Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy from wind and solar will depend on upgrading the electric power grid, which is currently plagued by planning delays and gridlock. The 2021 law allows, but does not require, PJM to plan ahead because various fossil fuel plants must reduce and then cease emissions by a specific date.

Fossil Fuels 247

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 247

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 24, 2023

Utilities and grid operators prepared for the storm as it was coming down the pike, but they still underestimated the energy demand it would trigger, as well as the number of outages at fossil fuel power plants—mainly natural gas-fired, plus some coal-fired plants.

Fossil Fuels 213

Fossil Fuels 2014 Climate Change Electricity 213

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 23, 2023

With the clean energy transition already under way, the US electricity mix is set to continue changing this year. Solar power is expected to make up about half of all additions of US electric generating capacity in 2023, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). I’ll start off with the good.

Fossil Fuels 184

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 184

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 15, 2023

New research led by the Union of Concerned Scientists and released today quantifies the contribution of heat-trapping emissions from the world’s largest fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers to worsening wildfires across western North America. That’s an area roughly the size of the state of Maine.

Fossil Fuels 191

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Climate Scientist Sea Level 191

A Greener Life

MARCH 3, 2024

By Anders Lorenzen Jim Ratcliffe, the UK’s richest man and the founder and CEO of Ineos , the petrochemical giant, who perversely pays little UK tax as he resides in the tax haven of Monaco, has won UK government backing from a giant fossil fuel project which campaigners have labelled as climate wrecking.

Fossil Fuels 105

Fossil Fuels Government Technology Technology 105

Enviromental Defense

JANUARY 19, 2024

At COP28, countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels and accelerate action within the decade to achieve our global climate goals. Things have never been clearer: Canada needs to catch up in the shift away from fossil fuels, or it risks being left behind.

Fossil Fuels 136

Fossil Fuels Government Clean Energy Climate Change 136

Edouard Stenger

JUNE 20, 2023

During the month of May, solar and wind power generated more electricity (30.6%) than fossil fuels (27.3%) in the European Union for the first time in history. In the meantime, fossil fuels went from 40-50 percent to less than 30 percent. This is equally impressive.

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Wind Power Electricity 2015 98

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Hydrogen, like electricity, is an energy carrier – it can be used to store and deliver usable energy, for example to a cement or steel factory or to produce fertilizer. You can create hydrogen either using renewable energy or using fossil fuels. A new fossil fuel subsidy in 2023! The post What?

Fossil Fuels 106

Fossil Fuels 2023 Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 106

Legal Planet

MARCH 9, 2023

Yet some pro-sprawl interests question whether this is necessary, given the advent of electric vehicles. Clean electricity generation still has a carbon cost. Even if we move to 100% electric vehicles, that energy has to come from somewhere. Electric vehicles come with their own carbon footprint and pollution costs.

Electricity 259

Electricity Fossil Fuels Conservation 2022 259

Energy and Climate Law

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

The aim of the EU is to try to stop fossil fuel companies suing states over climate action. On fossil fuel investments, however, the document was rather unspecific, merely stating that the modernized ECT shall reflect climate change and clean energy transition goals.

Fossil Fuels 207

Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 2020 207

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 22, 2023

But extreme heat also hits our electricity system in ways that make it more expensive, more polluting, and less reliable. Extreme heat means more expensive electricity Extreme heat can sharply increase electricity consumption as people turn up their air conditioners for relief. One factor is the dirtiness of fossil fuels.

Electricity 231

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Cooling 231

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law a standard that will make the North Star State’s electricity 100 percent carbon-free by 2040. What’s next? Minnesota’s legislative session runs until late May.

Electricity 240

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 240

Edouard Stenger

OCTOBER 31, 2023

This is exactly what is taking place with solar, electric vehicles, heat pumps and similar technologies. As a result, the IEA believes that “We are on track to see all fossil fuels peak before 2030” , and even much sooner. Fossil fuel peaks being driven by the “unstoppable” growth of low-carbon technologies.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity 2025 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

Nearly all of the alliance members have a renewable electricity standard (RES), which requires utilities in their jurisdiction to increase their use of renewable energy to a particular percentage by a specific year. EN: What were your top findings? Our analysis also demonstrates renewables’ power.

Electricity 258

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 258

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 7, 2022

A two-bill package has been introduced in the House and Senate to establish new incentives for the use of fossil-fueled vehicles-- rebranded as “low emission transportation fuels”-- and eliminating rebates and grants for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Fossil Fuels 97

Fossil Fuels Electricity Biofuels Natural Gas 97

Law Columbia

APRIL 3, 2024

In a new report , the Sabin Center identifies and examines 33 of the most pervasive false claims about solar energy, wind energy, and electric vehicles, with the aim of promoting a more informed discussion. jobs ( it does not ).

Electricity 128

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Radiation 128

Yale E360

JUNE 24, 2021

But with a recent string of setbacks for big oil companies and the rapid advance of electric vehicles, some now say that “peak oil” is already here. For years, analysts have predicted that rising world oil consumption would peak and start declining in the coming decades. Read more on E360 ?.

Fossil Fuels 342

Fossil Fuels Electricity 342

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 233

Fossil Fuels Climate Change 2013 2015 233

Yale E360

DECEMBER 26, 2023

The rapid growth of wind, solar, and electric vehicles means that demand for fossil fuels is likely to peak this decade. Is the energy sector ready for the transition? Read more on E360 →

Fossil Fuels 293

Fossil Fuels Electricity 293

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 224

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 224

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

Environmental News Bits

MARCH 1, 2023

Electrifying fossil fuel powered processes is a key decarbonization strategy for manufacturers. Learn from Better Plants partners about the benefits and challenges in implementing electrified systems … Continue reading Webinar: It’s Electric! Electrified Alternatives to Industrial Fossil Fuel Systems

Fossil Fuels 40

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2023 40

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. PowerGEM , an independent consulting firm, conducted the analysis for us, using the same data and process PJM uses.

Electricity 225

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 225

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 301

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 301

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 246

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 246

Enviromental Defense

APRIL 16, 2024

Fossil fuel subsidies are hurting us Subsidies and public financing to oil and gas companies: Harm our health : Governments are propping up an industry that is killing us. A recent report found that one in five premature deaths is caused by air pollution from burning fossil fuels. In Canada, that’s 36,000 people a year.

Fossil Fuels 106

Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy Government 106

Environmental News Bits

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Across the United States, 80 cities and counties have adopted policies that require or encourage the move off fossil fuels to all-electric homes and buildings.

Fossil Fuels 81

Fossil Fuels Government Electricity 2022 81

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 8, 2023

Electric transportation is essential for a cleaner and healthier world. Replacing gasoline vehicles with electric can reduce emissions that cause climate change and illnesses. Researchers like me are putting a microscope to the electric vehicles (EVs) because, as with any extraction and manufacturing, there are associated impacts.

Electricity 263

Electricity Recycling Fossil Fuels Climate Change 263

Environmental News Bits

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Renewables are reaching the point where they are outcompeting fossil fuels on price — setting the stage for their predicted dominance of the energy sector by midcentury.

Fossil Fuels 40

Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 40

Environmental News Bits

NOVEMBER 12, 2021

The European Commission reported today that renewables generated more electricity than fossil fuels in Europe for the first time in 2020, generating 38% of EU’s electricity, compared to 37% of fossil fuel-powered energy. Read the full story at ESG Today. Read more →

Fossil Fuels 92

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 Renewable Energy 92

Law and Environment

AUGUST 17, 2022

As we’ve discussed before , multiple cities and towns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have tried to ban fossil fuel hookups for new buildings by zoning or other ordinance over the past few years. As we noted then, in order for municipalities to restrict or ban fossil fuel connections, [T]he legislature must move first.

Electricity 130

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Law 130

Environmental News Bits

JUNE 22, 2022

Over the past 25 years, hospitals have decreased fossil fuel use, but electricity use isn’t declining as much. According to a survey by Grumman|Butkus Associates, the average combined Btu/ft2 (electricity plus gas/steam) for participating facilities was 236,743 in this year’s survey, up from 233,491 in 2019.

Fossil Fuels 75

Fossil Fuels 2019 Electricity 75

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 102

Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 102

Enviromental Defense

JUNE 21, 2021

degrees–the goal of the Paris Agreement and a critical threshold for climate change–the world must stop approving fossil fuel projects AND significantly ramp down the production of all fossil fuels: coal, oil, and fossil gas. This is a huge deal. So what do we need governments to do? Starting now.

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Clean Energy Climate Change 98

Environmental Leader

JUNE 2, 2022

Over the past 25 years, hospitals have overall decreased fossil fuel use, but electricity use isn’t declining as much. The post Hospitals Use Less Fossil Fuel but Energy Use Hasn’t Slipped Much appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Electricity 52

Yale E360

OCTOBER 19, 2021

The key to shifting away from fossil fuels is for consumers to begin replacing their home appliances, heating systems, and cars with electric versions powered by clean electricity. The challenges are daunting, but the politics will change when the economic benefits are widely felt. Read more on E360 ?.

Fossil Fuels 346

Fossil Fuels Politics Electricity 346