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

NYC’s big building-decarbonization law faces its first major test

Landlords and climate activists are sparring over the future of Local Law 97 — the country’s most ambitious citywide mandate to clean up building emissions.

By Jeff St. John . 20 September 2023
Clean industry

Terra CO2 says its Texas factory will cut carbon and cost from cement

The startup is building its first large-scale plant to turn common rocks into cement additives that can reduce cement's hefty carbon footprint without raising costs.

By Jeff St. John . 12 September 2023
Food and farms

Chemical fertilizer is a climate disaster. Can high-tech biology fix it?

Startup Pivot Bio has developed a smarter way to get nitrogen to crops, and it has a new CEO who aims to supercharge growth.

By Michael Grunwald . 29 August 2023
Emissions reduction

Virginia may ditch a regional carbon cap-and-invest program

RGGI has helped boost climate resilience and cut emissions in the state, but its Republican governor wants to leave the program. Activists aren’t sure he can.

By Katie Myers . 29 August 2023
Marine transport

Wind power with a high-tech twist could help ships burn less fuel

Commodities giant Cargill is testing a new kind of wind-harnessing device meant to slash fuel use and curb CO2 emissions from the world's cargo ships.

By Maria Gallucci . 21 August 2023
Video

Video: How the Inflation Reduction Act has transformed US clean energy

Watch a conversation on the historic climate law’s impact featuring the Department of Energy’s David Crane and Canary Media’s Julian Spector.

By Julian Spector . 21 August 2023
Climate crisis

Chart: The US can't meet its climate goals unless states step up

But if the 24 states with aggressive emissions-reduction targets make good on their pledges, the country could get within striking distance of its 2030 commitment.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 18 August 2023
Emissions reduction

The Inflation Reduction Act will drive down emissions. But how much?

Models predict that the law will get the U.S. much closer to its climate goals — but just how close will depend on how quickly it drives down power-sector emissions.

By Julian Spector . 16 August 2023
Carbon capture

US announces first winners in $3.5B carbon removal program

Two direct air capture facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast will receive federal funding to try to pull millions of metric tons of CO2 from the sky.

By Maria Gallucci . 11 August 2023
Clean industry

New California rule will cut carbon from baking Cheetos, chips and more

Commercial food manufacturers use a lot of fossil gas. A first-of-its-kind rule in greater Los Angeles will start to change that in 2027.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 August 2023