Down to the Wire | Deep dives into complex energy issues

The Latest

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  Utilities

  A Western US energy market would boost clean energy. Will it happen?

  Day-ahead energy trading could expand clean energy and save billions for customers from the Pacific to the Rockies — if California agrees to share power.

  By Jeff St. John  .  10 June 2024

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  Distributed energy resources

  California’s new rules allow solar and batteries to help out the grid

  Utilities tend to treat solar and batteries as threats to their power grids. California’s policy will now tap their flexible power to benefit the grid instead.

  By Jeff St. John  .  2 April 2024

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  Transmission

  Could 2024 be a breakout year for the transmission grid?

  How can the U.S. build enough transmission lines to combat climate change? Here’s what’s on the table for grid reforms in 2024.

  By Jeff St. John  .  3 January 2024

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  Transmission

  California's grid is hindering its climate goals. Can a new law fix it?

  The state's grid isn't growing fast enough to support a surge of EVs, heat pumps and more. A new law offers a potential path forward — and could be a model for other states.

  By Jeff St. John  .  20 November 2023

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  Fossil fuels

  Natural gas is the pillar of the US electric grid. It’s also unreliable

  Pro-fossil groups argue gas is more reliable than clean energy. But in extreme cold, gas pipelines and power plants are failing to deliver when they're most needed.

  By Jeff St. John  .  5 July 2023

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  Energy equity

  Income-based electric bills: The newest utility fight in California

  A state law calling for utility bills to be based on household income could drive adoption of EVs and heat pumps — or punish rooftop solar and efficiency.

  By Jeff St. John  .  9 May 2023

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  Hydrogen

  The power used to make green hydrogen must be tracked down to the hour

  Big fossil incumbents claim that hourly accounting for hydrogen tax credits is too complicated — but plenty of startups and nonprofits are already doing it today.

  By Jeff St. John  .  30 March 2023

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  Hydrogen

  Is cheap, clean hydrogen possible? The 'green hydrogen' battle, continued

  Big oil and energy companies say strict rules for hydrogen tax credits could kill a nascent industry. Clean-energy advocates say that's dead wrong.

  By Jeff St. John  .  29 March 2023

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  Hydrogen

  The great 'green hydrogen' battle

  Tens of billions in federal tax credits could build a vital low-carbon hydrogen industry — or increase carbon emissions. We tackle the complexities in a series.

  By Jeff St. John  .  28 March 2023

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  Emissions reduction

  Carbon credits could soon help fund distributed clean energy projects

  Voluntary carbon offset markets are under fire. WattCarbon CEO McGee Young sees heat pump retrofits, demand response and community solar as a better target.

  By Jeff St. John  .  13 February 2023