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. PJM Takes a Look at Renewable Planning. Midwest (Sort of) Continues a Proud Tradition. What New England Sees.

Fossil Fuels 241

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 241

Law Columbia

APRIL 3, 2024

However, misinformation and coordinated disinformation about renewable energy is widespread and threatens to undermine public support for the transition. jobs ( it does not ).

Electricity 128

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Radiation 128

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 27, 2022

From this 2040 perspective, Michigan’s 100-percent renewable energy standard took full effect five years ago, and—along with accelerated closures of coal plants, like the one in Monroe, and a ban on new gas plant construction—it has saved Michigan families at least $15 billion in public health costs.

Renewable Energy 254

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity 254

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. Our analysis also demonstrates renewables’ power. EN: What were your top findings?

Electricity 254

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 254

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 177

Fossil Fuels 2023 Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides 177

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 30, 2023

On January 26, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 7 —the 100% Clean Energy Bill. 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?

Electricity 214

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 214

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 223

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Cooling 223

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. Building on the success of the 100 percent standard, there are many other energy- and environment-related bills ready for discussion and approval. What’s next?

Electricity 233

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 233

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 216

Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 216

A Greener Life

JUNE 30, 2023

By Anders Lorenzen The renewable energy sector experienced record growth in 2022 of 1%. But despite this, it did not shift the dominance of fossil fuels. They still account for 82% of the global energy supply according to the industry’s Statistical Review of World Energy released this week.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Paris Agreement 2022 52

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

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. C climate pathway.

Fossil Fuels 98

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2010 2020 98

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

They are useful tools for incentivizing things that we want more of – like renewable energy. That’s what the proposed clean energy tax credit does. 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.

Fossil Fuels 72

Fossil Fuels 2023 Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 72

Edouard Stenger

OCTOBER 31, 2023

For years, this publication was lowballing renewable energy sources. 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 Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels 2030 Electricity 2025 52

A Greener Life

AUGUST 2, 2023

The country will also target 5,000 kilometres of new transmission lines, an 8% reduction in overall energy demand, and one gigawatt (GW) of distributed generation, with the government putting the plan’s estimated costs at US$86.6 These targets represent a potentially significant shift in Argentina ’s energy mix.

Renewable Energy 95

Renewable Energy 2030 Fossil Fuels Electricity 95

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. 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.

Renewable Energy 338

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 338

Enviromental Defense

AUGUST 3, 2023

This moratorium on renewable energy is bad for business, bad for the environment and bad for Albertans. Scaling up renewable energy is essential to addressing the climate crisis. Alberta has been Canada’s leading province for building renewable energy. Stopping now makes no sense.

Renewable Energy 82

Renewable Energy Government Fossil Fuels Electricity 82

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 225

Fossil Fuels Climate Change 2013 2015 225

Environmental News Bits

NOVEMBER 5, 2021

by Lisa Sheppard, Prairie Research Institute As renewable energy is poised to replace fossil fuels long term in Illinois, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is delving into a looming issue: what to do with solar modules, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries that are no longer used.

Renewable Energy 104

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Waste Electricity 104

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 237

Fossil Fuels Electricity 2030 Clean Energy 237

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 111

Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 111

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

Union of Concerned Scientists’ (UCS) research shows that top fossil fuel producers’ emissions are responsible for as much as half of global surface temperature increase. The best solution: Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. The transition to 100-percent renewables is possible.

Fossil Fuels 299

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 299

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 294

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 294

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 25, 2022

This week, the Midwest’s regional electric grid operators approved nearly $10.5 These investments will bring more clean energy online, improve grid resiliency, and deliver significant consumer benefits and jobs. This development will create almost 32,000 jobs while providing enough energy to power more than 1.8 million homes.

Renewable Energy 222

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity 222

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 216

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity 216

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 255

Electricity Recycling Fossil Fuels Climate Change 255

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 95

Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy Government 95

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 4, 2023

Most of the oldest fossil fuel power plants in the United States are located near or in cities, making it more urgent—and more difficult—to shut them down. Now, with the changes in arcane rules announced just last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), it will be much easier to replace them with battery storage.

Fossil Fuels 176

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Climate Change 176

Edouard Stenger

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

In our many sustainability and energy transitions, the electricity one is the most talked about and the easiest to do. According to recent research by the prestigious International Energy Agency (IEA) : By 2024, renewables’ share of global electricity generation will exceed one-third.

Renewable Energy 52

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 2024 Electricity 52

Environmental News Bits

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

is now on track to source 62% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040 thanks to recent state policy developments and the rising cost of fossil fuels, especially natural gas, according to a second-quarter briefing by S&P Global Commodity Insights. Read the full story at Utility Dive.

Renewable Energy 81

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Electricity 81

Enviromental Defense

JUNE 21, 2021

In a remarkable new report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds that in order to limit warming to 1.5 The IEA is the world’s foremost authority on energy, relied upon by governments and the private sector around the world. That includes: 1 Stop approving fossil fuel projects, and plan for their phase out.

Fossil Fuels 97

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Clean Energy Climate Change 97

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

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

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 28, 2022

First, Union of Concerned Scientists and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition released a new report on how Michigan and other states can achieve 100-percent renewable energy standards that benefit all communities. Whitmer announced the MI Healthy Climate Plan , a roadmap for meeting the state’s carbon pollution reduction goals.

Clean Energy 244

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy 2030 244

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. Any attempt to water them down must be resisted.

Regulations 52

Regulations Electricity Fossil Fuels Climate Change 52