Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

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.

Carbon Emissions 296

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 296

A Greener Life

JULY 7, 2021

New research from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) confirms renewables are continuing to outpace fossil fuels on cost. They found that the share of renewable energy that achieved lower costs than the most competitive fossil fuel option doubled in 2020. With record-low auction prices of $1.1

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2010 2020 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 4, 2024

That 2013 headline resulted from the first effort to quantify emissions from the ‘carbon majors’ —fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers whose businesses have contributed an outsized amount of heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. Nearly two-thirds of industrial heat-trapping emissions can be traced to just 90 entities.

Fossil Fuels 227

Fossil Fuels Climate Change 2013 2015 227

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 30, 2023

Now it’s on to the state Senate, where the question is: Will this be the year Minnesota sets a path toward 100-percent carbon-free electricity? Minnesota can join other leading states By enacting a standard for 100-percent carbon-free electricity by 2040, Minnesota can join other leading states who have updated their clean energy policies.

Electricity 217

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 217

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

As the adoption of electric cars, trucks, and buses gains momentum, many people are wondering if the electric grid is up to the task of charging all of those vehicles. And will the grid be able to handle all of the electric vehicles we will have as we progress toward a highly-electrified transportation future, by say 2040 or 2050?

Electricity 347

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Cooling 347

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 12, 2024

Fossil gas power plants currently provide the largest source of electricity generation and capacity in the United States. However, as we replace fossil fuels with clean electricity for heating and transportation to meet our climate goals, these peak demands will increasingly shift to the winter in many parts of the country.

Fossil Fuels 239

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 239

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) sets a bold goal for the state—no carbon pollution from electricity generation by 2045, which means zero global warming emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. Illinois legislators and clean energy advocates celebrate CEJA’s signing in September 2021. What does that mean exactly?

Electricity 219

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 219

Environmental Progress

JANUARY 4, 2022

Germany is expected to increase its fossil fuel consumption for electricity generation in 2022, if its weather conditions and electricity demand are similar to 2021, a new analysis from Environmental Progress finds. With its 2021 and 2022 electricity generation profile, Germany would have missed its targets.

Electricity 134

Electricity 2022 Fossil Fuels 2021 134

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 13, 2024

On March 7, the Independent Fiscal Office issued its latest Pennsylvania Electricity update that reports the electricity grid is dependent on one fuel for 59% of the state’s electricity generation-- natural gas-- followed by nuclear power-- 31.9%, coal-- 5.4% from other sources. Read more here. Read more here.

Electricity 116

Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 116

Legal Planet

JUNE 16, 2022

According to the Energy Information Agency , South Korea’s power sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Two thirds of generation capacity is based on fossil fuels, split evenly between coal and natural gas, with 17% nuclear, and 14% hydro and other renewables. 50% coal, 26% gas, and 25% nuclear.

Climate Change 246

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement 2030 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

How would that change if I hopped on the electric bus route at the end of my block? A 2021 meta-analysis of over 40 peer-reviewed studies on the subject concluded that “there is no particular type of shopping that has an absolute environmental advantage and it is in no way possible to shop ourselves out of the environmental crisis.”

Nitrogen Oxides 241

Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 241

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 15, 2022

The ones that’ll soon be gracing areas over the horizon are powerful enough, each one, to generate the equivalent of an average home’s daily electricity use in just a few seconds. Even more important, though, wind is an impressive piece of our electricity supply. Wind is now the largest source of renewable energy in the country.

Wind Power 358

Wind Power Fossil Fuels Electricity Climate Change 358

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 30, 2023

And I love hearing about new renewable electricity records as spring unfolds. That same month, New England recorded its lowest demand ever for electricity from the regional grid, which the grid operator attributed to record rooftop solar production. Spring tends to be a time when there is lower electricity demand.

Renewable Energy 244

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Climate Change Electricity 244

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 31, 2022

Rising prices of methane gas used for power and heating, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are contributing to soaring electric and heating bills across the country. And such action cannot be influenced by fossil fuel interests and their policy proposals that we are seeing in Congress. How Did We Get Here?

Clean Energy 232

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Natural Gas 232

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

electricity generation. Renewables are continuing to increase their share of the power sector, rising to almost 23 percent of the nation’s electricity supply last year, which was higher than the generation from both coal-fired and nuclear plants. In other words, when the air is hot, gas power plants cannot generate as much electricity.

Fossil Fuels 175

Fossil Fuels Cooling Electricity 2015 175

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Over three-fourths of Indonesia electricity comes from fossil fuels: 60% from coal and 16% from gas. Indonesia’s 2021 climate pledge under the Paris Agreement was to reduce emissions from 2020-2030 by 29%. In fact, Indonesia is moving its capital 600 miles away for this reason. Several official plans.

Paris Agreement 289

Paris Agreement Sea Level Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions 289

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Most Minnesotans are familiar with their local electricity utility, since that’s who bills them for electricity they provide.

Renewable Energy 341

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 341

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 10, 2024

In New England, the percent of people of color living near fossil fuel power plants is up to 23.5 Even as some parts of the country transition away from fossil fuel infrastructure, the retirement of gas plants has become another driver of inequity.

Fossil Fuels 259

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 259

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Gas, which now generates 40 percent of US electricity, is considered by some to be critical to maintain grid reliability. For example, Dominion Energy, an electric and gas utility in Virginia, is planning to build a mammoth 1,000-megawatt gas plant in an area with a high percentage of residents who are people of color and low-income.

Clean Energy 316

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 316

A Greener Life

MARCH 15, 2022

The energy analysts found that despite all the efforts to curb emissions, in 2021 global energy-related CO2 emissions rose to their highest ever level as the lockdowns put in place by many governments due to the pandemic were eased. IEA said that in 2021 alone China’s CO2 emissions rose above 11.9 billion tonnes. billion tonnes.

2021 98

2021 Fossil Fuels 2019 2020 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 19, 2022

Minnesotans are already experiencing the climate crisis, as well as health impacts, from burning fossil fuels. A recent Union of Concerned Scientists analysis found that Minnesota could meet its electricity demands with 100-percent renewable energy by 2035, which would provide significant economic and health benefits.

Clean Energy 219

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity 219

Circle of Blue

DECEMBER 13, 2021

Communities rich and poor bore witness to horrific devastation in 2021. The events of 2021 are likely to be a prelude for tougher tests ahead. Countries whose electricity relies largely on hydropower can face shortages when rains fail. Fossil fuel subsidies could be lowered. Extreme events are happening more often.

2021 246

2021 Fossil Fuels Politics Natural Gas 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 25, 2022

This week, the Midwest’s regional electric grid operators approved nearly $10.5 Allowing for more cheap renewable energy to meet demand, and addressing areas where the grid is vulnerable will provide fuel savings, avoided risk of controlled blackouts, and reductions in fossil fuel pollution. million homes. million homes.

Renewable Energy 225

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 225

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Fossil fuels are the root cause of climate change, of long-standing environmental injustices, and are also frequently connected to geopolitical strife and violent conflicts. Other countries are dependent upon these fossil fuels, they don’t make themselves free of them. This is a fossil fuel war.

Fossil Fuels 260

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 260

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 31, 2022

At any point in the summer, extreme heat could trigger electricity supply shortages and rotating power outages. It issued five Flex Alerts in 2020, eight in 2021, but there’s only been one so far this year. And to clean up buildings and industry, many residences and businesses will switch to electricity-powered heating systems (e.g.,

Solar Power 253

Solar Power Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 253

Legal Planet

AUGUST 31, 2023

That will require a huge increase in the amount of electric generation, at the same time that we’re also replacing existing fossil fuel capacity with renewables and storage. And we need people who can address the electricity pricing issues that come along with basically revamping our power system. What about new hires?

Law 299

Law Fossil Fuels Electricity 2019 299

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 27, 2022

There is still much we can do to bend that emissions curve sharply within this decade—but only if world leaders, especially leaders of richer countries and major emitting nations, take responsibility to act together quickly and fossil fuel companies are held accountable for their decades of obstruction and deception.

Fossil Fuels 192

Fossil Fuels 2030 Clean Energy Climate Change 192

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 10, 2022

The Governor approved a notable slate of climate legislation with a package that includes more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets and measures designed to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels. The post 2021-2022 California Environmental Legislation: What’s Been Enacted? Clean Energy. Download as PDF.

2021 130

2021 2022 Sea Level Clean Energy 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Winter is once again here, bringing great festivities and respite via holidays, but also great worries to energy regulators, grid operators, and communities about dangerous winter storms that can spread across large parts of the United States and negatively affect electric grid reliability.

Electricity 278

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2011 2014 278

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

CARB has proposed to rapidly increase the stringency of the standard to increase demand for credits, but it should also address the supply of credits, to make sure the fuels supported by the LCFS help move California towards a clean transportation future. Each credit one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent pollution below the standard.

Fossil Fuels 260

Fossil Fuels Regulations Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 260

Enviromental Defense

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

In this year’s edition of World Energy Outlook , the International Energy Agency showed that with the rapid roll out of renewable energy technologies, the demand for fossil fuels – gas, coal and oil – will peak this decade. These wildfires are the result of producing and burning fossil fuels. This is a big deal.

Fossil Fuels 122

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Greenhouse Government 122

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

We are at a crossroads between a more affordable and climate safe future, and one that entrenches our reliance on dirty fossil fuels, increases the rift between the highest and lowest earners and puts profit over people. The cost of electricity generated from solar panels fell by 89 per cent between 2010-2022.

Fossil Fuels 133

Fossil Fuels Cooling Climate Change Electricity 133

A Greener Life

JUNE 27, 2022

In March, start-up BasiGo became the first company to launch an electric passenger bus in Kenya. We selected BYD because they are the largest manufacturer of electric buses globally and they are known for battery technology that is state-of-the-art,” BasiGo co-founder and CEO Jit Bhattacharya told China Dialogue. million in funding.

Electricity 97

Electricity Greenhouse 2030 2020 97

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

US ratepayers very likely will pay even more for electricity and heating this winter compared to the already-expensive winter of 2021-2022. Between 2015 and 2021, 274 North American oil and gas producers filed for bankruptcy with a debt load of $177 billion. The bankruptcies were set in motion even before 2020.

Fossil Fuels 280

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 280

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

They just released their 2022 “Annual Energy Outlook” (AEO), which is a big deal: it tells us where electricity is headed over the next 30 years. Here are five key takeaways from this year’s AEO, focused primarily on the electricity sector: 1. This is where the analysis behind AEO2022 dates itself to November 2021.

Natural Gas 268

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 268

Physics World

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Here is a selection of some of our favourite materials and nanotechnology research in 2021. It involves vaporizing metals a flash chamber by applying a brief (less than 1 s), intense pulse of electrical current to the waste, rapidly heating it to 3400 K. Quantum dots light up when fish have spoiled.

2021 127

2021 Waste Electricity Fossil Fuels 127

Circle of Blue

JUNE 6, 2022

Besides the kilowatt-hours it generates, Glen Canyon provides key services to the electric grid. The country’s second largest reservoir and a lynchpin in the intermountain electric grid, Powell is more dirt than water these days. Hydropower generation will likely shut down when Lake Powell’s elevation drops below 3,490 feet.

Electricity 338

Electricity Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Wind Power 338