Alison F. Takemura

Alison F. Takemura

Staff Writer .

Alison is staff writer at Canary Media. She authors Electrified Life, a column that demystifies how we can ditch fossil fuels and electrify our homes. She loves making the clean energy transition more accessible and reports on building decarbonization strategies, heat pumps, and training the clean energy workforce.

Alison’s stories have been published by National Geographic, Sierra magazine, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the NASA Scientific Visualization Studio and others. Currently based in Golden, Colorado, she’s a Japanese-Mexican-American graduate of MIT with a PhD in microbiology, and she has a certificate in science journalism from UC Santa Cruz. She really can’t stress enough how pumped she is about a fossil-free future.

Clean energy manufacturing

Can the US lead on clean aluminum? Ford, GM and others hope so

A group of 14 major aluminum buyers wants the U.S. to invest in low-carbon production of the metal, which is vital for EVs, solar panels and many other products.

By Alison F. Takemura . 5 October 2023
Heat pumps

A beginner’s guide to the different types of heat pumps

Air-source, ducted, mini-split — what does it all mean? Canary Media explains some of the most common heat-pump concepts.

By Alison F. Takemura . 19 September 2023
Heat pumps

Heat pumps outperform boilers and furnaces — even in the cold

Some utilities and fossil-fuel interests like to say heat pumps don’t work in the cold. A new study provides yet more evidence to debunk that myth.

By Alison F. Takemura . 13 September 2023
Solar

He couldn't install solar at home, so he helps nonprofits do it instead

This solar champion shows community groups how to tap Inflation Reduction Act incentives so they can afford solar panels.

By Alison F. Takemura . 11 September 2023
Clean energy

Chart: Renewables are on track to keep getting cheaper and cheaper

A new report says that ongoing improvements in solar and wind tech will keep driving steep cost declines that make them even more competitive against fossil fuels.

By Alison F. Takemura . 1 September 2023
EV charging

Go ahead, rent that EV. Just make a charging plan before setting out

Renting an EV can be a great way to test out the tech before committing to ownership, but there’s a learning curve for drivers, especially around charging.

By Alison F. Takemura . 23 August 2023
Electrification

Your cheat sheet to the climate law’s consumer incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act has a bevy of programs to help you install everything from a heat pump to better insulation. Here’s how to navigate it all.

By Alison F. Takemura . 17 August 2023
Guides and how-tos

So you want to electrify your home. Do you need a panel upgrade first?

If your home’s running on 100 amps or below, you might want an electrician to upgrade your panel and electrical service. Here’s what to know.

By Alison F. Takemura . 31 July 2023
Heat pumps

Heat pumps sold so fast in Maine, the state just upped its target

The chilly New England state blew past its goal to install 100,000 heat pumps by 2025. Now it's pledging to install 175,000 more by 2027.

By Alison F. Takemura . 27 July 2023
Guides and how-tos

What's a home energy audit — and should you get one?

To kick off Canary Media's new Electrified Life column, we break down what to expect from an energy audit and why it's a smart starting point for home electrification.

By Alison F. Takemura . 18 July 2023