Enviromental Defense

MARCH 11, 2024

The proposed Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) by the federal government are intended to make sure we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from fossil fuel generated electricity starting in 2035. The regulations as they are now will not deliver on the targets. They must be strengthened and reinforced.

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New Scientist

MAY 16, 2024

Energy-saving networks that link smart devices, solar panels and batteries could regulate power demand and help avoid fossil fuel use at peak times

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Fossil Fuels Electricity Regulations 101

Enviromental Defense

AUGUST 10, 2023

Statement by Keith Brooks, Programs Director, Environmental Defence Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – We applaud the federal government for moving forward with its commitment to clean electricity.

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Electricity Regulations Fossil Fuels Solar Power 52

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.

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Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 23, 2024

Both fossil fuel and utility companies bear some responsibility for wildfires’ damage, and must be held accountable to ensure disadvantaged and low-income communities aren’t left to shoulder the costs and impacts of these disasters. But first, it’s critical to understand this phenomenon’s connection to climate change.

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Fossil Fuels Climate Change Electricity 2019 253

Environmental News Bits

MAY 1, 2024

by Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School Electric power generation in the U.S. is shifting rapidly away from fossil fuels toward cleaner and lower-carbon sources. State clean energy targets and dramatic declines in the cost of renewable electricity are the most important reasons.

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Regulations Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 40

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.

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Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Law 130

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?

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Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

California’s transportation fuel policy is knee deep in cow poop, and it’s not a good look. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering amendments to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation, but indicated they have no plans to address the problems caused by counter-productive subsidies for manure biomethane.

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Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) A. Nuclear power regulation D. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules bearing on electricity transmission E. FERC pipeline regulation (natural gas and hydrogen). California authority to regulate new vehicles D. Social Cost of Carbon D.

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Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 200

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.

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Fossil Fuels Cooling Electricity 2015 185

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? The situation would indeed be much better if our gifts were delivered by a team of flying reindeer fueled by magic and apples instead of trucks running on polluting diesel fuel.

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Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 257

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.

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Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 104

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Over three-fourths of Indonesia electricity comes from fossil fuels: 60% from coal and 16% from gas. For example: “Many electricity sector policies awaiting implementing rules and regulations are not aligned with each other, or contradict related non-energy regulations. Several official plans.

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Paris Agreement Sea Level Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions 244

Environmental Progress

JANUARY 20, 2022

In order to steer investment toward environmentally sustainable activities, the European Union launched the Taxonomy Regulation framework to define activities deemed sustainable. Notably, in the same proposal, the Commission has also included screening criteria for gaseous fossil fuels. 31 1(a)).

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Fossil Fuels Regulations Waste Technology 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

In December, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service proposed regulations governing implementation of the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit , passed as part of 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act. In particular, emissions loopholes related to biomethane and fugitive methane (i.e.,

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Fossil Fuels Waste Regulations Electricity 265

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 18, 2024

In late December, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations for the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. Today, hydrogen is overwhelmingly produced through a heavily polluting fossil fuel-based process. It is a climate problem, not a climate solution.

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Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2028 Carbon Emissions 196

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.

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Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 351

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 18, 2024

By John Quigley, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy , University of Pennsylvania The challenge of decarbonizing the electricity grid while ensuring its reliability is acute in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth is the nation’s third-largest electricity producer , and exports more of it than any other state. per year over the next ten years.

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Electricity Natural Gas Clean Energy Fossil Fuels 113

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

In late April, California air regulators are poised to pass one of the most meaningful regulations to reduce pollution from commercial trucks, vans, and buses. The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which I’ve blogged about in detail before, will phase out fossil-fueled trucks over the next several decades.

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Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Regulations 249

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2022

That’s because the case, which was about the nature and scope of EPA authority in regulating carbon emissions from existing power plants, turned on a rule that does not exist. Because while this decision does still recognize EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, it simultaneously sharply curtails the agency’s ability to do so.

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Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 262

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

While industry tried to paint hydrogen combustion engines as a “bridge” technology to hydrogen fuel cells, their own presentations undermined that very point—instead, this path is a clear dead end. We need to make sure regulators like EPA and CARB restrict its usage before it gains a fossil-fueled foothold in the marketplace.

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Technology Technology Fossil Fuels Electricity 278

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

That’s the nightmare scenario we’re facing now as federal regulators establish guidelines for implementing the new hydrogen tax credit. Electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, releases no carbon emissions at the point of production. The costs will be too great otherwise.

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Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 237

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 17, 2023

Yet, in 2022, almost 40% of electricity in the US was generated by power plants fueled by natural gas. Note: “Natural gas” is an industry misnomer; UCS considers methane, fossil gas, and gas to be much more appropriate terms. States remain widely varied on their reliance on gas for electricity. And now, as the U.S.

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Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 230

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Subsection (g) calls for accelerating use of zero emission vehicles (basically, electric cars and trucks), as well as public transportation. Methane is at the top of the list of those gases, and reducing emissions will require a global effort to regulate methane emissions from coal mines as well as oil and gas operations.

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Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Paris Agreement Greenhouse 192

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.

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Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 330

Legal Planet

AUGUST 5, 2021

electricity. A big shift to renewables could leave stranded assets — existing fossil fuel plants that the utility will no longer get paid for using. In those states where rates are regulated, regulators can do some things to shift these incentives. Investor-owned utilities supply almost three-quarters of U.S.

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Fossil Fuels Regulations Clean Energy Renewable Energy 296

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 17, 2023

However, great opportunities for more new clean energy supplies to replace fossil fuel energy need supporting grid investments. States should be heard on transmission When regulators make policy, utilities listen. State regulators can call meetings for utilities to work on the modernization and decarbonization of the grid.

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Clean Energy Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Regulations 236

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 31, 2022

At any point in the summer, extreme heat could trigger electricity supply shortages and rotating power outages. In reality, a big heat wave could lead to electricity supply shortages and rotating power outages during any summer month, but September is when it’s most likely. How well has California’s grid been performing this summer?

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Solar Power Fossil Fuels Electricity 2020 266

Enviromental Defense

MAY 17, 2024

Fossil Fuel Companies are to Blame It’s clear that global warming is bringing hotter and drier weather. And over 75 per cent of greenhouse gas pollution comes from producing and burning fossil fuels. Decades of obstruction by the fossil fuel industry have led us to the hotter and more extreme weather.

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Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Government 2024 139

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Coming off its recent decision requiring all new passenger cars and trucks be zero-emission by 2035, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing a first-of-its-kind regulation to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles like delivery vans, big rigs, box trucks, and buses. The rule would also reduce NOx and PM2.5 Drayage Fleets.

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Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 3, 2024

Because of this, regulators worked closely with impacted businesses, community advocates, and technical and policy experts (like UCS!) Fleets that utilize electric and hydrogen vehicles are eligible to earn Low Carbon Fuel Standard ( LCFS ) credits, which can be sold to offset ZEV costs.

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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. That in turn means that we need people with legal expertise relevant to permitting generators and transmission, both of which are highly regulated.

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Law Fossil Fuels Electricity 2019 276

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.

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Law and Environment

AUGUST 11, 2022

The legislation covers a wide range of policy changes focused on electrifying vehicles and transit, reducing fossil fuel connections in new construction, and revamping policy related to solar, offshore wind, and other carbon-free energy sources. DPU is directed to promulgate updated regulations in accordance with the legislation.

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Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2027 147

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

California’s leadership on reducing truck pollution has been on full display the past few years, passing critical regulations requiring 90 percent reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions from diesel trucks and requiring manufacturers sell an increasing share of electric trucks to move away from fossil fuels altogether.

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Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

The first case, In re Hawaii Electric Co. The PUC rejected the project even though it would produce fewer emissions than fossil fuels. The Hawaiian Supreme Court has been forging new paths in environmental law that may lead the way for other courts in years to come. Environmental rights.

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