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

Union of Concerned Scientists

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? From a countrywide perspective, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a study in August 2022 identifying multiple pathways to a net-zero power grid by 2035.

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Renewables smash fossil fuels at cost

A Greener Life

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

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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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Boosting Michigan’s Energy Future with Regional Transmission Upgrades

Union of Concerned Scientists

Today, the regional entity overseeing much of the electric power grid in the Midwest—the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)—approved a set of major new transmission system upgrades that will bring billions of dollars in benefits to the region while better enabling states and utilities to pursue transitions to clean energy.

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In Climate Talks, Plans to Keep Planet from Overheating Should Not Ignore Water

Circle of Blue

Carbon-reduction plans, if not well designed, can worsen water scarcity and pollution. Plans to reduce carbon emissions should take water into account. Some low-carbon energy options require significant amounts of water. But other low-carbon technologies do not tread as lightly. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue.

Biofuels 363
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EPA’s Power Plant Carbon Rules Are Critical—and Complex. Here’s What to Know, and What to Watch.

Union of Concerned Scientists

The ongoing pollution from these power plants is an affront to public health and wildly incompatible with every climate ambition this country —and this world—has. Indeed, EPA still retains the ability to set strong standards that curtail carbon pollution at the scale, speed, and rigor required. EPA decision, but it did not ground EPA.