article thumbnail

Ask a Scientist: How Close Are We to a Clean Energy Transition?

Union of Concerned Scientists

To decarbonize the power grid, we’re going to need tons of renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind. We’re also going to need a significant amount of energy storage to save some of that renewable energy for later. So, I’m really excited about energy storage right now. CWdL: That’s great news.

article thumbnail

2024 Year in Review: Clean Energy Progress Steeped in Solar and Storage

Union of Concerned Scientists

The end of every year is a great time for taking stock of what the year has broughtincluding in terms of clean energy in the power sector. As it turns out, 2024 has provided a whole lot of clean energy progress as fodder for that stock-taking. Cumulative US utility-scale battery power capacity.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Walkable Neighborhoods and Public Transit are Part Of the Clean Energy Transition

Union of Concerned Scientists

By expanding public transportation and rail, and by planning our communities in ways that let people meet their needs with biking, walking, and shorter driving trips we can make the clean energy transition more achievable and affordable. In sum, the clean energy transition is achieved at less cost and with greater societal benefit.

article thumbnail

Minnesota Lawmakers Could Go Big on Clean Energy, or Go Small

Union of Concerned Scientists

Minnesota needs substantial investments now to build toward an equitable clean energy future. The bad news is, they have to find a compromise between two vastly different clean energy bills—by Monday. With such a wide gulf to cross, Minnesota could miss another opportunity to advance many key clean energy programs.

article thumbnail

Want Clean Energy? Then You Also Want Battery Recycling.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Since 2019, the Department of Energy’s ReCell Center has been researching effective and affordable battery recycling technology. Lithium-ion batteries from consumer electronics head to the shredder in a recycling facility. Source: Courtesy of Li-Cycle. The US government is also committed to bolstering domestic recycling.

Recycling 299
article thumbnail

The Heinz Endowments: Nonprofits, Philanthropy Create Infrastructure To Help Bring Nearly $1 Billion In Regional, Statewide Clean Energy Funding To Pennsylvania

PA Environment Daily

This represents an unprecedented influx of state and federal support for clean energy in Pennsylvania, including a just-announced $303.5 million closed loan from the US Department of Energy for Eos Energy Enterprises, and has made the Pittsburgh region a clean energy gateway for the state. Kilgour of ORVI.

article thumbnail

California Lawmakers Vote on Energy Affordability Soon

Legal Planet

Wildfire spending was a negligible portion of rates before 2019, and now wildfire costs make up between 7-13 percent of ratepayer bills for the three largest IOUs (PG&E, SCE, & SDG&E). According to the CPUC, undergrounding all of the states electric lines would cost about $763 billion (in 2019 dollars).