Emissions reduction

Policy & regulation

California’s new clean-fuel plan makes old problems worse

CARB approved new rules last week that critics say reward polluting biofuels, shortchange EVs, and could cause gasoline prices to spike.

By Jeff St. John . 13 November 2024

gray, black, and white cars snaking along two sides of an urban freeway. — The 101 freeway in Los Angeles, California (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Carbon-free buildings

Need help electrifying your home? This startup has an app for that

Zero Homes aims to make electrification easier and cheaper by quoting projects — to install heat pumps, EV chargers, and more — without setting foot in your house.

By Alison F. Takemura . 9 May 2024
Carbon capture

World's largest 'direct air capture' plant starts sucking CO2 from the sky

Climeworks just began operating its Mammoth plant in Iceland. The 36,000-ton facility is a significant step up for the costly, energy-intensive tech.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 May 2024
Carbon removal

A $100 million carbon-removal competition enters its final stage

The Elon Musk–backed Xprize competition announced 20 finalists to advance breakthrough solutions for CO2 removal using air, rocks, land, and oceans.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 May 2024
Emissions reduction

Frontier bets $58.3M on carbon removal startup Vaulted Deep

The Stripe-backed fund placed its biggest CO2-removal order yet with the 7-month-old startup, which injects waste biomass “slurry” deep underground.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 May 2024
Emissions reduction

Aza Power wants to swap diesel for ammonia in trucks, tractors, and more

If produced using renewable energy, ammonia could significantly reduce emissions from industrial applications.

By Frank Jossi . 30 April 2024
Emissions reduction

Chart: Heavy industry is the next big climate problem to tackle

Industries like steel, cement, and chemicals could be the top source of planet-warming emissions in the U.S. by 2035, as electricity and transportation decarbonize.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 26 April 2024
Policy & regulation

New clean power rules force utilities to take clean energy seriously

EPA’s "clean up or close" rules for coal and gas plants face strong pushback. But backers say clean power, batteries, and grid tech are ready to take over.

By Jeff St. John . 25 April 2024
Electrification

Need help breaking up with fossil fuels? Ask an ‘electric coach’

Electrification is hard. That’s why Rewiring America is training 1,000 coaches this year to guide neighbors through getting heat pumps, solar and more.

By Alison F. Takemura . 25 April 2024
Solar

Solar is about to get a lot more affordable for low-income households

The EPA’s historic $7 billion Solar for All program will help every state fund solar projects for lower-income residents. In many states, that will be a first.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 April 2024
Emissions reduction

US landfills emit way more methane than previously thought

Landfills are the third-biggest source of U.S. methane emissions. But leaks of the potent greenhouse gas are often undetected due to monitoring blindspots.

By Sachi Kitajima Mulkey . 3 April 2024