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Ask a Scientist: The US Has to Do More to Meet Its Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

The legislation committed nearly $400 billion to support, among other things, wind and solar power, battery storage, electric vehicles, and other clean energy technologies that will make a significant dent in US heat-trapping emissions. It also will save US consumers money because they will spend less on fossil fuels.

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How Much Land Would it Require to Get Most of Our Electricity from Wind and Solar?

Union of Concerned Scientists

A recent National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study shows that it would take less than 1 percent of the land in the Lower 48—that’s an area comparable to or even smaller than the fossil fuel industry’s current footprint. Rooftop solar deployment, meanwhile, doesn’t require any land. times current levels by 2035.

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30 Major Climate Initiatives Under Biden

Legal Planet

By one count , Biden has overturned more than two dozen of Trump actions affecting the fossil fuel industry. Biden sets target of at least 50% reduction in carbon emissions below 2005 levels by 2030. And we could see yet another U-turn in climate policy after the November election. April 22, 2021. October 26, 2022.

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Building a Better Power Grid for Minnesota

Union of Concerned Scientists

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Renewable energy will help with all of that—but we need a grid that is designed for wind and solar instead of having to rely on expensive coal and gas plants.

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Minnesota: Will This Be the Year for a 100-Percent Carbon-Free Electricity Policy?

Union of Concerned Scientists

On January 26, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 7 —the 100% Clean Energy Bill. Now, with climate and clean energy majorities in both chambers, Minnesota is poised to join other leading states in updating its clean energy policies equitably with benefits for all residents.

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Reevaluating the Role of Fossil Gas in a Decarbonizing Grid

Union of Concerned Scientists

But gas power plants have also played an important role in helping to maintain the overall reliability of the electricity grid by meeting peak power demands, such as on hot summer days when people turn on their air conditioners. It’s worth delving into because it has some important implications for our clean energy future.

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Calling Out Climate Lies for a Living

Union of Concerned Scientists

It was a bogus argument that fossil fuel proponents would repeat ad nauseum over the next 10 years, so when Rose failed to provide some needed context, I jumped in. I’m not aware of anything the fossil fuel industry gets that I would characterize as a subsidy.” His reply ?