Fossil fuels

Politics

How Trump’s second term could derail the clean energy transition

The Inflation Reduction Act might not be completely repealed, but plenty of other climate policies could be undone — and fossil fuels could be unleashed.

By Jeff St. John . 6 November 2024

torn Trump signs on the ground — (Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)

Guest essay

It's time for solar microgrids to replace dirty diesel generators

In rural sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, costly diesel generators are often the only power source. A concerted push to deploy solar microgrids could change that.

By Manoj Sinha, Joseph Nganga . 28 October 2022
Fossil fuels

Charts: Winter heating bills to rise thanks to high natural-gas prices

Increasing U.S. exports of LNG are helping to drive up natural-gas prices, which means more Americans will struggle to pay for heating this winter.

By Canary Staff . 28 October 2022
Just transition

Who should pay to help coal communities in the energy transition?

Staff at Arizona’s utility regulator say customers shouldn’t be charged more to fund a $144 million just transition package for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and other coal communities.

By Alison F. Takemura . 24 October 2022
Utilities

Charts: Utilities sticking with fossil fuels despite climate pledges

A new Sierra Club report highlights the major U.S. utilities that plan to burn coal and build new fossil-gas infrastructure through at least 2030.

By Maria Gallucci, Maria Virginia Olano . 21 October 2022
Wind

Oil, gas or wind: What produces more energy per offshore acre?

Canary's chart of the week highlights some drastic differences in the amount of energy produced from a single leased offshore acre.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 7 October 2022
Just transition

The best policies to help coal towns weather the switch to renewables

A new report singles out Colorado, Illinois and New Mexico as trailblazers in just-transition laws. Could fossil strongholds Wyoming and West Virginia follow suit?

By Alison F. Takemura . 3 October 2022
Utilities

Why does Duke Energy's carbon plan shortchange solar?

The utility wants to build new gas plants. Its critics want it to build far more solar and batteries. North Carolina regulators have until year's end to decide.

By Jeff St. John . 19 September 2022
Electrification

As the wealthy go electric, who will pay for aging gas infrastructure?

Electrification is ramping up. Advocates say we need plans to shield lower-income people from the costs of maintaining a deteriorating fossil-gas system.

By Sarah Shemkus . 6 September 2022
Fossil fuels

Hawaii just got rid of coal power for good

Next up: finding new roles for coal plant workers — and keeping the lights on during a global energy crisis.

By Julian Spector . 1 September 2022
Fossil fuels

EPA should crack down on fossil-fueled heating, climate groups argue

A coalition of activists is petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency to phase out furnaces and water heaters that burn gas and oil.

By Emily Pontecorvo . 26 August 2022