bringing back efficiency rebates that it had ended years ago as part of its efficiency plans. Chattanooga Times Free Press

New Hampshire

NH Public Utilities Commission begins hearing on new energy efficiency plan

New Hampshire regulators starting review of efficiency plan that utilities have to update every three years New Hampshire NPR

U.S.

ACEEE urging Senate to reject amendment that would hurt energy efficiency standards

ACEEE campaigns against Sen. Rubio (R-Fla.) amendment that would block Housing & Urban Development from instituting new efficiency standards for new federal housing. Daily Energy Insider

U.S.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces Energy Savings Performance Contracting Campaign

New initiative will advance critical investments in public buildings to reduce energy costs, create jobs, cut emissions across the nation, and achieve $1 billion in measured and verified savings. Department of Energy

Massachusetts

Gov. Healey sees merit in proposed Mass Save overhaul

Mass. Gov Healy is supportive of consultant suggestion that efficiency program be turned over to independent administration, away from utilities. NBC10 Boston

National

Biden Administration Launches New Energy Earthshot to Lower Energy Bills in Affordable Housing

Biden Admin launches new "energy earthshot" to bring down energy costs in low-income housing with expanded efficiency Department of Energy

National

Is Energy Efficiency our Panacea for Power?

Look into energy efficiency and its role addressing climate change Forbes

New Hampshire

The town of Exeter is getting more money for energy efficiency

U.S. Sen. Shaheen highlights $200k in federal funding for efficiency in Exeter, N.H. New Hampshire Public Radio

International

How greener buildings will pave the way for meeting climate goals

The built environment will be crucial to achieving emissions-reductions goals. It represents close to 40% of global, energy-related carbon emissions -- approximatively 14 gigatons of carbon each year, the largest share of any sector. Reuters

U.S.

IRA-driven electrification, other steps could cut building GHG emissions up to 70%: EPA

The most effective strategies for substantially reducing building emissions involve installing energy-efficient equipment; installing electric equipment, when possible, to avoid fossil fuel combustion; and ensuring that buildings are constructed and operated in a way that uses energy efficiently, the report says. Utility Dive

International

Researchers train AI to identify least-green homes

"Hard-to-decarbonize" houses are responsible for over a quarter of all direct housing emissions -- a major obstacle to achieving net zero -- but are rarely identified or targeted for improvement. TechXplore

National

Energy Efficiency: Filling in the Gaps with Retro-Commissioning

A look into "retro-commissioning" for existing buildings where their operations are reviewed to maximize efficiency. FacilitiesNet

National

Heat pumps are hot, but commercial retrofits face cold realities

A look into the issues that need to be overcome to meet goals around heat pump deployment. Utility Dive

National

Not just gas stoves: GOP widens assault on energy efficiency

Examination of Republican efforts to repeal energy efficiency rules, which have expanded to many specific rules. E&E News

National

What You Need to Know About Data Center Floors

The way floors are built in data centers can have a major impact on energy efficiency. Data Center Knowledge

California

What's a Fair Electricity Bill? - Energy Institute Blog

Economist Severin Borenstein looks into how the state's laden energy bills are impacting decisions around electrification Energy Institute at Haas (U.C. Berkeley)

Georgia

Energy efficiency measures could save buildings more than 31% annually, study finds

Nine occupied commercial buildings in Atlanta have the potential to save more than 31% on average by making energy efficiency improvements, according to a pilot program run by energy assessment platform Joulea. Utility Dive

Georgia

Energy efficiency measures could save buildings more than 31% annually, study finds

Study on commercial buildings in Atlanta finds major savings possible with efficiency upgrades Utility Dive

Georgia

Energy efficiency measures could save buildings more than 31% annually, study finds

Nine occupied commercial buildings in Atlanta have the potential to save more than 31% on average by making energy efficiency improvements, according to a pilot program run by energy assessment platform Joulea. Facilities Dive

International

What is the point of green mortgages?

An examination of the failure of "green mortages" that are meant to encourage energy efficiency Financial Times

Northwest

BPA Retires transformational energy efficiency program

BPA is shutting down successful energy efficiency program - saying it has achieved its goals to transforms region's HVAC systems Global Renewable News

Texas

Why Texas is seeing historic growth in electricity demand

An interview with WSJ energy reporter on why Texas is seeing demand ramp up - people continue to move there and new demand like bitcoin. Texas Standard

Maine

Maine hopes IRA money will get heat pumps to more people, especially in multi-family homes

Maine is draftinig application for its share of $9 billion in heat pump funds, looking to get them in apartment buildings. Energy News Network

New Jersey

PSE&G proposes 6-month, $306M extension of successful energy efficiency offerings

PSEG wants six month extension of EE program, with plans to file a 2.5 year additional extension soon Utility Dive

International

IEA Says Energy Efficiency Must Improve Faster to Reach Net Zero

Countries around the world need to double their progress on energy efficiency if they want to comply with global climate goals by the middle of the century, according to the International Energy Agency. Bloomberg

New Hampshire

NH's updated energy efficiency plans are expected to move forward under state law

A new round of plans for energy efficiency programs in New Hampshire is set to take effect after two years of controversy. The state's Public Utilities Commission approved small changes to the $250 million program that helps Granite Staters with things like putting insulation in their home, or buying energy efficient appliances. New Hampshire Public Radio

International

OPINION: There's no justification for green energy subsidies and mandates

Column by conservative libertarian think tanker argues that tech-specific subsidies are inefficient, should do carbon tax instead. Washington Examiner

Louisiana

Here's why the PSC is likely to postpone its energy efficiency vote

Louisiana PSC has been working on efficiency standard for utilities for a decade, but will wait until January to vote on a pending proposal Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

Maryland

Maryland governor launches solar energy, energy efficiency programs

State of Maryland offering $22.5 million for efficiency and solar for low-income consumers DC News Now

National

Study Shows How Heat Pumps Can Help the Grid and Reduce Energy Costs

Heat pumps hypothetically can be a major benefit to the economy, based on Oak Ridge Lab study of up to 70% deployment nationally CNET

South Carolina

Duke Energy Proposes Energy Efficiency Enhancements in South Carolina

Duke proposing new energy efficiency programs for South Carolina regulators with two pilots - one to retrofit "high" use low income homes and another with on-bill financing. T&D World

U.S.

NREL Joins $40 Million Effort To Advance Data Center Cooling Efficiency

ARPA-E Program Creates More Energy-Efficient Data Centers, Reducing Carbon Emissions and Mitigating Climate Change. NREL

Maine

Maine towns band together to offer 'energy navigators,' extra funding for home energy upgrades

Communities in southern Maine are collaborating on a pilot program that aims to help residents overcome cost and logistical barriers to accessing climate-friendly home energy upgrades. Five towns and two regional nonprofits received a three-year, $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program in late 2023. The budget for the program is now being finalized for launch this summer or fall. Energy News Network

U.S.

DOE finalizes energy efficiency standards for residential refrigerators, freezers

The Department of Energy recently finalized new energy efficiency requirements for residential refrigerators and freezers that the agency estimates will save consumers more than $36 billion over three decades. Utility Dive

International

Business action on energy efficiency could save $2 trillion a year, new research claims

A World Economic Forum and PwC report sets out a host of energy efficiency actions it claims are 'doable today, at attractive returns with no need for new technology.' GreenBiz

Tennessee

An overlooked climate solution unfolds in Memphis' energy challenges

Weatherization gives residents the resources they need to protect themselves while reducing energy use from sources that emit climate-altering pollution. Tennessee Lookout

U.S.

A novel way to improve energy efficiency: Take over the utility bill

Budderfly lands $400M for no-money-down small-business energy retrofits, backed by a pledge to pay its customers' utility bills and share the efficiency savings. Canary Media

Connecticut

A novel way to improve energy efficiency: Take over the utility bill

Budderfly lands $400 million for no-money-down small-business energy retrofits, backed by a pledge to pay its customers' utility bills and share the efficiency savings. Canary Media

Colorado

Opinion: Colorado's "Einstein of Energy Efficiency" says we're on track for a renewable future

Op-Ed on Amory Lovins and how he thinks we can address climate change successfully with the right policies The Denver Post

International

Intel is using hot water to cut natural gas use in its factories

Intel is using water to capture excess industrial heat and then replacing natural gas with that at a factory in Ireland GreenBiz

Louisiana

Louisiana Public Service Commission Votes for Independent Energy Efficiency Program

La. PSC votes to set up independent, statewide efficiency program, over opposition from utilities Biz New Orleans

National

A novel way to improve energy efficiency: Take over the utility bill

Efficiency firm Budderfly takes over payment of its customers utility bills so it only makes money if they save significantly Canary Media

National

Brown, Cruz Introduce New Legislation To Bolster U.S. Transformer Supply Chains And Protect American Energy Independence

Bipartisan bill backed by EEI and NRECA would change DOE transformer efficiency standard to avoid disruptions to supply Senator Sherrod Brown

National

Danfoss and Google enter into strategic partnership on AI and energy efficiency

Danfoss and Google working together to make data centers more efficient TimesTech

National

DOE, EPA Sign Joint Letter Asking Utility Companies to Make Energy and Water Usage Data Available for Multifamily Properties

Federal agencies ask for voluntary data sharing from utilities to help advance efficiency in multi-family housing limits HUD

Ohio

How a Koch-linked group stalled a bipartisan Ohio energy efficiency bill at the last minute

Americans for Prosperity helped torpedo efficiency bill by claiming programs were mandatory when it was to allow voluntary utility programs Ohio Capital Journal

Texas

Austin Energy receives federal grant worth more than $850000

Austin's muni utility to use grant money to improve efficiency of city-owned buildings KVUE.com

Massachusetts

The Promise Of Passive House Design

The extraordinarily energy-efficient building method slashes climate pollution from homes, hospitals, schools, and high rises. Now it's catching on in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Yale Climate Connections

U.S.

How The Housing Industry Is Working To Stop Energy Efficient Homes

Home builders have used their political muscle to prevent states and cities from adopting the latest code, which would lower the climate impact of new houses Washington Post

U.S.

OPINION: The Paradox Holding Back the Clean Energy Revolution

As technology has advanced and become more efficient, we've only grown more wasteful, writes Ed Conway, economics editor of Sky News. New York Times

Natural Gas

California

Sacramento wants to replace gas appliances in the city by 2045. Here's how to comment on the plan.

Sacramento is seeking public feedback on a strategy to replace natural gas appliances with electric alternatives in existing buildings throughout the city by 2045. The public can give comments on the draft strategy, which aims to support climate change goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, through mid-November. Capital Public Radio

California

Sacramento suspends enforcement of natural gas ban for new construction

The city of Sacramento has paused enforcement of an ordinance banning natural gas hookups on new construction following a decision earlier this year by a federal appeals court that overturned a similar ordinance in Berkeley. The Business Journals

Space Cooling & Heating

U.S.

A Sustainable Alternative to Air Conditioning

Researchers set out to achieve passive cooling inside naturally conditioned buildings in hot, arid climates CleanTechnica

International

Thousands of homes to be kept warm by waste heat from computer data centres in UK first

The heat network, backed by ?36 million in government support will connect 10,000 new homes and 250,000 m2 of commercial space to a low-carbon energy source that will help keep bills low and contribute to the UK's drive to reach net zero by 2050. Renewable Energy Magazine

International

Thousands of homes to be kept warm by waste heat from computer data centres in UK first

The heat network, backed by ?36 million in government support will connect 10,000 new homes and 250,000 m2 of commercial space to a low-carbon energy source that will help keep bills low and contribute to the UK's drive to reach net zero by 2050. Renewable Energy Magazine

New York

Millions of U.S. Homes Are So Overheated They Open Windows In The Winter. Why?

Many of America's aging steam systems are oversized or miscalibrated. According to a 2019 report by the Urban Green Council, 73% of tenants in steam-heated buildings are chronically overheated. The Guardian

U.S.

Heat Pumps Are Not Fair Weather Friends Any More

The race is on to push oil and gas HVAC systems out, and let new energy efficient cold-climate electric heat pumps in. CleanTechnica

International

How do you take clean AC mainstream? This global health organization has some ideas.

Market strategies that expanded HIV medication could also help the spread of new clean cooling technologies. Grist

International

How do you take clean AC mainstream? This global health organization has some ideas.

Market strategies that expanded HIV medication could also help the spread of new clean cooling technologies. Grist

U.S.

Heat Pump Installations Slow, Impeding Biden's Climate Goals

More Americans are buying heat pumps, but the pace of installations has slowed in the past year, posing an obstacle to the Biden administration's climate plans. New York Times

International

New cooling ceramic can enhance energy efficiency for the construction sector and help combat global warming

A significant breakthrough in developing a passive radiative cooling (PRC) material has been announced by researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Technology Networks

U.S.

U.S. Study Shows Climate Impacts on Heating and Cooling Demand

As climate variability revises peak demand for heating and cooling in an electrified future, grid operators must plan ahead to guarantee reliability, say the authors of a new paper published in the journal Nature. The Energy Mix

U.S.

U.S. Study Shows Climate Impacts on Heating and Cooling Demand

As climate variability revises peak demand for heating and cooling in an electrified future, grid operators must plan ahead to guarantee reliability, say the authors of a new paper published in the journal Nature. The Energy Mix

Maine

Maine hopes IRA money will get heat pumps to more people, especially in multifamily housing

Maine is drafting plans for its share of nearly $9 billion in home energy and efficiency rebate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, with a straw proposal due out by the end of the year for input from contractors and other professionals who will be on the front lines of promoting new and expanded incentives to the public. Energy News Network

International

An electrocaloric heat pump that is more efficient than conventional air conditioners

A team of engineers at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, working with a pair of colleagues from Murata Manufacturing Company, has developed a regenerative electrocaloric heat pump that is more efficient than conventional air conditioners. Tech Xplore

Maine

Maine hopes IRA money will get heat pumps to more people

Maine is drafting plans for its share of nearly $9 billion in home energy and efficiency rebate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, with a straw proposal due out by the end of the year for input from contractors and other professionals who will be on the front lines of promoting new and expanded incentives to the public. Energy News Network

Massachusetts

Introducing the Massachusetts Clean Heat Platform

Green Energy Consumers Alliance and our allied organizations are certain that more legislation is needed if Massachusetts is to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates. This is especially true when it comes to the state's second-largest source of emissions, the residential and commercial building sector. So over 70 climate organizations have come together thus far to put forward the Clean Heat Platform -- specific strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector in a cost-effective, equitable, and timely manner. Green Energy Consumers Alliance

U.S.

DOE to bolster U.S. electric heat pump manufacturing with $169 million in awards

The Department of Energy plans to invest $169 million to support electric heat pump manufacturing across the country, marking the Biden administration's latest effort to expand use of the heating and cooling equipment and reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels. S&P Global

Vermont

Burlington Council Backs District Energy Plan, Carbon Fee

The Burlington City Council took two big steps on Monday toward slashing the use of fossil fuels in buildings. But it did so over the objections of critics who said the alternative energy sources being promoted come with their own climate perils. Seven Days

Alaska

A Cold Alaska City Has Become a Heat Pump Hub

The 'electrify everything' movement is taking off in Juneau, where one in seven homes is heated by a heat pump, says Earthjustice. Earthjustice

Massachusetts

Mass. awards $27 million to help 'decarbonize' hundreds of affordable housing units

The Healey administration awarded $27 million to several affordable housing developments on Tuesday to help them reduce planet-warming emissions and increase energy efficiency in more than 700 units across the state. WBUR News

Vermont

Burlington Council Backs District Energy Plan, Carbon Fee

The Burlington City Council took two big steps on Monday toward slashing the use of fossil fuels in buildings. But it did so over the objections of critics who said the alternative energy sources being promoted come with their own climate perils. Seven Days

U.S.

U.S. DOE Analysis Highlights Geothermal Heat Pumps as a Pathway to a Decarbonized Energy Future

The analysis finds that, coupled with building envelope improvements, retrofitting around 70% of U.S. buildings with GHPs could reduce electricity demand by as much as 13% by 2050 versus decarbonizing without GHPs. Renewable Energy World

U.S.

How Many Americans Want An Electric Home?

According to data from nonprofit Rewiring America, we have to install 24,000,000 more electrified machines than we are currently on pace to install over the next three years to be on track to meet our climate goals by 2050. CleanTechnica

U.S.

Seattle is electrifying new buildings despite ruling against gas bans

In April, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Berkeley, California's first-in-the-nation ban on natural gas in new buildings. Despite the setback, clean energy experts said governments still have plenty of options to electrify buildings. Cities and states like Seattle; Ashland, Ore.; and Washington state are sidestepping Berkeley's legal challenges by finding creative alternatives to banning gas outright -- including by setting emissions targets, updating building codes and restricting indoor air pollution. Grist

Alaska

In Juneau, Alaska, a carbon offset project that's actually working

Visiting Alaska is an emissions-heavy prospect. An innovative program has tourists ease that by helping buy heat pumps for locals. Grist

U.S.

Legal threats to city, state natural gas bans in 2023: A timeline

The nation's first gas ban was overturned. One state changed its building codes to avoid legal challenges. Here's the biggest gas ban news of 2023. Utility Dive

U.S.

More awareness of heat pump capabilities and incentives could drive adoption

While most of the homeowners (80%) surveyed say they know what a heat pump is, just over half are unsure of what they do, particularly the ability to provide both heating and cooling. pv Magazine

U.S.

Four heat pump makers develop successful sub-zero prototypes in the U.S.

The DOE's Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge is aiming for deployment programs and commercialization this year. It's working with nearly 30 states, utilities, and other partners to encourage cold-climate heat pump adoption. Electrek

California

New buildings that use natural gas lose final utility subsidy in California

Incentives that indirectly help expand the gas system don't align with the state's climate goals, the California Public Utilities Commission said. Utility Dive

New York

New York will replace gas pipelines to pump clean heat into buildings

A state law has spurred 13 utility pilot projects aimed at creating neighborhoodwide thermal energy networks -- a climate strategy gaining traction nationwide. Canary Media

Illinois

Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced an ordinance Jan. 24 that would effectively ban natural gas hookups in new construction and additions over 10,000 square feet. Over a dozen co-sponsors joined Johnson in supporting the legislation. Smart Cities Dive

Washington

Seattle requires big buildings to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 - MSN

The new building efficiency standards Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed into law last month are expected to reduce Seattle's building sector emissions by 27% -- and overall citywide emissions by 10% -- by 2050. Axios

Vermont

Heat pumps by the numbers: Vermont leads New England in per capita installations

Vermonters are installing cold-climate heat pumps at high rates, according to new data from Efficiency Vermont. Vermont ranks first in New England for heat pump installations per capita, having installed roughly 63,000 heat pumps in homes and businesses, Efficiency Vermont reported. That's 97 heat pumps for every 1,000 Vermont residents. Vermont Digger

California

Who should foot the huge bill to switch California homes to heat pumps?

Fearful of short-term rate hikes, regulators nixed Southern California Edison's $744M building electrification plan. Environmental groups say the climate can't wait. Canary Media

Massachusetts

More questions than answers after Massachusetts order to transition from natural gas

Utility companies, lawmakers, and state regulators still have to figure out how they will follow through on the order that requires gas and electric utilities to coordinate on electrification. Energy News Network

New York

N.Y. electric companies collaborate on statewide promotion of heat pumps

During a Jan. 31 webinar hosted by the global consulting and technology services company ICF, representatives from several utilities discussed their strategies and plans associated with the NYS Clean Heat Program. Daily Energy Insider

U.S.

Why a State-Led Coalition to Install More Heat Pumps Is a Big Deal for Climate Change

New York, California and seven other Democratic-led states formed a coalition this week to dramatically increase their statewide sales of heat pumps while phasing out fossil fuel furnaces. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Benefits of Heat Pumps Detailed in New NREL Report

Millions of U.S. households would benefit from heat pumps, but the cost of installing the technology needs to come down to make their use a more attractive proposition. National Renewable Energy Laboratory

U.S.

Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces again last year -- and the gap is growing

While sales of both heat pumps and gas furnaces were down in 2023, heat pumps are proving more popular than ever. Canary Media

Space Cooling &heating

Washington

WA adopts new rules to phase out fossil fuels in new construction

Washington State adopts new building code will make it "nearly impossible" to install new fossil fuels. Responding to Berkley, Calif., lawsuit - rules have looser language than outright ban The Seattle Times

Space Heating & Cooling

U.S.

Fossil-Free, 100% Affordable Housing Can Mean Residents Have No Utility Bills

Efforts to decarbonize affordable housing are underway that will save U.S. residents money on their energy bills and help address the persistent burdens faced by low-income households and communities of color. CleanTechnica

New York

NYC's Ongoing Debate Over Local Law 97, Effort to Curb Building Pollution

Regulators are putting the finishing touches on Local Law 97, which takes effect next year, and aims to restrict greenhouse gases from buildings. The New York Times

Oregon

OPINION: Transition to clean energy in Oregon homes will prevail, despite fossil fuel industry's tactics

No matter how hard the dying fossil fuel industry fights to obstruct the transition to clean energy, the writing is on the wall: Oregon's future will be powered by clean, renewable electricity, and Oregon's people will prevail over corporate interests, write environmental attorney and Cascadia Wildlands Conservation Director Bethany Cotton and Fossil Free Eugene Coalition Coordinator Aya Cockram. Oregon Capital Chronicle

Water Heating

U.S.

Heat Pump Water Heater Sales in 2022 Signal a Decisive Shift in Water Heating Trends

According to the latest data released by ENERGY STAR, sales of heat pump water heaters grew 26% last year, while sales of gas water heaters declined by 17%, underlining a clear shift in the U.S. toward more efficient, electric-powered water heating systems. CleanTechnica

U.S.

What's That on Top of the Building? A New Solar Water Heating System Goes Online as Its Developer Enters the U.S. Market

Solar thermal energy could be a "sleeping giant" in the push to reduce emissions from heating and cooling. Inside Climate News

Building Decarbonization

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric to test new time-of-use rates to encourage use when solar is cheap

Time-of-use rates have the potential to reduce bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions from power generation, Hawaiian Electric said. Renewable Energy World

International

A new way to decarbonize buildings can lower emissions -- profitably

Real estate companies are increasingly accepting the imperative to decarbonize buildings, but they frequently find the task difficult, laborious and expensive. But thanks to improvements in the quantity and quality of data and analytic methods, there is a better approach. It is now possible to use a combination of data from satellites, geospatial analytics, regulations, labor and equipment costs, building characteristics, energy and other sources to rapidly create a high-fidelity picture of the current state of an individual building without ever stepping foot inside. McKinsey Quarterly

U.S.

Most Americans want to electrify their homes -- if they can keep their gas stoves

Most Americans would prefer to live in a home where almost all major appliances run on electricity -- but only if they can keep their gas stoves. Just 31 percent want to go fully electric. For the first time in the long-running Climate Change in the American Mind survey, conducted by Yale and George Mason universities, researchers asked roughly 1,000 people to what extent they would prefer to have their appliances powered by electrons or fossil fuels (natural gas, propane, or oil). Grist

U.S.

Yes, it's possible to electrify a home on just 100 amps

It may require careful planning and efficient appliances like heat pumps, but 100-amp service can be enough to kick fossil fuels out of your home. Canary Media

U.S.

Yes, it's possible to electrify a home on just 100 amps

It may require careful planning and efficient appliances like heat pumps, but 100-amp service can be enough to kick fossil fuels out of your home. Canary Media

Cooking

U.S.

Most Americans want to electrify their homes -- if they can keep their gas stoves

A poll finds less than one-third of Americans want a fully electric home. That number jumps to 60 percent if people can continue cooking with methane. Grist

Energy Efficiency

Florida

U.S. House bill aims to give Florida residents tax incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient appliances

Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would give Florida families access to more than $346 million in Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives for upgrading their homes with energy efficient appliances and clean energy. Daily Energy Insider

New Hampshire

NH energy efficiency plans moving forward, with split Public Utilities Commission decision

A new round of plans for energy efficiency programs in New Hampshire is set to take effect after two years of controversy. The state's Public Utilities Commission approved small changes to the $250 million program that helps Granite Staters with things like putting insulation in their home, or buying energy efficient appliances. New Hampshire Public Radio

Kentucky

OPINION: Improving efficiency would lower Kentucky Power bills and demand, say negotiators

Kentucky Power has committed to more than doubling shareholder company funds that go to those most challenged to help pay their high winter electric bills. But the real work still lies ahead in collaborating with Kentucky Power to develop energy saving programs to help customers lower their electricity needs and bills, writes Carrie Ray, director of energy programs at the Mountain Association. Kentucky Lantern

New Hampshire

New energy efficiency plans moving forward, with split Public Utilities Commission decision

New Hampshire regulators approve new efficiency programs amidst skepticism from some regulators, who had limited authority due to recent legislation. Keene Sentinel

New Jersey

PSE&G submits energy efficiency plans to NJ BPU

PSEG files latest iteration of energy efficiency programs for approval with BPU. $3.1 billion spending for 30 months starting in January '25 Daily Energy Insider

South Carolina

Duke Energy proposes energy efficiency enhancements and innovative pilot programs for South Carolina customers

Duke Energy offers new efficiency programs for South Carolina, including ones aimed at low income consumers who have comparatively high demand EnerCom Inc.

Space Cooling & Heating

Maine

A year after record heating oil price spike, heat pump demand hums along in Maine

Moderating prices for oil and gas don't appear to have reduced interest in heat pumps, as contractors remain busy and state rebates gain in popularity. Energy News Network

International

Report: Key measures could slash predicted 2050 emissions from cooling sector

The Global Cooling Watch report, Keeping it Chill: How to meet cooling demands while cutting emissions--by the UN Environment Programme-led Cool Coalition--lays out sustainable cooling measures in three areas: passive cooling, higher-energy efficiency standards, and a faster phase-down of climate-warming refrigerants. TechXplore

Equity & Economics

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, state data links fracking to childhood cancer

The results of a Pennsylvania pediatric cancer study are in: Epidemiologists found evidence that minors living close to fracking sites are over 5 times more likely to develop a rare type of childhood cancer. They also found a greatly increased risk of asthma attacks and lowered birth weights. Grist

U.S.

Why Rural Americans Are (and Aren't) Adopting Renewable Energy

Some rural residents are investing in solar, heat pumps and EVs. But demographics play a key role in who is -- and who isn't. Rural Americans with higher incomes and more education are more likely to put solar panels on their roof or buy a heat pump. CNET

U.S.

Why The Renewable Energy Industry Needs Unionizing

The COP28 climate summit recognized we are at "the beginning of the end" of the fossil fuel era and need to speed up transition to renewable energy. But union-busting by renewables companies, including the top solar provider on Long Island, threatens to slow it down. UAW

U.S.

As Utility Bills Rise, Low-Income Americans Struggle for Access to Clean Energy

The Biden administration has deployed various programs to try to increase access to clean energy. But systems that could help lower bills are still out of reach for many low-income households. New York Times

North Dakota

How an oil boom in North Dakota led to a boom in evictions

New study links surge of oil workers to long-term residents losing their homes. Grist

New York

NYPA Petitions Public Service Commission to Establish Renewable Energy Access and Community Help Program

REACH would directly benefit low-income electric ratepayers using renewable generation from distributed energy sources in their communities or from large-scale renewable projects located throughout the state's electric power grid. North American Clean Energy

Economic Development

U.S.

Redefining America's 'Energy Communities' Can Boost Clean Energy Investments Where It's Needed Most

Millions of Americans live in communities heavily dependent on the fossil fuel industry, facing both risks and opportunities as the U.S. moves to a low-carbon future. These communities are expected to face economic risks including job loss, reduced tax revenues to fund services and depressed property values. However, these same communities could see large opportunities in clean energy investments if policymakers make decisions to ensure they are not left behind. WRI

Tennessee

EV Boom Remakes Rural Towns in the American South

The U.S. auto industry is accelerating its move south as car companies pour billions of dollars into new factories in Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The shift is creating pockets of frenzied activity--and anxiety--for rural, southern towns bracing for an influx of new workers and residents. The Wall Street Journal

New York

New York's Clean Energy Jobs at Highest Level Ever

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the number of individuals with clean energy jobs in New York State reached the highest level ever, with 171,000 workers at the end of 2022, reflecting the quality career opportunities in clean energy sectors that continue to outpace overall job growth statewide as New York accelerates efforts to meet its climate goals. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

U.S.

How Inflation Reduction Act Electric Vehicle Incentives Are Driving a U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance

More than a dozen new incentives enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act have sent investments in EV manufacturing skyrocketing, resulting in more than 84,000 announced jobs in just the first year of implementation. The Center for American Progress dives into the details of each of these critical tax credits and their impact so far. Center For American Progress

U.S.

Battery Belt communities fight for a fair shake as projects get underway

Communities are using an organizing tool intended for sports stadiums to bargain with energy transition projects for labor standards and affordable housing. Canary Media

Economic Impact

U.S.

Heat Is Costing the U.S. Economy Billions in Lost Productivity

Now that climate change has raised the Earth's temperatures to the highest levels in recorded history, with projections showing that they will only climb further, new research shows the impact of heat on workers is spreading across the economy and lowering productivity. The New York Times

International

War, AI and Climate Change Shake Up $32 Trillion in Global Trade

Seemingly unrelated moments around the world -represent a transformation in world trade. US-China tensions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine are leading companies to bring supply chains closer to home. A shift from fossil fuels is spurring demand for materials essential for electrification. Artificial intelligence is forcing employees to learn new skills so they won't be replaced by computers. Bloomberg

Energy Efficiency

Kansas

Long-awaited Evergy energy efficiency programs approved by Kansas regulators

Kansas regulators approved a robust set of energy efficiency programs for Evergy customers after concerns the deal might fall apart. The 2-1 vote by the Kansas Corporation Commission on Friday brings programs, such as rebates and discounts on efficient HVAC systems and free thermostats, to Evergy's Kansas customers. Missouri regulators have allowed energy efficiency programs for years. Kansas Reflector

Louisiana

Louisiana consultant spent 13 years drafting energy efficiency rules -- and still hasn't finished

A consulting firm has charged state taxpayers over a half-million dollars while trying for 13 years to write energy efficiency policy for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. On Wednesday, it approved giving the firm more money and time because the work is still not complete. Louisiana Illuminator

Environmental Justice

Minnesota

University of Minnesota launches environmental justice center to help underserved communities

The University of Minnesota is home to a new federal office that will help distribute funding to frontline communities working on environmental justice projects across the Midwest. The university's Humphrey School of Public Affairs is launching the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Technical Assistance Center, one of 16 hubs across the nation tasked with supercharging projects that help low-income and racially diverse communities address pollution. Sahan Journal

U.S.

It may have just gotten harder to protect minority communities from pollution

In recent years, some states have invested in air quality monitoring, applied extra scrutiny to permitting decisions and steered cleanup funding to minority communities that have borne the brunt of pollution for decades. Now, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision striking down race-conscious college admissions policies, state lawmakers are facing a new conundrum: Can they remedy environmental racism without mentioning race? New Jersey Monitor

U.S.

Bonus Credit Program for Clean Energy Projects Benefitting Underserved Communities is Underway

This program, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, addresses the need to expand access to cost-saving clean energy projects in underserved communities through a groundbreaking tax incentive for solar and wind projects across the country. U.S. Dept. of Energy

U.S.

EPA Announces Nearly $128 Million for Environmental Justice Projects

The organizations, which EPA has selected through its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, will use the funds to ensure disadvantaged communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment have access to clean air and water and climate resilience solutions. U.S. EPA

North Carolina

Gov. Cooper issues environmental justice order, says it will "last beyond this administration"

The order creates a new 22-member EJ advisory council within the governor's office, moving and expanding the Environmental Justice & Equity Advisory Board that is currently under the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Half of the new board's membership will be appointed by the governor, with the balance appointed by cabinet secretaries. NC Newsline

Pennsylvania

OPINION: RGGI should benefit the people most in need as it fights climate change

For generations, low-income communities and people of color have been forced to bear the brunt of climate change and an ever-expanding energy industry that has never been called on to pay its fair share. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative offers an opportunity to begin to change that, Clean Air Action Fund President Joseph Otis Minott writes. Penn Capital-Star

Massachusetts

OPINION: RGGI should fight for environmental justice

The public health threats of toxic air pollution are a drag on the economy that impact workers, customers and communities. Investing in frontline communities is critical to preparing the entire region for the economic and business risks of climate change, and Alli Gold Roberts, an executive with sustainability-focused nonprofit Ceres, hopes the governors will see it that way too and ensure that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative -- already one of the nation's most successful climate programs -- is also a force for environmental justice. CommonWealth Magazine

U.S.

OPINION: RGGI should fight for environmental justice

There is a necessary and growing recognition that additional investments and action are needed to address pollution in communities located near its sources, like the power plants that RGGI is designed to clean up, writes Alli Gold Roberts head of the state policy program at Ceres. CommonWealth

U.S.

Advocates Question Biden Administration's Promises to Address Environmental Injustices While Supporting Fossil Fuel Projects

At a Department of Energy conference, environmental leaders said justice efforts should be tied to investments in clean energy, not LNG export terminals close to "sacrifice zones" on the Gulf Coast. Inside Climate News

U.S.

The official U.S. climate report includes LGBTQ+ issues -- for the first time

The National Climate Assessment includes a description of the social, economic, and health disparities that LGBTQ+ populations face, making them more vulnerable to climate impacts. Grist

U.S.

Environmental Justice a Key Theme Throughout Biden's National Climate Assessment

The report finds that societal factors, including historic racism, have shaped the climate reality for many communities of color. It also details the impacts of climate change on Indigenous people, public health and agriculture. Inside Climate News

U.S.

New U.S. climate report says land theft and colonization amplify the climate crisis for Indigenous peoples

The report concludes that Indigenous self-determination is a key climate solution -- if the federal government can get behind it. Grist

California

NREL's Community-Driven Analysis Identifies Strategies To Improve Equity in LA's Clean Energy Transition

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory released its findings regarding an equitable clean energy transition strategies for Los Angeles National Renewable Energy Laboratory

U.S.

EPA Offers $2B To Clean Up Pollution, Energy In Poor And Minority Communities

The Biden administration is making $2 billion available to community groups, states and tribes to clean up pollution and develop clean energy in disadvantaged communities in what officials called the largest-ever investment in environmental justice. Associated Press

U.S.

OPINION: At Eversource, we're shifting our approach to EJ communities

Environmental justice communities across the country have historically been overburdened by industrial development with little benefit in return. As New England's largest energy company, Eversource is changing the landscape as we build a clean energy future that will be shared equitably by the 4.4 million customers across our service territory, writes company Vice President for System Planning Digaunto Chatterjee. Commonwealth Beacon

International

Here's what's at stake for Indigenous peoples at COP28

As COP28 kicks off in the United Arab Emirates this week, hundreds of Indigenous advocates are making their way to Dubai with the hope of ensuring that their communities aren't overlooked by global leaders. Grist

U.S.

FERC in Focus: Is FERC making progress on environmental justice?

A look at how the agency is changing its approach to environmental justice and whether it has affected its permitting decisions. Utility Dive

International

OPINION: What the Wealthiest and Most Powerful Nations Owe the Rest of the Warming World

The wealthiest, most powerful and most capable societies that have ever existed on this planet are behaving as if they owe nothing for what they have gained at the expense of imperiling life on Earth, writes Erle Ellis, author of "Anthropocene: A Very Short Introduction." New York Times

U.S.

U.S. Communities Dependent on Fossil Fuels and Coal Face a 'Cumulative Burden'? of Pollution, Poor Health and Job Loss

45% of the people living in energy communities are also living in communities identified by the U.S. government as "disadvantaged" -- whether because of excessive air pollution, high unemployment and poverty rates, inaccessible transportation, health problems or a combination of factors. Sometimes these burdens are caused directly by a community's proximity to fossil fuel facilities, such as high rates of heart disease and asthma, or exposure to PM2.5 pollution. Other times they simply add to a community's "cumulative burden" of suffering multiple socioeconomic and environmental disadvantages while also facing imminent loss of livelihoods. WRI

Virginia

Environmental Justice Advocates in Virginia Fear Recent Legal Gains Could Be Thwarted by Politics in Richmond

Despite Democratic control of the Virginia General Assembly after the November election, environmental justice advocates in the state say progress in 2024 will be difficult under the Republican administration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Inside Climate News

Michigan

Michigan hopes community groups can get piece of $2B climate justice fund

Michigan officials hope a new federal program will help community groups tackle climate and environmental justice projects. EPA recently launched the Community Change Grant program. It's made $2 billion in grants available for organizations across the country. Michigan Advance

Missouri

Jay Ashcroft seeks $1.2 million to defend anti-ESG investing rules in federal court

State lawmakers were informed last week that it will cost taxpayers $1.2 million to defend a rule on investment brokers that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says is designed to stop "politically motivated" financial advisers who want to "fritter away Missourians' money." Ashcroft issued a new rule in July targeting environmental, social and governance, or ESG, investing. His rule requires brokers and investment advisers to obtain annual, written consent to recommend an investment, or actually place any client funds in account that "incorporates a social objective or other non financial objective" for a reason "not solely focused on maximizing a financial return." Missouri Independent

U.S.

A Year Before Biden's First Term Ends, Environmental Regulators Rush to Aid Disinvested Communities

The EPA wants to get the funds to environmental justice communities before the election in keeping with President Biden's promise to address historic injustices. Inside Climate News

Maryland

OPINION: Maryland deserves a better environmental justice bill

Maryland's most overburdened communities badly need a real environmental justice bill with them in the driver's seat and not mere observers, write Michael Middleton, executive director of the SB7 Coalition in South Baltimore, and Sacoby Wilson, director of the Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health at the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health. Maryland Matters

Workforce Development

Nevada

Nevada shows states how to build workforce for solar energy boom

The Solar Energy Industries Association says about 800,000 new workers will be needed in less than a decade. That's to push the nation's electricity generation from solar to 30% by 2030. Solar accounted for less than 4% last year. KUNR Public Radio

Kansas

KDOT secretary looking for path out of Kansas' transportation industry labor shortage

Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Calvin Reed pointed to workforce shortages as a significant challenge to the state's multibillion-dollar, 10-year Eisenhower transportation program. Kansas Reflector

U.S.

Young workers are flocking to renewable jobs, but the sector remains short on labor, reports show

Two new reports examining hiring and recruitment data for companies in the renewable energy sector show them ramping up their demand for early-career hires, who in turn are joining the industry in record numbers. Utility Dive

Minnesota

Minnesota program helps manufacturers train their teams for an all-electric future

Thermo King, which makes diesel-powered refrigeration and heating units for use in semi-trailers has begun a transition to electrify its product lines, but is finding training employees a challenge. Last year, the company contacted the University of Minnesota's Technological Leadership Institute to co-create and pilot a 12-credit engineering electrification graduate certificate. They believe the program offers the nation's first graduate-level certificate specifically for electrification. Energy News Network

U.S.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $10 Million to Expand Access to Clean Energy Workforce Training Program

The Department of Energy is accepting applications for competitive funding to expand energy efficiency workforce training programs. The Career Skills Training program (CST) will provide up to $10 million in competitive grants for nonprofit partnerships between public or private industry and labor organizations to deliver programs that provide both energy efficiency classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Department of Energy

U.S.

Wanted: 20,000 Young Americans to Fight Climate Change

President Biden will use executive authority to train and employ thousands of young people in jobs to fight global warming. The American Climate Corps, would provide young people with skills to work in wind and solar production, disaster preparedness and land conservation. The White House expects about 20,000 recruits in the first year, he said. The New York Times

U.S.

As Coal Mines Close, Displaced Miners Find Work in Renewable Energy Boom

Tens of thousands of coal miners have left the industry in the last decade amid declining profits and stricter regulations because of the industry's major contribution to climate change. Many of these former miners are now looking for work that provides similar pay and benefits, and the potential for new jobs in the growing clean energy sector gives them cautious hope. Capital & Main

West Virginia

Labor deal plugs coal miners into battery jobs

A battery startup in West Virginia and the mineworkers union may have a blueprint for those left behind in the energy transition. Capital and Main

U.S.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $40 Million to Expand Clean Energy Workforce Training and Enhance U.S. Building and Manufacturing Efficiency

The DOEannounced the selection of 17 new Industrial Assessment Centers and the inaugural cohort of 10 Building Training and Assessment Centers, which are expected to receive a combined $40.8 million. Department of Energy

U.S.

DOE grants aim to expand clean energy workforce, enhance building efficiency

The funding will add new building training and assessment centers and industrial assessment centers, which support commercial and institutional buildings and manufacturers. Utility Dive

International

Is the renewable energy industry suffering from skilled labor shortage?

The International Energy Agency said that clean energy jobs jumped worldwide in recent years, especially as the sector flourishes in China, however, an impending skilled labor shortage is about to represent a huge barrier against more expansion. Despite the brisk growth of the clean energy jobs, the IEA expects a considerable shortage in skilled labor to stand against further expansion. Economies

International

The green skills gap is widening

4.7 million more people were employed in clean energy in 2022 than in 2019, according to the IEA. But that's not enough. GreenBiz

U.S.

The UAW ratifies a contract -- and labor's road ahead in the EV transition

The historic contract solidifies workers' role in the clean energy transition, and it already has other automakers raising wages. Grist

U.S.

Labor unions are still giving Democrats climate headaches

Lawmakers are pouring billions into climate-friendly industries, but the jobs transition is lagging. Politico

New York

New York to offer $45 million to fund clean energy apprenticeship programs

This initiative will expand the capacity of labor organizations to offer training as a pathway to clean energy careers. Solar Power World

U.S.

'New Collar' Jobs Require Advanced Skills, Not Advanced Degrees

For the many Americans without four-year college degrees -- more than half of adults, according to census data -- the new job market will require training. New York Times

International

Businesses aren't doing enough to address green skills shortages - report

As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, a global lack of skills is emerging as a major hurdle holding back the development of greener industries. Reuters

West Virginia

Clean energy jobs are coming to W.Va., but who's going to work them?

Growth is hampered by a number of factors, including a lack of policies supporting smaller community-scale projects that could create additional jobs and a labor force participation rate that lags behind the national average. The Register Herald

U.S.

U.S. business leaders point to skills as green transition's biggest driver, while lamenting lack of skills programs

The research concluded that the green transition would likely require the green skills of all workers, not just those in explicitly green roles. Daily Energy Insider

Finance & Investing

International

The true cost of climate pollution? 44% of corporate profits.

If companies had to pay for the problems their carbon emissions cause their profits would plunge, according to new estimates, possibly wiping out trillions in financial gains. Grist

U.S.

As cost of climate disasters grows, some profit with catastrophe bonds

Hedge funds, pension plans and the ultrarich are increasingly putting their money into these insurance-linked securities. The Washington Post

International

Tracking the influence of boards on carbon emissions. It's complicated

An analysis suggests that directors connected with the most emissions are concentrated in the financial industry, and many of them also have ties to energy companies. GreenBiz

U.S.

US Treasury unveils wage, apprenticeship guidance for clean energy tax credits

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday released detailed guidance on wage and apprenticeship requirements for projects using clean energy tax credits, providing flexibility for fixing underpayment errors and for projects unable to hire apprentices. Reuters

U.S.

SEC Chair Gensler says Scope 3 emissions flap delays final climate risk rule

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler said Tuesday that the agency has not yet released a final rule requiring disclosure on climate risk partly because of public concern that companies would need to report so-called Scope 3 carbon emissions across their supply chains. Utility Dive

U.S.

Urgent responsibility': Insurers urged to stop 'fueling' nature and climate crises

Insurers can be 'catalysts' in tackling climate and nature crises, a new report argues. GreenBiz

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric Industries Hires Utility Bankruptcy Expert As CFO

A utility dealmaker with experience in mergers, restructuring and bankruptcy will become chief financial officer for Hawaiian Electric Industries next month as HEI and its subsidiaries address legal, financial and political issues related to the deadly Maui wildfires. Honolulu Civil Beat

Ohio

Economists: Suing energy companies for concealing climate change would correct market, help society

In a survey of Ohio economists that was released this week, a majority said trying to make oil companies pay for their coverup of climate change would be good for society and the marketplace. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

Duke completes sale of renewables business, renamed to Deriva Energy

As part of Brookfield, Deriva has 5.9 GW of clean energy assets operating and under construction. pv magazine

U.S.

Enel Agrees to Sell Geothermal and Solar Portfolio in U.S. to Ormat

The portfolio consists of approximately 150 MW of operational geothermal and solar facilities. The deal is in line with Enel's Strategic Priorities, leveraging on asset rotation to foster returns on capital employed in support of future development plans while achieving a progressive simplification of the Group's structure. Renewable Energy Magazine

U.S.

Duke Energy Renewables Rebrands as Deriva Energy Under Brookfield Ownership

Deriva Energy is the new name for Duke Energy's unregulated commercial renewables business, which was acquired by Brookfield in a transaction announced on June 12 and completed on Oct. 25. PR Newswire

International

Q&A: Rich and Poor Nations Have One More Chance to Come to Terms Over a Climate Change 'Loss and Damage' Fund

Heading into COP28 in Dubai, the U.S. and other developed countries want the fund run by the World Bank. Developing nations see the bank as an exploiting force and want the fund to have greater independence. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Entergy announces agreement to sell gas distribution business to Bernhard Capital Partners

Entergy has agreed to sell its gas distribution business to Bernhard Capital Partners, a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, for approximately $484 million. Entergy Louisiana's gas business serves approximately 95,000 homes and businesses in the Baton Rouge area, and Entergy New Orleans' gas business serves approximately 109,000 homes and businesses in New Orleans. PR Newswire

U.S.

Offshore wind group BNOW rebrands to Oceantic, expands into sea-based renewables

Industry group Business Network for Offshore Wind has changed its name to Oceantic Network to reflect its expansion into "the larger mosaic of renewable energy technologies," the group stated. Recharge

U.S.

How many jobs is the Inflation Reduction Act spurring? A lot

The Inflation Reduction Act will create a lot of new construction jobs for people building the electric-vehicle and battery factories and the wind and solar manufacturing and generation projects. Canary Media

U.S.

GE announces timeframe for energy business spinoff

GE's existing energy portfolio will fall under GE Vernova following the split. Its portfolio includes natural gas, hydro, nuclear, and steam power technology and services; offshore and onshore wind services and turbine manufacturing; grid modernization software; grid equipment, services, and systems; solar + storage solutions; and accelerator and research services. Renewable Energy Magazine

International

U.S. and Other Rich Nations Are Cutting Climate Aid, Even as Risks Grow

Poor countries need far more money to adapt to climate change, according to a new United Nations report. The New York Times

U.S.

As Climate Shocks Grow, Lawmakers Investigate Insurers Fleeing Risky Areas

Insurers are already pulling back from California, Florida and Louisiana. Senate Democrats are trying to find out which states could be next. The New York Times

U.S.

Despite U.S. renewable energy, offshore wind setbacks, IRA providing strong momentum

U.S. power market investors remain interested in renewable energy projects despite recent headwinds and see the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act as teeing up a tremendous amount of capital waiting to be put to work which maintains strong momentum toward the sector even if some of those investments are slowed down in the near term. S&P Global

U.S.

The UAW won big against Detroit automakers. Unionizing Tesla and Toyota will be tougher

The United Auto Workers hopes the significant wage and benefit gains in tentative agreements with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the parent of Jeep and Chrysler, will spark unionization efforts throughout the U.S. auto industry. But the UAW's ambitious plans to organize Tesla and other non-union automakers face steep odds. CNN

International

OPINION: Why COP28 is a pivotal moment for climate finance

It will require an estimated $4 trillion annually by 2030 to reverse climate change, and the money isn't flowing fast enough. GreenBiz

U.S.

Climate Protesters Get in Fed's Face as Policy Clash Grows Louder

Climate-focused groups often argue that as a regulator of the nation's largest banks, the Fed should play a major role in preparing the financial system for the damaging effects of climate change New York Times

U.S.

Emirati Fund to Invest Billions in U.S. Firms for Climate Projects

An Abu Dhabi fund is expected to invest at least $30 billion in climate projects with some of the biggest names in North American finance. New York Times

New York

New York Developer Launches $1.2 Billion Renewable Energy Fund For U.S.

The new $1.2 billion fund will add more financial firepower to the energeyRe's current portfolio, which covers 10.5 gigawatts in solar, wind, and energy storage along with more than 500 miles of high-voltage DC transmission lines and more than 155 megawatts' worth of distributed generation resources, spread among 17 U.S. states. CleanTechnica

West Virginia

Get back every dollar': FirstEnergy's W.Va. ties in bribery scandal loom as audit advances

FirstEnergy's West Virginia companies are asking state utility regulators to approve a $207.4 million, 13.5% base rate increase. State Public Service Commission staff in a Nov. 21 filing recommended the commission approve just over a quarter of that rate hike. Charleston Gazette-Mail

Georgia

Georgia Power again presses case for customer rate hike to pay for bloated Plant Vogtle expansion

State regulators heard familiar complaints recently about Georgia Power customers paying more for electricity after years of being saddled with runaway nuclear expansion costs. Plant Vogtle's two nuclear reactors took center stage as the Georgia Public Service Commission began a hearing to determine how to divide the project's expenses among Georgia Power shareholders and customers. Georgia Recorder

Connecticut

Eversource wary about attracting investor capital as Connecticut moves to forefront of PBR trend

Connecticut regulators and stakeholders are building a new utility regulatory framework to achieve state policy goals and make electricity more affordable but utilities say they could be misguided. Utility Dive

Hawaii

Hawaii Governor Mulls New Insurance Program As Extreme Weather Raises Risk Factors

Challenges facing homeowners on Maui after the wildfires have prompted concerns that insurers may find the island state too risky. Civil Beat

International

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Launches New $3B Fund Focused on Renewable Energy

According to CIP, it will be the largest fund focused on greenfield renewable energy investments in high-growth, middle-income markets. Environment Energy Leader

International

Will COP28's Climate Fund Promises Become a Reality?

Money is a very big sticking point at this year's United Nations climate summit. Part of the problem is that American promises often go unmet. The New York Times

U.S.

Treasury overwhelmed by demand for renewable energy credits

The Treasury Department said it's seen a "remarkable" response to a clean energy tax credits program for wind and solar energy projects in low-income communities, with applications in the first month totaling more than four times the 2023 capacity for the program. The Bond Buyer

California

California Public Utilities Commission Implements New Prevailing Wage Requirements for Large NEM Projects Seeking to Interconnect After December 31, 2023

On Nov. 16, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to adopt a decision resolving the remaining issues in the Net Energy Metering proceeding. The decision applies the net billing tariff concept adopted in D.22-12-56 to virtual net metering customers and aggregated NEM customers, which groups generally include multifamily residences, agricultural customers and other larger facilities, such as schools. JD Supra

U.S.

Burgeoning hydrogen industry draws $41 million in federal lobbying from fossil fuel companies

The number of companies and organizations lobbying the federal government on issues related to hydrogen increased nearly tenfold since President Joe Biden (D) took office -- from about two dozen at the end of 2020 to more than 200 this year, according to an OpenSecrets analysis of lobbying disclosures. OpenSecrets

U.S.

Climate change, drought, wildfires reduce value of private forestland in the West by billions

Investing in private timberland in the West has become increasingly risky, according to a new study from Oregon State University researchers, with values declining by billions of dollars in the last two decades. Daily Montanan

U.S.

With a New Speaker of the House, Billions in Climate and Energy Funding -- Mostly to Red States -- Hang in the Balance

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana hasn't held his new title for long, but he is already trying to slash key legislation enacted in the Biden administration. Inside Climate News

U.S.

The power of clean energy tax credits: A 10-year, $1 trillion opportunity

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, sustainability professionals can tap into tax credits to boost sustainability budgets. GreenBiz

International

Climate reparations are becoming a reality. Here's what they could look like.

Grist asked 10 countries how they would use the long-awaited "loss and damage" fund launched at COP28. Grist

International

Green Investments Begin To Pay Off For Big Banks

The world's biggest lenders generated a total of about $3 billion in fees last year from lining up debt for deals marketed as environmentally friendly, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. By comparison, the fossil fuel sector brought in less than $2.7 billion in aggregate earnings from fossil fuel transactions. Clean Technica

U.S.

First Solar $700M sale of advanced manufacturing tax credits likely first of many such deals: CPA

First Solar has agreed to sell up to $700 million in 2023 advanced manufacturing production tax credits to fintech firm Fiserv, according to a Dec. 27 announcement. Utility Dive

Washington

Washington's cap on carbon is raising billions for climate action. Can it survive the backlash?

One year after it went into effect, Washington's "cap-and-invest" system has already brought in an eyebrow-raising $2.2 billion for action on climate change. Hedge fund manager Brian Heywood has funded a petition drive to repeal the Climate Commitment Act over its effects on gas prices, and whatever happens next is bound to influence how other states choose to tackle global warming. Grist

U.S.

How Aggregated PPAs Create Clean Energy Options for SMEs

SMEs have big hoops to jump through if they want to procure renewable energy. Clean Technica

International

Cubico buys out UK renewables joint venture partner

Cubico Sustainable Investments has acquired Peel NRE's 50% stake in Peel Cubico Renewables and with it, the joint venture's development pipeline. It comprises more than 350MW of utility-scale wind and solar projects across England and Scotland, plus a 1.7GW feasibility pipeline. The joint venture was launched in April 2021. Windpower Monthly

International

Renewables professional launches Gateway Zero to develop ports and infrastructure for the energy transition

Former Principle Power CEO Jo?o Metelo has launched a new venture, development and investment company Gateway Zero, dedicated to the development of next-generation energy ports infrastructure. Renewable Energy Magazine

U.S.

U.S. energy tax credit trading grows to as much as $9 billion, study finds

Developers of renewable energy projects selling unused U.S. tax credits to other companies now account for a market worth between $7 billion and $9 billion, buoyed by legislation in 2022 that made these trades possible, a new study, opens new tab shows. Reuters

U.S.

Solar companies raised $34.3 billion in corporate funding in 2023

Total corporate funding in 160 deals, including venture capital funding, public market, and debt financing into the solar sector, increased 42% year-over-year, the largest amount raised in over a decade. Solar Builder

International

CIP sets up new company to develop energy islands

Investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has entrusted the new entity with a portfolio comprising around 10 projects spanning the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and South-East Asia. Renewables Now

Alabama

Control the narrative': How an Alabama utility wields influence by financing news

In the more than a decade since Alabama regulators allowed a landfill to take in tons of waste from coal-burning power plants around the US, neighbors in the majority-Black community of Uniontown frequently complain of thick air so pungent it makes their eyes burn. But news of an EPA decision on the site did not appear in the community because local outlets have financial ties to the main subject of those stories, Alabama Power, which for decades has sowed influence across the state. Floodlight

International

What If the Clean Energy Transition Costs Much Less Than We've Been Told?

The global transition to clean energy has a cost, but it may be a lot lower than the figures that sometimes get thrown around. The differences are large, amounting to trillions and even tens of trillions of dollars. A new analysis from RMI, the clean energy research and advocacy group, identifies what its authors say is a basic flaw in many of those estimates: They don't fully take into account the decrease in fossil fuel spending. Inside Climate News

Mississippi

OPINION: New green energy plant goes against Gov. Tate Reeves' tax cut plan

Tate Reeves may be trying to have his cake and eat it, too. The Republican governor for years has proclaimed that the state should eliminate the personal income tax to entice people to move to Mississippi. But during his push this week to land legislative funding for a plant to manufacture electric vehicle batteries in north Mississippi, Reeves is now saying that residents of Tennessee, where there is no income tax, will come to Mississippi to work at the plant and decide to move here. He said nothing about the state income tax being a hinderance to their moving to Mississippi from a no-income tax state, writes Bobby Harrison, Mississippi Today's senior capitol reporter. Mississippi Today

U.S.

Investors Pull Billions From Sustainable Funds Amid Political Heat

The money flowing out of funds that invest in companies with environmental, social and governance principles has gone from a trickle to a torrent as investors sour on a sector hit by green-washing concerns, red-state boycotts and boardroom debates. The investing strategy has become increasingly politicized after being used by companies to address ESG issues among their employees, customers and other stakeholders. The New York Times

Hawaii

Insurance Companies Want Their Money Back For Lahaina Fire Claims. They're Going After HECO For It

More than 140 insurance industry plaintiffs have joined the cascade of lawsuits filed against utilities and landowners related to the Maui wildfires, a move that could set up a battle over resources available to pay victims of the disaster that killed 100 people and destroyed much of Lahaina in August. Civil Beat

International

Most clean power purchasing strategies do little to cut emissions, study finds

However, one approach, in which companies purchase clean energy hourly to match their real-time energy consumption, can have a substantial effect. TechXplore

International

Why you shouldn't go net zero this year

You want to move the needle on climate change? Start investing in large, scalable, new capacity to remove carbon from the atmosphere. GreenBiz

Iowa

Vilsack announces millions in federal funds for solar, fertilizer projects

Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced millions in funding Jan. 22 for renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects. Vilsack spoke during the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention and trade show, which was in downtown Salt Lake City this year. He touted the Inflation Reduction Act while sounding the alarm over the loss of small operations and wealth consolidation in the agricultural industry. Iowa Capital Dispatch

North Carolina

Homeowners push back against proposed 42% insurance rate increase

Dozens of North Carolinians attended a public comment session Jan. 22 to speak against a North Carolina Rate Bureau request to increase homeowner insurance rates by an average of 42%. The Rate Bureau cited a higher cost of doing business due to climate change, which produces more powerful hurricanes and more severe flooding. But homeowners, elected officials, realtors and others said such a "budget-busting" increase would harm low-income North Carolinians, retirees and others who live on fixed incomes. NC Newsline

Tennessee

An overlooked climate solution unfolds in Memphis' energy challenges

As storms intensify, environmental coalitions are backing assistance programs as a viable climate solution in southern cities like Memphis. Weatherization gives residents the resources they need to protect themselves while reducing energy use from sources that emit climate-altering pollution. It also reduces energy during peak power demands that Tennessee now experiences as people try to stay warm in winter weather. Tennessee Lookout

U.S.

GoFundMe Is Remaking Disaster Aid. It Largely Helps the Wealthy.

As climate-fueled disasters destroy more American homes, the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has exploded in popularity. Its appeal is simple: People can provide cash directly to survivors, which is quicker than insurance and often more generous than government aid. But new research suggests that cash sent through GoFundMe disproportionately benefits the wealthy rather than those who most need help. The New York Times

U.S.

BlackRock commits $500M to Recurrent Energy, expands renewable power portfolio

BlackRock has agreed to pour $500 million into Recurrent Energy, a utility-scale solar and energy storage project developer, for a 20% stake in a bid to expand its renewable energy portfolio. The transaction marks the inaugural investment for BlackRock's fourth climate infrastructure fund, which the asset manager launched last year. ESG Dive

U.S.

Venture Capital Funding in Energy Storage Increases 59% Year-over-Year, with a Record $9.2 Billion in 2023

Mercom Capital Group released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions activity for the global energy storage and smart grid sectors for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. Venture capital funding in energy storage in 2023 was the highest ever recorded, increasing 59% year-over-year, with $9.2 billion in 86 deals compared to the $5.8 billion raised in 96 deals in 2022. North American Clean Energy

International

BloombergNEF: Clean tech investment hits $1.8tr in 2023, but remains 'off track' for global climate goals

BNEF warned investment levels remained "nowhere near" the $4.8tr it estimates is required each year between 2024 and 2030 to deliver on the internationally-agreed goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5C. BusinessGreen

Minnesota

Minnesota 'green bank' hopes to start funding climate projects this summer

Minnesota leaders plan to launch the state's first-ever "green bank" this year to invest in climate-friendly projects, and could start distributing some of its $45 million funds early this summer. Sahan Journal

New Hampshire

As carbon pricing picks up around the globe, lawmakers urge NH to get on board

If the New Hampshire Legislature passes House Bill 1486, the state would be required to consider proxy carbon prices in its spending decisions relative to transportation and buildings. Carbon pricing is an economic instrument and market-based mechanism to curb greenhouse gas emissions, one that is becoming increasingly popular across the globe. According to the World Bank, 73 carbon pricing initiatives have been implemented, covering 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. New Hampshire Bulletin

California

OPINION: Paying for conflicts of interest

As PG&E bills begin arriving in the mailboxes and computers of both private customers and businesses of all sizes, costs for everything from food to roofing to appliances will rise. Plus, the rate hike itself will mean less food, less heat and less flexibility for myriad Californians. If that's not a loud call for state legislators to take action to preclude future conflicts of interest, it's hard to see what could be, writes Thomas Elias. California Focus

U.S.

Ignoring Indigenous rights is making the green transition more expensive

Gone are the days when developers could ignore Indigenous rights with impunity. Now, even if projects that threaten Native land and cultural resources ultimately proceed, they may come with years-long delays that tack on millions of dollars. Grist

Vermont

A Superfund for climate change? States consider a new way to make Big Oil pay.

Vermont is now joining Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York in a multi-state effort to hold Big Oil accountable for the expensive damage wrought by climate change. Bills on the docket in all four states demand that oil companies pay states millions for such impacts by funding, as Vermont's proposal outlines, energy efficiency retrofits, water utility improvements, solar microgrids, and stormwater drainage, just to name a few resiliency programs. Grist

International

TotalEnergies explores U.S., Europe renewable portfolio stake sale -- sources

The French energy group is sounding out advisers for a sale of a stake in wind and solar power assets across the U.S., Spain, Portugal, France and Greece, the sources said. Yahoo

International

Why the world needs "torrents" of finance to fight climate change

The UN's next climate summit will be an "enabling COP," focused on drastically scaling up climate finance and making bold emissions reduction commitments. Axios

U.S.

Bank of America Reverses Its Pledge Not to Finance Fossil Fuels

The changes come as Republican lawmakers step up efforts to punish businesses that consider climate change and the environment in their operations. New York Times

U.S.

Bank of America Reverses Its Pledge Not to Finance Fossil Fuels

Two years ago, Bank of America won kudos from climate activists for saying it would no longer finance new coal mines, coal-burning power plants or Arctic drilling projects because of the toll they take on the environment. The bank's latest environment and social-risk policy reneged on those commitments. The policy, updated in December, says that such projects will instead be subject to "enhanced due diligence." Bank of America's change follows intensifying backlash from Republican lawmakers against corporations that consider environmental and social factors in their operations. The New York Times

Wisconsin

Wisconsin pension holders organize to push investment agency out of fossil fuels

A few years ago, a group of Wisconsin State Retirement System members began a project to learn more about the State of Wisconsin Investment Board's fossil fuel holdings. Over the last year they've been trying to persuade the board's investment managers to divest them. So far they've received a polite response and held some conversations with top SWIB officials, but no indication that the agency plans to change its investment policies. So this month their organization, Climate Safe Pensions Wisconsin, began airing radio ads to garner broader attention for the campaign. Wisconsin Examiner

Wyoming

Atlas Carbon defaults on $15M publicly funded state loan

Atlas Carbon, the first company to commercialize a non-combustive use for Powder River Basin coal, has defaulted on a $15 million state loan and must open its doors and books to state auditors who will assess the company's assets. WyoFile

Oregon

Plan to make state retirement fund carbon neutral relies on industry, Wall Street doing the same

Investments in the state's $94 billion public employee retirement system could be effectively carbon neutral by 2050. Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S.

A Year Before Biden's First Term Ends, Environmental Regulators Rush to Aid Disinvested Communities

The EPA wants to get the funds to environmental justice communities before the election in keeping with President Biden's promise to address historic injustices. Inside Climate News

Louisiana

Recurrent Energy Closes $160 Million in Project Financing, Secures Microsoft as Customer for 127-MW Solar Project in Louisiana

Recurrent Energy has secured $160 million in project financing for its 127-MWdc Bayou Galion Solar project, located in Morehouse Parish in Northeast Louisiana. The project is under construction and is expected to be operational by fall 2024. Microsoft will purchase the energy and renewable energy credits to support its goal to be carbon negative by 2030. The project will significantly expand the amount of renewable energy capacity installed in Louisiana: At the end of September 2023, Louisiana had 145 MW of operating wind, solar, and energy storage capacity. PR Newswire

International

Barclays to adopt fresh curbs on oil and gas financing

The move, part of its Transition Finance Framework (TFF), published on Friday, follows intense pressure from campaigners over its energy policy amid an increase in climate damaging emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Reuters

New York

Hidden subsidies prop up New York's fossil fuel industry

Across New York, Industrial Development Authorities enter into payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreements, or pilots, with businesses, exempting the corporations from property taxes in exchange for a lower annual payment to the town, county, and school district and the promise of job creation. And these little-known local authorities are quietly shaping the economics of the energy transition, in some cases threatening to undermine the state's climate goals. New York Focus

U.S.

EPA and DOE Announce $1 Billion in Funding for Methane Mitigation

EPA and DOE took critical action Feb. 8 in announcing the availability of $1 billion in funding from Congress' Methane Emissions Reduction Program (passed as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act). The available funds will be awarded to states, tribes, technology developers, industry and nongovernmental organizations to slash methane pollution from oil and gas facilities. Environmental Defense Fund

Wyoming

Wyoming, Slow To Take Federal Clean Energy Funds, Gambles State Money on Carbon Sequestration and Hydrogen Schemes to Keep Fossil Fuels Flowing

The Cowboy State has doled out tens of millions of state taxpayer dollars to fossil fuel-adjacent projects, even as it faces a shortage of options to take advantage of clean-energy funding. Inside Climate News

New York

Will New York State Divest From Big Oil?

New York State officials are poised to decide whether to sell off more than $1 billion in investments in major oil companies, in what could be one of the most consequential steps by a large institution to divest from fossil fuels. With an announcement expected within weeks, some climate activists are calling on the manager of the state's largest pension fund to blacklist ExxonMobil, Chevron and other leading oil companies from its portfolio. Inside Climate News

U.S.

FirstEnergy increases 5-year spending plan 44%, to $26B, drops 2030 carbon goal

FirstEnergy plans to spend $26 billion on its regulated utility system over the next five years, up 44% from its last five-year investment plan, company officials said Feb. 9 during a quarterly earnings call with analysts. About 75% of the planned spending will be on investments that can be recovered through state and federal formula rates, which are recouped outside of rate cases, according to the company. Utility Dive

U.S.

DOE sets deadline for applications for its wind and solar low-income tax credit program

The goals of the program are to increase access to clean energy in low-income communities, encourage new market participants, and benefit individuals and communities that have experienced adverse health or environmental effects or lacked economic opportunities. Daily Energy Insider

New York

New York pension fund further restricts investments in Exxon, other oil companies

In a joint press release, several environmental groups including DivestNY and the Climate Safe Pensions Network said DiNapoli's action "misses the mark" by only partially divesting from Exxon and by continuing to own other oil majors. Reuters

U.S.

Corporate PPAs hit record high in 2023

BloombergNEF says in a new report that corporations publicly announced 46 GW of solar and wind power purchase agreements in 2023, up 12% year on year. It says the increase was driven by a surge of activity in Europe. pv Magazine

Maryland

Moore puts extra pot of cash toward green projects

Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced plans Feb. 16 for spending $90 million on reducing carbon pollution in Maryland, using an unexpected pot of money to fight what he called "environmental injustice." The largest portion of the money, $50 million, will go toward decarbonizing community buildings like hospitals, multifamily housing and schools, under the plan Moore outlined. The state will devote $23 million to electric-vehicle charging stations in low- and middle-income neighborhoods and $17 million to building up a fleet of electric school buses for public schools. Capital News Service

New York

New York State Restricts Investments in ExxonMobil, But Falls Short of Divestment

New York State's largest public pension fund is restricting its investments in ExxonMobil after determining the oil company is failing to prepare for a low-carbon world. The announcement falls far short of pledging a full divestment from Exxon, however, and the fund will continue to hold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of shares in other major oil companies. Inside Climate News

International

New Chair and Deputy Chair of ?rsted's Board of Directors

?rsted has announced that Thomas Thune Andersen, chair of the Board of Directors, decided not to seek re-election at the annual general meeting March 5. Andersen has been chair for 10 years, and in anticipation of a forthcoming chair succession, the Nomination & Remuneration Committee has been evaluating successors and the board has concluded that the best candidates for chair and deputy chair would be Lene Skole and Andrew Brown. Ørsted

U.S.

What's behind Wall Street's flip-flop on climate?

Wall Street's retreat from earlier environmental pledges has been on a slow, steady path for months, particularly with Republicans beginning withering political attacks, saying the investment firms were engaging in "woke capitalism." But in the past few weeks, things have accelerated significantly. New York Times

International

'Greenstalling': Are businesses getting stuck in net-zero analysis paralysis?

Research suggests that many businesses starting on their net-zero journeys are worried about the scrutiny they'll face, which is halting transformational action. Edie

U.S.

Tax credit transferability attracting billions to grid-scale solar and batteries

Three recent transactions of $300-million-plus demonstrate the healthy appetite for utility-scale solar and energy storage investment. pv Magazine

U.S.

Exclusive: Electric plane, train and boat batteries get millions in DOE funds

A dozen teams nationwide are getting millions in Department of Energy funding to develop batteries for electric regional aircraft, trains and ships. A successful moonshot could help curb the massive amounts of carbon emitted from heavy-duty transportation. The teams will spend 18 months developing their technologies in the first of what's expected to be a two-phase program. Axios

U.S.

The race heats up for massive IRA state and local climate funding program

State and local governments across the country are finalizing plans and preparing applications for a $5 billion federal climate grant program under the Inflation Reduction Act. EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program has already distributed almost half a billion dollars to participating states and metropolitan areas to develop or refine local climate action plans. Now, the agency is preparing to award $4.6 billion in competitive grants to help implement big ideas contained in those local plans. Energy News Network

Insurance

Hawaii

Hawaii Wildfires Spur Insurers to Reassess the State's Risk

Hawaii has long been a low-risk and profitable market for insurers, but the Maui disaster could change that, and even have a global ripple effect. The New York Times

U.S.

As Climate Shocks Grow, Lawmakers Investigate Insurers Fleeing Risky Areas

The Senate Budget Committee sent letters to 40 insurance companies, seeking documents that show where in the country those insurers have begun dropping customers, or are considering it. The committee, which has subpoena power, has given the companies until Nov. 17 to respond. New York Times

Finance & Investment

U.S.

Why AEP, Duke and other utilities have sold their renewable assets

Conditions following the COVID-19 pandemic have led a swath of utility companies to put their competitive renewable energy assets up for sale. Analysts are unsure how long the trend will last. Utility Dive

U.S.

Banks Propose Disclosing Just 33% of Capital Markets Emissions

A majority of investment bankers tasked with setting the first industry standards for calculating the carbon footprints of capital-markets activities have endorsed a compromise deal that would see banks report only one third of emissions related to stock and bond underwriting. Bloomberg

U.S.

White House to agencies: Tally projects' financial damage to ecosystems

Federal agencies would be required to do a full accounting of how their decisions affect ecosystems the public depends on, under draft guidance. The Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy guidance targets the benefits people derive from forests, wetlands and waterways. E&E News

U.S.

Big US asset managers cool on climate issues, think tank says

Large U.S.-based asset managers have shown waning interest in encouraging companies in which they invest to phase out fossil fuels since 2021, while their European counterparts have remained more active, think tank InfluenceMap said Monday. Reuters

International

Extreme heat is here. Can insurance help protect us?

Over the past few years, as scorching heat waves have become more common with worsening climate change, a new suite of unconventional heat insurance products has emerged in a range of countries around the world: Japanese insurers began to sell single-day heatstroke insurance; a charitable foundation launched a program to insure Indian workers against lost wages; and an experimental new policy emerged to protect British farmers against heat stress in cattle. Grist

Oregon

Advocates Reach Settlement with Avista to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Expand Low-income Efficiency Programs

A historic settlement in a contested rate case between Oregon's second largest gas utility and intervening organizations will require Avista to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, dramatically expand low-income weatherization programs and restrict political spending by the gas company that undermines state climate law. Earthjustice

International

Algonquin pursues renewable energy unit sale, CEO steps down

Canada's Algonquin Power & Utilities on Thursday announced the resignation of CEO Arun Banskota and said it was considering a sale of its renewable energy unit, after activist firms urged action to reduce debt and boost earnings. Reuters

Mississippi

Missouri's secretary of state reins in environmentally minded investing

After the General Assembly failed to pass any legislation putting restrictions on ESG investing, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft introduced a rule to create parameters for banks and investors. Missouri Independent

U.S.

Electric bus maker Proterra files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Proterra Inc., a major U.S. manufacturer of electric transit buses, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday evening. The company said in a press release that it "intends to continue to operate in the ordinary course of business" as it looks to restructure its operations. Utility Dive

U.S.

Jigar Shah unpacks that record-breaking $9.2 billion DOE loan

$9.2 billion. A gobsmackingly massive amount of money -- UC Berkeley calculated it would take 95 years just to verbally count to 1 billion. So you can appreciate the buzz created by recent news about the Department of Energy Loan Program Office's decision to approve the single largest loan in its history -- $9.2 billion to BlueOvalSK, a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and SK On, a South Korean-based battery corporation, focused on electric vehicle battery production. GreenBiz

U.S.

One Year In, How the Inflation Reduction Act Is Creating a Manufacturing Resurgence in the US

Just one year after its enactment, early data suggest that the Inflation Reduction Act is already succeeding in rebuilding the country's previously hollowed-out manufacturing base, bringing new jobs to the heartland and beyond. WRI

U.S.

Proterra becomes the latest EV innovator to file for bankruptcy protection

It's a tale as old as time... well at least for the past fifteen years or so when we look at the EV industry. EV battery and vehicle platform specialist Proterra is the latest company to join an infamous list of electrified tech companies who have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. What does this mean for the other companies dependent on Proterra's EV tech? Electrek

U.S.

Proterra, biggest EV bus maker in the US, files for bankruptcy protection

Proterra, the largest U.S. electric-bus maker, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Monday. It's a shocking turn for the nearly two-decade-old U.S. company, which has sought to compete against giant Chinese rival BYD and to partner with traditional bus-makers in the emerging North American and European electric bus markets. Canary Media

U.S.

U.S. job growth surges with the IRA

$369 billion was the amount of money invested in climate action and energy security programs by the law, but the Congressional Budget Office's latest calculations increase the total to $391 billion through 2031. Now that the IRA has been the law of the land for one year, it's not surprising that numbers are transitioning from projected to actualized. GreenBiz

U.S.

Voluntary action isn't enough -- sustainable finance needs better climate policy

InfluenceMap, a think tank that maintains a database following large companies and investors' lobbying activity related to climate policy, last week shared its assessment of 45 of the world's largest asset managers. Their hold-you-back-a-grade performance made plenty of headlines, with the analysis focused on the glaring lack of alignment between equity portfolios and the goals of the Paris Agreement, along with weakening support for ESG resolutions. GreenBiz

Maine

Investments needed to protect Maine water infrastructure from climate change, report finds

More work and investment are needed to ensure all waters in Maine are safe for swimming, according to a new report. At least 36 beaches in the state were potentially unsafe for swimming at some point during 2022. Maine Beacon

U.S.

How a Small Group of Firms Changed the Math for Insuring Against Natural Disasters

As disasters like the wildfires that devastated the Hawaiian town of Lahaina and the storms that tore apart roofs from Alabama to Massachusetts last week intensify, insurance companies have pulled back from offering coverage in certain areas or cut the kinds of damage they will pay to repair. The New York Times

West Virginia

West Virginia PSC to choose auditing firm for FirstEnergy lobbying expenses

The West Virginia Public Service Commission is set to approve an auditing firm that will begin looking at the lobbying expenses of two FirstEnergy subsidiaries following a bribery scandal in the Ohio statehouse involving the company and a former House speaker. WVNews

U.S.

Utilities are getting sued over wildfires. Who's bearing the cost?

As power companies spend big on legal settlements and grid upgrades, customers are seeing higher prices. Grist

International

To Fight Climate Change, We Need a Better Carbon Market

Something like Gresham's Law is at work in the carbon offset market, which was set up to fight climate change. Bad carbon credits are driving out good carbon credits. And that's a big problem for the effort to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that are heating up the planet and wreaking havoc from the Arctic to the Antarctic, writes veteran business reporter Peter Coy. The New York Times

International

At Africa's First Climate Summit, a Clear Call to the World: Invest in Us

Heads of state from across Africa concluded an inaugural climate summit on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, by issuing a declaration that called for an urgent restructuring of the way wealthier nations engage with the continent. The New York Times

U.S.

Climate-safe banking': New guide targets indirectly financed emissions from cash holdings

A new guide has set out how business leaders, chief financial officers and sustainability managers can slash emissions generated through their corporate cash holdings and help accelerate the wider decarbonization of the financial sector. "The Greening Cash Action guide: How to reduce emissions from companies' cash deposits in the bank" details how many businesses are failing to account for the emissions associated with their corporate cash holdings. BusinessGreen

Wyoming

Activists Crash Powerful Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole as Climate Protests and Responses to Them Escalate

Climate activists targeted one of the world's most important economic symposiums last week, urging finance experts and regulators to take the devastating impacts of continued fossil fuel investments seriously. Inside Climate News

Georgia

Georgia lands another Korean auto parts supplier to bolster Kia electric vehicle plant

A Korean automotive parts company will build a manufacturing plant in Metter to supply Georgia's Kia facility and the new electric vehicles plant under construction west of Savannah, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday. DAS Corp. will invest more than $35 million in the project, which will create 300 jobs. The Ledger-Enquirer

Ohio

AEP Ohio Reaches Agreement With Stakeholders To Invest In Electric Grid Improvements, Offer New Customer Savings Programs

AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, today filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) a settlement agreement addressing the company's Electric Security Plan (ESP) filed in January 2023. The agreement paves the way for AEP Ohio to continue making reliability-focused improvements to the electric grid, support economic development, and create new programs that allow customers to manage their energy use and save money. AEP Ohio

U.S.

Another US EV-battery recycler just raised a massive funding round

Ascend Elements has raised $542 million to take its plans to recycle lithium-ion batteries to the next level. The investment round announced Wednesday will support building a factory in Hopkinsville, Ky., where Ascend will process the "black mass" derived from slicing and sorting old lithium-ion batteries into precursor cathode active materials and cathode active materials. Canary Media

U.S.

As Climate-Fueled Weather Disasters Hit More U.S. Farms, the Costs of Insuring Agriculture Have Skyrocketed

The country's farmers took in a record $19 billion in insurance payments in 2022, many because of weather-related disasters, according to a new analysis that suggests climate change could stoke the cost of insuring the nation's farmers and ranchers to unsustainable levels. Inside Climate News

U.S.

DOE Releases Funding Opportunity to Reduce Costs of High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission

The Department of Energy's Wind Energy Technologies Office and the Office of Electricity have released a $10 million funding opportunity announcement to fund research to drive innovation and reduce costs of high-voltage direct current voltage source converter transmission systems. Department of Energy

U.S.

A warming planet is creating a booming, and dangerous, disaster-restoration industry

Fueled by immigrant labor, the loosely regulated industry exposes workers to lethal toxins that are making them sick long after the cleanup. Grist

U.S.

DOE Announces $3 Billion Partial Loan Guarantee to Sunnova's Project Hestia

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Loan Programs Office, today announced the closing of a $3 billion partial loan guarantee to Sunnova Energy Corporation's Project Hestia. The Project will make distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage, and virtual power plant-ready, consumer-facing software, available to more American homeowners and create more than 3,400 good-paying, high-quality American jobs. The project reinforces President Biden's commitment to expanding access to affordable renewable energy across America and achieving a carbon-free grid by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Department of Energy

U.S.

Senators, Congress Members Cite Brookfield Renewable's "Misleading Climate-Related Claims" In Push for SEC Disclosure Rule

Members of Congress accused Brookfield Renewable Partners of "misleading climate-related claims" in a letter calling for the Securities and Exchange Commission to strengthen Wall Street firms' disclosure requirements. The letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler cites UNITE HERE's recent report, Brookfield Climate Reality Check, which documents multiple ways in which Brookfield's investment activity and disclosure practices belie its sustainability claims. Business Wire

International

Shell CEO Doubles Down on Renewable Cuts Despite Internal Pushback

Shell CEO Wael Sawan told attendees at an energy conference this week that shareholders will make the final call on the viability of low-carbon options--weeks after two employees wrote him an open letter expressing "deep concern" about his strategy and urged him not to scale back on renewables investments. The Energy Mix

Michigan

Democrats' economic plans conflict with goal to grow Michigan, business groups fear

Business leaders in Michigan are worried some of the Democratic majority's economic proposals could hurt businesses as the state tries to curb population decline, and they are concerned policies may be rushed through if the legislature adjourns early for the year. Advance Local Media

New York

Climate Change Is a Key Obstacle for New York City's Transit System

The M.T.A. released a report on Wednesday that aimed to detail the greatest needs over the next two decades of the city's aging transit system. The New York Times

International

US offers no new cash to climate fund for developing world

The Green Climate Fund (GCF), seen as a key element of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, funnels grants and loans for adaptation and mitigation projects, mostly in Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean. Energy Daily

Louisiana

In communities of color, most oil and gas jobs still go to white workers

"If one group gets all the pollution and another group gets all the jobs, it's not really a trade-off anymore." Grist

Georgia

Georgia Power will pay $413 million to settle lawsuit over nuclear reactor cost overruns

Georgia Power Co. will pay $413 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the utility of reneging on financial promises to one of its nuclear reactor partners. The payments to Oglethorpe Power Corp., announced Friday, could hold down future bills for millions of electric cooperative customers in Georgia. The Associated Press

International

As climate risks mount, the insurance safety net is collapsing

The catastrophe modeling Karen Clark developed in the 1980s was the beginning of the dynamic now driving insurance markets. But as climate change intensifies extreme weather and claims pile up, insured losses from natural disasters in the U.S. now routinely approach $100 billion a year, compared to $4.6 billion in 2000. As a result, the average homeowner has seen their premiums spike 21 percent since 2015. Grist

International

Relationship between GDP Growth, Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions: A comprehensive analysis

This article presents a case study that examines 52 years of data spanning from 1970 to 2021, analysing the relationship between GDP, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions resulting from energy sources. Energy World

Ohio

Big investors continue to accuse FirstEnergy of hiding behind its lawyers

After years of hearings, depositions and court filings, some of the biggest investors in Akron-based FirstEnergy are still accusing the company of stonewalling their demands for information related to a massive bribery scandal that's already sent two to federal prison. For its part, FirstEnergy says the plaintiffs in the suit either don't understand or are misrepresenting the boundaries of attorney-client privilege. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

Transferability to unlock billions' as first tax credit transfer deal claimed by Evergrow

The transferability provisions under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US "will unlock billions" in capital for clean energy, said financing firm Evergrow as it claimed the first tax credit transfer transaction. Energy Storage News

Colorado

Colorado clean energy employment rises to 64,000, doubling fossil fuel jobs

Colorado's fast-growing clean energy sector today employs more than twice as many workers statewide as the fossil fuel industry, a report released this week by a trade association found. The Clean Jobs Colorado report counted nearly 64,000 Coloradans employed across a range of categories including energy efficiency, renewable electricity generation and clean vehicles. That's more than double the roughly 30,000 Coloradans directly employed by coal, oil and natural gas. Colorado Newsline

International

Renewables funds see record outflows as rising rates, costs hit shares

Investors ditched renewable energy funds at the fastest rate on record in the three months to end-September as cleaner energy shares took a beating from higher interest rates and soaring material costs, which are squeezing profit margins. Reuters

New York

Offshore wind finance crisis will impact Albany, Coeymans ports

When the state Public Service Commission on Thursday said it wouldn't allow higher wholesale rates for New York's emerging offshore wind projects, developers said it raised questions about whether some of the projects will be completed. Albany Times Union

U.S.

Clean energy could create up to 4.7 jobs for every commercial building

Adopting clean energy technology in new and existing buildings holds significant job creation potential, according to a study by Schneider Electric and Boston University. Facilities Dive

U.S.

OPINION: America's new industrial revolution is creating a procurement economy.

The U.S. economy is now navigating not one but two industrial revolutions. The first was catalyzed by digital technology, wireless broadband, and now generative AI. The second is being fueled by massive public and private investments spanning infrastructure upgrades, the net-zero transition, and a domestic reshoring of advanced manufacturing from computer chips to electric vehicles and batteries, write Brookings Institution senior fellow Xavier de Souza Briggs, former JPMorgan Asset Management vice president Charisse Conanan Johnson and Drexel University Nowak Metro Finance Lab founding director Bruce Katz. Fortune

U.S.

Apple has an edge over its competitors in the fight against climate change

Crucially, companies need to be more strategic about how they purchase renewable energy. Most power grids don't have enough solar and wind farms online yet to fulfill companies' goals of becoming carbon neutral. The Verge

U.S.

OPINION: Corporate investment in climate tech is about more than dollars

Energy companies should look for investments that help them break into new markets, new segments of the value chain, or help to future-proof existing assets so that the risk-profile and shareholders' tolerance for returns do not have to be the same as their core businesses, says Freddie Sarhan, CEO of Sapphire Technologies. pv magazine

New Mexico

New Mexico leaders create nonprofit to steward funding for federal government climate initiatives

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the formation of a nonprofit to help New Mexico get millions in federal dollars to invest in renewable and sustainable programs that could boost a gap the state has shown in receiving federal grants. Source NM

U.S.

Coal Communities Fear Justice40 Excludes Them From Clean Energy Funds. It's Not That Simple

Wyoming coal towns have been hit hard by the energy transition. As they compete for federal grants, it's reigniting debate over which communities should be considered "disadvantaged." Inside Climate News

U.S.

Annual U.S. clean energy investment grows 37%

Investment grew year-over-year as it reached $213 billion, including $39 billion of investment clean energy manufacturing, according to a report from MIT and Rhodium Group. pv magazine

Louisiana

PSC Commissioner Craig Greene wants to inject competition into Louisiana energy market

Dr. Craig Greene, who represents much of the Capital Region on the Louisiana Public Service Commission, wants participants in the energy space to have "skin in the game." Under the current system, utilities are like professional sports teams that play in taxpayer-funded stadiums while keeping the profits, he argues. "They privatize the gain and socialize the risk," Greene says. "We don't mind you making money, but you need to have some risk here, too." The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

U.S.

How the IRA's 'direct pay' provision is driving community ownership and resilience

It enables nonprofits and other tax-exempt entities, including municipalities and Tribes, to directly benefit from the federal tax credits that have long been the primary incentive for the deployment and operation of clean energy projects across the country. Impact Alpha

U.S.

Investments in PJM-area power plants hurt private equity funds' performance: report

Poor returns could prompt disinvestment in a market where private capital has played a critical role, an Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis analyst says. Utility Dive

International

Why Unilever's downshift on sustainability is good news

Environmental and social commitments are aligning more closely with tangible financial goals, a sign of sustainability's maturity in business. GreenBiz

U.S.

U.S. investors rebuff big oil climate shareholder resolutions

In 2022, Follow This resolutions received between 15% and 33% of the votes at the big five excluding TotalEnergies, where it did not file a resolution that year. This year, it received between 10% and 30% support at the five firms. Reuters

U.S.

U.S. banks have an opportunity to advance a just transition. Here's how.

The success of the clean economy -- and banks' net zero ambitions -- lies in this transition being just and equitable. Getting it wrong could exacerbate inequality Ceres

U.S.

Current Trends in Climate Change Technology Investment

Although there has been an increasing interest in investment in this space, substantial opportunity remains. With pending regulatory initiatives and social movements pressing for more action to report and remediate the effects of climate change, we expect investor interest to only continue. We have only scratched the surface of what these technological advances can do, and as more research and development occur and new technologies come online, the spike in even more funding to support these important efforts is sure to follow, writes Louis Lehot, a partner at Foley & Lardner who has handled high-profile tech matters. Power

U.S.

Here's who wants to run the country's $14B 'green bank'

Five groups are angling to lead EPA's largest climate grant program in history, each pitching a different plan to convert billions of federal dollars into lasting change for people and the planet. EPA has said it will only choose two or three applicants to run the National Clean Investment Fund -- a $14 billion lending facility sometimes dubbed the national green bank. The stakes are high: NCIF is the largest program in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, with a mission to provide affordable financing for tens of thousands of clean technology projects. E&E News

U.S.

Boosting the Power of Corporate Investment in the Fight Against Climate Change

The American Forest Foundation's new report, Boosting the Power of Corporate Investment in the Fight Against Climate Change, explores how investment in forests, specifically family-owned forests in the United States, is a critical yet underutilized tool in the fight against climate change--and how innovative programs and financing models are essential for building and scaling a voluntary carbon market that maximizes real climate impact. GreenBiz

U.S.

New Report: How to Leverage the Inflation Reduction Act: Special Building Industry Edition

Builders are bullish about the Inflation Reduction Act. According to a recent Cognition Smart Data survey, 63 percent of respondents plan to apply for funding for their upcoming building projects. Learn more about how the IRA is being leveraged by members of the building industry in Green Builder Media's new report: Leveraging the IRA: Special Building Industry Edition. Globe Newswire

U.S.

Duke, others leverage new IRA rules to finance clean energy, but cost, complexity are hurdles

A new market for Inflation Reduction Act clean energy tax credits will bring significant new capital to wind, solar, battery, clean hydrogen and carbon capture projects, financial analysts say. Utility Dive

Colorado

Denver fines for missing large-building, energy-saving goals could add up fast

Denver's effort to cut carbon emissions and electrify buildings larger than 25,000 square feet has carrots and sticks. Big sticks. The fine can be as much as $0.70 per kBtu per year over an energy-savings target set by the city. The Denver Gazette

U.S.

Biden Finalizes Significant Overhaul in Federal Regulations

New rules from the Office of Management and Budget will change how the federal government weighs costs, enabling new efforts on climate change and poverty. New York Times

International

The current state of climate tech investing is trending up

2023's third quarter disrupted the trend of slowing investment in the climate tech sector. A total of $16.6 billion was invested in Q3, according to a recently released BloombergNEF analysis, due largely to interest in decarbonization and low-carbon startups. According to the report, this is the highest quarterly funding in climate tech since Q4 of 2021. GreenBiz

Maryland

BGE asks to shield memo explaining how it aims to finance controversial Baltimore conduit deal

Baltimore's dominant utility provider is asking Maryland regulators to keep secret a key document that sheds more light on the controversial deal the company inked earlier this year with Mayor Brandon Scott -- an agreement a state watchdog says could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming decades. The Baltimore Banner

Montana

OPINION: PSC and NorthWestern Energy: Too cozy, too costly for Montanans

We do not support NorthWestern's reckless behavior as it results in excessive energy costs while also harming our health and degrading our climate. We can hold those PSC commissioners accountable for their lack of good faith oversight. We don't support them giving NorthWestern a blank check to do whatever it wants. We know that if we work together, we can put an end to this kind of corruption and build more resilient communities where we can flourish and thrive together, writes Edward Barta, vice chair of Northern Plains Resource Council, a grassroots conservation and family agriculture organization. Daily Montanan

Pennsylvania

Residents of Philadelphia Successfully Challenge Their Gas Utility and Secure Significant Victories for Affordable Utilities

Local congregations organized to fight Philadelphia Gas Works' rate increase and demand prudent infrastructure investments for a climate-constrained world. Earthjustice

U.S.

Polluting Industries Say the Cost of Cleaner Air Is Too High

The EPA is about to announce new regulations governing soot -- the particles that trucks, farms, factories, wildfires, power plants and dusty roads generate. By law, the agency isn't supposed to consider the impact on polluting industries. In practice, it does -- and those industries are warning of dire economic consequences. The New York Times

North Carolina

North Carolina Becomes A Mecca For Green Energy Investments

Toyota is investing $14 billion in an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, creating 5,000 jobs. The Liberty, N.C., facility goes live in 2025 -- a byproduct of federal laws passed since 2021. Forbes

U.S.

Northeast U.S. carbon dioxide emissions prices return to last year's highs

The most recent auction of carbon dioxide emissions allowances in the major U.S. northeast regional trading hub reached near record-high prices, as the number of allowances available was reduced. The latest Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) quarterly auction, held September 6, 2023, resulted in a clearing price of $13.85 per ton for CO2 emissions allowances, surpassing the previous quarter's clearing price by 9% and nearing the record price, $13.90 per ton, set in March 2022. Energy Information Administration

California

Los Angeles Will Offer More Energy Incentives to Low-Income Residents

A new study by the city's utility and other researchers found that lower-income residents cannot afford electric vehicles and clean energy. The New York Times

International

Emerging markets need $1.5 trillion to make buildings greener - World Bank's IFC

Emerging markets will need $1.5 trillion in investment before 2035 to make new and existing buildings environmentally friendly and avoid a jump in climate-damaging emissions, a top economist at the World Bank's private finance arm said. Reuters

International

?rsted Implements Changes to Executive Management

By mutual agreement, two members of executive management are stepping down and leaving ?rsted with immediate effect: Daniel Lerup, chief financial officer, and Richard Hunter, chief operating officer. ?rsted has initiated the processes of identifying a new CFO and a new COO and expects the processes to be concluded as soon as possible in 2024. Ørsted

Missouri

Hawley Demands Invenergy Compensate Missouri Landowners Affected by Grain Belt Express and Tiger Connector Construction Project

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky standing up for Missouri farmers and demanding the company make commitments to operate in good faith, as well as adequately compensate landowners affected by the Grain Belt Express construction campaign. Hawley's letter follows the Missouri Public Service Commission's decision last month to approve the Tiger Connector amendment to the Grain Belt Express Line Project. Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator for Missouri

International

More than half of companies risk 'net zero greenwash,' report says

Companies are undermining their net zero climate pledges with corporate lobbying and trade association memberships, a new report from the London nonprofit InfluenceMap warns. The report evaluated 293 companies from the Forbes Global 2000 list and found that, among those with a net-zero emissions or similar climate target, 58 percent were at risk of "net zero greenwash" due to the disconnect between their targets and their lobbying against climate action. GreenBiz

New York

Commission Finds LIPA "Public Power" Plan Would Save Ratepayers Half A Billion Dollars Over Ten Years

Allowing the Long Island Power Authority to run its own electric grid without paying tens of millions of dollars annually "to a private, for-profit utility will save ratepayers at least half a billion dollars over ten years, improve efficiency and accountability and increase local control and community input," according to the final report of the New York State Legislative Commission on the Future of the Long Island Power Authority. East End Beacon

U.S.

U.S.: Interest rate rises and longer development timelines causing project 'M&A mania'

Interest rate rises and longer development timelines have driven a fall in the value of early-stage projects in the U.S. clean energy and energy storage market and a flurry of sell-offs, developer-operator Agilitas Energy told Energy-Storage.news. Energy Storage News

Insurance

U.S.

Yellen Says Extreme Weather Exposes Gaps in Insurance Protection

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the weather-related havoc playing out across the US is exposing a "protection gap" for Americans seeking insurance against property losses. Bloomberg

Impact & Adaptation

International

Extreme Rain From Atmospheric Rivers and Ice-Heating Micro-Cracks Are Ominous New Threats to the Greenland Ice Sheet

At the current level of human-caused global warming, extreme rainfall from atmospheric rivers, as well as an extensive network of previously undetected micro-cracks, could degrade large parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet faster than expected and accelerate melting toward worst-case projections for ice loss and sea level rise, recent research shows. Inside Climate News

International

Don't overstate 1.5 degrees C threat, new IPCC head says

Jim Skea, the new head of the UN's IPCC, said it's not helpful to imply that a temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius is an existential threat to humanity. He calls for a balanced approach to the climate change debate. DW

International

FALSE: Claim that humans have caused less than 0.05? of global warming is misleading

A claim that humans have caused less than 0.05? of global warming is false. PesaCheck

International

What's the link between climate change and environmental disasters?

Samantha Gross, director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at Brookings, talks with David Dollar about whether we can attribute the growing number of extreme weather events and disasters to climate change. Gross says global temperature rise makes these events more likely, but also notes that international cooperation to reduce carbon is having a positive effect on average temperature rise. The Brookings Institution

U.S.

OPINION: The bill for our collective climate inaction has now come due

If 100-year floods become 10-year events, is it past time to have serious public conversations as to the best application of limited resources? Montpelier resident Dan Jones asks that question. Vermont Digger

U.S.

They're Not Like Regular Dads. They're Climate Dads.

Move over, sports dads and car dads. Climate dads are a little bit nerdy, a little bit obsessive and 100% focused on saving the planet. Bloomberg

Illinois

On Chicago's South Side, neighbors fight to keep Lake Michigan at bay

Repeated flooding due to climate change has over the years radically remade Lake Michigan's private beaches. What was once a tedious but manageable issue is now a crisis. The problem became particularly acute in early 2020 when a storm wreaked havoc on the neighborhood, severely damaging homes, flooding streets, and spurring neighbors to demand that City Hall support a $5 million plan to hold back the water. Grist

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric faces financial, cost recovery risks from Maui wildfires: Moody's

Hawaiian Electric faces financial and cost recovery risks tied to the devastating wildfires in Maui, which have led to at least 99 fatalities and affected more than 2,200 structures, according to a report issued by Moody's Investors Service. Utility Dive

Hawaii

Fire Exposes Flaws in Hawaii's Defenses Against Climate Shocks

The devastation from the wildfire in Maui, the deadliest in the United States in more than a century, reveals the flaws in Hawaii's efforts to adapt to climate change -- and points to ways the state can better protect residents from future fires. That list of shortcomings includes leaving huge areas of land covered in highly flammable invasive grasses; failing to adopt wildfire-resistant building standards; and shutting down dams, reducing the island's ability to store water. The New York Times

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric Was Warned of System Fragility Before Maui Wildfire

Hawaiian Electric has known for years that extreme weather was becoming a bigger danger, but the company did little to strengthen its equipment and failed to adopt emergency plans used elsewhere, like being prepared to cut off power to prevent fires. Before the wildfire on Maui erupted on Aug. 8, killing more than 100 people, many parts of Hawaiian Electric's operations were showing signs of stress -- and state lawmakers, consumer groups and county officials were saying that the company needed to make big changes. The New York Times

International

The Climate Crisis Is Here Now, Experts Warn, as Death Tolls From Summer Disasters Mount

The dizzying pace of extreme weather this summer is once again reminding the world what's at stake if far more isn't done--and fast--to bring down global carbon emissions and bolster our defenses against the consequences of an accelerating climate crisis. Sweltering heat waves, torrential rainfall and raging wildfires shook communities around the globe in recent days amid a summer already saturated with record-breaking heat and precipitation. Inside Climate News

U.S.

With TikTok and Lawsuits, Gen Z Takes on Climate Change

The destruction of the past week has reinforced 13-year-old Kaliko Teruya's commitment to a cause that is coming to define her generation. Like a growing number of young people, Kaliko is engaged in efforts to raise awareness about global warming and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, last year she and 13 other young people, age 9 to 18, sued their home state, Hawaii, over its use of fossil fuels. The New York Times

Missouri

Extreme heat stressing Missouri's power grid

Missouri's power grid is being pushed to its limits due to the extreme heat that the state has been experiencing since Saturday. Scott Rupp, Chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, is not expecting rolling blackouts. Missourinet

International

Top science publisher withdraws flawed climate study

Top science publisher Springer Nature said it has withdrawn a study that presented misleading conclusions on climate change impacts after an investigation prompted by an Agence France-Presse (AFP) inquiry. Phys

International

Climate Change Is Killing the Sun-Seeking Summer Vacation

More than any past year, this summer felt like the moment climate change came for the vacationer -- a painful reversal of the sun-seeking vacations of days past. Mortal implications of catastrophic shifts in our climate make the upending of vacation plans seem trivial to some, but that triviality is the light on the horizon, part of a cycle of work and reward that underpins society. The New York Times

Wisconsin

Climate-fueled heat wave isn't done with Wisconsin

For many Wisconsin towns and cities, the effects of climate change may be startling. A 2021 report by the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts found, for example, that Green Bay can expect the number of days that exceed 90 degrees to increase from about seven days per year to up to 20. "By mid-century ... the number of hot nights when the temperature does not drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit will likely quadruple." Wisconsin Examiner

Florida

It's not just coral. Extreme heat is weakening entire marine ecosystems in Florida.

Anemones, sponges, and jellyfish are bleaching throughout the Everglades amid record temperatures. It's a troubling sign for Florida Bay and beyond. Grist

International

Floods, Winds and Temperature Extremes Challenge Rail Lines

Climate change is challenging railroads and their infrastructure -- whether for passengers or freight -- worldwide. Measures to reduce the danger will be costly. The New York Times

International

OPINION: Climate Change Is Forcing Families Into a New Kind of Indefinite Hell

The August wildfire that roared through Lahaina, Hawaii, continued a common pattern in the aftermath of disasters. In Morocco, families are still desperately searching for hundreds of loved ones after a devastating earthquake, while thousands in Libya are missing after two dams collapsed in a heavy rainstorm. Climate change has supercharged the kind of deadly weather that creates disappearances, write Matthew Wolfe, a national fellow at New America, and Malcolm Araos, a postdoctoral fellow at the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy at the University of Utah. The New York Times

U.S.

Schools Are Not Ready for Climate Change

A storm can last a day. But the disruption to learning can last years. As natural disasters become more common, school districts are grappling with how to adapt. The New York Times

Michigan

Michigan may not be a 'climate haven,' Northern Michigan group warns

A Northern Michigan environmental organization and climate activist are warning the effects of climate change are already here -- and will continue to worsen unless significant changes are made. WWTV/WWUP-TV

Massachusetts

Climate migration to Massachusetts 'an urgent concern'

Massachusetts is already struggling to keep pace with emergency housing needs for migrants, many fleeing unsafe political conditions in other countries. A new report from the state's climate chief warns that the Commonwealth also needs to prepare to receive climate migrants and refugees from inside and outside of the U.S. as global weather conditions become more unstable. CommonWealth Magazine

International

1.5?C Target is 'Currently Out the Window' as Global Carbon Budget Shrinks

The world's available carbon budget is running out faster than scientists expected, meaning that average global warming could routinely exceed 1.5?C by 2029 rather than the mid-2030s, warns a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The Energy Mix

New Hampshire

OPINION: Scientists can see clearly what climate change is taking from NH and the world

Scientists are watching the subjects of their life's work slowly disappear because of climate change, and the debates now should be on what the best solutions are, writes retired conservation professor Paul Doscher. New Hampshire Bulletin

International

The scientist who warned the U.S. about climate change says it's worse than we thought. Again.

A new study published by legendary climate scientist James Hansen and a global team of researchers has found that the planet might breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming target by the end of the decade and surpass the 2 degrees C target by 2050. Grist

U.S.

Less Pollution, More Global Warming

Some of the particulate matter in all that pollution was actually exerting a cooling effect on the climate by blocking solar radiation. In doing so, it was effectively preventing some of the global warming driven by the burning of fossil fuels. New York Times

Hawaii

The Power Was Out Before The Fires Started. Then Hawaiian Electric Flipped The Switch

In congressional testimony, Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura confirmed what some already suspected -- that the utility re-energized its lines just before an early morning fire. Civil Beat

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's fracking boom is hurting its oldest residents

In 2010, Columbia Gas began seismic testing to use the area beneath Mary Ellen McConnell's land for "storage" -- of exactly what, McConnell does not know, but a media representative from parent company TC Energy said natural gas is temporarily stored beneath one mile of rock. Over the next few years, she and her family experienced a barrage of severe health problems, and she's not the only one. Grist

U.S.

Controlled burns can provide years of protection against wildfires, new study shows

In a study published recently in academic journal Science Advances, data scientist Xiao Wu and his colleagues are publishing some of the most robust evidence yet that low-intensity fires can significantly reduce the risk of the high-intensity fires that are often most destructive. Grist

International

Climate change is putting the health of billions at risk

A new report from a leading medical journal warns global warming may lead to a 370 percent increase in annual heat-related deaths. Grist

Louisiana

Storms, Rising Seas and Salty Drinking Water Threaten Lower Louisiana

Where the Mississippi River ends, the compounding threats of drought and climate change put pressure on communities that feel forgotten. The New York Times

U.S.

'The science is irrefutable': U.S. warming faster than global average, says report

The U.S. is warming faster than the global average and its people are suffering "far-reaching and worsening" consequences from the climate crisis, with worse to come, according to the new National Climate Assessment. The Guardian

International

Greenhouse gases hit record high in 2022: UN

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere hit new record highs in 2022, with no end in sight to the rising trend, the United Nations warned Wednesday. Yahoo News

U.S.

U.S. Regions Will Suffer a Stunning Variety of Climate-Caused Disasters, Report Finds

Extreme temperatures; worsening wildfires, hurricanes and floods; infrastructure problems; agricultural impacts: The way you experience climate change will depend on where you live. Inside Climate News

U.S.

It's not just extreme weather: 'Climate-sensitive' diseases are spreading through the U.S.

A federal report shows climate change is pushing ticks, mosquitoes, and other carriers of disease into new regions. Grist

U.S.

Federal report forecasts the Midwest's climate future

The massive, congressionally mandated Fifth National Climate Assessment is released roughly every five years in an attempt to track how climate change is affecting the United States and what policymakers can do to address the issue. In addition to national trends, the report also summarizes findings for each U.S. census region. The assessment's five main takeaways for the Midwest are: major disruptions to agriculture are coming, ecosystems are degrading, risks to public health are increasing, infrastructure headaches are as well, and hydrology is messier. Minnesota Reformer

U.S.

A Beautiful Place That Has a Dragon': Where Hurricane Risk Meets Booming Growth

The fastest-growing places along the Atlantic coast this century are also among the most hurricane prone: Between 2016 and 2022, the five hurricanes that hit the Carolinas cost the two states over $33 billion in damages in current dollars, displaced hundreds of thousands of people and led to the deaths of more than 90, government data shows. And there's every reason to expect more damage in coming years. The New York Times

U.S.

U.S. Could Avert Approx. 32,000 Deaths if Net-Zero Is Achieved by 2050

An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that 32,000 deaths could be averted and over $1 trillion could be saved if the U.S. achieves net-zero emissions by 2050. Reducing carbon emissions will minimize pollution that causes respiratory illness and alleviate weather disasters. Now This News

International

The world is careening toward 3 degrees of warming, UN says ahead of climate conference

Even if countries fulfill their Paris climate accord decarbonization pledges in the coming decades, their emissions trajectories put those targets well out of reach, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme. Grist

Massachusetts

8 takeaways for Mass. from the National Climate Assessment

Climate change is hitting the Northeast hard, bringing heat waves and floods that threaten health, homes and the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen. But there's also good news, like laws to reduce greenhouse gasses and innovative ways to protect ourselves. WBUR

Maryland

Meet three therapists who are helping Marylanders cope with their climate anxiety

Increasingly, Americans are suffering from climate anxiety. Maryland has been slammed by its share of recent climate disasters. But a few Maryland therapists said many of their clients saw the Canadian wildfires in June, which brought surreal smoky orange skies to Maryland for several days, as particularly apocalyptic and confining, so those therapists are among those working to address people's fears. Maryland Matters

Michigan

How climate change can confuse fall foliage

Northern Michigan had another beautiful fall full of brilliant foliage. When and how those leaves change depends on a lot of factors, including a changing climate. Michigan Advance

U.S.

Deaths From Coal Pollution Have Dropped, but Emissions May Be Twice as Deadly

Deaths linked to coal exhaust have dropped but coal exhaust is twice as likely to contribute to deaths as other air pollution, a new study found. The New York Times

Idaho

New climate report warns of increased wildfires, heat and flooding for Idaho and Northwest region

A new national climate report warns that increased wildfires, extreme heatwaves and drought will have widespread impacts on the people, industries and ecosystems in Idaho and across the Northwest. Idaho Capital Sun

International

OPINION: The costs of delay on climate change are rising -- we must act now

The difference between the climate adaptation finance needs of developing countries and international public finance flows is growing when it should be shrinking. The Hill

Nevada

National report tracks huge costs of climate change in Southwest

A new national climate assessment paints a dismal picture of the Southwest over the next decade, as the rapidly warming climate drives food shortages, intensifies droughts, floods, wildfires, diseases, and jeopardizes public infrastructure like roads and dams. Nevada Current

U.S.

Climate change, drought, wildfires reduce value of private forestland in the West by billions

Investing in private timberland in the West has become increasingly risky, according to a new study from Oregon State University researchers, with values declining by billions of dollars in the last two decades. The economic value of private timberland in California, Oregon and Washington has declined by about $11 billion since 2004, or around 10%, due to the threat of drought and wildfires, according to a new study from researchers at Oregon State University. Oregon Capital Chronicle

International

Brazil's Lula, man on a mission at COP28: take rich world to task

President Lula heads to this year's edition of the talks on a mission: sell ambitious new plans to protect the world's forests, and get rich countries to do more in the climate fight. Energy Daily

International

Climate Change Drives New Cases of Malaria, Complicating Efforts to Fight the Disease

The number of malaria cases rose again in 2022, propelled by flooding and warmer weather in areas once free of the illness. New York Times

U.S.

Study: Climate change making vampire bats with rabies migrate toward U.S.

Vampire bats are migrating farther northward, due to climate change, to seek more stable environments, and could end up carrying rabies into the United States, according to new research. Terra Daily

International

As Temperatures Rise, Dengue Fever Spreads and Cases Rise

With temperatures and rainfall increasing, the mosquitoes that carry dengue viruses are extending their range. Yale Environment 360

Maryland

Md. health officers: Climate change could create the 'next pandemic,' urge local officials to prep now

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the challenges of public health and the transmission of infectious diseases to the forefront of Maryland policy over the last few years. Now, local health officials say that rising temperatures and other symptoms of climate change may usher in the "next pandemic." Maryland Matters

International

The Big Climate Stories in 2024

Last year was the warmest in recorded history. What does 2024 have in store? For starters, it is almost certain to be another scorcher. The naturally occurring El Ni?o will push up temperatures in much of the world and humans will continue pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. That will very likely mean more extreme heat, like Phoenix saw last summer in a record streak of days that hit 110 degree Fahrenheit or higher. It will mean more wildfires, like the ones that torched Canada, Europe and North Africa. And it will mean more unusually hot ocean temperatures that threaten coral reefs and melt glaciers. The New York Times

Minnesota

Minnesota mental health professionals say climate concerns driving patients to depression

More than half of Minnesota's mental health professionals report seeing anxiety, depression and chronic psychological distress related to climate concerns among their patients, according to a study by researchers at the University of Minnesota. Minnesota Reformer

International

Can $500 Million Save This Glacier?

The Jakobshavn glacier in Greenland is one of the fastest-deteriorating glaciers in the world. Glaciologist John Moore wants to raise its sill, using gravel and sand, to reduce the warm water in the fiord and allow Jakobshavn to thicken naturally and stabilize. Moore believes a sea wall might not only decrease Greenland's contribution to sea-level rise, but also serve as a trial run for far grander ambitions. For $500 million. The New York Times

International

2023 Was Hottest Year on Record by a Lot

The numbers are in, and scientists can now confirm what month after month of extraordinary heat worldwide began signaling long ago: Last year was Earth's warmest by far in a century and a half. The New York Times

U.S.

Climate changing: Research shows times for 'prescribed burns' in the West shifting

Deciding when and where to conduct prescribed burns is becoming increasingly important as the climate warms, and, according to a study published in October 2023 in Communications Earth & Environment, the timing and frequency of appropriate weather will also play a larger role. Prescribed burns are an essential tool land managers use in reducing fuel availability for extreme wildfires, and parts of the northern Rocky Mountains will have more days to use prescribed burns, especially during the early and late winter months, the study found. Daily Montanan

Alabama

In an era of climate change, Alaska's predators fall prey to politics

With Alaska's wildlife numbers declining, agencies are blaming -- and culling -- predators. The true threat is much more complex. Grist

International

Winter Without Snow Is Devastating Indian Kashmir's Ski Tourism

Each winter, Gulmarg, one of Asia's largest and highest ski resort towns, attracts thousands of skiers, many from as far away as Europe and the Americas, drawn by perfect powder, cheap hotels and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. At 8,500 feet, this scrappy ski town's miles of slopes are usually blanketed by snow from December to March and packed with snowboarders and skiers. But this year, there is no snow: Like much of South Asia, Kashmir is experiencing extreme weather patterns, including record summer heat waves that lead to rapid melting of glaciers that are a major water source for the region's eight million people. The New York Times

Vermont

Barre's 'cliffhangers' in limbo as city considers landslide buyouts

Their homes declared uninhabitable, Barre landslide victims have been shunted into a murky legal ground between the feds, the city and the state. Vermont Digger

International

Greenland's Ice Sheet May Be Losing 20% More Ice Than Previously Measured

Greenland's expansive ice sheet is known to be shrinking, especially since the 1990s, because of warming from climate change. It's a fate shared by the Antarctic Ice Sheet as well as glaciers around the world. Now, a new study reveals that about 20 percent more of the Greenland ice sheet has disappeared than previous estimates show. The missing ice has been breaking and melting from the ends of glaciers around Greenland's perimeter. The new research, published Jan. 17 in the journal Nature, provides a detailed accounting of a process that scientists knew was happening but had struggled to measure comprehensively. The New York Times

International

We're All Climate Economists Now'

With climate change affecting everything from household finances to electric grids, the profession is increasingly focused on how society can mitigate carbon emissions and cope with their impact. The New York Times

International

With the World Stumbling Past 1.5 Degrees of Warming, Scientists Warn Climate Shocks Could Trigger Unrest and Authoritarian Backlash

Most of the public seems unaware that global temperatures will soon push past the target to which the U.N. hoped to limit warming, but researchers see social and psychological crises brewing. Inside Climate News

International

Climate change has killed 4 million people since 2000 -- and that's an underestimate

Research assessing how many people are being killed by the climate crisis has remained conspicuously stagnant since the McMichael standard was established in the 2000s. But this week, a climate and health researcher published a commentary in the journal Nature Medicine that takes that standard to its logical conclusion. By the end of this year, climate change will have killed roughly 4 million people globally since the turn of the century. Grist

International

The climate case for a career in mining

The mining industry's poor reputation has arguably been earned. In many parts of the world, the industry has devastated local ecosystems, upended Indigenous communities, and exploited its workers. Yet in order to meet international targets for slowing climate change, the world needs enormous amounts of lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and other metals that are key ingredients in clean energy technologies. Securing these commodities could mean opening hundreds of new mines worldwide. Grist

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric Gets The Green Light On Its $190 Million Resiliency Plan To Harden The Grid

State energy regulators have given their conditional approval to a five-year, $190 million plan by Hawaiian Electric to retool some of the most vulnerable parts of its grid as the company looks to address wildfire dangers and other threats related to climate change. Grist

International

Climate change will kill 14.5 million people globally by 2050 -- but mostly not directly

Climate change is triggering a global health crisis that may approach the death toll of some of history's deadliest plagues. Unlike the 1918 flu epidemic or the COVID-19 pandemic, which were caused by the widespread outbreak of one type of bacteria or virus, climate change-fueled illness is a Hydra-headed challenge that erodes human health on multiple distinct fronts. Grist

International

Could a Giant Parasol in Outer Space Help Solve the Climate Crisis?

It's come to this. With Earth at its hottest point in recorded history, and humans doing far from enough to stop its overheating, a small but growing number of astronomers and physicists are proposing a potential fix that could have leaped from the pages of science fiction: The equivalent of a giant beach umbrella, floating in outer space. The New York Times

International

New study says climate change behind drop in Northern Hemisphere snowpack

New scientific research published in the journal Nature on Jan. 10 shows that human-caused climate change is putting the most densely populated areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including the American West, at risk of losing vast portions of their water supply because of decreasing snowpack. The report, led by two Dartmouth College researchers, found climate change-driven snowpack trends in half of the 169 river basins in the Northern Hemisphere, 31 of which they said they could "confidently attribute to human influence." Daily Montanan

International

New study says the world blew past 1.5 degrees of warming four years ago

Limiting average global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels has been the gold standard for climate action since at least the 2015 Paris Agreement. A new scientific study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change, however, suggests that the world unknowingly passed this benchmark back in 2020. Even more surprising than the findings, perhaps, is the fact that they were derived from the study of sea sponges. Grist

U.S.

Category 6-level hurricanes are already here, a new study says

The world's first Category 6 hurricane is brewing in the Atlantic Ocean in the opening pages of The Displacements, a novel by Bruce Holsinger published in 2022, and some U.S. scientists are making the case that Category 5 -- synonymous with the biggest and baddest storms -- no longer captures the intensity of recent hurricanes. A paper published Feb. 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences lays out a framework for extending the current hurricane-rating system, the Saffir-Simpson scale, with a new category for storms that have winds topping 192 miles per hour: Category 6s. Grist

International

Iceland Is Living in our Future

Clean power, melting glaciers and carbon capture. New York Times

International

What Does the 1.5 C Marker of Global Warming Mean?

Recent temperature rises have come uncomfortably close to a key benchmark: 1.5 degrees Celsius. It's a bad sign for the world's climate goals, but it's not game over. Not yet. New York Times

International

A Collapse of the Amazon Could be Coming 'Faster Than We Thought'

Up to half of the Amazon rainforest could transform into grasslands or weakened ecosystems in the coming decades, a new study found, as climate change, deforestation and severe droughts like the one the region is currently experiencing damage huge areas beyond their ability to recover. Those stresses in the most vulnerable parts of the rainforest could eventually drive the entire forest ecosystem, home to a tenth of the planet's land species, into acute water stress and past a tipping point that would trigger a forest-wide collapse, researchers said. The New York Times

International

A New Study Revealed Big Underestimates of Greenland Ice Loss -- and the Power of New Technologies to Track the Changes

Although a new study of the mass of the Greenland Ice Sheet shows that previous research underestimated its ice loss by about 20%, which could lead to unexpected increases in sea level rise, it also held good news about the technological advancements used to make such measurements. The study, published last month in the journal Nature, effectively captures ice loss at the edges of glaciers where they meet the sea. The researchers manually recorded changes at the edges of the ice and also trained algorithms to track melting along the border where the glacier meets the sea. Inside Climate News

International

Global Warming Could Drive Locust Outbreaks into New Regions, Study Warns

Warming temperatures, as well as more droughts and extreme rains, may create favorable conditions for breeding and swarming in Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Inside Climate News

International

Tipping Points for the Planet

Complex environmental systems are undergoing profound upheavals as a result of human activity. New York Times

U.S.

As the Number of American Farms and Farmers Declines, Agriculture Secretary Urges Climate Action to Reverse the Trend

The new Census of Agriculture shows carbon-intensive farms and large, factory-scale animal operations are only getting bigger. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Greener snowmaking is helping ski resorts weather climate change

As a warming world creates an existential threat for the ski industry, resorts are reducing how much energy they need to make it snow. Grist

Virginia

OPINION: People like me need the EPA to issue strong carbon rules, everywhere

EPA has a responsibility to do everything it can to slow down global warming and the disruptive impacts it will bring to people and the ecosystems we depend on, writes Gabby Walton, a federal campaigns associate at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Virginia Mercury

U.S.

Climate change is undoing decades of progress on air quality

One in 4 Americans are now exposed to unhealthy air, according to a report by First Street Foundation. The issue has cropped up on the west coast, where air quality has consistently worsened since 2010, and a broader swath of the country is starting to see deteriorating conditions. Canada's boreal wildfires last summer saw the average person exposed to more small particulate matter than at any time since tracking began in 2006 -- a preview of more to come. Grist

Adaptation

Arizona

Phoenix is Enduring its Hottest Month on Record, But Mitigations Could Make the City's Heat Waves Less Unbearable

Simple solutions like more trees, reflective pavements, smaller parking lots and lighter roofs could make the Valley of the Sun less prone to overheating in the future. Inside Climate News

Florida

A Desperate Push to Save Florida's Coral: Get It Out of the Sea

With climate change ravaging Florida's beloved reef, people who've devoted their careers to restoring coral in the sea are now racing to get it out of the water, to tanks on land. They're pushing through feelings of grief and fear over the future to save what genetic material and young corals they can. But in the background, an existential question looms: How can they restore reefs if the ocean is getting too hot for coral to live there? The New York Times

International

Sun 'umbrella' tethered to asteroid might help mitigate climate change

Earth is rapidly warming and scientists are developing a variety of approaches to reduce the effects of climate change. An astronomer has proposed a novel approach -- a solar shield to reduce the amount of sunlight hitting Earth, combined with a tethered, captured asteroid as a counterweight. Engineering studies using this approach could start now to create a workable design that could mitigate climate change within decades. ScienceDaily

U.S.

Why FEMA doesn't respond to heat waves

The primary law that dictates how the United States responds to disasters includes earthquakes and hurricanes, but not heat. That simple omission has had big implications for how we respond to heat waves. Grist

International

COP28: Climate aid fund established on first day of Dubai summit

Developing countries have said these pledges should total at least $100 billion per year, but what was initially offered Thursday fell well short of that figure. Axios

International

BREAKING: $260M in Pledges Launch Loss and Damage Fund at COP28

An early deal on loss and damage funding for countries on the front lines of the climate emergency drew some focus away from a conflict of interest scandal embroiling COP28 organizers as United Nations climate negotiations got under way. The Energy Mix

Drought & Flooding

U.S.

Coastal areas will face record 'sunny day' flooding in 2024 -- NOAA

Eight locations along the nation's Atlantic and Pacific coasts experienced a record surge in high-tide flooding days last year, a trend intensified by rising sea levels and weather patterns that El Ni?o is expected to escalate in 2024, NOAA said. Coastal communities are expected to face three times as many high-tide, or "sunny day," flooding instances through next April, compared to two decades ago, agency officials said. E&E News

International

More than a million displaced in Somalia floods

More than a million people have been displaced in Somalia after the country was hit by severe flooding caused by torrential rains, the Somali president said. Terra Daily

Kentucky

Floodplain buyouts in Kentucky are 'the fastest in the program's history'

The federal buyout program is one part of FEMA's hazard mitigation strategy. The idea: get people and homes out of the floodplain so there will be less risk and costs associated with future disasters. Usually, the program is slow and cumbersome, but in Kentucky, state officials and FEMA implemented a new, expedited buyout process after the Eastern Kentucky floods -- and the changes seem to be working. Kentucky Lantern

International

Climate change isn't producing expected increase in atmospheric moisture over dry regions

The laws of thermodynamics dictate that a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, but new research has found that atmospheric moisture has not increased as expected over arid and semi-arid regions of the world as the climate has warmed. Space Daily

New Jersey

A Climate Change Success Story? Look at Hoboken

This flood-prone city on the Hudson River balances climate infrastructure with resident needs. New York Times

Environmental Justice

U.S.

EPA Rolls Out Training Grants For Environmental Justice Communities

Sixteen technical assistance centers, created jointly by EPA and the Department of Energy, are expected to play a key role in helping facilitate funding under the Biden administration's Justice40 initiative. Inside Climate News

Wyoming

Environmental justice' rules may hurt Wyoming's bid for federal support

Academics and economic development officials fear that Biden administration "environmental justice" requirements are hurting Wyoming's ability to compete for billions of dollars in federal clean energy and infrastructure grants. WyoFile

U.S.

The Supreme Court rejected a Republican challenge to Biden's climate math

The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the "social cost of carbon," one of the most important calculations in U.S. climate policy, on Tuesday. The controversial metric attempts to quantify the hidden price of emitting carbon dioxide, from flood damage to health effects. The court's surprise decision sets the stage for the Biden administration to broaden the metric's use across federal agencies when formulating climate-related regulations. Grist

North Carolina

North Carolina Governor Announces New Council to Advance Environmental Justice

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has issued Executive Order No. 292, which lays out a road map to incorporate environmental justice goals across state cabinet agencies. The order will elevate the state's environmental justice advisory board, previously housed within the Department of Environmental Quality, to an environmental justice council, which will now report to the governor. Environmental Defense Fund

U.S.

Advocates Question Biden Administration's Promises to Address Environmental Injustices While Supporting Fossil Fuel Projects

Environmental justice advocates sharply criticized the Biden administration during the Department of Energy's Justice Week 2023 conference recently for approving new export terminals for liquified natural gas on the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas, saying pollution from those fossil fuel facilities will further endanger disadvantaged communities. Inside Climate News

Maryland

Commentary: The importance of building climate resilience grounded in environmental justice

True climate resilience requires more than native tree canopies and "bouncing back." It requires that we dedicate ourselves to equity, environmental justice and long-term sustainability, and it requires that we recognize a fundamental truth: the strength to fuel and maintain these efforts resides in the wondrous, resilient biodiversity of the natural world around us and in the wonderous richness of human diversity and potential, writes Stacy J. Schaefer, executive director of the Resilience Authority of Charles County. Maryland Matters

Flooding & Drought

Midwest

Inundation and Injustice: Flooding Presents a Formidable Threat to the Great Lakes Region

Archaic wastewater systems, crumbling infrastructure and segregated housing in the region create a perfect storm of flood vulnerability amid excessive rain, overflowing rivers and storm surges. Inside Climate News

U.S.

FEMA maps said they weren't in a flood zone. Then came the rain.

The most common reference for flood risk are the flood insurance rate maps, also known as 100-year floodplain maps, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, produces. But they're often incomplete or outdated and FEMA says they aren't meant to predict where a flood might occur, or even where they have occurred in the past. Rather, they are "snapshots in time of risk" that are used for flood insurance determinations and managing development in floodplains. Grist

Kansas

First Scorched, Then Soaked: Weather Whiplash Confounds Farmers

As the war in Ukraine disrupts the global grain market, a volatile climate leaves Kansas on track to harvest its smallest wheat crop in decades. The New York Times

Vermont

OPINION: With flood resilience, sometimes doing less is better

By reducing lawn mowing and creating vegetated buffers at the shorelines, you can effectively absorb more runoff and reduce the contaminants that reach the water, says the head of the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds. VtDigger

Vermont

River conservation forum highlights resident questions about flood preparedness

As towns across the state transition from clean-up to long-term planning, residents want to know how to move forward to avoid the worst impacts of flooding -- and what resources exist to help them. Vermont Digger

U.S.

As climate risks increase, Mississippi River towns look to each other for solutions

The past few years have brought wild fluctuations between flooding and drought, bringing more stress to the communities nestled along the Mississippi's 2,350 miles. One potential solution is to work with, rather than against, the river, and one community built Bee Branch Creek, a 20-year-long project that became much more than just an engineering solution for excess rain water. Grist

U.S.

Coastal Cities Brace for Climate Change

Over the past few weeks, flooding from storms has battered cities in the South and the East Coast, from Louisiana to New Jersey. Overlapping atmospheric rivers over the West Coast have brought heavy rains that are likely to come back in the next few days. So Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank that promotes environmental policies for coastal cities, has designed a framework that lays out dozens of solutions that governments and communities can implement. The New York Times

International

The Fingerprints on Chile's Fires and California Floods: El Ni?o and Warming

Two far-flung corners of the world, known for their temperate climates, are being buffeted by deadly disasters. Wildfires have killed more than 120 people as they swept the forested hillsides of Chile, and record-breaking rains have swelled rivers and triggered mudslides in Southern California. Behind these risks are two powerful forces: climate change, which can intensify both rain and drought, and the natural weather phenomenon known as El Ni?o, which can also supersize extreme weather. The New York Times

Flooding & Droughts

International

Cities worldwide keep building in flood zones, despite mounting risks

Countries across the globe have been building in flood-prone areas at an alarming rate, and that's putting people and property at ever greater risk of inundation, especially as climate change exacerbates extreme weather events. Grist

U.S.

What happens when America's flood insurance market goes underwater?

Across the country, flooding is a growing risk -- both in how high waters surge, and as a new hazard in areas previously unlikely to be inundated. As storms arrive more frequently, flood insurance and disaster relief programs themselves are now failing. Yet most homeowner policies do not cover flood damage, requiring families to acquire an entirely different, second insurance plan. Most of these are purchased through a government-backed program called National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP. "Private markets pulled back from flood decades ago," Kousky explained. Grist

Heat Waves

International

Climate change is putting the health of billions at risk

A new report from a leading medical journal warns global warming may lead to a 370 percent increase in annual heat-related deaths. Grist

International

Announced at COP28 Climate Talks: This Year Is Hottest in Recorded History

Scientists confirmed another year of extreme temperatures as world leaders gathered in Dubai for a U.N. summit on global warming. New York Times

Litigation

U.S.

Big Oil targets state judges in climate cases

After stumbling at the Supreme Court, major oil companies and pro-industry groups are questioning the objectivity of state judges who will decide the fate of climate liability lawsuits that could cost the fossil fuel industry billions of dollars. The moves come as an array of climate lawsuits by cities, counties and states are moving toward trial in state courts from Hoboken, N.J., to Honolulu, following the Supreme Court's April rejection of an industry bid to quash the cases on procedural grounds. E&E News

Migration

International

OPINION: Climate migration is our new reality and new responsibility

Congress and the White House must act now to pass the Climate Displaced Persons Act and take this crucial step toward creating a safe and resilient future for all of us, write Tefere Gebre, chief program officer at Greenpeace USA, and Nicole Melaku, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans. The Hill

U.S.

Pollution Is Driving Black Americans to the South. It May Not Be Any Better.

As climate change takes its toll across the South, migrants may face similar pollution issues as well as environmental threats they might not have faced if they hadn't moved. New York Times

Renewable Energy

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania next to last in growth of renewable energy production since 2013

Pennsylvania ranks 50th in the nation for percent growth in total solar, wind and geothermal generation since 2013, according to a new study. The Republican-Herald

Renewable Power

International

Goldman Sachs Predicts $100 Oil As Renewable Transition Falters

Energy transition efforts, including decreased investment in hydrocarbon production, have contributed to rising oil prices and increased reliance on fossil fuels in backup scenarios. Oilprice

Michigan

UAW members testify in favor of just energy transition office legislation

As Democratic lawmakers continue pushing on policy to transition Michigan to clean energy sources, members of the state Senate Labor Committee heard testimony Thursday on a bill to ensure workers are not left behind in a switch to renewables. Michigan Advance

Michigan

Advocates rally for clean energy as lawmakers continue to tweak legislation

Students, lawmakers and environmental activists from across the state gathered Tuesday on the Capitol steps, calling for climate action, environmental justice and clean energy policy. Michigan Advance

Sea Level Rise

New Jersey

A Climate Change Success Story? Look at Hoboken.

This flood-prone city on the Hudson River has bundled water-absorbing infrastructure into benefits residents asked for, like parks and safer streets. New York Times

International

COP28 must stick to 1.5?C target to save ice sheets, urge scientists

A report warns that 2?C of global warming would mean losing most of the world's ice sheets and glaciers, leading to catastrophic sea level rise New Scientist

International

Greenland Losing 30 Million Tonnes Of Ice An Hour, Study Reveals

The total is 20% higher than thought and may have implications for collapse of globally important north Atlantic ocean currents. The Guardian

Severe Weather

U.S.

Biden says climate crisis is undeniable after Hurricane Idalia damage

President Joe Biden on Wednesday said no one could deny that the world is facing a climate crisis, after Hurricane Idalia plowed through the Big Bend region of Florida and forced millions of residents to evacuate. Reuters

International

How global warming shakes the Earth: Seismic data show ocean waves gaining strength as the planet warms

A new study shows a decades-long increase in wave energy that coincides with increasing storminess attributed to rising global temperatures. The Conversation

International

Extreme rainfall increases exponentially with global warming: study

State-of-the-art climate models drastically underestimate how much extreme rainfall increases under global warming, according to a study published Monday. Terra Daily

Wildfires

U.S.

PG&E Scraps Tree-Trimming Program Once Seen as Key to Fire Prevention

California utility PG&E spent about $2.5 billion on a yearslong effort aimed at reducing wildfire risk by cutting or clearing more than a million trees growing alongside power lines. It says that was ineffective, and it is focused now on power-line settings. The Wall Street Journal

U.S.

Millions of homes are being built in fire-prone grasslands

A new report published Thursday finds that the number of homes inside widening wildfire perimeters have doubled since the 1990s. Grist

U.S.

America's New Wildfire Risk Goes Beyond Forests

Grassland and shrubland fires burn more land and destroy more homes across the United States than forest fires, a new study found. New York Times

California

Southern California utility responsible for deadly 2022 fire, state officials say

Finding adds to tally of blazes sparked by electric utilities that did not power down their lines in advance of high winds and dangerous fire conditions The Washington Post

International

It's Always Fire Season Now

The world has always experienced fire year-round, but these are a lot harder to ignore. New York Times

U.S.

OPINION: Wildfire risks in the U.S. are soaring. Here's what utilities can do.

U.S. utilities are grappling with a pressing challenge: their electric assets are located in areas that are becoming increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, says ICF. Utility Dive

California

Calif. regulators approve $13.5B PG&E revenue increase to fund undergrounding transmission

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a rate increase requested by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), as the utility intends to harden its system and underground 1,230 miles of transmission lines to reduce the risk of electrical wires sparking a wildfire. Daily Energy Insider

International

Carbon Neutral or High Emitter? Canada & The Forest Carbon Loophole

Canada's GHG reporting approach claims GHG emissions from wildfires are natural, but GHG removals from forests at the age of "commercial maturity", despite being primarily natural disturbance origin, are anthropogenic. Clean Technica

Industrial Decarbonization

International

5 Shifts Needed to Decarbonize Industry

If the world is going to shift away from the most damaging impacts of the climate crisis, it needs to decarbonize the industry sector. Industry is made up of the processes we use to extract and refine raw materials, and turn them into the roads, buildings, appliances, equipment, vehicles and products all around us. WRI

U.S.

If Biden Wins Election, Industry Pollution Will Be a Target for Climate Policies

If President Biden wins a second term, his climate policies would take aim at steel and cement plants, factories and oil refineries -- heavily polluting industries that have never before had to rein in their heat-trapping greenhouse gases. The New York Times

International

How electricity could clean up transportation, steel, and even fertilizer

Can we electrify steel production and fertilizer? MIT's second annual ClimateTech conference on Oct. 4 and 5 will consider those questions. MIT Technology Review

U.S.

These 25 utilities are united by one big goal: 80% less CO2 by 2030

A new cohort is forcefully pushing back on the doubters who don't think rapid utility-sector decarbonization is feasible: the utilities themselves. A decade after the utility industry balked at the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan regulations, just about every large utility in the U.S. has promised to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by midcentury. But a growing subset of the industry isn't waiting a couple of decades to act: They're pushing for 80% carbon reductions by 2030. Canary Media

International

Swedish Consortium Joins Initiative to Electrify the US Construction Industry

With the aim of demonstrating the potential of electrified construction equipment, the consortium will initially focus on the construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the United States, utilizing exclusively electrified machines. North American Clean Energy

U.S.

Nucor bets on silver bullet for 'green' steel: Nuclear fusion

The steelmaking giant said Helion Energy would build a fusion reactor by 2030 at one of Nucor's steel plants. But fusion is still more dream than reality. Canary Media

International

Expert Opinion: Chemicals sector faces uncertain path to net zero

The chemicals industry has some of the most complex and diverse value chains. A range of technologies will be required to decarbonise the sector -- as Gaetan Michel of S&P Global Ratings explains. Environment Analyst

International

U.S. Scales Back Hopes for Ambitious Climate Trade Deal With Europe

For the past two years, the United States and the European Union have been working toward a deal that would encourage trade in steel and aluminum made in more environmentally friendly ways to combat climate change. But longstanding differences on the way governments should treat trade and regulation have cropped up, preventing the allies from coming to a compromise. With an Oct. 31 deadline to reach a deal approaching, the United States has significantly narrowed its ambition for the pact, at least in its initial iteration. The New York Times

International

Cleaning up steel, cement and chemicals is tough -- and entirely doable

Three essential materials -- steel, cement and chemicals -- fortify and infuse our modern world. They also represent the world's top three emitting industries, which together are responsible for more than one-quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions. Canary Media explores the complex, tricky path to decarbonizing all three. Canary Media

International

Decarbonising metals and mining: three key strategies to win the battle

As the world increasingly focuses on net zero, the metals and mining industry finds itself in a dichotomy. On the one hand, its products, from aluminium and copper to lithium, nickel and zinc, are essential for the energy transition. But on the other hand, mining, smelting and refining these metals can be highly polluting activities in themselves. Wood Mackenzie

U.S.

How 'Buy Clean' policies will help decarbonize heavy industries

The U.S. government and leading states are leveraging their vast purchasing power to spur manufacturing of low-carbon steel, cement and more. Canary Media

International

Five things to know about decarbonizing cement, steel and chemicals

The industries that produce the building blocks of modern society -- steel, cement and chemicals -- are incredibly carbon-intensive. How can carbon emissions be cut from the production of steel, cement and chemicals? There are near-term steps and long-term prospects that can result in big emissions reductions, government action is needed, and the work will be messy. Canary Media

U.S.

Five things to know about decarbonizing cement, steel and chemicals

Here are the key takeaways from Canary Media's in-depth series on how to cut carbon emissions from heavy industry. Canary Media

International

Businesses in high-carbon sectors still expect to rely on fossil fuels after 2050

More than one in five of the world's biggest power companies and around one-third of large concrete and cement firms do not expect to stop using fossil fuels by 2050. Edie

International

How the plastics industry can go green and at what cost

Technology is slowly advancing in a way to green the plastics industry. Carbon Capture and Storage and recycling are currently the most cost-effective ways to halve emissions. Heating with green electricity or green hydrogen could reduce emissions by up to 75% but costs a lot more. ING THINK

International

Long-duration storage and renewables can cut global industrial emissions by 65%

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies, paired with renewables, could shrink global industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 65%, a new report from the LDES Council and Roland Berger has found. pv magazine USA

International

The Building Blocks of a Green Chemical Sector -- Climate Bonds releases new E.U. policy package

To build a net zero economy, the world needs to build a net zero chemicals industry. Chemicals are present in over 90% of manufactured goods, and account for a large portion of global emissions. But in order for this large and high-emitting sector to transition, it needs clear guidance, frameworks and standards to facilitate its transition to net zero. That's why Climate Bonds has released its new policy brief, "European Union Chemical Sector Transition." The Climate Bonds Initiative

International

Where the World Is (and Isn't) Making Progress on Climate Change

Emissions from electricity and transportation are projected to fall over time, a new report finds, but industry remains a major climate challenge. The New York Times

International

Intel, Siemens to collaborate on improving manufacturing, energy efficiency

Intel/Siemens partnership aims to improve efficiency of tech manufacturing, help firm compete with Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Reuters

International

These startups are teaming up to decarbonize cement and concrete

Cement and concrete are essential building blocks of modern society -- and they're both extremely carbon-intensive to produce. In recent years, startups across the country have begun devising novel ways of making low-carbon construction materials, including by using methods that mimic coral reefs, recycle industrial waste or replace fossil-fueled kilns with electricity. Canary Media

U.S.

Net zero: A half full or half empty promise in the beverage industry

With the beverage industry contributing four percent of global CO2 emissions, how can companies adapt with green initiatives and genuine commitment essential amid evolving regulations? New Food

U.S.

DOE Announces $254 Million to Decarbonize America's Industrial Sector and Revitalize Domestic Manufacturing

49 Projects Across 21 States and a New Funding Opportunity will Help Advance Next-Generation Technologies to Significantly Cut Emissions and Support Efforts to Build a Clean Energy Economy. U.S. Department of Energy

International

Decarbonizing the world's industries is technically possible, say experts

The sector, which includes iron and steel, chemicals, cement, and food and drink, emits around a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. TechXplore

U.S.

DOE invests $254M in industrial emission cuts, decarbonizing technologies

The Department of Energy is earmarking $254 million for industrial businesses to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expedite the development of innovative carbon technologies, according to a Jan. 25 news release. Facilities Dive

Cement

U.S.

MIT engineers developed a new type of concrete that can store energy

Your future house could have a foundation that's able to store energy from the solar panels on your roof--without the need for separate batteries. MIT engineers developed the new energy storage technology--a new type of concrete--based on two ancient materials: cement, which has been used for thousands of years, and carbon black, a black powder used as ink for the Dead Sea Scrolls around 2,000 years ago. Fast Company

International

6 innovative startups that are kicking CO2 out of cement and concrete

Cement-making is a 150-year-old process. Some companies are using new additives, chemistries and methods that could curb the industry's oversize climate impact. Canary Media

International

To decarbonize cement, the industry needs a full transformation

Cement production has an enormous carbon footprint. That can be curbed with plug-and-play solutions, but eliminating emissions entirely will require big, ambitious action. Canary Media

Chemicals

International

How to clean up the dirtiest parts of chemicals manufacturing

When it comes to carbon emissions, industries such as cement, steel and hydrogen have a reputation for being hard to abate. But cleaning up those materials might be a walk in the park compared to decarbonizing the pervasive, complex and massive petrochemicals and refining industry. Canary Media

International

This key chemical is super dirty to make. Can an electric furnace help?

These high-profile pilots are using electricity to slash CO2 emissions from making ethylene -- the building block of materials from plastic to PVC. Canary Media

International

Researchers a step closer to making green ammonia a reality

The production of ammonia for fertilizers--which has one of the largest carbon footprints among industrial processes--may soon be possible on farms using low-cost, low-energy and environmentally friendly technology. Tech Xplore

Construction

U.S.

Introducing GreenBiz's Climate Tech Startup of the Year

Carbon Limit, a company that traps CO2 into cement, is GreenBiz's Climate Tech Startup of 2023. The company stood out for its ambition to decarbonize construction, a sector known for its big contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. GreenBiz

Steel

U.S.

Major steel users band together to place first big `green steel' order

Microsoft, Trammell Crow, Nextracker and other companies will request 2 million tons of "near-zero-emissions" steel in push to help U.S. steelmakers decarbonize. Canary Media

International

The huge climate problem of cement, steel and chemicals, visualized

Manufacturing them releases more CO2 into the atmosphere each year than all of the emissions generated by the United States. Canary Media

Arkansas

The trillion-dollar quest to make green steel

From Arkansas to the Arctic Circle, steel manufacturers are exploring ways to decarbonize the CO2-intensive steel industry. Canary Media

U.S.

Electrowinning' could help win the race to clean up dirty steel

Startup Electra wants to replace blast furnaces with battery-like systems that use acid solution and clean electricity to pull pure iron out of low-grade ores. Canary Media

U.S.

What's standing in the way of sustainable steel?

Stanford's Leora Dresselhaus-Marais and a multi-institutional team of colleagues revealed the smallest nanoscale particles in iron ore cause the technical challenges. The finding, they say, could pave the way for new-age hydrogen-based "green steel" reactors. TechXplore

Ohio

How an Ohio-based steel company cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a third

Ohio-based Cleveland-Cliffs' success in beating its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its U.S. iron and steel operations won recognition from the Department of Energy last month. Energy News Network

International

The Race Is On to Make Low-Emissions Steel. Meet One of the Companies Vying for the Lead.

H2 Green Steel of Sweden is building a plant that uses hydrogen instead of fossil fuels to make steel. Inside Climate News

Minnesota

Low-emissions steelmaking could be big business for Minnesota's Iron Range, experts say

The steelmaking industry says it's committed to cutting its climate impact, and Minnesota mine operators Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel are both exploring new fuels and technologies. KAXE

International

World's first major green steel project locks down $5B in funding

Swedish firm H2 Green Steel says construction is "well underway" at its first-of-a-kind facility. It aims to start churning out low-carbon steel in late 2025. Canary Media

Illinois

Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings

This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry. Utility Dive

Pennsylvania

In a Steel Town Outside Pittsburgh, an Old Fight Over Air Quality Drags On

The debate over a pollution permit in Clairton, home to the nation's largest coke plant, pits environmental groups and residents concerned about public health against U.S. Steel and its supporters. Inside Climate News

Indiana

Cleveland-Cliffs Successfully Tests Hydrogen Blast Furnace

Following the successful trial at Middletown Works in May 2023, this represents the second Cleveland-Cliffs blast furnace to integrate hydrogen as a reductant and fuel source. Yahoo

U.S.

OPINION: Stop Using 'Dirty' Steel for Renewable Energy Projects

The only solution to cleaning up the renewable energy is by sourcing domestically made steel products, writes Tom Muth, chief operating officer for Zekelman Industries. Power Magazine

U.S.

Biden Faces More Pressure From Environmentalists to Block Steel Merger

President Biden is facing new pressure to block Nippon Steel's acquisition of iconic manufacturer U.S. Steel, this time from environmental groups that say the tie-up would set back America's efforts to curb climate change. In interviews, environmental activists working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions say the merger would bring together two steel giants that are laggards on transitioning away from fossil fuels. The New York Times

Policy

Finance & Investing

International

Shell reportedly putting residential storage and VPP firm sonnen up for sale

Shell is putting its residential battery storage and virtual power plant company sonnen up for sale, part of Shell's move away from doing business with retail customers. Energy Storage News

Utah

Canadian company is buying Dominion Energy Utah operations

Enbridge is also acquiring North Carolina and Ohio natural gas operations in a $14 billion deal Salt Lake Tribune

West Virginia

Warren Buffett's Green Cash Washes Over Coal Country

Berkshire Hathaway teamed with West Virginia's Republican lawmakers to launch a solar-powered project, helped by federal IRA incentives. Two Berkshire Hathaway companies are building a manufacturing hub that will include a $500 million factory to produce titanium for aircraft parts, powered by solar panels and rechargeable batteries. The Wall Street Journal

Impact & Adaptation

U.S.

Carbon-free grid? There may not be enough workers to build it.

The Inflation Reduction Act is spurring hundreds of billions of dollars of investment to electrify the transportation sector and energy industries that traditionally have relied on fossil fuels, a potential cash bonanza that could create millions of new jobs over the coming decades, from electricians and heat pump installers to welders and construction crews. But some skeptics say the Biden administration and congressional lawmakers need to beef up workforce programs to stave off potentially crippling labor shortages in those industries in coming years. E&E News

Policy & Politics

U.S.

Transfering IRA Renewable Energy Tax Credits: What is Possible for Individuals and Pass-Through Entities

The transferees of these credits are subject to the passive activity rules of Section 469 of the Internal Revenue Code, limiting who might benefit from these credits on transfer. JD Supra

U.S.

US Treasury to issue 'foreign entity of concern' guidance for clean energy tax credits

Lily Batchelder, the Treasury's assistant secretary for tax policy, said the guidance would be released before year-end, along with guidance for the "45X" manufacturing production tax for clean energy products such as solar, wind, batteries and critical minerals components. Reuters

International

U.N. Says More Needed 'On All Fronts' To Meet Climate Goals

The Global Stocktake report, the latest warning from the U.N. about environmental perils, will form the basis of the COP28 talks in Dubai at the end of the year and follows months of wildfires and soaring temperatures. Reuters

U.S.

'We have no idea': Regulators in the dark about rising power grid attacks

Communication gaps between law enforcement and state and federal regulators have left many officials largely in the dark about the extent of the threat. They have also hampered efforts to safeguard the power network. Politico

U.S.

How Biden Is Bringing More Environmental & Climate Justice To The US

For this program to reach its intended recipients, marginalized communities, there needs to be a concerted effort to remove traditional barriers that stand in the way for these communities and also create flexible pathways for marginalized applicants. Clean Technica

International

IRENA Publishes Report On Uniting Labor And Employers For A Fair Energy Transition

This monumental shift involves the active participation of governments, businesses, labor unions, and workers themselves. Their collective efforts not only accelerate the transition but also shape its trajectory. SolarQuarter

U.S.

EPA's proposed carbon rules omit both the peaker problem and the peaker solution

The EPA completely overlooked co-located battery storage as a "best system of emissions reduction" in its latest proposal to reduce carbon emissions from fossil-fueled power plants. Utility Dive

U.S.

Peaker power plant data show persistent economic and racial inequities

EPA data shows inefficient and expensive fossil fuel peaker power plants continue to be predominantly located near lower-income communities and the vast majority of communities that are most impacted by peaker plant emissions continue to be those communities with higher proportions of people of color. Renewable Energy World

California

California's future with income-based flat-fee utility bills is getting closer

Some of the bill will pay for the kilowatt hours a customer uses and a monthly fixed fee will help pay for expenses to maintain the electric grid: the poles, the substations, the batteries, and the wires that bring power to people's homes. KPBS

Georgia

OPINION: Georgia Power must have taken lessons from Muhammad Ali

Consider the behemoth utility's tactics to wear down environmental critics by delaying doing the long-term and right thing with its millions of tons of toxic coal ash. Ali used the same strategy against then-heavyweight champion George Foreman. Georgia Recorder

Hawaii

Hawaii Must Heed The Powerful Warnings Of Climate Change

A key focus should be on strengthening energy and infrastructure resilience on Maui. Civil Beat

International

EU's von der Leyen pledges more support for wind industry

The 27-country EU has among the world's most ambitious targets to expand renewable energy and is finalising a legally binding goal to produce 42.5% of EU energy from renewable sources by 2030. Reuters

Kansas

Kansans rally to pressure Evergy into keeping green energy promises

Closing the city's coal-based power plant will be the first step toward holding the state's largest utility company accountable for keeping green energy goals, climate change activists said at a Tuesday demonstration. Kansas Reflector

Maine

CMP accused of overspending on storm recovery by $53.6 million

While Maine's advocate for ratepayers says the utility exceeded staffing guidelines in 12 of 23 storms in 2022, the company says it spent the money to restore power more quickly and to avoid the criticism that has contributed to a referendum calling for a publicly owned utility. Press Herald

Maine

Maine utility ballot question likely to be tied up in court for years

The state's public advocate said there are too many unknowns to give a clear interpretation of the November referendum seeking to create a public-owned utility. But one thing is nearly certain: if it passes, there will be court challenges. Press Herald

Michigan

Trump wants UAW workers' vote. He's pitching EV skepticism to get it

Keeping jobs in the United States is still top-of-mind for many workers (which is reflected in both parties' messaging), but there's now added uncertainty over the industry's future as it turns to electrification. Detroit News

Missouri

Evergy asks Missouri regulators to let customers opt out of time-of-use pricing

The pricing plans, which place a premium on power used at times of peak demand, were met with controversy this summer. Missouri Independent

Ohio

Ohio bill would bar utilities from charging customers for politics

Separate legislation would protect children, elderly, low-income customers from shut-offs. Energy and Policy Institute

Pennsylvania

Pa. misses 7th RGGI auction as litigation keeps involvement in limbo

Environmental advocates calculate that the commonwealth has missed out on a cumulative $1.5 billion in missed revenue. Penn Capital-Star

U.S.

Solar and Storage Industry Activates to Protect Pro-Growth Clean Energy Policies

The Solar Energy Industries Association SEIA is calling on solar and storage companies to join the hundreds of American businesses that have shared their success stories hosted site visits and nbsp signed a letter nbsp urging Congress to preserve the Inflation Reduction Act s pro-growth energy ... North American Clean Energy

U.S.

US committee recommends royalties on minerals for EVs in sweeping reform proposal

The proposal was part of a suite of recommendations aimed at increasing supply of the materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel that are needed for a domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry that is key to President Joe Biden's climate agenda. Reuters

Wisconsin

Former PSC member asserts out-of-state group killed bill

Then-Public Service Commission member Ellen Nowak asserts that officials with LS Power, an independent transmission company headquartered in New York, worked with conservative group Americans for Prosperity to lead efforts against the proposals. Madison.com

New Mexico

New Analysis: New Mexico Falling Far Short of Climate Goals, Leaders Must Pass Bold New Policy to Close Gap

EDF's analysis reveals that New Mexico is projected to reduce its statewide emissions 1% by 2025 and 13% by 2030 from 2005 levels, far short of its 2025 and 2030 goals, unless the state leaders act quickly to adopt comprehensive policies that set an enforceable limit on climate pollution and allow New Mexico to take full advantage of federal climate and clean energy funding. Environmental Defense Fund

New York

Climate Week NYC 2023: A Vital Opportunity to Bolster Climate Action and Improve Lives

Recent extreme events have cast a glaring spotlight on what the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned; climate change is leading to irreversible impacts to nature and communities. Environmental Defense Fund

U.S.

Amazon just launched a new program to cajole sellers into cutting their emissions

Amazon's new Sustainability Solutions Hub centralizes access to several services Amazon has slowly been making available to sellers over the past few years. GreenBiz

U.S.

Rotten eggs in the EPA power plant rule

The only technologies the EPA is advocating for - hydrogen co-firing and carbon capture and storage - both perpetuate fossil fuels and fossil fuel infrastructure such as pipelines and combustion turbines. Renewable Energy World

U.S.

Unraveling the IRA's domestic content rules

Beyond the challenge of getting all suppliers of manufactured product to share their direct costs, there is the problem of accessing U.S.-made cells, thin-film modules, or sufficient other domestic components to meet the 40% to 55% threshold. pv magazine

U.S.

US renewable energy capacity could triple in 10 years on IRA boost: Wood Mackenzie

With the IRA making the renewables business competitive, increased rush for development sites and resurgence in manufacturing was also supporting the industry, said Chris Seiple, vice chairman, power and renewables at Wood Mackenzine. Reuters

Policy & Politics

Michigan

OPINION: Rocky Mountain Why: Michigan's new energy regulator hails from think tank behind discredited gas stove study

New Michigan Public Service Commissioner Alessandra Carreon hails from the Rocky Mountain Institute, best known for a faulty study blaming gas ovens for a host of health maladies in America, says the free market Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential

Ohio

New Report Card Shows Where Ohio Needs to Catch up in Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ohio is just over halfway toward the economy-wide greenhouse gas emission cuts a new analysis says it would need by 2030 to help the United States meet its commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement. Yet without significant changes, Ohio will fall about one-third short of meeting that target. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Anti-Fossil Fuel 'Net Zero By 2050' Roadmap Riddled With Errors

Among the "questionable assumptions" that represent an "ideological aspiration," according to the EPRF, are that all countries must cooperate toward net-zero emissions. Cowboy State Daily

U.S.

OPINION: Gutting the National Environmental Policy Act again won't help renewable energy

In exchange for lifting the debt ceiling for two years, President Biden traded away permanent changes to the National Environmental Policy Act. Without evaluating the harm from these rollbacks to our nation's environmental laws, some in Congress are already planning to undermine NEPA further, writes Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. The Hill

U.S.

Mike Huckabee's 'Kids Guide to the Truth About Climate Change'? Shows the Changing Landscape of Climate Denial

Producers of climate misinformation are targeting kids and families, delivering an updated message that acknowledges global warming, but minimizes the influence of human emissions. Inside Climate News

U.S.

White House proposes environmental review reforms, in part to speed clean energy projects

The White House's Council on Environmental Quality on Friday proposed measures that could speed up permitting for clean energy and other projects on federal land. Utility Dive

Virginia

Virginia enviro groups file notice they will challenge Youngkin's RGGI withdrawal

Environmental attorneys Monday filed notice that they intend to file a legal challenge against Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed regulation to withdraw Virginia from the regional carbon market known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Virginia Mercury

West Virginia

OPINION: Public hearings are your chance to voice your opinion

The Public Service Commission has scheduled a number of public comment hearings over the next few months and really wants to hear residents' opinions, writes Charlotte Lane, chair of the West Virginia Public Service Commission. WVNews

International

Electric lines kill birds. But they're a lot better than climate change

Audubon is out with a new report that makes the case for displacing fossil fuels by building a lot more renewable energy infrastructure -- even if some of that infrastructure kills or harms certain birds. Los Angeles Times

International

OPINION: Why I'm romantic about climate change

We face two overlapping crises, writes Theo Hobson. One is obviously climate change. AI, if it doesn't wipe us out, is supposed to help us fix that. But artificial intelligence leads us to the other crisis, one that is harder to name: let's call it alienation-through-technology. Are they, at root, one and the same? The Spectator

Michigan

CCP-tied EV company backed by Dems buys up Michigan land miles from US military bases

Chinese electric vehicle battery company Gotion announced Tuesday it purchased 270 acres of land in Green Charter Township, Michigan, as part of its plan to build a "state-of-the-art battery components facility." FOX News

Mississippi

PSC candidate claims incumbent violated campaign finance laws

A challenger for the Southern District Public Service Commission seat has filed ethics complaints against incumbent Dane Maxwell, claiming he violated campaign finance laws. Mississippi Today

U.S.

Senators demand Justice Dept. probe oil giants for global warming cover-up

Three progressive senators are demanding the Justice Department investigate the nation's big oil companies for covering up and lying to consumers and the country, for decades that they knew about fossil fuels causing global warming--all in pursuit of enormous profits. People's World

U.S.

OPINION: The Case Against Both Climate Hope and Climate Despair

There's ample fodder for both optimism and pessimism on climate--but all that matters is what we do, writes Liza Featherstone, author of Divining Desire: Focus Groups and the Culture of Consultation. The New Republic

U.S.

OPINION: The Global Warming Hoax Is a Rerun of a Plot As Old As Mankind

History is replete with the devilishness of kings and their proxies who spread fear so they can have an excuse to take away your liberty. The Climate Change hoax is a rerun of a plot that's been foisted on mankind throughout recorded history. This play is as old as Pericles' Odean theatre, writes Robert C. Smith, managing partner of Chartwell Capital Advisors. RealClearMarkets

International

How World Fell Into a Subsidy Race in Pursuit of Climate Goals

China's commanding lead in electric vehicles, solar panels and other low-carbon technologies was built in part by showering local manufacturers with state subsidies. Now the US is racing to catch up, marshaling $370 billion in tax credits and other incentives to further its own green-tech ambitions. Bloomberg

International

G20 nations fail to agree on emission reduction targets at talks

The Group of 20 (G20) major nations failed on Friday to agree on concrete targets to cut dangerous emissions, releasing only a statement that dismissed current measures to address climate change as "insufficient." Reuters

Maryland

Environmental leaders push for transparency on state's clean energy program

Eight environmental leaders are pressing Maryland energy regulators for more transparency on how the state's renewable energy program is handled -- and how the state hands out financial credits for entities that generate renewable energy. In a letter sent Tuesday to the five members of the Maryland Public Service Commission, the green groups suggest that the state's renewable energy program isn't delivering on its promise. Maryland Matters

Michigan

New Michigan budget includes funding for energy, water and other environmental priorities

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed Michigan's $57.4 billion general government budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which included funding for clean energy, conservation and environmental justice. Michigan Advance

Michigan

Directive seeks to speed up permitting process in Michigan

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer moved Thursday to speed up and make clearer the state's permitting process, saying her office will establish recommended deadlines to process applications and require that application fees be waived or refunded if there are delays. Crain's Detroit Business

Montana

Public Service Commission president: 'Exorbitant rates' ahead if Montana fails to plan for energy

Montana is still feeling the effects of energy deregulation -- the "worst policy decision in the history of the state" -- and it's at risk of falling behind regional planning efforts when it comes to power. Daily Montanan

Ohio

FirstEnergy investigated by Ohio organized crime commission over bribes on energy bill

FirstEnergy has received a subpoena from the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission related to the company's bribery scandal, Brian Tierney, the company's new president and CEO said Wednesday during an earnings conference call. Utility Dive

Pennsylvania

Documents Reveal New Details about Pennsylvania Governor's Secret Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Materials released under the state's Right to Know Act underline the political balancing act facing Gov. Josh Shapiro as he solicits views on the state's membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. But many are unhappy with the secrecy surrounding his advisory "working group." Inside Climate News

Texas

Texas' legislature isn't helping with scorching heat, San Antonio's mayor says

Texas is in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 120 degrees in areas. In San Antonio, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Sunday, the state's legislature has only made things worse. Politico

U.S.

Big business lobbies against heat protections for workers as US boils

Big-business lobbyists, including big agricultural and construction groups, are pushing to water down or stymie efforts at the federal and state levels to implement workplace heat protection standards. The Guardian

U.S.

Carbon offsets are 'riddled with fraud.' Can new voluntary guidelines fix that?

The idea behind voluntary carbon offsets seems simple enough: Project developers undertake some kind of activity to either prevent carbon emissions or remove them from the atmosphere, like building a solar farm or planting trees. In reality, however, the market for these offsets is "riddled with fraud," with offset projects too often failing to deliver their promised emission reductions. Grist

U.S.

Legislation introduced by Rep. Kathy Castor instructs FERC to ban utilities from using ratepayer dollars for political activities

Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced legislation last week that directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to prohibit utilities from recovering political expenses from ratepayers. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) cosponsored the legislation. Each of the legislators has had utilities in their home state involved in political scandals, with some of the utilities forcing customers to subsidize their political activities. The Energy and Policy Institute

U.S.

Senate Democrat says Biden team 'failing' on climate change

A Senate Democrat is accusing the Biden administration of "failing" to address climate change and called for more action to be taken to reduce fossil infrastructure. The Hill

U.S.

Senate Republicans urging EPA to withdraw power plant rule

Thirty-nine Senate Republicans called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday to withdraw its proposed power plant rule, alleging that the regulations are fundamentally flawed and run afoul of a Supreme Court ruling on the agency's powers last year. The Hill

U.S.

Key Republican casts doubt on bipartisan permitting deal over dispute with White House

A dispute between Republicans and the White House over environmental policy could throw a wrench into ongoing talks about how to reform the nation's infrastructure. The Hill

U.S.

OPINION: The Death of Summer

The baby boomer dream of tanning on the beach is fading as temperatures rise. We are going to have to reinvent July and August, writes Bloomberg Opinion columnist Niall Ferguson. Bloomberg

U.S.

Why Republicans can't get out of their climate bind, even as extreme heat overwhelms the US

Deadly heatwaves are baking the US. Scientists just reported that July will be the hottest month on record. And now, after years of skepticism and denial in the GOP ranks, a small number of Republicans are urging their party to get proactive on the climate crisis. But the GOP is stuck in a climate bind - and likely will be for the next four years, in large part because they're still living in the shadow of former president and 2024 Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. CNN

U.S.

Republicans slam Biden NEPA revamp, threaten permitting talks

Congressional Republicans are seething about the Biden administration's plans to change how the government reviews major energy infrastructure projects ranging from oil and gas pipelines to solar installations. The White House released its highly anticipated proposal last week to overhaul how the government reviews projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). E&E News

U.S.

Looking back at the Inflation Reduction Act

Before the Inflation Reduction Act became the law of the land, there was a lot of uncertainty as to how it would affect the renewable energy sector. GreenBiz

U.S.

OPINION: Climate Change Obsession Is a Real Mental Disorder

Alarmist stories about the weather, not the warm air itself, are behind the left's anxiety and dread, writes Wall Street Journal editorial board member Allysia Finley. The Wall Street Journal

International

A year after the IRA, industrial policy has gone global. Now what?

The central challenge of the IRA-era is that the legislation represents only a fraction of the total investment needed to achieve a global net-zero pathway. Atlantic Council

Arizona

APS interconnection reforms should be rejected, RWE Clean Energy, trade groups tell FERC

An Arizona Public Service proposal to revise its interconnection process should be rejected, partly because it fails to follow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's just-issued rule on grid interconnection, according to RWE Clean Energy and renewable energy trade groups. Utility Dive

Arizona

APS interconnection reforms should be rejected, RWE Clean Energy, trade groups tell FERC

An Arizona Public Service proposal to revise its interconnection process should be rejected, partly because it fails to follow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's just-issued rule on grid interconnection, according to RWE Clean Energy and renewable energy trade groups. Utility Dive

California

New California rule will cut carbon from baking Cheetos, chips and more

Commercial food manufacturers use a lot of fossil gas. A first-of-its-kind rule in greater Los Angeles will start to change that in 2027. Canary Media

California, New York

California and New York Could Miss Their 2030 Climate Targets. Could Permitting Reform Help?

California and New York, two national leaders in the effort to curb global warming, could both miss key 2030 climate targets, according to state officials. It's a sign that even the states most aggressively pursuing plans to reduce carbon emissions and ramp up clean energy development are struggling to meet tough deadlines aimed at averting runaway climate change. Inside Climate News

Colorado

Colorado gas rule ignites debate over pace of electrification

Xcel Energy Inc.'s plan to comply with a novel Colorado law requiring it to cut natural gas emissions is pushing the state further into a national debate over how aggressively utilities should help homeowners electrify their homes. E&E News

Colorado

Colorado's biggest buildings clash with air regulators over coming greenhouse gas rules

State regulators will vote this month on demanding emissions savings from landlords as the next key step in the climate change battle. The Colorado Sun

Florida

Kathy Castor still upset over DeSantis veto that cost FL $350 million in energy funds

Tampa Bay area Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor remains livid that Gov. Ron DeSantis turned down $354 million for energy-efficient measures provided through federal legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden. Florida Phoenix

Hawaii

Hawaii's youth-led climate change lawsuit is going to trial next summer

The plaintiffs, most of them Indigenous youth, say the state's highway projects promote greenhouse gas emissions and threaten their constitutional rights. Grist

Idaho

Tech companies look to set example by providing clean energy to Idaho Power's grid

Some state governments set their own ambitious clean energy goals far into the future, but Idaho Power, the state's largest electricity provider, works with companies to incentivize renewable energy usage. Idaho Capital Sun

International

Climate Is Now a Culture War Issue

Understanding climate denial used to seem easy: It was all about greed. Those were simpler, more innocent times, and I miss them. True, greed is still a major factor in anti-environmentalism. But climate denial has also become a front in the culture wars, with right-wingers rejecting the science in part because they dislike science in general and opposing action against emissions out of visceral opposition to anything liberals support, writes columnist Paul Krugman. The New York Times

Louisiana

Louisiana public service commissioner slams carbon capture

Davante Lewis, a newly-elected progressive Democrat on the Public Service Commission, criticized carbon capture and sequestration at a Monday meeting of the Baton Rouge press club. Louisiana Illuminator

Michigan

Viewpoint: Michigan Legislature must seize moment to address climate and clean energy

The back-to-back storms that left nearly a million of us without power this winter was a sign of things to come as climate change impacts become more evident (along with heat waves and wildfires). Those storms offer a lesson of the impact the climate crisis has on our daily lives. It is imperative for the Michigan Legislature to step up and take decisive action on climate and clean energy legislation, writes Derrell Slaughter of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Lansing State Journal

Mississippi

Dem gubernatorial candidate took money from solar utility officials he regulates: 'Blows my mind'

Democratic Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, who is running for Mississippi governor, received campaign donations from green energy entities he oversees. FOX News

New Mexico

Public Regulation Commission begins process to define priorities and long-term goals

What's the purpose of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission? How are these state employees serving local communities? What are the priorities? If you're not sure, you're not alone. Those who serve on the commission responsible for regulating public utility services are also trying to figure it out right now. Source NM

New York

New York Activists Descend on the Hamptons to Protest the Super Rich Fueling the Climate Crisis

From the airport to a golf course, museum gala and private mansions, activists confronted the extreme wealth driving global warming, and the challenges facing grassroots organizations that stand up to billionaires. Inside Climate News

North Dakota

North Dakota denies Summit Carbon a pipeline permit

Summit Carbon Solutions has failed to minimize the negative impacts of its proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in North Dakota and will not be permitted to construct it, state regulators decided on Friday. Nebraska Examiner

Ohio

Money paid, favors done. Messages detail relationship between Ohio regulator and energy executives

In early 2019, news of financial ties between Akron-based FirstEnergy and the man incoming-Gov. Mike DeWine had named to lead the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio began to spread. And as it did, FirstEnergy's top executives feared they wouldn't have a regulator they could control, according to documents filed in federal court late last week. Ohio Capital Journal

Oregon

Natural gas utility agrees to lower rate hike, curb new hookups after groups intervene

Customers of Oregon's second largest natural gas utility are likely to be spared a potential 8% rate increase after environmental groups and the watchdog Oregon Citizens' Utilities Board intervened. Oregon Capital Chronicle

Pennsylvania

OPINION: By stalling on RGGI, here's what Pa. residents are missing

In March, Pennsylvania passed up millions of dollars that could have gone toward tackling climate change and reducing energy costs for millions of Pennsylvania residents. It's not the first time Pennsylvanians have missed out on this money, and it's going to keep happening unless Pennsylvania is finally allowed to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), writes Joseph Otis Minott, president of the Clean Air Action Fund. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star

U.S.

Eversource leaves the American Gas Association to focus on 'decarbonization'

New England's largest energy utility, Eversource, has parted ways with the American Gas Association -- a powerful industry group that environmentalists say has been instrumental in blocking efforts to address climate change around the country. WBUR-FM

U.S.

FERC interconnection rule may not speed process in much of US: experts

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's generator interconnection reform rule issued last week will likely improve the bogged down procedure, but may do little to speed up the process across broad swaths of the country, according to lawyers and industry experts. Utility Dive

U.S.

How Amazon's HQ2 pushes the (building) envelope on embodied carbon

The U.S. Green Building Council is expected to incorporate innovations from Amazon's new Virginia headquarters into the next iteration of its LEED building standard. Energy News Network

U.S.

New carbon credit integrity assessment opens for applications

Last week, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) released its full guidance for high-quality carbon crediting programs and categories of methodologies. This announcement comes after the documents were released in draft form for public comment in 2022 and the release of the finalized Assessment Framework and the list of Core Carbon Principles in March. GreenBiz

U.S.

OPINION: Net-Zero by 2050 while Minimizing Land-Use Impacts? Power of Place report says YES

It's estimated that if we continue to site energy infrastructure as usual, the U.S. will need an area larger than Texas to meet net-zero by 2050. Now that Congress has allocated billions of dollars to the clean energy transition, the expansion of new renewable energy and electric transmission infrastructure is expected to hasten its stride. However, if the infrastructure footprint expands while adhering to the current patterns of energy development, it could trample upon natural habitats, wildlife, working lands, and communities, write energy science professionals Grace Wu, Joe Fargione, Emily Leslie, Ryan Jones, Nels Johnson and Christel Hiltibran. North American Clean Energy

U.S.

Study: US delivers 'multibillion-dollar down payment on decarbonization'

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will allow the U.S. to take a major step towards its long term climate goals, but more action is needed to stimulate the trillions of dollars in investment needed to deliver a net zero emission economy by 2050. GreenBiz

U.S.

The EPA's ambitious plan to cut auto emissions to slow climate change runs into skepticism

The U.S. government's most ambitious plan ever to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles faces skepticism both about how realistic it is and whether it goes far enough. The Associated Press

U.S.

OPINION: The Art of the Steal -- Net Zero Is Unattainable

Ignoring the fact that the Left will almost certainly oppose new nuclear plants, it is literally not possible to construct enough "clean" energy plants, including nuclear, to achieve net zero by 2050 or even much further out. -- James Simpson Capital Research Center

International

Canada seeks nationwide collaboration on clean energy, aims for net zero electricity sector by 2035

Investments in excess of CA$400 billion will be needed to replace old grid infrastructure and expand the transmission network to facilitate Canada's electrification. PV Tech

California

4 ways California should strengthen its cap-and-trade program

As the hottest summer on record scorches the state, California leaders are working to tackle the impacts of climate change head-on by strengthening an essential tool in their climate policy toolbox: the state's cap-and-trade program. Environmental Defense Fund

Florida

Florida Department of Environmental Protection fights power plant rules

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection lashed out at a federal proposal aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants, saying it "places the reliability, affordability and capacity of the nation's energy supply at risk." WUSF

International

Summit to save the Amazon from 'the point of no return' yields mixed results

This week, South American leaders descended on Bel?m, Brazil, to try to save the Amazon rainforest. It was the first meeting of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization in 14 years. The summit, however, has produced mixed results. Grist

Iowa

Judge says Summit should reveal to stakeholders its deals with ethanol plants

The specific terms of a pipeline company's contracts with ethanol plants in Iowa are key to a decision about whether it deserves a permit to build, an administrative law judge has decided. Iowa Capital Dispatch

Kentucky

Incentives for Bitcoin mining operation run by Kentucky's largest coal producer gets regulator's OK

Kentucky's utility regulator has approved more than $4 million in electricity cost discounts over several years for a Bitcoin mining operation being run by Kentucky's largest coal producer. Kentucky Lantern

Kentucky

OPINION: Rural Kentucky needs an integrated, innovative energy policy to get ahead

Rural Kentucky stands at an economics crossroads. Balancing Kentucky's energy portfolio and rural development can restore those communities and chart a new path forward. With the elections this November, now is an excellent time to ask the gubernatorial candidates to present their vision on energy, agriculture, and rural development policy which can aid development in rural Kentucky, writes Eureka Energy President and eighth-generation Kentuckian Roger Ford. Lexington Herald Leader

Massachusetts

Mayor Michelle Wu issues order to ban fossil fuels in Boston buildings

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has signed an executive order eliminating fossil fuel use in new building constructions and renovations across the city. Facilities Dive

Massachusetts

OPINION: Building resilience into built environment no easy task

Pioneer Valley, the impacts to roads, rivers, and farms have been nerve-racking, but the community responses have been equally inspiring, writes Massachusetts Department of Transportation environmental engineer Billie Li. CommonWealth Magazine

Michigan

Whitmer signs energy bills to advance Democrats' climate goals

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of energy-related bills that would offer public support for energy upgrades and solar facilities, make permanent an energy assistance program for low-income households and allow state agencies to adopt more stringent regulations than those at the federal level, a change sought by environmental groups. Farmers’ Advance

Minnesota

Minnesota electric co-ops seek $970M in federal clean energy funds

A consortium of Minnesota electric cooperatives is preparing to apply for $970 million in federal funding that could help propel rural utilities toward the state's 100% clean electricity target. Energy News Network

Minnesota

The challenge, and opportunity, of 'getting to green' in Minnesota

Fresh Energy executive Margaret Cherne-Hendrick says the clean energy economy is a systemwide issue that requires unprecedented urgency and action. "And we need to be setting interim goals that we're meeting expeditiously. We need to identify those end-uses, like internal combustion engines in vehicles, like furnaces in homes, that need to be off of gasoline, off of gas. How can we do that in a way that is going to harness our tools that we have in our decarbonization toolkit?" Minnesota Public Radio

Mississippi

Mississippi GOP incumbent public service commissioner ousted amid statewide primaries

Businessman Nelson "Wayne" Carr defeated first-term Southern District Public Service Commissioner Dane Maxwell in Mississippi's Republican primary Tuesday. The Associated Press

South Dakota

Like Neighboring States, Carbon Pipeline Scrutiny Ramps Up in SD

This month and next, South Dakota regulators are holding hearings about proposed underground pipelines which would carry carbon dioxide for underground storage. Environmental groups with concerns about the approach are keeping a watchful eye. Public News Service

U.S.

Biden says he 'practically' declared climate emergency

President Joe Biden, facing pressure from his left to declare a national climate emergency, said Tuesday that "practically speaking," he has already done so. E&E News

U.S.

Constellation Energy CEO 'disappointed' to see peers opposing EPA's power plant carbon rule

Constellation Energy strongly supports the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to limit carbon emissions from power plants, Joseph Dominguez, the power supplier's president and CEO, said Monday. Utility Dive

U.S.

Most Americans Disapprove of Biden's Handling of Climate Change, Poll Shows

Fifty-seven percent of Americans disapprove of the president's handling of global warming, with just a quarter knowing much about the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden's signature climate law. Inside Climate News

U.S.

OPINION: Barrasso Op-Ed: The GOP's All-of-The-Above Strategy Is Better for the Environment Than Biden's Dangerous Approach

The federal government shouldn't be in the business of picking winners and losers. The Biden administration ignores this principle by proposing rules that would effectively require all new cars to be electric by 2032, writes Sen. John Barasso (R-Wyo.) Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

U.S.

US Weighing Support for Materials 'Critical' to Electrification

The Energy Department is exploring strategies for filling supply chain gaps in some of the building blocks of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and the power grid, an agency official said following an assessment of critical energy materials. Bloomberg

U.S.

USDA's climate grants for farms and forests run into Republican buzzsaw

The Biden administration is spending more than $3 billion to cultivate more American farmers and forest landowners as partners to mitigate climate change -- even while some Republicans on Capitol Hill try to stop the program entirely. Daily Montanan

U.S.

Washington building codes lawsuit dropped by gas, building groups

Gas and building industry groups on Thursday asked to dismiss a lawsuit they had filed to block new Washington state building codes, which require heat pumps in new residential and commercial construction to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Smart Cities Dive

Wisconsin

How Wisconsin's largest power company lobbies legislators to stall a clean energy transition

Wisconsin Republicans spent the summer pushing for laws that prevent local governments from banning the use of fossil fuels in their communities. Gov. Tony Evers recently vetoed two of these bills, a move heralded by state environmental and clean energy groups. But long before these bills reached Evers' desk, the state's largest power company was hard at work pushing legislators to stall a clean energy transition. Tone Madison

Iowa

Pipeline opponents seek procedural halt in Iowa after North Dakota decision

State regulators should postpone a final hearing for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in Iowa because North Dakota rejected the project route, opponents of the pipeline say. Nebraska Examiner

Texas

Texas counties don't have the power to ban solar farms, attorney general finds

The Texas attorney general's office on Wednesday dealt a blow to a rural county that has been searching for ways to keep solar farms away. Residents in Franklin County, about a two-hour drive east of Dallas, have been fighting proposals for solar development because they don't want to see trees cut down, grasslands scraped away or wildlife blocked with fences, among other reasons. Texas Tribune

U.S.

4th Circuit dismisses remaining two Mountain Valley Pipeline cases

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed two long-standing legal challenges against the Mountain Valley Pipeline, citing its lack of authority to hear the cases following the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act this year. NC Newsline

Virginia

Utility regulator recommends suspension of Dominion's rules for connecting new solar to grid

A Virginia utility regulator is recommending that rules set by Dominion Energy for how new generation sources can connect to the grid should be paused after solar developers argued they are throttling the development of new solar projects around the state. Virginia Mercury

Virginia

Why are ratepayers footing the bill for Virginia's data center buildout?

Former EPA employee and current lawyer and Sierra Club renewable energy chair Ivy Main has no beef with data centers as a general proposition. They are an integral component of today's economy, and the developments that now drive their explosive growth -- machine learning and artificial intelligence -- will also help us achieve a zero-carbon future. She just thinks data centers should try a little harder to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Virginia Mercury

Colorado

Xcel Plan to Reduce Emissions Includes Untested Technologies

In 2021, Colorado lawmakers required utilities supplying natural gas for heating homes and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4% by 2025, and by 22% by 2030. This month, Xcel Energy released its Clean Heat Plan, the first of its kind in the nation, which outlines how the company will meet those targets. Public News Service

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric Faces Heavy Legal, Financial Pressure After Lahaina Fire

Authorities have yet to conclude what caused the fire that tore through Lahaina, leaving at least 110 people dead, but the utility that powers most of Hawaii is already facing mounting legal and financial problems related to the Maui disaster. Civil Beat

Hawaii

Why Hawaii Is Scrutinizing Hawaiian Electric in the Maui Fire

It could take months for officials to identify what caused the fire in Maui last week. But some plaintiffs' lawyers and investors have already begun to blame Hawaiian Electric, the state's largest utility. The utility's power lines and equipment are one potential source of the fire that has claimed the lives of more than 100 people -- a death toll that is expected to rise once the more than 1,000 missing people are accounted for. The New York Times

Massachusetts

For stretch energy codes, Massachusetts gets nearly $4M DOE grant

Massachusetts will receive a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the adoption and implementation of its updated stretch energy and specialized building codes, according to a press release. Facilities Dive

Midwest

Six actions the Midwest should consider to enable more competition

There are six pro-competitive actions a state may consider as the Midwest moves forward with greater development of renewable resources and DER. By leveraging the power of competitive markets, states can keep costs low and ensure that all stakeholders capable of providing services are fairly considered. R Street

Montana

Climate Change Was on Trial in Montana

The state of Montana has a constitutional obligation to protect its residents from climate change. That was the stunning ruling from a judge who delivered a landmark decision on Monday. It compels Montana, a major coal and gas producing state, to consider climate change when deciding whether to approve or renew fossil fuel projects. The New York Times

Montana

Montana Youth Sued Their Government Over Climate Change and Won. Here's Why That's a Big Deal

A Montana judge issued a landmark ruling this week, siding with a group of young plaintiffs who accused their state government of violating their constitutional right to "a clean and healthful environment" by promoting fossil fuel development without considering how those projects contribute to climate change. Inside Climate News

New York

Commentary: Just how much is the CLCPA going to cost us?

In the rush to pass the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, concerns over its affordability were brushed aside. Unfortunately, four years later, we find ourselves just beginning to discuss the enormous costs associated with New York's climate goals, writes Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United, an economic advocacy coalition. Albany Times Union

South Carolina

SC electricity ratepayers get chance to speak out at energy hearings

South Carolina consumers will have time to either show support or air their grievances about their local utility's long-term energy plans to an audience of state regulators. The Post and Courier

U.S.

The IRA Helped Me Break Up With Fossil Fuels

Last April, climate and energy politics associate professor Leah Stokes decided to break up with her gas company. It wasn't her; it was them. Like so many other fossil-fuel companies, SoCalGas was lobbying against clean energy while it continued to spew carbon pollution into the atmosphere. Yet here she was, an academic who had devoted her life to advancing clean energy, still paying them money, month after month. She'd had enough. The Atlantic

U.S.

US climate law introduces billion-dollar 'game-changer' for nonprofits

Direct payments to cities, tribes, nonprofits and other entities that don't pay taxes could dramatically expand clean energy growth and boost community ownership. Canary Media

U.S.

OPINION: Biden and America's Big Green Push

The Inflation Reduction Act has been criticized for picking winners, but applying these critiques to Biden's policy seems, sometimes willfully, to miss the point of what's going on. The policy isn't about picking winners and trying to accelerate growth. It's about addressing threats that aren't counted in conventional measures of the economy: The threat of climate change, the strategic risks created by an erratic, autocratic China, writes columnist Paul Krugman. The New York Times

U.S.

The US passed a major climate law one year ago. Here's how it's going

A year ago this week, the Inflation Reduction Act, the first major federal climate legislation in U.S. history, was signed into law. At the time, the bill's backers employed a familiar phrase to explain its significance. Canary Media

U.S.

What it might look like if President Biden really declared a climate emergency

President Joe Biden unequivocally said "I've already done that" when asked, during an interview with the Weather Channel last week, if he was "prepared to declare a national emergency with respect to climate change." But the president has not, in fact, declared a national emergency for climate change, despite claiming that he's "practically" done so. Grist

U.S.

A behind-the-scenes look at how the Inflation Reduction Act came together

Seven insiders who worked on the historic climate law shared their reflections on what the process was like and the work that remains. Canary Media

U.S.

The Inflation Reduction Act will drive down emissions. But how much?

Models predict that the law will get the U.S. much closer to its climate goals -- but just how close will depend on how quickly it drives down power-sector emissions. Canary Media

U.S.

The US climate law is fueling a factory frenzy. Here's the latest tally

In just 12 short months, Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has spurred more than 100 new cleantech manufacturing announcements and nearly $80B in private investment. Canary Media

U.S.

Why John Podesta thinks the Inflation Reduction Act is the next Obamacare

Senior Clinton and Obama White House official John Podesta has been tasked with ensuring the Inflation Reduction Act succeeds. He spends his days pitching the IRA to the companies and elected officials whose buy-in will determine its success; he also supervises a suite of Cabinet agencies as they work out the kinks in the law. Grist

U.S.

Biden's landmark climate law turns one today. Here's what you missed.

Amid 2023's summer of climate discontent, the nation's grandest plan yet to rein in runaway greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change is turning one: the Inflation Reduction Act. Grist

U.S.

Inside the IRA's historic, high-stakes investment in energy efficiency

The Inflation Reduction Act made an $8.8B investment in home energy efficiency. Now, it's up to states to figure out how to put the money into practice. Canary Media

U.S.

Foes of Biden's Climate Plan Sought a 'New Solyndra,' but They Have yet to Dig Up Scandal

One year after President Joe Biden signed the nation's first comprehensive climate legislation--the Inflation Reduction Act--Republicans have yet to find their "Solyndra." Inside Climate News

West Virginia

Regional Power Companies Propose To End Net Metering

Mon Power and Potomac Edison filed a proposal with the Public Service Commission to change the cost of energy for solar panel owners, changing the net metering system as it is now. West Virginia Public Broadcasting

California

One person stopped California's divestment from fossil fuels -- again

For the second time in two years, the divestment bill that would have directed managers of California's public pension and teachers' retirement funds to stop investing in the 200 largest oil, gas, and coal companies was blocked by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, who benefited from more than $100,000 put up by a political action committee funded by oil and gas companies. Grist

Florida

OPINION: Amid record heat, Florida agencies give EPA climate change rules a cold shoulder

The heat index in Pensacola was 120 in June. Recently, the Miami Herald measured beach sand at 137 degrees and playground surfaces at 177. But despite the brutal heat, this is the moment when our Florida Department of Environmental Protection has chosen to give the federal government the old cold shoulder, writes award-winning environmental reporter Craig Pittman. Florida Phoenix

Louisiana

PSC proposal would unplug Louisiana utilities from components made by foreign adversaries

It's either a rushed but genuine attempt to solve a legitimate issue or part of a larger political strategy to oppose Louisiana's transition to renewable energy. That's how some people saw one of the agenda items at the Louisiana Public Service Commission meeting Wednesday. Louisiana Illuminator

Maryland

New roles for veteran ex-lawmakers who are helping lead Md.'s energy transition

At Wednesday's kickoff of the 2023 MACo conference, and Paul Pinsky and Kumar Barve shared the stage to discuss the climate bill and its impact -- this time as not politicians but state energy officials. Maryland Matters

North Carolina

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

Building codes are a vital tool for states to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. But in a drastic move, North Carolina state lawmakers have just made it illegal for the state to overhaul its residential building codes until 2031. Canary Media

Connecticut

Avangrid Behind Political Campaign Against CT Utility Regulator

Connecticut utility United Illuminating, a subsidiary of Avangrid, is behind a political campaign targeting a draft decision by state regulators rejecting its requested rate hike. UI has mobilized its own employees to protest and write comments against the state's Public Utility Regulatory Commission. Organizations that the utility supports financially have also submitted comments voicing concern over PURA's decision, essentially advocating for their electric rates to increase in line with the utility's request. The Energy and Policy Institute

Georgia

State Natural Resources board thwarts public participation with end of livestream option

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board is responsible for Georgia's state parks, coastal resources, wildlife resources including regulation of hunting and fishing, and environmental protection. Georgia Recorder

Kentucky

Utility case influencing the future of Kentucky electricity generation kicks off

A utility case that will influence the future of Kentucky's energy portfolio began Tuesday. At its heart is whether Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities can retire several coal generators and replace them with a combination of natural gas and renewables. Louisville Public Media

Montana

A climate lawsuit won big in Montana. What will it mean for other cases?

After three years, a climate lawsuit brought by 16 young people against the state of Montana has come to a stunning close. On Monday, a Montana district court judge ruled that the state government's energy permitting policies violated the youth plaintiffs' right to a healthy environment, which is enshrined in Montana's state constitution. Grist

Montana

NorthWestern Energy's plan for future gets mixed reaction in Butte

Several members of Montana's Public Service Commission heard a variety of opinions during a listening session in Butte to gather input on plans for the energy future for one of Montana's largest companies. KECI-TV

Tennessee

Jefferson Co. leaders may face legal ramifications after approving moratorium on battery storage facilities

On July 27, the Jefferson County Commission decided to approve a resolution that prevents battery energy storage systems from being developed until at least January 2024. According to a letter from the company behind one such system, their decision could be void. WBIR-TV

Texas

Utility Executives Laud Legislative Changes in Texas

Electric utilities hustling to keep up with strong economic growth in Texas have hailed a series of bills working their way through the state's rules-making process as catalysts for greater and faster investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. T&D World

Vermont

Report finds that energy savings programs may not reach those who need them most

A new report from Efficiency Vermont concludes that, while Vermonters have been paying relatively steady percentages of their income on energy over the last several years, programs designed to lower energy burdens haven't reached many people who need them most. Vermont Digger

Wyoming

BLM releases long-awaited management plan for Red Desert region

The Bureau of Land Management on Thursday released a long-awaited draft plan that will steer the management of some 3.6 million acres of public lands and 3.7 million acres of federal mineral estate in southwestern Wyoming, including the vast Red Desert, the prized hunting grounds of the Greater Little Mountain Area and several ungulate migration corridors. WyoFile

Illinois

OPINION: Climate action has brought investment and jobs to Illinois

One year after a major federal climate bill was passed, Illinois is making progress in the battle against climate change thanks to an influx of clean energy investments, write climate activist Joe Tedino and Citizens' Climate Lobby Executive Director Mark Reynolds. Chicago Tribune

International

Carbon Offsets to Reduce Deforestation Are Significantly Overestimating Their Impact, a New Study Finds

A study in six countries across three continents finds that most carbon offsets aimed at avoiding deforestation are failing to keep forests standing or cut atmospheric greenhouse gases. Inside Climate News

U.S.

4 issues to watch in the gas ban wars

The nation's long-simmering fight over natural gas bans is finding new battlefronts. A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in April striking down the first ban on gas in new buildings in Berkeley, Calif., is chilling city-level climate activism on swaths of the West Coast, even as other U.S. jurisdictions move forward to promote electrification. E&E News

U.S.

Republican Candidates Asked if They Believe in Climate Change

In the first Republican presidential primary debate, the candidates were asked whether humans had contributed to climate change. There is no scientific dispute that the answer is yes, but hardly any of the Republican candidates gave a straight answer. The New York Times

U.S.

Oil companies are hiring TikTok influencers to court young people

TikTok star Nora Capistrano Sangalang is best known for posting videos about her grandson, in which she describes herself as "our Filipino grandma" and a "granfluencer." But in September, she posted something that surprised and irritated some of her 2.3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram: an advertisement for the oil giant Shell's fuel rewards program. Sangalangis one of more than 100 influencers who have used their platforms to promote fossil fuel companies, according to research by DeSmog, an investigative climate website. The Washington Post

International

Children Have a Right to Sue Nations Over Climate, U.N. Panel Says

This week, young people's efforts worldwide to sue governments for failing to reduce pollution received an endorsement from an independent panel of experts that interprets United Nations human rights law, the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In an expansive 20-page document, the committee said all countries have a legal obligation to protect children from environmental degradation -- including by "regulating business enterprises" -- and to allow their underage citizens to seek legal recourse. The New York Times

New Mexico

State Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in PNM/Avangrid merger

In an upcoming state Supreme Court hearing, it isn't clear whether the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission will stand by a decision made by former commissioners to reject a proposed merger between Public Service Company of New Mexico and Connecticut-based Avangrid. Santa Fe New Mexican

U.S.

On clean energy tax credits, mayors want clearer federal guidance

More than 50 U.S. mayors want more clarity in proposed federal guidance on how localities can access tax credits for city-owned clean energy projects, according to an Aug. 14 letter from Climate Mayors to the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service. Smart Cities Dive

Maine

Climate Activists Organize for 'Green Amendment' in Maine

Youth climate activists in Maine are working to enshrine "the right to a clean and healthy environment" into their state's constitution. It is called the Pine Tree Amendment, and activists say it is part of a growing movement nationwide, aiming to hold the government accountable for policies contributing to climate change. Maine Beacon

Michigan

After local pushback, Michigan Dems seek state oversight of green energy

Local battles over wind and solar projects have slowed the transition to green energy. Michigan Democratic leaders want the state Public Service Commision to take control. State-level decision-making on energy projects would be similar to a system used in Wisconsin. Bridge Michigan 

U.S.

OPINION: Every load an island: Requiring hourly matching of clean electricity purchases would raise emissions

Rather than creating archipelagos of electrically islanded consumers, policy should focus on developing a commoditized, national market for clean electricity that can achieve the scale needed to meaningfully mitigate the climate crisis, write Energy and Environmental Economics employees Arne Olson, Nick Schlag, Greg Gangelhoff and Anthony Fratto. Utility Dive

U.S.

OPINION: If we want to address climate change, permitting reforms are needed

It took 15 years to permit the world's largest on-shore wind energy project in Carbon County, Wyoming. If we're serious about bringing on more clean energy, we need to make the process more efficient, says the head of the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs. WyoFile

Wyoming

Wyoming Could Gain the Most from Federal Climate Funding, But Obstacles Are Many

Ambitious climate action could reap rewards for the No. 1 coal state, one study concludes. But the state economy remains tied to fossil fuels. Inside Climate News

California

California bill on disclosure would go beyond SEC's proposed rules

A California Senate bill is proposing strict greenhouse gas reporting regulations for corporations in the state, surpassing the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) proposed climate disclosure rules. The Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, or SB 253, was introduced earlier this year by Senate Democrats and would require California businesses with a revenue of $1 billion or more to disclose Scope 1 and 2 emissions, starting in 2026. GreenBiz

International

As the UN designs a new carbon market, experts call for a different approach

When 174 countries and the European Union finalized the Paris Agreement, each agreed to do its part to slash greenhouse gas emissions with nationally determined contributions. Countries also set up global carbon markets. Now, some environmental groups are calling for a new paradigm -- one that isn't based on market-based carbon accounting. "The time for offsetting is over," said Carsten Warnecke, co-founder of the nonprofit NewClimate Institute. "What we need now is something completely different." Grist

International

New guidelines for decarbonizing the chemical industry

The record temperatures worldwide this summer were another reminder of the crucial role the chemical sector must play in addressing the climate crisis. The industry is responsible for a high level of global greenhouse gas emissions, 77 percent of which are from the supply chain -- part of indirect Scope 3 GHG emissions. To tackle the challenge, Together for Sustainability (TfS) introduced the Scope 3 GHG Program, an industry-wide approach to monitor, manage and reduce emissions throughout the chemical supply chain, writes program chair Katherine Agapitos. GreenBiz

Maryland

Lawmakers view state climate 'pathway' recommendations through parochial lenses

For the last several weeks, Maryland environmental officials have taken their draft plan for meeting the state's weighty climate goals on the road, with three public hearings and more to come. On Tuesday, in a 90-minute virtual session, they took feedback from an immensely important constituency: state and local policymakers. Maryland Matters

Minnesota

Why this manufacturer helped start an electrification training program

A public-private collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Technological Leadership Institute led to a 12-credit engineering electrification graduate certificate, which may be the nation's first graduate-level certificate specifically for electrification. It will train workers in companies moving toward electrification and hybrid systems. Energy News Network

New Mexico

New Mexicans fight PNM's proposed price hike, blaming utility for its prolonged fossil fuel usage

A room that was empty a month ago was scattered with concerned New Mexicans on Thursday, joined by even more online, gathered to speak up against the possibility of more expensive utility bills next year. The Public Service Company of New Mexico wants to hike up electricity costs in 2024. The utility in December 2022 asked the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to approve a 9.7% rate base increase, which the state officials will decide on in a few months. Source NM

Ohio

Cleveland Regional Planning Agency Building Community Input Into Climate Change Plan

Input from listening sessions last month will help shape Ohio's first regional climate plan for five counties that include Cleveland and the surrounding metro area. Planners hope the sessions will also boost buy-in for actions to cut emissions and deal with climate change impacts. Inside Climate News

Pennsylvania

New Pennsylvania Legislation Aims to Classify 'Produced Water' From Fracking as Hazardous Waste

The bills would also require gas drillers to test the toxicity of the wastewater, mine tailings and runoff from landfills. Waste from fracking in the state contains radioactive radium isotopes. Inside Climate News

Pennsylvania

OPINION: Pennsylvania's participation in RGGI matters more than other states'. Here's why.

When it comes to climate change, talk tends to focus on our shared responsibility to future generations. Everyone is encouraged to come together and do their part to reduce our collective impact on the planet. There's no doubt climate change affects all of us, and we all have a role to play. But the reality is, some should have a larger role in our collective response than others. That's true for Pennsylvania, where our longstanding relationship with the fossil fuel industry means our state creates more emissions and pollution than our neighbors, writes Joseph Otis Minott, president of the Clean Air Action Fund. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star

U.S.

Why the United States undercounts climate-driven deaths

Every week between May and October, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health in Arizona releases a heat morbidity report. The most recent report said that 180 people have succumbed to heat-associated illness in the county this year so far. But everyone agrees that number is off. Grist

Virginia

If Dominion's plan is so bad, is there a better one? (Spoiler alert: yes, there is.)

Dominion Energy produced a computer model of energy demand that contained multiple errors and artificial constraints. But a model that corrected for those errors and constraints show that building more solar and storage and retiring coal plants earlier than Dominion wants to will lower carbon emissions and "reduce costs for Dominion's ratepayers by between $4.1 and $9.0 billion over the 25-year study period," , writes former EPA employee and current lawyer and Sierra Club renewable energy chair Ivy Main. Virginia Mercury

International

Carbon Offsets Are No Longer as Effective

Wildfires pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and carbon offsets are no longer looking effective. The New York Times

North Dakota

North Dakota groups oppose Summit's permit 'do over'

North Dakota utility regulators should deny Summit Carbon Solutions' request to reconsider its pipeline permit application because it was the company's fault it didn't supply sufficient evidence for it, according to several groups that oppose the company's proposal. Iowa Capital Dispatch

South Dakota

Carbon pipeline rejected

In a unanimous decision, the three-member South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday rejected Navigator CO2's application for a permit to construct the Heartland Greenway carbon capture pipeline in South Dakota. South Dakota Searchlight

Texas

Texas' methane waste accelerates climate change while squandering state revenue

In terms of greenhouse effect, methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 during its first 20 years in the atmosphere. But the harm caused by the unnecessary waste of methane goes beyond climate destruction; it also costs Texas hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tax revenue, makes people sick and deprives the energy market of gas stocks that could power the state's entire residential grid, with capacity to spare. Capital & Main

U.S.

Biden Administration to Bar Drilling on Millions of Acres in Alaska

In its most aggressive move yet to protect federal land from oil and gas exploration, the Biden administration announced Wednesday that it would prohibit drilling in 13 million acres of pristine wilderness in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and cancel all drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The New York Times

U.S.

Sources: Manchin backs FERC energy analyst for commission seat

A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffer would be the next member of the powerful panel if Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin has his way. The West Virginia Democrat has recommended to the Biden administration that David Rosner fill the vacant FERC seat, according to six people familiar with the nomination process. The people were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. If nominated and confirmed, Rosner would join the commission as a Democrat -- giving FERC a 3-2 Democratic majority over Republicans for the first time since early January. E&E News

U.S.

New environmental ruling shifts stewardship back to tribes and states

The rule, which takes effect in November, reverses a Trump-era action that limited the ability of states and tribes to review pipelines, dams, and other federally regulated projects within their borders. Christian Science Monitor

International

Clean energy investing loses lustre despite climate crisis

Investors withdrew a net $765 million through August from the world's largest clean energy exchange traded fund, the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN), which is by far the largest net outflow on record of investor money from that fund during any January-August period, LSEG data shows. Reuters

International

More than 250 Organizations Call for Transformative Target to Triple Renewable Power Capacity by 2030

Companies and organizations representing a market value of more than $12 trillion and responsible for the majority of global renewable energy deployment published an open letter to world leaders calling for a target to triple renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030 to be agreed at COP28 later this year. North American Clean Energy

International

OPINION: The World Needs a `Climate Bretton Woods' Moment

The CEO of ReNew, a decarbonization solutions company in India, calls for creation of a climate-focused multilateral development bank and an agreement to set up within each country bodies similar to the current central banks. Forbes

International

Sunak waters down Britain's climate goals

Sunak said he was changing the policy because previous governments had moved too quickly to set net zero targets, without securing the support of the public. Reuters

International

What has changed with Britain's climate goals?

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday he would delay targets for changing cars and domestic heating to maintain the consent of the British people in the switch to net zero. Reuters

Maryland

Maryland utilities lobby to fight local adoption of electrification policy

Baltimore Gas and Electric and Washington Gas are fighting rules to require all-electric buildings in new development in Baltimore and Frederick County. Energy and Policy Institute

Massachusetts

OPINION: It makes no sense to eliminate the competitive electricity market

Regulate it better, sure, but don't get rid of it, says Travis Kavulla, vice president of regulatory affairs at NRG Energy. CommonWealth magazine

Missouri

OPINION: Seizing the clean energy opportunity: Missouri's time to shine

Evergy has backtracked on its commitments to renewable energy by stating it will continue relying on fossil fuels like gas. This backward slide is disappointing but does not need to be the end of the story, says the head of Renew Missouri. Missouri Independent

Ohio

Analysis: Paying to warm the planet. Corrupt utility law forces Ohioans to make climate worse

Ohio ratepayers are being forced to spend hundreds of millions propping up two 68-year-old coal-fired power plants, subsidies that remain in place even though they're the product of what might have been the biggest corruption scandal in Ohio History. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

OPINION: Biden's More of Everything Approach To Climate Change Will Fail

Biden's green energy money is sugar on a poison pill, says writer Lydia Millet. The New York Times

U.S.

Biden launches paid program for 20,000 young people to train for green jobs

This move is an executive action and won't require congressional approval. The White House didn't announce how much it was spending on the program. CNBC

U.S.

EIA changing accounting for primary energy consumption of electricity generation from solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal

When EIA publishes its Monthly Energy Review on September 26, it will use a methodology known as the captured energy approach to calculate renewable energy consumption for electricity generation. Energy Information Administration

Vermont

Scott appoints secretary of Digital Services and commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation

Jason Batchelder, retired colonel of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Warden Service Division, will take the helm of the Department of Environmental Conservation and its staff of 300. VtDigger

Wyoming

OPINION: Don't blame renewables for rising electricity bills

Wyoming needs a diversified energy portfolio to thrive economically. That means supporting legacy and new industries instead of blaming wind and solar for increasing costs, says Powering Up Wyoming. Wyofile

International

Can We Put a Price on Climate Damages?

A new model finds a remarkable tally for the impact of even a bit of carbon over decades. The New York Times

International

Eyeing inflation, Sweden relaxes green ambitions; UK backtracks on net zero

The conservative administration, backed by far-right Sweden Democrats, announced that greenhouse gas emissions would increase by 2030, at least in part owing to heightened tax relief on fuels. Energy Daily

Michigan

Sparring over clean energy standards continues at committee hearing

The Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard additional testimony on bills aimed at transitioning Michigan to renewable energy at its Wednesday meeting, following changes to proposed clean energy and waste reduction standards. Michigan Advance

New Jersey

OPINION: NJ Energy Master Plan needs democratic process

Legislative approval is a must for a policy that will bring sweeping and costly changes to the state, says the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Propane Gas Association. NJ Spotlight News

New York

Port of New York, New Jersey unveils net-zero roadmap

The comprehensive plan is comprised of more than 40 actions intended to achieve both its near-term emission reduction goals and its 2050 goal of net-zero carbon emissions. Offshore Energy

U.S.

How to manage prevailing wage risk under the Inflation Reduction Act

Taxpayers, construction and installation companies, and tax-credit investors may perceive risk and uncertainty in these requirements, as their application in a tax context is both untested and underdefined. Renewable Energy World

Albuquerque climate activists demand more from industry and elected leaders

Ahead of this week's massive climate action in New York City and around the world, hundreds in downtown Albuquerque gathered to express their demands.The Albuquerque Climate Strike took place on Sept. 14 where people marched from Robinson Park to outside of The Clyde Hotel, where elected leaders and business stakeholders attended the New Mexico Advanced Energy Summit. Source New Mexico

Republican hopeful DeSantis slams EVs, climate "fear" in energy speech

Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis pledged on Wednesday to slow America's transition to electric vehicles, repeal regulations related to environmental, social and governance considerations and dramatically ramp up domestic fossil fuel production if he were elected. Reuters

International

The Climate Ambition Summit Was Notably Unambitious, Advocates Say

One activist compared the new climate pledges announced at the summit to "trying to put out an inferno with a leaking hose." Inside Climate News

Wyoming

Wyoming Rejects Proposed Moratorium on Renewable Energy: A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

The bill aimed to halt the progress of renewable energy projects in Wyoming, sparking concerns among advocates for sustainable energy. Wyoming News Now

U.S.

Los Angeles, Austin and Vermont plan to exceed 90% carbon-free power by 2030

A dozen U.S. utilities have targeted at least 80% carbon-free generation by 2030. The Smart Electric Power Alliance hopes that their strategies to get there will influence other utilities to accelerate their own clean energy commitments. pv magazine

India

Indiana utilities outline outages, responses to major storms earlier this summer

Four Indiana power companies reassured the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that they adequately monitored severe weather conditions and promptly resumed power for thousands of Hoosier customers during a week of heavy storms this summer. Indiana Capital Chronicle

International

Boost in solar energy and electric vehicle sales gives hope for climate goals, report says

The window to limit human-caused warming to a globally agreed goal is narrowing but still open because of the huge growth of solar energy and electric vehicles sales worldwide. The Associated Press

International

Electricity is the new oil': IEA lays out new net zero roadmap for 2030

Tripling global installed renewables capacity to 11,000 gigawatts by the end of the decade is the surest way to keep global climate action on track, according to the International Energy Agency's latest net-zero road map - a scenario where 2030 is the new 2050 and electricity is the "new oil." RenewEconomy

Kentucky

Commentary: Kentucky Coal Association needs to face the facts about true cause of power failures

Kentucky utilities need to pool their resources with utilities in other states to benefit from geographic diversity -- where extreme weather threatens one area, others can share power. That is the "reality" local customers of these energy systems are fighting for, write Kentucky Sierra Club leaders Julia Finch and Drew Foley. Northern Kentucky Tribune

Massachusetts

Despite rules feud, Mass. lawmakers predict energy/climate bill will pass

The two chairs, Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin and Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington, are locked in a dispute over rules governing the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. CommonWealth

Nevada

Report of giant lithium find underscores need for less 'sloppy' permitting, conservationist says

An ancient supervolcano formed millions of years ago in present-day Nevada may be hiding the largest deposit of lithium found anywhere in the world. And one U.S. mining company owns the rights to a small portion of it. Nevada Current

U.S.

Carbon credits for forest preservation projects are mostly 'illusory,' UC Berkeley study says

So-called "avoided deforestation" projects do not deliver high-quality carbon credits and should not be used to claim climate neutrality, according to research from the University of California Berkeley's Carbon Trading Project. The study was funded by Carbon Market Watch (CMW), a nonprofit watchdog. GreenBiz

U.S.

Keep up the pace': DOE gains on appliance efficiency standards with potential to save $570B

The Department of Energy is working to update dozens of appliance energy efficiency standards with the potential to save consumers billions of dollars annually -- with many of the updates legally overdue, and potentially holding back the U.S. from achieving its climate goals, according to conservation groups. Utility Dive

U.S.

Carbon credits for forest preservation projects are mostly 'illusory', UC Berkeley study says

New research into Verra's REDD+ methodology found cherry-picking and over-crediting. GreenBiz

U.S.

Fossil fuel workers have the skills to succeed in green jobs, but location is a major barrier to a just transition

Without careful planning and targeted policies, we estimate that only about 2% of fossil fuel workers involved in extraction are likely to transition to green jobs this decade. The Conversation

U.S.

Why Biden's allies are scrambling to elevate his landmark climate law

To win over climate-concerned voters in 2024, environmental groups and many Democrats say they must raise awareness of a signature Biden achievement. The Washington Post

Utah

Court Rejects Utah's Request To Block EPA Smog Rule

The good neighbor rule regulates the air pollution that 24 upwind states may produce. The state of Utah in June sued over the rule, arguing its regulations of Utah's pollution would harm the state's economy and cost millions of dollars in upgrades to its coal plants. The Hill

Virginia

Recent grid reforms might not be enough for Virginia to hit future clean energy targets, advocates say

Virginia is on track to meet short-term carbon-free targets laid out in the sweeping Clean Economy Act of 2020. And advocates agree that's remarkable considering almost 44,000 megawatts of wind, solar and energy storage projects proposed across the state are still waiting in PJM's interconnection queue. Energy News Network

Wisconsin

Power competition bill revived in Wisconsin

A divisive bill that would block out-of-state competition on long-distance power line projects in Wisconsin was revived Friday by legislative Republicans. Wisconsin State Journal

Wyoming

Cost to study controversial Wyoming dam jumps 50%

In a split vote last month, a legislative committee agreed to spend an additional $613,685 to study the impacts of the proposed West Fork Dam in Carbon County's Little Snake River Valley. WyoFile

Iowa

Iowa counties eye building permits as potential way to block Summit pipeline

Iowa cities and counties have the authority to restrict building permits for the carbon-capture facilities that would feed proposed carbon dioxide pipelines in the state, the Hardin County attorney argues in a recent state regulatory filing. The Bismarck Tribune

Oregon

Dozens of climate groups prepare to protest international timber conference in Portland

An annual conference of international timber industry leaders will focus this week in Portland on the ownership and development of Northwest forests while protestors gather and hold their own conference on preserving them. Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S.

Here's How Biden Can Be Pro-Labor and Pro-Electric Vehicles

The president joining the auto workers' picket line was historic. But he's got a lot of work to do to convince the unions that green technology is not their enemy. The Daily Beast

Maine

Gov. Janet Mills explains her opposition to a consumer-owned utility for Maine

Maine Gov. Janet Mills is among the opponents of Question 3 on November's statewide ballot - the referendum that proposes creating a consumer-owned utility called Pine Tree Power through a forced buyout of Central Maine Power and Versant, which supply electricity to 97% of the state's homes and businesses. Mills sat down with Maine's Total Coverage in her cabinet room at the State House on Wednesday to explain her position - the idea is too good to be true, too costly, and too risky. WMTW-TV

Nebraska

State regulators reject subpoena request for Rastetter testimony

An agriculture mogul who has a significant role in a pending carbon dioxide pipeline proposal will not be required to testify during its permit proceedings, the Iowa Utilities Board decided Tuesday. Nebraska Examiner

U.S.

Utilities press for White House meeting to lobby against proposed transformer rules

Opponents say DOE's proposed efficiency rules would produce only small gains while further delaying procurement times for the equipment. Utility Dive

Montana

DEQ asking for input, holding listening sessions on updating Montana Environmental Policy Act

The DEQ opened a public comment portal Wednesday for people to share their thoughts on modernizing MEPA, how the state can analyze greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts from permitted projects, and what else departments could do to improve the MEPA process, the agency said. Daily Montanan

New York

NYSERDA partners with feds to finance large-scale renewables projects

The MOU will allow New York State to leverage the DOE Loan Programs Office and strengthen the cooperation between Federal and State energy departments, supporting New York's goal to obtain 70% of the state's electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Renewable Energy World

U.S.

Despite climate promises, insurance companies are still covering coal

A new report finds that five major global insurers are still backing U.S. coal mines, even when they've promised not to. Grist

Maine

Maine, let the professionals keep the lights on

Maine's Public Advocate sees CMP wasting money in its storm response preparation, but one reader is glad CMP anticipates the needs of the state and secures supplemental staff in advance of large storms, especially those which hit during the holidays, because the push to electrify makes people more dependent on the electricity delivered by CMP and Versant. Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

Minnesota

North Dakota plans to sue Minnesota over its clean energy goals. What comes next?

The prevailing fear is that, as Minnesota transitions away from fossil fuels and invests more in renewable energy sources, the demand for fossil fuels will decrease, directly impacting North Dakota's economy and workforce. Renewable Energy World

Pennsylvania

Shapiro Advisors Endorse Emissions Curbs to Fight Climate Change but Don't Embrace RGGI Membership

After meeting for months in secrecy, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's working group on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Friday endorsed participation in a "cap-and-invest" process to reduce utilities' greenhouse gas emissions but stopped short of endorsing membership in RGGI. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Biden admin quietly released study showing green energy receives far more subsidies than fossil fuels

Solar should be competing for sales in the marketplace, not for subsidies in Washington,' top Republican senator tells Fox News Digital. Fox News

U.S.

NEPA, The "Magna Carta" Of Federal Environmental Laws, May Be About To Improve

This is an especially critical moment for robust NEPA regulations as the climate crisis worsens and the public health toll of long-standing environmental injustices is clear. CleanTechnica

U.S.

Ten key takeaways from the IEA's updated Net Zero Roadmap

The International Energy Agency last week published an update to its 2021 Net Zero Roadmap, the influential organization's vision for how the global energy system could feasibly decarbonize in line with climate goals. The report's headline conclusion is stark. Achieving the Paris Agreement's goal of capping global temperature increases at 1.5 degrees Celsius is harder than ever, after 2022 saw emissions rise yet again as countries recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine threw energy markets into chaos. GreenBiz

U.S.

Utilities press for White House meeting to lobby against proposed transformer rules

A coalition of electric utilities, home builders and grid component manufacturers is requesting a meeting with White House clean energy advisor John Podesta to discuss proposed efficiency rules for distribution transformers, which they say will exacerbate supply chain shortages and slow the clean energy transition. Utility Dive

Colorado

Powered Down: Denver's Energy Grid Causing Headaches For Some Industrial Businesses

As Colorado moves toward its goal of drawing 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, some industrial property professionals say it is getting more difficult to meet their clients' energy needs as the resilience of the state's energy grid is being tested like never before. Bisnow

Georgia

Win on 'moral issue' for Georgia energy consumers

A six-year battle for the consumer rights of Georgians came to a satisfying point on August 30 when SELC agreed to settlement terms with Georgia Power that will offset rate increases from skyrocketing Plant Vogtle construction costs. Southern Environmental Law Center

Missouri

Missouri regulators OK Evergy changing default time-of-use pricing plan

The Missouri Public Service Commission last week approved Kansas City-based electric utility Evergy's request to change the default selection for customers who fail to select one of the company's four time-of-use pricing plans -- days before its mandatory time-of-use pricing goes into effect. Missouri Independent

Pennsylvania

Pa. Environmental Activists Urge Gov. Shapiro and State Lawmakers to Do More to Curb Emissions

Democratic state Sen. Katie Muth, one of only a few lawmakers in attendance, said strong action isn't likely, given the state's "bipartisan love affair with gas and oil." But two Republicans have introduced legislation banning injection wells for toxic wastewater from fracking. Inside Climate News

U.S.

DOE finalizes gas furnace efficiency rule, potentially saving consumers $25B over 30 years

The Department of Energy on Friday announced final rules for residential gas furnaces, angering conservatives and fossil fuel groups. Conservation advocates say the new standards will effectively phase out older models, and require new furnaces to use about 15% less energy than the least-efficient models available today. Utility Dive

U.S.

Grid operators oppose FERC conference on valuing reliability benefits of batteries, generators

Supporters of a conference on capacity accreditation approaches for grid resources include Southern California Edison, Advanced Energy United and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission chair. Utility Dive

U.S.

NARUC, NASEO release solar cybersecurity advisory toolkit for state offices and utility commissions

It drew from state, federal and private-sector insights into cybersecurity, the grid, solar power and other distributed energy resources to guide cybersecurity actions for states, utilities and the industry at large. Daily Energy Insider

U.S.

Why So Few Citizens Recognize The Biden Administration's Quest To Reduce Emissions

It's become increasingly evident that climate-based systemic change can't work until we focus on solving the needs of the consumer. CleanTechnica

Utah

OPINION: Stan Holmes: Utah ratepayers shouldn't front climate change related costs for power companies

Every day we see the catastrophic effects of climate change worldwide. We are rapidly losing our opportunity to mitigate these effects. RMP needs to stop the burning of fossil fuels and shifting the costs of climate change from investors to ratepayers. Now is the time for Utahns to demand climate accountability, writes retired public school teacher and Utah Citizens Advocating Renewable Energy outreach coordinator Stan Holmes. The Salt Lake Tribune

Washington

Seattle releases Climate Change Response Framework to reduce transportation emissions

The Seattle Department of Transportation has released its first-ever Climate Change Response Framework, its vision for reducing transportation emissions and making it easier for Seattleites to choose more efficient, shared and sustainable travel options. The framework describes the need to accelerate all the climate work the city is already doing, while identifying other new ideas to further move the needle. Seattle Department of Transportation

International

Europe Just Launched the World's First Carbon Tariff. Will the United States Follow Suit?

In the U.S., where climate policy has been highly politicized, the concept of a carbon tariff has recently emerged with rare bipartisan support. Inside Climate News

International

OPINION: Governments can't rely on businesses to deliver net zero

It is time to face the facts: decarbonisation will fail without public ownership of the energy system. This is something global leaders must realise. -- James Angel, Lavina Steinfort openDemocracy

Michigan

Michigan Legislature tackles ambitious climate legislation.

Both the Senate and the House are exploring climate packages that include setting a carbon-free energy standard, reducing energy waste, and directing the state Public Service Commission to prioritize certain goals when overseeing utilities, like clean energy, reliability and affordability. Great Lakes Now

Nebraska

Lincoln County Commissioners hold public hearings regarding renewable energy

The Lincoln County Commissioners held their weekly meeting in a non-traditional fashion on the third floor of the county courthouse on Monday for two public hearings. More than 60 people packed into the Lincoln County District Courtroom to publicly testify and give their opinions on the county zoning regulations regarding solar and wind energy systems. The hearing, which at times was contentious, centered around solar energy panels and wind turbines that could be installed in Lincoln County. KNOP-TV

New Hampshire

Amid climate concerns, bill would curb Poland Spring's long-term water extraction deals

In rural areas of Maine, local activists have long been concerned about resource extraction by bottled water giant Poland Spring, expressing worries about the environmental impacts and arguing that communities should have more control over their own groundwater supply given the escalating climate crisis. Now, water rights advocates are lining up behind a bill that would significantly limit the contract length that companies like Poland Spring are allowed to sign with municipal utilities to extract groundwater. New Hampshire Bulletin

South Dakota

Renewal of South Dakota pipline permit application won't be quick

It could take more than a year for Summit Carbon Solutions to get approval for its proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in South Dakota. That's because the company, which was denied a pipeline permit by utility regulators in that state last month, will reapply after it identifies a new route that complies with county ordinances. Iowa Capital Dispatch

U.S.

How the U.S. could reach net zero emissions targets by 2050

The U.S. could meet its net-zero-emissions target by 2050 through three key portfolios of actions on electric vehicles, buildings and scaling clean energy, a new report finds. Axios

U.S.

IRA's transferability rule put to work in $300M solar finance deal

Ashtrom Renewable Energy has agreed to sell the production tax credit from the 400 MW Tierra Bonita Solar in Texas to an undisclosed U.S. "institutional entity." The 10-year deal is valued at an estimated $300 million and is believed to be one of the first executed under the IRA's new transferability rule. Renewable Energy World

U.S.

The DOE has $97 billion ready for loans. Here's how to compete

Seeking a share of the government's historic funding for renewable energy projects? First, explain how your project will benefit community members. GreenBiz

Virginia

Virginia begins crafting new plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Federal funds from Inflation Reduction Act will go to state, three regions and Monacan Indian Nation Virginia Mercury

Wyoming

Conservation proposal for SW Wyoming would limit large energy projects

Undeveloped areas will be largely off-limits to industrial-scale energy projects -- be they fossil fuels, trona, hard minerals, wind, solar or a combination -- under the Bureau of Land Management's preferred "conservation" scenario for managing 3.5 million acres of federal land in southwest Wyoming, some observers say. WyoFile

International

For $2 Trillion, Europe Could Have a 100% Renewable Energy Economy By 2040

The report outlines a sweeping plan that would remake Europe's entire energy infrastructure to be renewable. The Messenger

International

Made in America: how Biden's climate package is fuelling the global drive to net zero

The vast amount of investment unleashed by the IRA has raised tensions with some of the United States' closest allies, and creates risks, as well as opportunities, for Australia's transition to clean energy sources. The Conversation

International

Pope Francis: 'Irresponsible' Western Lifestyles Push the World to 'the Breaking Point' on Climate

Taking aim at the U.S. and an "irresponsible lifestyle" with some of the world's highest carbon emissions per capita, Pope Francis on Wednesday doubled down on his earlier call for urgent action to tackle climate change, while also criticizing a failing global response to the crisis. Inside Climate News

Kentucky

Ky. Democratic Governor Avoids Climate Agenda in Bid to Fend Off a Mitch McConnell Protege

Andy Beshear, the popular coal state governor, is trying to navigate a red wave that has overtaken Kentucky in recent years and defeat a Republican challenger, Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Inside Climate News

Maine

Here's everything we know about the referendum to replace CMP and Versant with Pine Tree Power

Question 3 in November proposes a dramatic overhaul of who is responsible for delivering electricity to the majority of Mainers. In this state and across the nation, it's unmatched in manner, scope or known outcomes. Maine Public Radio

Michigan

Michigan may be next to mandate 100% clean energy. What comes next?

But exactly what that standard ultimately looks like - and what other energy policies are put in place to support it - is still up in the air. The outcome, whatever it may be, will be a bellwether for clean energy policy across the whole country. Renewable Energy World

Nevada

Has Nevada missed the boat on public power?

NV Energy customers are paying more for electricity than ratepayers in any of the mountain states. But in pockets of Nevada where electric utilities are publicly owned and operated, customers are paying a fraction of their big city counterparts. Nevada Current

New York

Public Hearing Set For Proposed Transmission Line

At the behest of the Sullivan County Legislature and County Manager Joshua Potosek, the NYS Public Service Commission has scheduled an October 4 public hearing at SUNY Sullivan regarding a proposed underground electric transmission line. Hudson Valley Press

Ohio

How efforts to restrict democracy in Ohio also make it harder to fight climate change

Ohio's adoption of gerrymandered voting district maps last week is the latest in a series of anti-democratic measures that thwart action to address climate change, critics say. Data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication show a majority of Ohioans believe climate change is happening and worry about it. Energy News Network

Oregon, Washington

Environmental groups ask Oregon and Washington utilities to leave powerful gas lobby

A coalition of 17 environmental groups are asking two of the largest electric and natural gas utilities in Oregon and Washington to end their membership in a powerful gas trade group that's fighting climate change policies. Oregon Capital Chronicle

Wyoming

Wyoming passes up federal funds to voluntarily close oil and gas wells

Gov. Mark Gordon announced this week the state will decline an invitation to apply for millions in federal Inflation Reduction Act funds aimed at shuttering low-producing oil and gas wells. The Mitigating Emissions from Marginal Conventional Wells program would pay the costs of voluntarily closing and remediating wells that produce less than the equivalent of 15 barrels of oil per day -- aka "stripper" wells. WyoFile

U.S.

Michael Mann Deconstructs The Current State Of Climate Denial

In a recent interview with Vox, the climate scientist spoke about how attacks on climate science have changed over the past 25 years. CleanTechnica

U.S.

There's still a chance for America to reach net-zero, but it requires drastic action

That includes building more renewables, selling more electric vehicles, and fixing up more buildings. Grist

Maryland

On a night celebrating Moore's ties to Md. green groups, some wonder when he'll hire a climate czar

The annual Maryland League of Conservation Voters fundraising dinner -- also known as the Green Prom -- is always a popular event on the state's fall political calendar. This year's dinner, held Thursday night at the Colwell Center in Baltimore, home of the University System of Maryland's Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, felt a little more consequential than usual: Gov. Wes Moore (D) was the keynote speaker. Maryland Matters

Ohio

Ohio House committee begins hearings on expansion of Renewable Energy Tax Credit

The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill 264, legislation that will make facilities that produce energy through the means of steam recovered from waste heat eligible for the Renewable Energy Tax Credit. Portsmouth Daily Times

California

California governor signs bill to speed utility interconnections

The Powering Up Californians Act aims to accelerate the state's electrification efforts and is one of several clean energy bills signed recently by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Utility Dive

International

Google wants to be at the center of all your climate change decisions

People shopping for electric vehicles, heat pumps, or air conditioning units will see enhanced search results on Google in a series of updates the company hopes will help people live more sustainable, climate-friendly lives. The tech giant revealed the new updates alongside a host of expanded AI tools for people and policymakers to reduce tailpipe emissions and better predict floods, wildfires, and extreme heat. The Verge

Michigan

Power play: Ann Arbor faces hurdles as it mulls creating own utility

In a quest to use electricity only generated by renewable sources by 2030, Ann Arbor officials are considering creating their own power system, a rare move in southeastern Michigan. Detroit News

Minnesota

What keeps Minnesota energy officials up at night? Public 'revolt' over reliability, for one thing

Four state energy officials spoke at a conference hosted by the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group for solar and energy storage developers. MinnPost

New York

OPINION: California's backtrack on energy is a warning sign for New York

In the grid transition, rhetoric and policy have gotten ahead of operational realities, says Todd Snitchler, CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association. Times Union

U.S.

It's not our job to pick winners': How Jigar Shah and the DOE Loan Programs Office is backing the energy transition

Jigar Shah, the clean energy industry veteran leading the US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, speaks with Energy-Storage.news. Energy Storage News

U.S.

How local governments are driving solar energy growth

The solar industry has much to gain by developing constructive partnerships with local governments to help communities achieve sustainability, resilience, and equity goals. pv magazine USA

Vermont

OPINION: Vermont Renewable Energy Standard -- A Shell Game Of Picking Winners & Losers

At its core, "renewable" energy in our state is a scam designed to enrich politically connected special interests, says Rob Roper, president of the Ethan Allen Institute, Vermont's free market think tank. The Caledonian-Record

California

California enacts far-reaching climate disclosure laws

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping series of climate and environmental laws into effect, cementing the Golden State's reputation as a leader in climate action. The laws establish some of the country's most robust rules for businesses to disclose greenhouse gas emissions, the content of their carbon offsets, and the financial risks they face due to climate change. They also hope to speed up the state's adoption of more renewable energy, in particular offshore wind projects. Grist

California

California Gov. Newsom signs climate disclosure bills but worries about 'overall financial impact'

The two bills would require large companies to disclose their supply chain emissions and report on climate-related financial risks, but the governor raised concerns about their implementation. Utility Dive

Oregon

Comment Period Extended on Oregon Draft Wind Energy Areas

On August 15, 2023, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) identified two Draft Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the coast of Oregon and opened a 60-day public review and comment period on those WEAs. In response to feedback from Oregon Tribes and stakeholders, BOEM has extended the comment period and will accept comments on the Draft WEAs through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 31. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, federal IRA grants could break bottleneck on climate funding

Wisconsin has ambitious climate plans, but the Republican-controlled legislature has refused to pass funding to carry them out. That's why Wisconsin city and state leaders are especially glad for a nearly $5 billion federal initiative meant to help states and municipalities advance climate action plans. Energy News Network

International

OPINION: What Gavin Newsom can learn from China about climate change

Gov. Gavin Newsom put an international spotlight on California's climate policies in his speech at the United Nations last month. But when he heads to China to meet with officials on the same subject this month, he should do as much listening as speaking, writes Alex Wang, faculty co-director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and a professor of law at the UCLA School of Law. Los Angeles Times

Maine

Maine debate heats up as vote nears on potential takeover of CMP, Versant systems

Voters in Maine will decide next month whether to potentially spend billions of dollars to form a non-profit, consumer-owned utility called Pine Tree Power and purchase the assets of investor-owned electric utilities Central Maine Power and Versant Power. The initiative is backed by a group called Our Power and is supported by a coalition of conservation groups. Utility Dive

Mississippi

Solar energy company threatens to sue Tate Reeves campaign for airing 'defamatory' TV ad

Employees of a solar energy company that Republican Gov. Tate Reeves' campaign accused in a TV ad of illegally donating to his Democratic opponent, Brandon Presley, are threatening to sue the governor's campaign if it doesn't take the ad off the air. Mississippi Today

U.S.

Billions of dollars to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells will only make a dent

Twenty-four states received millions of dollars for well plugging from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made the largest investment in legacy pollution reduction in American history. But in many ways, the difficult work is just beginning. Of the $4.7 billion the law set aside for plugging wells that oil and gas companies have abandoned, $560 million has gone out so far. The rest will be spent in the coming years. Missouri Independent

Virginia

What's at stake if RGGI disappears in Virginia?

The withdrawal from RGGI would threaten money for efficiency upgrades that have helped Virginians The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Wisconsin

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. Canary Media

California

Powering Up Californians Act Is Signed into Law

Governor Newsom approves new law that will prepare the electrical grid and reduce the time needed to energize EV charging stations and electrify buildings. CleanTechnica

Indiana

OPINION: LEAP, carbon projects require Hoosiers to trust their government

Whether it's putting carbon dioxide into the ground or taking water out, these two examples of residents bucking government action have the same thing in common: trust. Or, actually, a lack of trust. Hoosiers simply don't believe their government anymore. And this isn't exclusive to Indiana -- it's part of a nationwide decline in trust, writes longtime politics reporter Niki Kelly. Indiana Capital Chronicle

International

Headwinds threaten Europe 2030 renewables target

Morningstar's report finds that increased capex costs and permitting delays could impede further progress. reNEWS.biz

International

TCFD: 97 of the world's 100 largest corporations back climate disclosure guidelines

The world's largest companies are committed to reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities in line with the guidance set out by the influential Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), but only a handful of corporates have fully embraced climate risk reporting best practices. That is the headline conclusion of the sixth and final status report from the TCFD. GreenBiz

International

The EU just kicked off its biggest climate experiment yet

The world's largest single market has launched a bold plan to tax carbon at its borders. The rest of the world is paying close attention. Grist

Maryland

New 'Climate Partners' plan prods state to expand climate goals

As the Maryland government moves closer to adopting a battle plan for meeting the state's comprehensive climate goals, a group of environmentalists, community organizations and other advocates is releasing a climate proposal of its own in an effort to get the state to move even more aggressively. Maryland Matters

New York

OPINION: The wheels are coming off New York's insane alternate-energy plans

By the way, statewide conversion to electric heat would mean peak power demand will come in the coldest months, not the hottest: So the blackouts won't leave people sweating uncomfortably but instead freezing in the dead of winter, says the New York Post Editorial Board. New York Post

U.S.

OPINION: Don't be fooled: Transmission benefits are clearer than they appear

By passing a rule that clarifies and requires evaluation of commonly accepted benefits, FERC has the opportunity to push for the thoughtful planning of transmission and provide customers access to lower-cost, reliable energy into the future. The benefits of transmission are fundamentally clear. America needs a grid to power America, writes Christina Hayes, executive director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. Utility Dive

Alabama

Energy and Policy Institut: Alabama Commission President Misleads Legislative Review Committee about Alabama Power's High Rate of Profit

Alabama's top utility regulator, Twinkle Cavanaugh, falsely implied to a state legislative review committee late last month that the Alabama Public Service Commission had more than halved the amount of profit Alabama Power is allowed to collect from customers under her leadership. An Energy and Policy Institute (EPI) analysis shows Alabama Power's profits have remained largely steady, at levels far higher than the rest of the utility industry in recent years, despite spiking utility prices leaving many customers unable to afford their monthly electricity bills. The Energy and Policy Institute

Indiana

Commissioners pass 12-month moratorium on Utility Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems

The Marshall County Commissioners passed an ordinance on all three readings to enact a 12-month moratorium on Utility Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems. WTCA

Pennsylvania

Pa. House environmental leader guts his own bill to manage crypto mining growth

The Democratic chairperson of the state House committee that vets environmental policy gutted his own bill on Monday, legislation that was designed to help the state get a regulatory grip on the energy-hungry cryptocurrency mining industry. Rep. Greg Vitali cited pressure from leaders in his own party not to run the bill. Penn Capital-Star

U.S.

Scientists lay out a sweeping roadmap for transitioning the U.S. off fossil fuels

A 600-plus-page report from the National Academies of Science includes 80 recommendations for how the U.S. can achieve its target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Grist

International

Finland plans to become Europe's first carbon negative economy

A combination of natural advantages, technical know-how and smart investment are helping Finland reach its clean energy goals, going beyond climate neutrality. The Parliament Magazine

International

How America is pushing its energy interests in Europe

"Never waste a good crisis." The famous expression attributed to Winston Churchill probably best encapsulates America's opportunistic response to the energy crisis that has gripped Europe for the past two years. EURACTIV

U.S.

Biden Will Get $80 Million Ad Boost From Climate Group

Climate Power says the lack of awareness and understanding of the president's record on environmental issues is hurting him in the polls. The New York Times

U.S.

OPINION: Exxon Mobil's Pioneer Deal Is a Direct Threat to Democracy

The democratic argument against the proposed deal is simple: In politics, concentrated interests, like rich corporations, have powerful advantages over diffuse interests, like voters, that can distort outcomes and thwart progress, writes Jeff Colgan, director of the Brown University Climate Solutions Lab. New York Times

Maine

ANALYSIS: In Maine, a ballot question with big climate implications

The ballot referendum has important implications for consumers' energy bills and for Maine's fight against climate change, and the results could ripple far beyond the New England state's borders. The Washington Post

Ohio

Utility refunds top priorities list for new Ohio consumers' counsel

New Ohio Consumer Counsel interviewed on range of subjects, including efficiency. Energy News Network

Texas

Texas Launches New Review Of Big Banks Over Energy Policies

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office said it's reviewing whether 10 financial companies violate a Republican-backed state law that punishes firms for restricting their work with the oil and gas industry because of climate change concerns. Financial Advisor

U.S.

OPINION: Let's get hydrogen right from the start -- we need a tax credit that is practical and workable

DOE's recent hydrogen hub awards represent tens of thousands of clean energy jobs across the U.S., which could be at risk if upcoming tax credit guidance limits the ability to scale hydrogen quickly, says Katrina Fritz, executive director of the California Hydrogen Business Council. Utility Dive

Colorado

Can a single Colorado agency oversee both fossil fuel and clean energy production?

Colorado is racing to set up new rules to regulate climate-friendly energy industries, including carbon capture and geothermal projects, and hopes to be among the first states in the nation to achieve this. But it is doing so using the same agency that also regulates fossil fuel production. Oil and gas interests and climate activists both worry that the agency now charged with dual oversight won't be able to do both effectively. Capital & Main

Georgia

OPINION: Georgia needs electric utility reform

These are exciting times in the energy transition. Things like heat pumps, electric water heaters, smart connected devices, rooftop solar and vehicle-to-grid EV battery storage are ways people can be engaged with local energy solutions. If we allow the widespread use of local technologies and create programs that engage people, we can have the affordable grid that Georgians deserve, writes Patty Durand, former president of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative and former candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

International

A Shadowy Corner of International Law Is Threatening Climate Action, U.N. Expert Warns

An obscure but far-reaching system allowing corporations to sue governments is being "weaponized" by the fossil fuel and mining industries, according to a new U.N. report, jeopardizing progress in developing nations. Inside Climate News

International

The pope leads 1.4 billion Catholics. Getting them to care about the climate is harder than he thought.

If there's one person in the Catholic Church who ought to have the ability to influence climate action on a global scale, it's the pope. And yet as Laudate Deum, his most recent exhortation on climate, demonstrates, even Pope Francis seems frustrated by how little has changed despite his best efforts. Grist

U.S.

Clean Energy Incentives Keep Emerging -- Both From The IRA & The Private Sector

Rebates and tax credits are helping people in the U.S. to switch to household electrification. Award for startups are also helping climate action to become a reality -- if only more people were aware of them. CleanTechnica

U.S.

Who supports the clean energy transition?

A recent report finds generational, political and income divides as far as how people perceive the Biden administrations clean energy agenda and the move to renewables in general. pv magazine

California

Gavin Newsom Wants to Export California's Climate Laws to the World

The Democratic governor is supercharging climate policy and eyeing a future White House run. But critics say some of his constituents could be left behind. New York Times

International

Net-zero needs more than solar, wind and EVs, says IEA - fDi Intelligence

IEA report calls for more efficiency and infrastructure construction to help hit net zero goals. FDI Intelligence

International

EU says jury still out on U.S. green subsidy impact

A build-up of clean tech investment in the United States did not necessarily mean a decline in Europe, the report said. Europe's predictable demand, science base and talented workforce promoting innovation were also pull factors for the continent. Reuters

Massachusetts

Climate report calls for decarbonization cost tally

Massachusetts needs to shift from an era of statewide planning for climate policy to the key details of implementing it, according to a new report from the state's top climate official, which includes sweeping recommendations to accelerate the state's progress toward its emissions reduction goals. CommonWealth Magazine

U.S.

OPINION: Princeton's Zero Lab has it wrong on corporate renewable energy procurement and emissions

A Princeton ZERO lab paper had a goal to quantify the emissions impacts of different clean energy procurement methods. Jake Oster, Rob Threlkeld, Chad Reed and Hannah Hunt, employees of member companies of the grid decarbonization-focused Emissions First Partnership, disagree with some of that paper's conclusions but agree on the need for more impactful private-sector efforts to decarbonize the grid, plus continued analysis, discussion and partnership to maximize the benefit of corporate sustainability activities. Utility Dive

Massachusetts

Climate report calls for decarbonization cost tally

Massachusetts report calls for cost estimates of decarbonization, no new natural gas infrastructure (repairs ok), and a state-run efficiency program over one administered by utilities. CommonWealth magazine

Michigan

Michigan Energy Bills Clear Committees

A bill to set a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 advanced out of the Michigan Senate Energy and Environment Committee while a House panel advanced legislation to give the Michigan Public Service Commission more power over siting solar and wind projects. WEMU.org

New York

PSC commissioner urges National Grid to 'speak up' about government shortfalls before next blizzard

At a meeting of the state Public Service Commission this month, Commissioner John Maggiore cast National Grid's failing as a failing of the utility's government partners. He urged National Grid to not assume in the future that government would be as prepared as the company might be - and to speak up about what it needed to function effectively. The Buffalo News

U.S.

New House Speaker Champions Fossil Fuels and Dismisses Climate Concerns

Even as other Republican lawmakers increasingly accept the overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is dangerously heating the planet, the unanimous election of Mr. Johnson on Wednesday suggests that his views may not be out of step with the rest of his party. New York Times

California

Los Angeles region to accelerate clean energy efforts in run-up to 2028 Olympics

Los Angeles-region city and county governments, energy providers and other groups on Wednesday published a road map to hasten greenhouse gas emissions reductions in advance of the Summer Olympics coming to Southern California in 2028. Smart Energy International

Maine

Mainers See Climate Promise in Ballot Initiative to Create a Statewide Nonprofit Electric Utility

Maine will vote this month on a plan to replace the state's two investor-owned electric companies with a statewide nonprofit utility, a proposal supporters describe as an unprecedented potential climate solution. Inside Climate News

Missouri

Missouri regulators OK Evergy changing default time-of-use pricing plan

Missouri regulators approved Evergy's request to change customers' default plan days before its mandatory time-of-use pricing goes into effect. The Missouri Public Service Commission last month approved the Kansas City-based electric utility's request to change the default selection for customers who fail to select one of the company's four time-of-use pricing plans. Missouri Independent

Wisconsin

OPINION: Political obstruction is climate destruction

Every business owner knows that you don't solve problems by creating bigger ones, and you certainly don't play games in the face of a crisis. When it comes to saving our climate, there is no backup plan, no Plan B or C. If our leaders fail to act on climate change, these disasters will cripple our economy and our very lives. Either get the job done, or get out of the way, writes John Imes, co-founder and director of the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative. Wisconsin Examiner

Michigan

Energy Expert says Michigan Dems' Green New Deal threatens future grid stability

Prices are going to go up, reliability is going to go way down,' Michigan energy expert tells Fox News Digital. Fox News

Michigan

Michigan Senate passes clean energy bills

Michigan lawmakers passed new clean energy laws, including expanding energy efficiency requirements. Energy News Network

Michigan

Utility campaign giving nears $500K as Michigan lawmakers weigh energy bills

Michigan utility giants DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have given state lawmakers nearly half a million dollars in campaign contributions this year, according to new state disclosures that come amid worries that the same legislators will weaken key bills to accelerate the transition to clean energy in order to appease the utilities. The Energy and Policy Institute

U.S.

OPINION: Biden should take 'acting' out of FERC chair's title

FERC acting Chair Willie Phillips has taken charge of FERC at a turning point in our nation's history, and he has delivered. It's time to nominate Phillips as permanent FERC chairman, writes the Rev. Leonard B. Jackson, executive director of the Faith Organizing Alliance. Nevada Current

U.S.

U.S. House passes energy spending bill with climate law cuts; Biden vows to veto

Fresh off electing a new speaker, the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 26 passed a fiscal year 2024 energy and water spending bill that would reduce funding for some clean energy-focused offices at the Energy Department and claw back money for Inflation Reduction Act climate programs. But the legislation stands little chance of passing the Democratic-majority Senate, and President Joe Biden vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk. S&P Global

U.S.

Many Conservative U.S. Politicians Push For Anti-Clean Energy Legislation

Michael Mann, director of the Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that a constellation of think tanks and front groups, most of which are tied to fossil fuel companies or conservative donors like the Koch brothers or the Scaife Foundations, work from positions of delay, deny, deflect, and downplaying the seriousness of the climate crisis. CleanTechnica

International

Carbon Emissions Budget to Hit Paris Accord Goals Is Now Smaller

Five years and change. That's how long humans can keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere at our current rate before we're likely to push global warming past the most ambitious limit set by the Paris Agreement, according to new estimates released recently by a team of climate scientists. The New York Times

Mississippi

Solar company's donations to Brandon Presley appear legal. But should he have accepted them?

As Democratic gubernatorial nominee Brandon Presley touts campaign finance reform and decries corruption in politics, he's been peppered with accusations from Republican Gov. Tate Reeves about political contributions he received from a company that had business before Presley on the Public Service Commission. Mississippi Today

Montana

Lawsuit challenges Montana Legislature's new PSC map as unconstitutional gerrymander

Lawyers for Montana Conservation Voters and a group of Montanans from across the state filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the new Public Service Commission district map redrawn this year by the Republican supermajority legislature, which they say is gerrymandered to favor Republicans in violation of the state constitution. Daily Montanan

International

OPINION: How Biden can convince the world that the U.S. is serious on climate

President Biden's "Bidenomics" agenda, embedded in the U.S. climate plan, promotes domestic manufacturing and job creation along with emissions-cutting. This makes the climate effort costlier and antagonizes would-be partners. Fortunately, the policy can be improved. And, crucially, Mr. Biden can argue that the plan will not only green up the United States but one piece of it could also make it easy for the rest of the world to follow. The Washington Post

International

Talking About Health Impacts of Climate Change Without Mentioning Fossil Fuels

Can you talk about the health impacts of climate change without mentioning the burning of fossil fuels, its leading cause? An intergovernmental declaration on the health impacts of climate change led by the United Arab Emirates, which is presiding over this year's global climate talks, and circulated among countries for their potential endorsement, does just that. The New York Times

Massachusetts

OPINION: A checklist for the region's power grid operator

Our grid is energy infrastructure and part of our social infrastructure, write Slingshot Co-Executive Director Mireille Bejjani and Conservation Law Foundation senior attorney Phelps Turner, who call on ISO-NE to embrace this integral role by building on its progress toward greater transparency and accessibility, as well as its acceptance of the role clean energy plays in ensuring a reliable grid. CommonWealth Magazine

U.S.

NERC cheers NASEM report on obstacles to decarbonizing

The report also recommended research and policies best suited to support the transformation over the next five to 20 year span. Daily Energy Insider

Colorado

Denver has a new climate boss. Here's her plan for an electrified and sustainable city -- and how she's cutting her own carbon footprint

Three years ago, Liz Babcock helped create Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency, one of few in the country. Now, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has appointed her to lead it. "I think the work of climate action has to engage everyone in our community," Babcock said. "We are experiencing an affordability crisis in our community, and so pairing climate action and clean energy with programs that actually lower people's energy costs is really important." Colorado Public Radio

International

U.S. and Other Rich Nations Are Cutting Climate Aid, Even as Risks Grow

Poor countries need far more money to adapt to climate change, according to a new United Nations report. New York Times

Michigan

Environmental advocates cheer energy efficiency improvements amid DTE settlement

DTE Energy, one of Michigan's largest electrical providers, reached a settlement recently with a number of environmental organizations regarding the company's energy waste reduction plans for 2024 and 2025. The settlement between DTE, the Sierra Club, Ecology Center, Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council, National Housing Trust and other parties was filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission and is awaiting final approval. Michigan Advance

U.S.

Economic blows batter Biden's clean energy goals

The cancellation of two New Jersey offshore wind farms is just the latest example of inflation, high interest rates and a troubled supply chain hampering ambitious climate efforts. Poltico

Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric Unveils Wildfire Mitigation Measures

Sending "spotters" to high-risk areas and expanding inspections of poles and lines are among the steps Hawaiian Electric plans to take to prevent its transmission systems from igniting wildfires in dry, windy weather in places most vulnerable to fires. Civil Beat

International

Developing countries need at least $215 billion a year for climate adaptation

Those figures are far greater than the amount that the United States and other wealthy countries have been setting aside for lower-income ones: In 2021, developing countries received just $21 billion for adaptation. Grist

International

Climate data can save lives. Most countries can't access it.

As climate-driven deaths rise, a report finds only 23 percent of countries use climate data to inform their public health strategies. Grist

International

How Advance Market Commitments and Contracts for Difference Can Help Create a Market for Green Industrial Products

Technological innovation to decarbonize heavy industry is ramping up. But implementing these solutions at scale will require the creation of a thriving market that can drive demand and spur investment in novel, green industrial products. Advance market commitments and contracts for difference can help by providing a commitment today to purchase low-carbon products when they come to market. WRI

International

Less Pollution, More Global Warming

Across the globe and for many years now, air quality has been improving thanks to regulations that have dramatically reduced the release of pollutants that are harmful to human health. But some of the particulate matter was actually cooling the climate. Scientists are now taking a closer look at this trade-off and finding that as we clean up the air, we're worsening global warming. The New York Times

Kentucky

Two words rarely heard on Kentucky's campaign trail: Climate change

Beshear, Cameron stick by coal as a power source even as energy market and technology transform. Kentucky Lantern

Texas

Texas could spend federal funds meant to cut carbon emissions on highway projects

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required Texas' transportation agency to create a carbon reduction strategy to get $641 million in federal money. Critics say the plan is unlikely to meaningfully cut greenhouse gasses from the state's massive transportation sector. Texas Tribune

U.S.

Q&A: The League of Conservation Voters' Take on House Speaker Mike Johnson's Voting Record: 'Appalling'

"To call him a climate skeptic is generous," says the league's Tiernan Sittenfeld. "He's said outrageous things about climate change, and what's causing it, whether he believes it's happening." Inside Climate News

Vermont

Vermont lawmakers want to require utilities to source 100% renewable electricity by 2030

Lawmakers plan to clean up the state's grid by updating a 2015 law that requires utilities to derive 75% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2032. Sen. Chris Bray told Vermont Public that he wants to use legislation in 2024 to move up the timeline to 2030, and increase the clean-energy mandate to 100%. Vermont Public

Wyoming

Legislators want $50M to sue feds over environmental laws

Wyoming lawmakers want to earmark $50 million to sue the federal government over implementation of national environmental and natural resource laws. Lawmakers added the proposed $50 million appropriation to a draft bill -- Federal land use plans-legal actions authorized -- that the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee endorsed Oct. 30. The bill authorizes the Legislature "to prosecute actions involving the proper administration and interpretation of federal acts." WyoFile

Colorado

OPINION: Some climate solutions depend on knowing when to say enough

Colorado could consider policies recommended by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to disincentivize the construction of needlessly large houses, such as higher property taxes on houses with greater square footage per capita, or building codes with size constraints. While these measures may seem radical, the adoption of more sufficiency policies, alongside efficiency and renewable energy, are inevitable if Colorado hopes to achieve its GHG emission reduction goals and move beyond the state's housing shortage, writes Regional Air Quality Council program coordinator and University of Denver environmental policy and management graduate student Sammy Herdman. Colorado Newsline

International

The West wants to help developing countries transition to renewables; it's off to a rocky start

No one expects these efforts to go smoothly. Even in rich countries energy infrastructure is notoriously slow to change, with transitions measured in decades rather than years. Grist

U.S.

As offshore wind stumbles, Biden moves to speed up solar and geothermal in the West

New clean energy projects could power the country, but they need more transmission lines to do it. Grist

Louisiana

Louisiana's new governor is one of the fossil fuel industry's biggest defenders

Climate change looms larger in Louisiana than it does almost anywhere else in the United States. The state is facing down monster hurricanes as well as sea-level rise, and it still relies on a fossil fuel industry that pollutes the state's air and erodes its wetlands. But the state's incoming governor, Republican Jeff Landry, doesn't see it that way. Grist

New York

Judge Dismisses Challenge to New York City's Groundbreaking Climate Law

A New York trial court judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Local Law 97 ("LL97"), New York City's ambitious effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions from buildings over 25, 000 square feet. Carter Ledyard & Milburn

U.S.

OPINION: The IRA paradox -- energy for all leaves some of us behind

Holding back the growth of DERs slows the price drops that come with mass adoption. The result is inequality: People with resources are adopting home solar and energy storage, writes Lauren Rosenblatt, Co-Founder and CEO of Barrio El?ctrico. Renewable Energy World

U.S.

Environmental Groups Cut Programs as Funding Shifts to Climate Change

The Natural Resources Defense Council is eliminating its longstanding program promoting nuclear safety and cleanup as donors focus on the climate crisis. The New York Times

U.S.

Protecting the Renewable Energy Revolution

The EPA wants to revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter 16 to 25% lower than the Obama administration set them. That would have an impact on all major electricity sources, including renewable ones, and be problematic for the U.S. economy as well as for the nation's energy future. Real Clear Energy

Maryland

OPINION: How the Public Service Commission dimmed the lights on Gov. Wes Moore's tech ambition

In light of Aligned pulling out of its Maryland data center deal after the Maryland Public Service Commission denied a generator exemption, expect Gov. Wes Moore to present the Maryland General Assembly a plan to loosen restrictions on the emissions coming from data center backup generators when lawmakers reconvene for their next legislative session this January, the Baltimore Sun editorial board writes. The Baltimore Sun

New York

Helping New York Face Climate Problems of the Future

Stephen Hammer, the new chief executive of the New York Climate Exchange, hopes to bring urgency to environmental issues facing the city. New York Times

U.S.

The Godfather of Climate Science Turns Up the Heat

James Hansen says we must realize that we've underestimated how much the planet is warming. The New York Times

Virginia

With Democrats Back in Control of Virginia's General Assembly, Environmentalists See a Narrow Path Forward for Climate Policy

New Democratic majorities in the Senate and House of Delegates aren't nearly big enough to override vetoes by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, described by one Democrat as "mostly hostile to climate policy." But Democrats will control the regulation of utilities. InsideClimate News

Hawaii

Some Parts Of HECO's New Wildfire Strategy Were Already In Play

On Nov. 3, when Hawaiian Electric unveiled a new "wildfire safety strategy" to better protect most of the state's power grid against future devastating blazes, grid repairs in Lahaina were already well underway and, in some places, completed. Nonetheless, the state's largest power utility says it has been putting that strategy into practice in Lahaina as its crews install new poles and erect transmission lines across the burn area. In fact, some steps in the strategy occurred there for years prior to the Aug. 8 wildfire. Civil Beat

International

Emissions keep rising among world's biggest meat and dairy producers

A $70 trillion-backed investor group has called for an "urgent" policy focus on accelerating climate action across the global food and agriculture sector at the upcoming COP28 Climate Summit, after fresh data underscored how greenhouse gas emissions from the world's largest meat and dairy producers are still on the rise. GreenBiz

Maine

OPINION: Maine voters don't like their electric utilities, but they balked at paying billions to buy them out

As Theodore Kury, director of energy studies at the University of Florida's Public Utility Research Center, sees it, a community's best strategy is to choose a model that has strengths residents value, and whose weaknesses are less important or can be mitigated in other ways. While Maine voters may not love the system they have, their fear of the unknown was apparently stronger, Kury writes. The Conversation

Maryland

OPINION: PSC chair: Commission followed the law on data center decision

Maryland Public Service Commission Frederick H. Hoover responds to the Baltimore Sun's editorial on a PSC decision, writing that the commission is required to consider climate impacts in its decisions; that Gov. Wes Moore correctly noted that to exempt such a request, a change in the law is required; and that the commission looks forward to working with Moore and the Maryland General Assembly to bring new economic opportunities to the state while protecting our precious environment. The Baltimore Sun

Michigan

Michigan's New Clean Energy Bill Signals a "Huge Shift"

Michigan is set to become the third state in the Midwest and twelfth in the country to require a shift to clean electricity. Mother Jones

Nevada

Nevada lawmakers call for federal clean car standards

Nevada Assemblywomen Angie Taylor and Natha Anderson are calling on the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accelerate Nevada's path to a zero-emissions future. KUNR

New Jersey

How Hoboken Got Smart About Climate Change

Eleven years after Hurricane Sandy caused more than $110 million worth of property damage to Hoboken, the city looks like a climate change success story because it has spent that time trying seriously to anticipate and to build for a changing climate and the problems of storms and rain and high tides, such as by using a federal program, called Rebuild by Design that the Obama administration started after Hurricane Sandy, that seeded projects in areas that had been damaged -- projects to mitigate flooding that benefit the community in other ways. The New York Times

Oregon

PacifiCorp wants state to protect it from future wildfire lawsuits. Past victims are disgusted

In an unusual and controversial move, Oregon's second-largest electricity provider wants state regulators to protect it from paying huge sums of money for future lawsuits stemming from wildfire destruction. The Oregonian

U.S.

House Speaker Mike Johnson's Climate Change Playbook: Deny the Science, Take the Funding

It took no time for Mike Johnson to establish a hefty carbon footprint as new Speaker of the House. In the first legislative act under his watch, his Republican majority last month passed an appropriations bill that seeks to gut many federal programs meant to fight climate change. Union of Concerned Scientists

U.S.

Joe Manchin wasn't always a climate ally, but his successor will be worse

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has not always supported President Biden's climate policies. He recently announced he is no longer running for re-election against Gov. Jim Justice, which will mean replacing an occasional climate ally with a man Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action board president Eric Engle says won't be any help addressing climate change. Grist

New York

Gov. Hochul Announces Appointments to the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees

Gov. Hochul has announced appointments to the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees: Tracey Edwards as chair, and David Manning and Claudia Lovas as trustees. Governor Kathy Hochul

U.S.

5th National Climate Assessment Lays Out Climate Threats and Solutions

Nearly every cherished aspect of American life is under growing threat from climate change and it is effectively too late to prevent many of the harms from worsening over the next decade, a major report from the federal government has concluded. The New York Times

Virginia

Regional greenhouse gas trading program faces political challenges

Virginia Democrats are expected to use their new legislative majority to fight Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's effort to pull his state out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a mandatory carbon trading program designed to limit emissions from the electric utility sector. But in Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro must decide whether to continue his predecessor's efforts to join the program Shapiro himself has been noticeably cool toward after a court barred the state's participation. Politico

Colorado

Colorado Analysis Reveals State Still Off Track for Near-Term Climate Goals

A new analysis released by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Colorado Energy Office reveals that Colorado will fall well short of the near-term greenhouse gas emission reductions required by state law. Environmental Defense Fund

Hawaii

Hawaii Climate Lawsuit Can Proceed

A recent decision by Hawaii's Supreme Court rejected an appeal by lawyers representing Big Oil. It perhaps pushed the plaintiffs, the city and county of Honolulu, toward achieving something that has not been done before: having a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies go to trial for their alleged part in extreme climate change. The Legal Examiner

International

What a U.S.-China Climate Deal Means for COP28

The United States and China announced an agreement on Tuesday evening to sharply increase clean energy, displace fossil fuels and reduce the emissions that are warming the planet. New York Times

International

World severely off track to limit planet-heating emissions: UN

The world is "failing to get a grip" on climate change, the UN warned Tuesday, as an assessment of climate pledges shows only minor progress on reducing emissions this decade. Yahoo News

Maine

After public power's defeat, confusion remains regarding Maine utility rates

The proposal to create a publicly-owned electric power utility in Maine was defeated but the confusion surrounding electricity rates remains. Maine Beacon

Minnesota

Minnesota utilities target small transmission upgrades with big grid impacts

A group of utilities that once went big on building transmission is now going small to open bottlenecks and move more wind power from western Minnesota and the Dakotas. Grid North Partners, which includes 10 investor- and consumer-owned utilities, will spend roughly $130 million for 19 transmission upgrades to improve access to wind energy and reduce grid congestion. Energy News Network

Nevada

Lawmaker suggests profit motive behind NV Energy's 'flawed and fractured' planning

Assemblyman Howard Watts says NV Energy's failure to adequately plan for the amount of energy resources it requires to maintain a reliable system is costing customers more, increasing reliance on fossil fuels, and is contrary to the state's goal of producing half its energy from renewable sources by 2030, but may be increasing the utility's bottom line. Nevada Current

Ohio

Another judge hammers former Ohio utility regulator Randazzo in FirstEnergy case

Sam Randazzo, Gov. Mike DeWine's first pick to chair the state's utility regulator, isn't even a party to a civil suit over a massive bribery scheme. Even so, judges keep admonishing Randazzo over what they say is his lack of cooperation. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

A year after devastating winter storm, power plant problems 'still likely' in extreme weather

As Winter Storm Elliott's anniversary approaches, a pair of reports reveal how much worse the situation almost became and how vulnerable the U.S. energy grid still is to frigid weather. New Hampshire Bulletin

U.S.

What's Worse for the Climate: Joe Manchin or No Manchin?

The senator has played an outsize role in shaping climate policy. The New York Times

Vermont

In 2024, general use fluorescent lightbulbs will no longer be sold in Vermont

A state law going into effect in the new year prohibits the sale of 4-foot linear fluorescent lightbulbs that contain mercury, citing health and environmental concerns. Sales of other types of general-use fluorescent bulbs have been restricted since February. Vermont Digger

International

Controversies of carbon dioxide removal

Various methods of carbon dioxide removal are being pursued in response to the climate crisis, but they are mostly not proven at scale. Climate experts are divided over whether CDR is a necessary requirement or a dangerous distraction from limiting emissions. In this Viewpoint, six experts offer their views on the CDR debate. Nature

International

What a U.S.-China Climate Deal Means for COP28

The United States and China announced an agreement recently to sharply increase clean energy, displace fossil fuels and reduce the emissions that are warming the planet. The deal comes at a pivotal moment for the United States, the biggest climate polluter in history, and China, currently the largest polluter. Together, they account for 38 percent of the world's greenhouse gases. The New York Times

International

Can U.S., China Climate Talks Spur Progress at COP28?

New climate talks between the United States and China could set an encouraging signal for the upcoming United Nations COP28 climate summit, but only if the world's biggest greenhouse gas polluters follow up on their words with actions. Inside Climate News

International

UN: Countries' current climate action plans would raise emissions

A new United Nations report finds that countries' current plans to reduce their carbon emissions would actually increase global emissions 8.8 percent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels -- falling far short of the drastic cuts needed to limit warming. Grist

Massachusetts

Boston ends efforts to ban fossil fuels in new buildings through state program

Boston is pulling out of the race to be one of the 10 Massachusetts cities and towns allowed to ban fossil fuels in new construction through a state pilot program, Mayor Michelle Wu told The Boston Globe last week. Smart Cities Dive

U.S.

OPINION: House Speaker Mike Johnson's climate change playbook -- deny the science, take the funding

It took no time for Mike Johnson to establish a hefty carbon footprint as new Speaker of the House. In the first legislative act under his watch, his Republican majority last month passed an appropriations bill that seeks to gut many federal programs meant to fight climate change. Environmental Health News

U.S.

Biden administration proposes limiting environmental reviews to speed up renewables

The Biden administration has proposed limiting environmental reviews surrounding power lines, large-scale batteries and solar farms as part of a larger effort to develop more renewable energy. The Hill

U.S.

Top companies' lobbying undermines their climate pledges, study finds

Glencore, ExxonMobil and Stellantis are among companies lobbying for policies that conflict with their own pledges to cut carbon emissions, a study published by non-profit think tank InfluenceMap on Thursday found. Yahoo Finance

Wyoming

GOP hardliners say Gordon's shifted on carbon. But he's shared the same vision for years.

The Wyoming Freedom Caucus stirred the pot on Gov. Mark Gordon's long-held and publicly touted stance on climate change and energy policy. But he's made the same points before -- including to many of them at a speech in January. WyoFile

International

New Research Makes it Harder to Kick The Climate Can Down the Road from COP28

Without immediate emissions cuts, global temperatures will breach the Paris Agreement's goals sooner than expected, scientists say. "Despite decades of warnings, we are still heading in the wrong direction." Inside Climate News

International

The decade-old broken climate promise that looms over COP28

New data suggest wealthy countries may belatedly be providing a promised $100 billion in climate-related aid. But they've eroded trust in the process. Grist

International

Nations Are Getting Serious About Climate Action. Just Not Serious Enough.

The world's nations are taking more concrete steps to tackle climate change than ever before, but they are still very far from making the sweeping changes needed to keep global temperatures at relatively safe levels, according to a United Nations report issued recently. The annual assessment, known as the Emissions Gap Report, tracks the gulf between national ambitions to fight global warming and what scientists say is needed to stave off catastrophe. That gulf has shrunk slightly over the past year but it remains large. The New York Times

Maine

OPINION: Despite Maine defeat, public power still on the agenda in the U.S.

Mainers saw saw how the movement for public power united people across demographic and party lines. Rural or urban, Democrat or Republican, they all deserve access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity. Climate change is forcing people to reconsider how they produce energy, but it doesn't need to stop there. This is an opportunity to reimagine who owns energy infrastructure and whose interests it serves, write professors from the University of British Columbia and Northeastern University. Energy News Network

Michigan

Following the passage of the Clean Energy Package, climate advocates question if it accomplishes enough

A series of legislation referred to as the Clean Energy Package passed in both the Michigan House and Senate recently and is expected to be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by the end of the month. The State News

New York

Panel to vote on recommendations for LIPA to become fully public utility

A state commission recently voted to approve a final report and proposed legislation on the future of the Long Island Power Authority as a fully public utility, projecting annual savings of upward of $80 million and creating a bigger role for an expanded, and paid, LIPA board. Newsday

Ohio

Coal company got big payback from HB 6

A coal company got roughly $12.6 million above market prices to supply one of the 1950s-era plants subsidized by Ohio House Bill 6. That's roughly 50 times the amount the company gave to the dark money group at the center of that coal and nuclear bailout law, according to a new analysis from the Checks and Balances Project. Energy News Network

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Democrats seek balance between environmental policy and loyalty to labor

With a majority in the state House for the first time in a dozen years, Pennsylvania Democrats launched this legislative session with an ambitious environmental agenda. Democratic leaders, however, were caught between the competing interests of the environmental movement and building trade unions. Overcoming the resistance to change is a process of building understanding, trust, and consensus that trade unions' and environmentalists' priorities can coexist. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Pennsylvania

Gov. Shapiro's deal with fracking company splits environmentalists

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's long-promised environmental agenda is finally getting results, though not without some tough questions. Environmentalists are split over a new deal struck by Shapiro with natural gas producer CNX Resources. Capital & Main

U.S.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is at a critical juncture. Here are 3 ways it can put states on the path to meet our climate goals

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has helped halve climate pollution from power plants, generated substantial health benefits and raised $3 billion in proceeds that have been invested back into states. Now this program is at a crucial juncture and should align its emissions cap with national and state climate commitments, include an interim target of at least 80% emissions reductions by 2030 and create a pathway to cover imported electricity to mitigate emissions leakage. Environmental Defense Fund

U.S.

OPINION: New Climate Rules Are an Opportunity, Not a Threat, to Commercial Real Estate

Staying ahead of regulatory requirements is a way to de-risk a property and help it stand out in a difficult market. But it's only those property owners that practice strategic incrementalism, or rather, pursue self-sustaining decarbonization strategies that will come out on top, writes Mahesh Ramanujam, CEO of The Global Network for Zero. Propmodo

U.S.

OPINION: I'm a Climate Scientist. I'm Not Screaming Into the Void Anymore.

The National Climate Assessment contains yet more dire warnings. Thanks to recent scientific advances, we can now link climate change to specific extreme weather disasters, and we have a better understanding of how the feedback loops in the climate system can make warming even worse. But there has been genuine progress, too, says Kate Marvel, a climate scientist at environmental nonprofit Project Drawdown. The New York Times

Maine

OPINION: Maine can incentivize CMP, Versant to do the right thing

As Maine forges ahead in the design of its future electricity grid, regulatory reform is a critical tool to address ratepayer dissatisfaction. Enhanced performance-based ratemaking is a new commitment to our environment, our economy and the well-being of every Mainer, write state Rep. Gerry Runte, a member of the Maine Climate Council; Kay Aikin, CEO of Portland-based utility controls company Dynamic Grid; and Rebecca Schultz, senior advocate for climate and clean energy at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

Michigan

DTE, Consumers enjoy close relationship with state panel that regulates them

When an association of energy suppliers sued the Michigan Public Service Commission over its implementation of state electricity law, it hired a former chair of the commission to take the case to court. Detroit Free Press

New Jersey

Clean-energy bill prompts hours of impassioned testimony -- but no decision

New Jersey legislators returned to Trenton with a bang -- a standing-room-only hearing at the Statehouse that ran almost five hours on a bill that would codify Gov. Phil Murphy's mission to move the state to 100% clean energy by 2035. Few agreed on how the state should expand renewable energy use and production to slow accelerating climate change, so members of the Senate's environment committee pushed their vote on the bill to their Dec. 18 meeting so they have more time to mull testimony and amend the bill. New Jersey Monitor

International

Richest 1% Account For More Carbon Emissions Than Poorest 66%: Report

'Polluter elite' are plundering the planet to point of destruction, says Oxfam after comprehensive study of climate inequality The Guardian

Maine

OPINION: Is public power impossible in Maine? Not so fast.

The way to get there is to take it in steps, municipality by municipality, says Gordon L. Weil, Maine's first Public Advocate and former head of the state energy office. Press Herald

Maryland

OPINION: Maryland's net zero carbon emissions goal is ambitious, but achievable

BGE makes its case for its multi-year energy infrastructure plan, now pending before state regulators. Baltimore Business Journal

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania governor will appeal RGGI court ruling, but experts warn of "uphill climb"

The legal battle over whether Pennsylvania can join RGGI through executive action will continue, follwoing an appeal from Gov. Josh Shapiro. Carbon Pulse

Texas

Texas board rejects many science textbooks over climate change messaging

The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education this week rejected most of the proposed textbooks that include climate science for eighth grade students. The Texas Tribune

U.S.

The Instagram Wellness Influencers Spreading Climate Misinformation

A new report details a growing fad among a certain sect of conspiracy-minded health and lifestyle influencers on Instagram: climate denial Heated

Georgia

Court: Georgia can elect utility panel statewide

A federal appeals court ruled recently that Georgia can keep statewide elections for its five-member commission regulating utilities, overturning a lower court judge who found statewide elections illegally diluted Black votes. North Carolina Lawyers Weekly

Louisiana

Landry sends mixed messages with 'carbon neutral' comments, trial lawyer ties

Gov.-elect Jeff Landry's pick for Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality secretary -- Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto, former President Donald Trump's leader of the Fish and Wildlife Service -- has many questioning why she would be considered a good fit, writes longtime Louisiana reporter Greg LaRose. Louisiana Illuminator

Massachusetts

Solar installers and fire officials look for compromise on Massachusetts fire code

A group of Massachusetts solar installers are working with the state to modify fire codes they say are too restrictive and are limiting the scale of residential solar arrays. At the heart of the debate are provisions of the most recent state fire code, which went into effect in December 2022. For the first time, the code includes restrictions on the positioning of rooftop solar arrays intended to make it easier and safer for firefighters to move around on top of burning houses. Energy News Network

New Jersey

Environmentalists hope Democratic wins will advance their agenda in Trenton

Democrats largely trounced Republicans at the polls recently. And while other issues like abortion and parental rights dominated debates in many districts, environmentalists say the election results show citizens support the state's green goals and portend more environmental progress during the coming legislative session, which starts Jan. 9. New Jersey Monitor

New Mexico

Albuquerque mayor vetoes city council decision to replace Air Quality Control Board

Mayor Tim Keller has vetoed a decision by the Albuquerque City Council to repeal and replace the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board. City Councilor Dan Lewis had successfully introduced legislation to both replace the air board and establish a moratorium to stop air quality regulation until February next year. Source NM

Ohio

More signs that criminal investigation into Ohio utility bailout continues

Five have been charged and four have been convicted in a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal, but there were more signs this week that the federal criminal investigation is continuing. In court documents filed in a separate case, a special master said a major player in the conspiracy -- Akron-based FirstEnergy -- continues to cooperate with federal prosecutors. The same documents order the major beneficiary of the conspiracy, a former FirstEnergy subsidiary, to do more to cooperate in a federal class-action suit. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

Biden's paradox: Can a green grid coexist with industrial surge?

Dozens of new factories are being built across the country to reach President Joe Biden's goal of establishing a domestic supply chain for everything from electric vehicle batteries to computer chips to solar modules. In response, utilities are planning record investments in renewable energy and battery storage. But an increasing number are also proposing thousands of megawatts of new natural-gas-fired generation, begging the question: Can the country green its grid and grow it at the same time? E&E News

U.S.

OPINION: How 'Energy Democracy' Could Build the Grid of the Future

With climate change upon us, with the need to upgrade and build out our grid and with ever-rising rates, these times call for change. We know the road to get there will be hard. But we have a model for success in the locally owned utilities across the country, writes author, educator, and energy and environmental advocate Susan B. Inches. Governing

U.S.

ERCOT and CAISO market changes increase need for AI-driven optimization, says Stem CEO

Changing electricity market dynamics and regulations in the U.S. are increasing the need for AI-driven software solutions, the CEO of Stem told Energy-Storage.news after a recent 10GWh partnership with developer SB Energy. Energy Storage News

International

Missing COP28 Summit Complicates Biden's Climate Credentials

The president is facing some pressure to focus on oil drilling and gas prices at home, while boosting climate ambition on the world stage. The New York Times

International

Why some experts say COPs are 'distracting' and need fixing

Diplomats, academics, and activists from around the globe will gather yet again this week to try to find common ground on a plan for combating climate change. This year's COP, as the event is known, marks the 28th annual meeting of the conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. More than 70,000 people are expected to descend on Dubai for the occasion. Grist

Iowa

How Des Moines plans to reach net-zero emissions in new ADAPT DSM plan

The Des Moines City Council is set to consider a new climate action plan, ADAPT DSM, which aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in Iowa's capital city. Plans include making city buildings more efficient, improving access to alternative forms of transportation like walking, biking and transit, and investing in alternative sources of energy like solar panels for city buildings and incentives for homeowners to install them on their roofs. Des Moines Register

Nevada

OPINION: A diversified and balanced approach to energy is working for Nevada

When dealing with energy policy, it can be tempting to focus on just a handful of energy sources and pretend that they can meet all of our needs. But in reality, it takes a diversified and balanced approach to deliver the energy, investment and jobs that Nevadans need and deserve, writes Dwayne McClinton, director of the Governor's Office of Energy. The Nevada Independent

U.S.

In Biden's Climate Law, a Boon for Green Energy, and Wall Street

The 2022 climate law has accelerated investments in clean-energy projects across the United States. It has also delivered financial windfalls for big banks, lawyers, insurance companies and start-up financial firms by creating an expansive new market in green tax credits. New York Times

International

Documents Show Plan for Leader of COP28 Climate Talks to Promote Fossil Fuels

A leaked document has talking points for the president of the United Nations climate conference, who is an oil executive in the United Arab Emirates, to advance oil and gas deals. The New York Times

International

Here are the four issues to watch at COP28

This year's Conferences of Parties, which commenced in Dubai on Nov. 30, is all about determining whether the 2015 Paris Agreement succeeds or fails. For the first time since the Paris accords, the negotiators assembled at COP28 over the next two weeks will conduct a "global stocktake" to measure how much progress they've made toward those goals. Grist

New York

State Commission Recommends That LIPA Be Transformed Into a Public Power Utility

The New York State legislative commission charged with studying whether the Long Island Power Authority should be transformed into a public power utility has issued a report, which calls for just that. 27east

Ohio

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted subpoenaed in civil suit over bailout scandal

Plaintiffs in a civil suit related to a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal have subpoenaed documents from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and they're scheduling a sworn deposition with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. There have been four criminal convictions so far in the scandal and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker has said the investigation is continuing. However, there is no indication that DeWine or Husted is an object of it. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

OPINION: Climate grief and the stark choice that confronts us

Yes, the climate crisis is massive and daunting. But the sooner we get over the denial, anger, bargaining, and depression and resign ourselves to facing up to (and dealing with) the facts, by far the better off we'll be, writes Rob Schofield, NC Policy Watch director. Ohio Capital Journal

Colorado

President in stop at Pueblo wind tower factory touts 'Bidenomics,' blasts Boebert

President Joe Biden's stop in Pueblo, Colo., comes ahead of a pivotal election year during which the Democrat will look to sell voters on the Inflation Reduction Act and its $369 billion in clean energy spending and tax credits as he bids for a second term. Beneath banners reading "Bidenomics" and "Investing in America," Biden said his landmark climate law, passed by slim Democratic majorities in Congress in 2022, is already benefiting communities like Pueblo. CS Wind broke ground this year on a factory expansion the company says will double its output and add more than 800 new jobs. Colorado Newsline

International

At COP28, the United States Will Stress an End to Fossil Emissions, Not Fuels

President Joe Biden will not attend the climate talks that commence this week in Dubai, but the conflict that has come to define his policy on the planetary crisis will be front and center. The president who has catalyzed the nation's greatest investment ever in a clean energy transition also has presided as U.S. oil and natural gas production reached record heights. Inside Climate News

International

COP28 Begins With Fossil Fuels, and Frustration, Going Strong

After decades of meetings, nations still haven't agreed to curb the main driver of global warming. The New York Times

International

Phaseout' or 'phasedown'? Why U.N. climate negotiators obsess over language

In recent years, environmental activists have lambasted annual United Nations climate conferences for producing "empty words" and "hollow promises" instead of concrete actions to slow global warming. But to negotiators at these U.N. summits, minor language tweaks can add up to major policy implications by either strengthening or weakening countries' obligations. Grist

Pennsylvania

Pa. environmental groups join Shapiro on RGGI appeal

Four Pennsylvania environmental groups -- PennFuture, Clean Air Council, Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense Fund -- have filed an appeal of the Nov. 1 Commonwealth Court ruling that bars Pennsylvania from joining a multi-state carbon credit program known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or RGGI. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Texas

Texas battery operators worry new ERCOT regs will hinder operations

After the Electric Reliability Council of Texas failed to add the reserve power it said was needed to to avoid a grid emergency through a severe cold snap, battery companies like Key Capture say their role is even more vital. For the past year, they've been stuck on a roller coaster of ERCOT's making -- largely tied to regulations battery operators say could hinder their ability to step up during an emergency. San Antonio Express-News

U.S.

Ahead of climate conference, U.S. House panel tussles over curbs on emissions

Republicans on a House panel argued against aggressive moves to meet carbon reduction goals, saying U.S. fossil fuel companies are working to make their products cleaner. Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Minerals countered that to achieve further reductions, federal policies should be continued to encourage the development of renewable energy and consumer products such as electric vehicles. Maryland Matters

International

OPINION: Bill Gates: Fighting Climate Change Should Be Affordable. The Rich Can Make It So.

While the rich bear the greatest responsibility, it will ultimately take every one of us to bring the green premium to zero, as consumers, employees and voters, writes Bill Gates, a co-founder of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a fund that has put more than $2 billion into companies that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Every time you opt for a climate-friendly product -- whether it's an LED bulb, installing a heat pump, eating plant-based meat or driving an electric car -- you're sending a signal to the market that this green product is in demand. As the volume goes up, the price comes down. The New York Times

Michigan

OPINION: Susan J. Demas: How Michigan became the progressive powerhouse of the Midwest

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has a pretty good legacy to run on if she chooses to launch a White House bid at some point -- the flashy optics of her bill signings last month for reproductive rights and clean energy packages alone told a powerful story (and purposefully so). Of course, nothing is guaranteed. And Michigan Democrats face their own uncertainty heading into next year. Nobody ever said rebuilding a major state after decades of doom and gloom would be easy, writes Michigan politics expert Susan J. Demas. Michigan Advance

Montana

New PSC map for Montana is gerrymandered, says analyst

A redraw of political districts by Republicans in Montana's 2023 Legislature appears to have been done to lock in control of who decides what most Montanans pay for energy. Analyst Stephanie Somersille, in a report added to a gerrymandering lawsuit, concludes it's unlikely lawmakers redrew Montana's Public Service Commission districts for any other reason than keeping Republican control of the PSC. Billings Gazette

New York

Congestion Pricing's Impact on New York? These 3 Cities Offer a Glimpse.

New York City is on the verge of becoming the first U.S. city to follow London, Stockholm and Singapore in trying to cut traffic by charging some drivers a fee. New York Times

New York

Report: New York won't meet its 2030 climate goals

The Public Power New York report showed, despite great progress, the state will not meet its 2030 clean-energy targets. In October, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a multibillion-dollar investment in renewable energy projects which would accomplish 70% of the state's goal. Public News Service

U.S.

Biden Administration Unleashes Powerful Regulatory Tool Aimed at Climate

As scientists have increasingly been able to link planetary warming to wildfires, floods, droughts, storms and heat waves, estimates of the social cost of carbon have grown more sophisticated. New York Times

Virginia

Virginia Environmental Groups Form New Data Center Reform Coalition, Call for More Industry Oversight

With energy and water demand from data centers set to spike in the next two decades, environmentalists want to bring their growth in line with the state's clean-energy and environmental goals. Inside Climate News

International

How to Stop the Biggest Threat to Europe's Green Transition

Backpedaling on the environment is not just bad for the future, it's bad for political prospects. The New York Times

International

The overlooked climate solution making headway at COP28: Doing more with less

COP28 delegates are calling for the commitments to tripling renewable power and doubling the pace of energy efficiency improvements to be included in the conference's final decision, which will summarize the actions countries plan to take to address the climate crisis. Grist

U.S.

Older Voters Are Second Only to Young People in Share of 'Climate Voters,' New Study Shows

A report from the Environmental Voter Project says "gray is the new green," as voters who prioritize climate are numerous enough to swing elections in key states. Inside Climate News

Vermont

OPINION: Dennis & Steel: Vermont in the climate crisis: False solutions or a greener path?

Unless we nurture even more participation to elevate the voices of ordinary citizens who want clean energy -- including lower-income folks and Vermonters of color -- it will be that much harder to create a better climate future for Vermont, write Vermont climate activists Greg Dennis and Liz Steel. Vermont Digger

International

An Inevitable Showdown With the Fossil Fuel Industry is Brewing at COP28

Oil, gas and coal companies sent a record number of lobbyists to the talks in Dubai, and their alignment with extreme right-wing leaders could scuttle global consensus on climate. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Analysis: If Leading Governors Turn Climate Pledges into Policy, States Can Shrink U.S. Emissions Gap to Paris Target in Half

New emissions analysis, which uses 2023 projections from Rhodium Group, assesses the collective impact that U.S. states with climate commitments could have and how far they need to go to reach their own targets. Environmental Defense Fund

U.S.

The Crippling Economic Costs of Green Energy Subsidies

In total, the subsidies will far exceed what the U.S. government spent in today's dollars to combat the Great Depression. Real Clear Energy

New York

NYC City Council OKs green energy boost with more solar, wind, EV charging on tap

A zoning change that could bring more eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle charging and energy-efficient building fixes to New York passed its final vote in the City Council on Wednesday. New York Daily News

U.S.

Actually not an oxymoron': For some young Republicans, climate and environment are top issues

The sight of young Republicans gathering with a presidential candidate over beer, appetizers, and a conversation about the environment may appear as a paradox. But it's not, at least for a growing segment of young conservatives who are calling for leadership on climate change and environmental issues. They're bucking the national GOP's most vocal members and broad-brush sentiments that the issues aren't of policy importance to Republicans. New Hampshire Bulletin

Virginia

OPINION: Southwest Va.'s energy transition excludes its most important stakeholders: Southwest Virginians

Wally Smith, associate professor of biology at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, writes that Southwest Virginians are left to glean answers to questions that stand to fundamentally change their communities by reading between the lines of press releases and promotional soundbites, all while planning continues behind closed doors. Of all those questions, one currently seems the most urgent: If Virginia leaders sincerely want to develop an equitable energy economy in the coalfields, why start by keeping our communities in the dark? Virginia Mercury

Wyoming

Gordon rejects federal climate dollars

Wyoming will not participate in the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, deciding instead to turn down $3 million and an opportunity to apply for more funding from the $4.6 billion federal effort. WyoFile

International

Countries Most at Risk Call Proposed Climate Agreement a 'Death Warrant'

The working draft made public at the U.N. summit in Dubai would not commit nations to phasing out the fossil fuels that are dangerously heating the planet. The New York Times

International

One After Another, Russia Blocks Candidates to Host Next Climate Summit

Because the United Nations requires hosts to be chosen by consensus, next year's climate summit is mired in wartime political tensions. The New York Times

International

Saudi Arabia Is Trying to Block a Global Deal to End Fossil Fuels, Negotiators Say

Saudi Arabia, the world's leading exporter of oil, has become the biggest obstacle to an agreement at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, where countries are debating whether to call for a phaseout of fossil fuels in order to fight global warming, negotiators and other officials said. The New York Times

International

The Results of the Dubai Climate Conference Won't Slow Global Warming

The idea that free markets can solve societal problems and that climate change can be fixed without regulation is a ruse. The New York Times

International

U.S. Climate Activists at COP28 Slam Their Home Country for Hypocrisy

Claims by some U.S. lawmakers at COP28 that President Biden's policies provide global leadership on climate rang hollow with leading American climate activists at the annual conference who faulted the administration for supporting unbridled oil and gas development and for pushing carbon capture as an illusory solution for reducing emissions. Inside Climate News

Maine

Maine's climate goals continue into third year with more heat pumps, demand for electric vehicles

Maine is three years into a four-year plan to propel the state's climate infrastructure to be carbon neutral by 2045. News Center Maine

Maryland

OPINION: Gov. Moore aims to lead on climate. Here's a tangible way to make bold commitments a reality

In the past 18 months, Maryland has taken giant leaps toward realizing a cleaner, healthier, more resilient future. Yet as Gov. Moore has made clear, we cannot rest on our laurels and wait for other states to address our collective climate crisis. Adopting healthy air standards will help fulfill Gov. Moore's bold commitment to quadruple the number of heat pump installations by 2030 while simultaneously delivering cleaner air and more affordable energy across the state, write Ruth Ann Norton, president and CEO of the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, and Anne Havemann, general counsel for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Maryland Matters

Ohio

Randazzo indictment sparks renewed calls for full regulatory review in Ohio

Critics want a full investigation and other actions now that federal criminal charges have been brought against Ohio's former public utilities chair relating to House Bill 6 and other alleged actions to help FirstEnergy. Energy News Network

International

Insight: COP28 plan to triple renewables is doable, but not easy, companies say

They have given little detail on how they can make an industry running flat out go that much faster. Reuters

Montana

OPINION: Bozeman's 'green tariff' won't help the climate crisis

The bottom line is Bozeman and Missoula will make climate change worse by making residents pay more for green electricity when, in fact, it's an energy source that costs less to produce and is far cleaner, writes Mike Garrity, executive director for the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. Daily Montanan

U.S.

An EPA rule dramatically reduced smog pollution -- in states that haven't sued to stop it

Dozens of legal challenges have blocked the regulation in 12 states. Grist

Arizona

Arizona's chief utility regulator bashes ESG, says not a factor when weighing utility plans

The Arizona Corporation Commission will weigh affordability and reliability when considering new utility generating resources, but ESG factors -- environmental, social and governance -- do not have a role in those deliberations, Chairman Jim O'Connor said in a Friday statement. Utility Dive

International

COP28 climate summit ends with deal to transition away from fossil fuels

Government ministers representing nearly 200 countries on Wednesday agreed to a deal that calls for a transition away from fossil fuels, after a previous proposal was met with heated and widespread backlash. CNBC

U.S.

In EPA's new methane rule, an innovative way to stop 'super emitters'

Nearly one-third of methane emissions in the U.S. come from the oil and natural gas sector, and super emitters account for almost half of them. A new emissions rule from EPA, targets super emitters by using technology like remote-sensing aircraft and even high-resolution satellites to find leaks and hold those who cause them accountable. Grist

U.S.

With pipeline growth booming, the U.S. agency in charge of safety struggles to keep up

The pipeline industry added thousands of miles of natural gas, crude oil and carbon dioxide pipelines to the national network in recent years. But the federal regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that vast system's safety failed to grow at the same pace. Michigan Advance

California

More EVs will slash California's transportation budget, says report. Are gas taxes the answer?

Widespread EV adoption will reduce revenue from state gasoline and diesel taxes and could lead to funding loss for key services, according to the report. It estimated a loss of $4.4 billion annually, or 31% of current funds. TechXplore

International

What I Learned About Clean Energy in Denmark

The country leads on climate policy, but grapples with disagreements over strategy and the pace of change. Inside Climate News

Michigan

OPINION: Michigan's new clean energy package is a historic for the country, not just the Midwest

The state will now be a test case for success in distributed generation and utility-scale project siting, write Laura Sherman, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. Utility Dive

Iowa

Ethanol is a key Iowa issue for GOP presidential contenders

Republican candidates for the presidency have fawned over farmers this caucus season as they've courted voters in Iowa -- the nation's top producer of corn. None of the candidates has suggested that farmers be forced to implement costly measures to help the environment. To the contrary, the candidates rail against federal regulations that pertain to agriculture, especially those that seek to protect the nation's streams. Iowa Capital Dispatch

Ohio

Energy company paid $43M for dirty bailout. Says it acted in a 'legal way'

The energy company that was to receive that bulk of a corrupt $1.3 billion bailout that has already imprisoned two is telling a federal court it acted in a "legal way." It makes that statement even though it paid at least $43 million to finance the scheme, part of which its executive chairman referred to as "black ops." Ohio Capital Journal

Arkansas

Arkansas Public Service Commission seeks public input on utility plans for federal infrastructure funds

The Arkansas Public Service Commission is seeking feedback on utilities' plans to use federal money identified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Talk Business & Politics

California

Trump's shadow already looms over California climate rules

A backlog of California policies is piling up at President Joe Biden's EPA, raising fears that they won't get approved before the election. Politico

U.S.

Biden allies turn against key part of his climate agenda

Guidance 'will slow down and ultimately undermine our country's ability to produce the clean hydrogen needed,' Democratic Sen. Brown said. Fox News

Hawaii

It's Time For Hawaii To Make Climate Polluters Pay

Litigation takes time, so the sooner we start, the sooner compensation from oil companies can help Hawaii with the immense financial burdens of climate change. A successful climate accountability lawsuit could also help us prepare to confront the impacts of the climate crisis head on, instead of only acting reactively after disasters devastate our communities, writes Hawaii state Rep. Lisa Marten, chair of the Human Services Committee. Civil Beat

Maryland

OPINION: State's climate plan is comprehensive but lacks short-term legislative strategy

The Maryland Department of the Environment's outline of policy actions required to dramatically reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions is innovative and ambitious, but it lacks a cohesive short-term legislative strategy for how Maryland can meet its climate and clean energy goals and a concrete funding mechanism, leaving lawmakers and environmental advocates scrambling to develop a battle plan less than a week before the 90-day General Assembly session, writes veteran Maryland politics reporter Josh Kurtz. Maryland Matters

New Hampshire

2024 means renewed energy, environment debates for NH lawmakers

New Hampshire lawmakers will spend the next several months vetting and voting on more than 1,000 bills, many of which could impact the state's course on climate change, the environment and energy policy. The Granite State remains the only one in the region without a statutory requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lags behind in terms of renewable energy production, and it has experienced historically high energy prices during the last two years. New Hampshire Bulletin

U.S.

IRS launches free IRA and CHIPS pre-filing registration tool

It allows qualifying businesses, tax-exempt organizations, or governing entities to take advantage of the elective payment or transfer of credits, even if they don't have taxable income. Renewable Energy World

Virginia

Virginia lawmaker proposes data center efficiency bill, possibly affecting Dominion Energy

A new data center efficiency bill has been proposed in the Virginia House of Delegates, which would amend the state's existing tax rules to require operators to meet certain energy efficiency requirements, according to state legislation records. Facilities Dive

International

Activists Call for Process 'Overhaul' After Oil Industry Veteran Confirmed to Lead COP29

Azerbaijan has selected its ecology minister--and a former executive at the country's state-run oil company--to lead the United Nations' flagship climate conference later this year. The decision has reignited fierce debate over the role the fossil fuel industry should play in global climate talks. Inside Climate News

New Jersey

OPINION: In New Jersey, we need to partner with business to fix climate change

As Capt. Bill Sheehan sees it, since each one of us emits carbon through our daily activities, we are all responsible for working together to move the needle on climate change. Ineffective and frivolous lawsuits are simply not realistic solutions for addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time. New Jersey's environmental future depends on turning away from quixotic efforts and recommitting to pragmatism. We must move forward together to tackle climate change, writes Sheehan, the Hackensack Riverkeeper. New Jersey Monitor

Ohio

How a Koch-linked group stalled a bipartisan Ohio energy efficiency bill at the last minute

As a floor vote neared in the Ohio House, the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity issued a "key vote alert" that misrepresented key facts about the legislation. Energy News Network

Ohio

How a Koch-linked group stalled a bipartisan Ohio energy efficiency bill at the last minute

A bipartisan energy efficiency bill was indefinitely delayed last fall amid a clash between a major conservative lobbying group and one of the state's most prominent Republican lawmakers, according to previously unreported emails obtained by the Energy News Network. Energy News Network

Pennsylvania

Why Pittsburgh has 'the most extreme embrace' of fossil fuel lobbyists, per report

The five firms identified are retained by oil and gas companies, environmentally minded groups as well as city government -- a dual-loyalty situation that threatens to undermine local climate goals and the state's progress on its greenhouse gas reduction goals, according to the report. Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Pennsylvania

Why Pittsburgh has 'the most extreme embrace' of fossil fuel lobbyists, per report

A recent report by environmental research and advocacy organization F Minus found Pittsburgh -- more than any other big U.S. city -- is entangled in "the most 'extreme embrace'" of fossil fuel lobbyists. The five firms identified are retained by oil and gas companies, environmentally minded groups as well as city government -- a dual-loyalty situation that threatens to undermine local climate goals and the state's progress on its greenhouse gas reduction goals, according to the report. Capital & Main

U.S.

Biden's aides weigh climate test for natural gas exports

The outcome of the review could have big implications for the fossil fuel industry, U.S. clout as an energy superpower and the credibility of President Joe Biden's climate pledges -- and his reelection hopes in November. Politico

U.S.

Big Green? The clean energy leader enraging environmentalists

In the year since he took the helm of the nation's main renewable energy trade association, Jason Grumet has repeatedly accused environmentalists of standing in the way of carbon-free energy development. E&E News

U.S.

Utilities Paid Southern Civil Rights Leaders Who Became Industry Advocates

The multibillion-dollar power companies use Black support to divert attention from the environmental harms that spew from their fossil fuel plants, the investigation found, harms which disproportionately fall on Black communities. The Guardian

International

How YouTube's climate deniers turned into climate doomers

A new report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit based in London and Washington, D.C., working to stop the spread of disinformation, analyzed 12,000 videos from channels that promoted lies about climate change on YouTube over the last six years. The report found a dramatic shift from "old denial" arguments -- that global warming isn't real and isn't caused by humans -- to new arguments bent on undermining trust in climate solutions. Grist

International

Third of UK teenagers believe climate change exaggerated, report shows

A third of UK teenagers believe climate change is "exaggerated," a report has found, as YouTube videos promoting a new kind of climate denial aimed at young people proliferate on the platform. The Guardian

Maryland

Energy companies gear up for fight on electric regulation bill

As top lawmakers move to strengthen consumer protections for utility customers who shop for electricity suppliers, large national energy companies are countering with a poll showing an overwhelming majority of voters want to retain robust competition in the marketplace. Maryland Matters

California

Los Angeles' renewable energy plan won't tank the economy, study finds

The findings, published in Climate Policy, showed that some scenarios may result in slight job gains or losses, but any potential changes would be minuscule in relation to the city's 3.9 million jobs and $700 billion in GDP. TechXplore

California

Newsom's budget cuts threaten to delay California's new environmental disclosure laws

Businesses were required to start reporting emissions and risks in 2026. GreenBiz.com

Maryland

Energy companies gear up for fight on electric regulation bill

As top lawmakers move to strengthen consumer protections for utility customers who shop for electricity suppliers, large national energy companies are countering with a poll showing an overwhelming majority of voters want to retain robust competition in the marketplace. They are also charging that the proposed legislation would decimate the state's 25-year-old competitive marketplace for electricity suppliers. And they're arguing that recent controversy over Baltimore Gas & Electric rate increases illustrates the need for more checks on the utility companies. Maryland Matters

U.S.

A Potentially Huge Supreme Court Case Has a Hidden Conservative Backer

The Supreme Court was set to hear arguments that, on paper, are about a group of commercial fishermen who oppose a government fee that they consider unreasonable. But the lawyers who have helped to propel their case to the nation's highest court have a far more powerful backer: the petrochemicals billionaire Charles Koch. The New York Times

U.S.

States with big climate goals strip local power to block green projects

Michigan and more than a dozen other states are seeking to upend the decision-making process by grabbing the power to supersede local restrictions and allow state authorities to approve or disapprove locations for utility-scale projects. The Associated Press

U.S.

The IRA turns two this year. What's working and what isn't?

Some bottlenecks still need to be worked out if we are to see the full optimization of the law's incentives. Renewable Energy World

Connecticut

Connecticut program aims to alleviate cost barriers to utility oversight process, but challenges remain

Connecticut's utilities commission is the latest to begin offering payments to help environmental justice and ratepayer groups participate in regulatory proceedings. The Stakeholder Group Compensation Program was required to take effect this month as part of an energy consumer protection bill passed by the state legislature last year. It seeks to encourage more diverse engagement in proceedings on utility regulation, which can set direction for grid resiliency, rate relief, clean energy development, corporate accountability, storm response and more. Energy News Network

International

Companies are hiding their climate progress. A new report explains why.

The practice of "greenhushing" is now widespread, according to a new report released Jan. 16 by South Pole, a Switzerland-based climate consultancy and carbon offset developer. Some 70% of sustainability-minded companies around the world are deliberately hiding their climate goals to comply with new regulations and avoid public scrutiny. Grist

New Mexico

State of the State: Here's what Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said on environment

When Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said the words "climate change" it came in off-the-cuff responses to protesters disrupting the address to both chambers at the opening ceremony of the 30-day legislative session Jan. 16. Those two words were not in the prepared remarks issued by the governor's office ahead of the New Mexico State of the State. Source NM

New York

The Role Of Fossil Gas Utilities In The Era Of Clean Energy Gets Tested In New York

Fossil gas utilities have a vested interest in continuing their business model, which brings them substantial profits. Clean Technica

Ohio

Ohio Supreme Court: Ex-regulator's assets can be frozen in connection with FirstEnergy case

The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled Jan. 16 that assets owned by the former head of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio can be frozen in connection with a federal public corruption case. Sam Randazzo's bank accounts and brokerage accounts can now be frozen, according to a ruling by the state's highest court that reversed an appeals court decision. This keeps Randazzo from moving money out of his accounts as the state's civil action continues to recover proceeds from an alleged bribe given by FirstEnergy Corp. Ohio Capital Journal

U.S.

Companies are hiding their climate progress. A new report explains why.

The practice of "greenhushing" is now widespread, according to a new report released on Tuesday by South Pole. Some 70 percent of sustainability-minded companies around the world are deliberately hiding their climate goals to comply with new regulations and avoid public scrutiny. Grist

U.S.

John Kerry's America First climate legacy

For those who have felt the hard edge of US climate diplomacy, Kerry was no white knight. Politico

Kentucky

Kentucky's largest cities are seeking public input to develop climate plans

Kentucky's largest cities -- Louisville, Lexington and Bowling Green -- are vying for millions of federal dollars aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are turning to residents of surrounding communities for help. The plans, due to EPA by March 1, will include an inventory of local greenhouse gas emission sources such as transportation and industry, an analysis of how the plan benefits low-income and disadvantaged communities in their metro area and a list of "near-term, high-priority, implementation ready measures" to lower local emissions. Kentucky Lantern

U.S.

Most U.S. cities falling short of 2050 energy goals, study finds

The race to mitigate climate change has many U.S. communities pledging to curb greenhouse gases with renewable energy sources in the next several decades. The reality of those goals isn't looking so good, researchers say. Courthouse New Service

International

The True Cost of Chinese Solar Panels

The connection between the Chinese solar industry and the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of the Uyghur ethnic minority in Xinjiang is well-documented. TIME

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Governor Promised 30% Renewable Electricity by 2030. Will That Happen?

A bill in the Legislature would advance Pennsylvania's meager renewable energy development. Trade groups are already putting their foot down. Capital and Main

Rhode Island

Portsmouth approves deal with SouthCoast Wind

The agreement means SouthCoast Wind would pay Portsmouth as much as $22 million for construction impacts in the town from the project's transmission cable. WPRI

U.S.

BOEM Finalizes Revisions to Bid Adequacy Procedures for Oil & Gas Lease Sales

BOEM intends to begin using the revised procedures to evaluate lease sale bids received as part of the 2024-2029 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. BOEM

U.S.

OPINION: Future Nuclear Success Requires Regulation Modernization

Without an update of its regulatory system, the future of nuclear power is questionable at best, with current regulations preventing innovation and increasing project costs, writes Jeff Luse, policy assistant at the Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions. The National Interest

U.S.

Lowering Energy Costs and Emissions in Rural America

NRDC endorses legislation to improve USDA's Rural Energy for America Program. NRDC

U.S.

Unpacking the Proposed Guidance on the 45V Tax Credit for Clean Hydrogen

The most important aspect of the tax credit is that the value of the credit is based on the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of hydrogen production and not just on the emissions that a hydrogen facility produces on-site. Resources

Virginia

Virginia legislation aims to unleash competition to speed progress on clean electricity

The proposal would erode investor-owned utilities' monopoly on power generation by requiring more than a third of clean power to come from customers or third-party developers. Energy News Network

International

Davos puts Climate on the Back Burner

Here at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the most revealing discussions often happen not on the main stage, but at the myriad side events that transform this Swiss ski town into a high-minded networking event. Case in point: the annual luncheon hosted by Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff, who is plowing some of his personal fortune into efforts to plant a trillion trees and protect the oceans. The New York Times

Massachusetts

Retail electricity suppliers accused of greenwashing

On Jan. 17, regulators and prominent politicians added a new charge to the ones they've been levying against the companies that sell electricity to individual Massachusetts residents: greenwashing. At a briefing sponsored by the backers of a bill that would shut down competitive retail electricity suppliers, Larry Chretien of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance said many of the companies back up their claims of providing 100 percent clean energy by pointing to renewable energy certificates, or RECs, purchased in places like Texas and Iowa, not Massachusetts. Commonwealth Beacon

Michigan

Clinicians back lawsuit challenging EPA decision to weaken Detroit ozone standards

Multiple environmental justice and health advocates filed briefs on Wednesday supporting a challenge to EPA's decision to label metro Detroit in compliance with federal ozone standards. In the case filed by the Sierra Club and the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center in July, the groups argue the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the EPA failed to show that the air quality in Detroit was clean enough to meet federal air quality standards. Michigan Advance

Montana

Audit reports some progress at Montana's troubled Public Service Commission

A newly released legislative audit of the Montana Public Service Commission revealed lingering management challenges at the state's utility regulation agency, which has in recent years attracted significant controversy. Montana Free Press

Montana

Montana Public Service Commission announces new executive director

The Montana Public Service Commission announced Jan. 19 the appointment of David Sanders as its new executive director. The PSC described Sanders as a fourth-generation Montanan with more than three decades of experience in federal, state and local government. Sanders will be the agency's chief administrative and fiscal officer and director of communications, supervising internal operations, including public information, and overseeing the budget. Daily Montanan

New Mexico

Carbon credit swap proposal moves forward in committee

A bill that could limit the carbon intensity of transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel faced eclectic support and opposition in the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Saturday as people from both political wings took varying sides on the issue. House Bill 41 seeks to lower carbon intensity by rewarding fuel companies for investing in cleaner options by allowing them to purchase carbon tax credits that it can then sell to companies that are producing high-carbon fuels like traditional gasoline and diesel. Source NM

New York

Climate Change Education May Soon Be Incorporated Into More NYC Classrooms

New York may soon join a growing number of states seeking to incorporate climate change into school lesson plans. The New York Times

North Carolina

OPINION: Duke Energy's wins at the state Utilities Commission are holding back necessary climate progress

Wins by Duke Energy in the carbon plan, net metering, and rate hike cases at the NCUC have been major setbacks in efforts to fight the climate crisis in North Carolina. An alliance of many state lawmakers, the NCUC, and the utility itself have proved difficult for grassroots opposition to overcome. There is a pressing need for increased media coverage and public awareness of Duke Energy's activities at the NCUC. If that can be accomplished, the state will be in a better position to create a genuinely renewable electric grid in North Carolina, writes Ziyad Habash, an environmental activist with the Durham Area Hub of the Sunrise Movement. NC Newsline

U.S.

FEMA to overhaul its disaster aid system after decades of criticism

After decades of inaction, FEMA is addressing criticisms of its bureaucracy all at once. The agency announced Jan. 19 that it will fundamentally overhaul the way it delivers aid to survivors, launching new programs to provide quick cash payments to those in need and eliminating much of the bureaucracy that hampers aid access. Grist

U.S.

Republican Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Says Climate Change is Real. Is She Proposing Anything to Stop It?

The former U.N. ambassador touts her role in pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord and pledges to roll back clean energy incentives. Inside Climate News

U.S.

What a Joe Manchin Presidential Run Could Mean for the 2024 Election -- and the Climate

Many have speculated Al Gore could have won the 2000 presidential election by winning New Hampshire had Ralph Nader not run too. That could happen again, if West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin jumps in the presidential race this year as an independent. Inside Climate News reporter Phil McKenna has been on the campaign trail in New Hampshire, this time following Joe Manchin. Inside Climate News

Vermont

Governor Scott appoints Ed McNamara Public Utility Commission Chair

Gov. Phil Scott on Jan. 19 announced the appointment of Ed McNamara as chair of the Public Utility Commission. McNamara most recently served as general counsel for the Agency of Natural Resources, where he worked on a range of legal issues reflecting the significant regulatory diversity covered by the agency. Office of Governor Phil Scott

Virginia

OPINION: To be or not to be a clean energy state, that is the question

A tug-of-war is going on in the legislature over whether Va. stays the course of the energy transition laid out 2020-2021, or rolls it back hard, writes Sierra Club volunteer Ivy Main. Virginia Mercury

Montana

Groups ask Supreme Court to file friend-of-the-court briefs in Montana climate case

Organizations representing mining companies, lawmakers and a right-wing think tank in Montana are starting to line up to ask the state Supreme Court to consider their interests and how the court's decision in the state's forthcoming appeal of the Held v. Montana case could affect them after Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Kathy Seeley ruled the state was violating the constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment of the 16 youth plaintiffs in the case. Daily Montanan

Oregon

State moves to restore, reinstate climate change regulations derailed by natural gas lawsuit

State environmental regulators will redo the yearlong process of rulemaking and adopting landmark climate change regulations that were enacted three years ago. The decision to do it all over again was announced Jan. 22 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, a month after the state's second highest court ruled in favor of natural gas utilities seeking to invalidate the Climate Protection Program. Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S.

12 bipartisan senators propose blocking DOE's distribution transformer efficiency rule

A bipartisan group of 12 senators on Jan. 18 introduced legislation to address the shortage in distribution transformers and block a proposed Department of Energy rule that aims to tighten energy efficiency standards for the essential pieces of grid equipment. Utility Dive

U.S.

Bid by meatpacker JBS to join New York Stock Exchange faces opposition over Amazon deforestation

In recent weeks, lawmakers in the United States and the United Kingdom have sent letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission cautioning against the listing of JBS, the world's largest meatpacking company, on the New York Stock Exchange. The lawmakers, and environmental groups, argue that expanded capital would allow the company, responsible for much deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, to do even more harm. The Associated Press

U.S.

Exxon Sues to Prevent Climate Proposal From Shareholder Vote

Exxon Mobil is suing two activist investors to prevent their proposal calling for emissions cuts at the oil giant from going to a vote of shareholders. In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on Jan. 21, Exxon accused the investors, Arjuna Capital and Follow This, of abusing the process for proposing shareholder votes to advance their priorities with votes "calculated to diminish the company's existing business." The New York Times

U.S.

IRA creates 100,000 clean energy jobs and attracts $110 billion in private investments

Less than two years from its passage, the $369 billion in climate and energy spending contained within IRA has already attracted unprecedented levels of investment and job creation. pv Magazine

Alabama

Terry Dunn, who sought more scrutiny of utilities at Alabama Public Service Commission, has died

Terry Dunn, who challenged the status quo at the Alabama Public Service Commission, calling for more scrutiny of Alabama Power Co.'s profits and the rates charged to customers, has died. Alabama Media Group

Maryland

OPINION: How Maryland's climate strategy should evolve

History cautions that civilizations collapse when society fails to realistically respond to its problems. After 20 years of decarbonizing, Maryland's real progress has come from cheap natural gas displacing coal plants and by federal vehicle emissions policy. It is time to reflect, to refine goals, to integrate lessons learned, and to establish a more robust factual basis for policy, writes Alex Pavlak, an engineer and chair of the sustainable energy-focused Future of Energy Initiative. Maryland Matters

U.S.

New guidance makes EV charging incentives widely available

Now the Biden administration needs to clear up exactly which parts of an EV charging installation are eligible for the credit -- otherwise, the incentive program could fail to generate interest from project developers who need financial certainty before moving ahead with costly charger installations. Canary Media

Pennsylvania

Michael Mann's Defamation Case Against Deniers Finally Reaches Trial

After a 12-year journey through the courts, the climate scientist behind the 'Hockey Stick' graph tells a jury that bloggers sullied his name with a crass comparison. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Meet the communities trying to take over their local electric utility

Climate activists have set their sights on a new target in the fight to slow global warming: utilities. Around a dozen communities across the country have launched campaigns to get rid of their investor-owned electric utilities -- the for-profit companies that distribute electricity to three-quarters of U.S. households -- and replace them with publicly owned ones. Grist

U.S.

United Auto Workers endorses Biden ahead of likely rematch with Trump

The United Auto Workers union endorsed President Biden on Jan. 24, boosting his campaign as it turns its attention to the November election. UAW President Shawn Fain announced the union's support at a conference in Washington, D.C., as he introduced Biden to deliver remarks, citing the president's solidarity during its recent strike against major automakers. The Hill

Wisconsin

Bill would give regulators more authority over longer-term utility construction plans

A bill introduced in the state Legislature last month would give the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin more power over utility plans for future construction projects. Under the proposal, electric utilities and cooperatives would have to seek approval from state regulators for two-year construction plans for large-scale electric generating facilities, small generating sites and transmission lines. The PSC typically approves most utility construction projects individually, rather than looking at integrated resource and reliability plans biennially. WPR

International

Worries in Europe Over the White House Move to Delay Gas Terminals

The Biden administration's decision to review new liquefied natural gas projects for their impact on climate change could be a headache for overseas buyers. New York Times

International

Q&A: How YouTube Climate Denialism Is Morphing

Climate science has been under attack for decades. But some climate deniers are no longer refuting the fact that Earth is warming because of human activity. Now, their message focuses on doom: They admit our planet is running a fever, but shrug and say there's not much we can do about it. Inside Climate News

Iowa

Legislation seeks to curtail anonymous environmental complaints

A bill that received early support in the Iowa Senate on Jan. 25 would require someone who reports a potential violation to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to provide their name, which the department would reveal to the potential violator if it investigates. Sen. Tom Shipley, R-Nodaway, said Senate Study Bill 3103 is meant to stop frivolous, anonymous complaints to the DNR, along with those that target certain facilities such as livestock feedlots and confinements. The bill was advanced by a three-person subcommittee Shipley led Jan. 25 for further consideration in the Senate. Iowa Capital Dispatch

Michigan

State board OKs petition to repeal Michigan renewable energy siting law

The bipartisan board's 4-0 vote clears the way for the group Citizens for Local Choice to begin gathering signatures in hopes of reversing Public Act 233, a law passed in November that established statewide permitting standards for large-scale renewable energy projects that had previously been permitted at the local level. Bridge Michigan

Michigan

EGLE says environmental review panels should be axed, cites delays and drains on resources

Citing delays and concerns about good governance and resource use, members of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy continued calls to repeal environmental review panels established during GOP Gov. Rick Snyder's administration. Environmental groups joined EGLE Deputy Director James Clift and Legislative Liaison Sydney Hart in asking members of the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee to move forward on two bills introduced by state Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield). Michigan Advance

Montana

Public Service Commission president pushes back on audit

Public Service Commission President (and state auditor hopeful) James Brown argued before a legislative committee that high turnover at the state's utility board in 2021 was warranted, and said policing his commission colleagues is constrained by their elected status. Montana Free Press

Nebraska

Nebraska introduces legislation to prevent HOA from barring solar installation

Under the bill, any regulations prohibiting solar installations would be deemed void and would have a civil cause of action of violation occurs. pv Magazine

New Mexico

Oil and gas gave big to New Mexico lawmakers in 2023

That amount almost certainly will grow in coming months due to a quirk in New Mexico's disclosure laws. Elected officials don't have to report contributions they received in the last quarter of last year until this spring. The amount of money the industry showers on elected officials offers a glimpse into the influence it has at the state capitol during legislative sessions. New Mexico In Depth

Pennsylvania

In a Steel Town Outside Pittsburgh, an Old Fight Over Air Quality Drags On

The debate over a pollution permit in Clairton, Pa., home to the nation's largest coke plant, pits environmental groups and residents concerned about public health against U.S. Steel and its supporters. Inside Climate News

U.S.

The risks in Biden's LNG pause

The freeze won't stop the U.S. export surge thanks to new projects authorized and under construction. The DOE points out that export capacity is already slated to double over the next few years. Axios

U.S.

Major changes in federal flood insurance program urged by U.S. Senate panel

Congress has spent more than six years avoiding its responsibility to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, using a series of stopgap bills to extend the life of the program that has issued nearly 5 million policies. The lackadaisical approach to brokering a five-year reauthorization of the program was one of several topics the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee discussed Jan. 25 during a hearing on challenges local communities have with flooding and the federally run insurance program. Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S.

How to greenwash': propane industry tries to rebrand fuel as renewable