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The Inflation Reduction Act might not be completely repealed, but plenty of other climate policies could be undone — and fossil fuels could be unleashed.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

Carbon-free buildings

How century-old 'district energy' networks can help decarbonize cities

Vicinity Energy aims to convert Boston's steam network to run on clean electricity, showing how some cities can move toward climate-friendly heating and cooling of buildings.

By Jeff St. John . 7 June 2022
Utilities

Why are blackouts looming? Blame extreme weather, not wind and solar

Heat, drought and fires could push the grid to its limits this summer. The solution is a flexible system with a wide range of power sources, not reliance on big power plants, experts say.

By Jeff St. John . 27 May 2022
Fossil fuels

Chart: Fossil fuels are a big driver of inflation

Speeding up the switch to renewables will free consumers from the price volatility of dirty energy.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 27 May 2022
Podcast

The hidden history of California oil

How residential drilling sparked public health and environmental justice problems in California.

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By Stephen Lacey . 11 May 2022
Policy & regulation

Biden solar tariff probe pushes Indiana utility to burn more coal

The Commerce Department’s consideration of new tariffs for Southeast Asian solar-panel makers is stalling solar projects — and undermining the clean energy transition.

By Julian Spector . 5 May 2022
Clean energy

Chart: Renewable energy beat out nuclear in the US in 2021

Wind, solar, hydro and other renewables combined contributed more electricity to the U.S. grid last year than nuclear power — but the total was still just shy of coal.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 29 April 2022
Clean energy

Putin's war will drive a faster shift to clean energy

Motivated to ditch Russian oil and gas, countries in Europe and beyond will find cheaper renewable energy solutions ready and waiting, says analyst Kingsmill Bond.

By Alison F. Takemura . 11 April 2022
Clean energy

Chart: New solar and storage set to crush fossil gas deployments in the US

The market has spoken — and it says the energy transition is already well underway.

By Eric Wesoff, Maria Virginia Olano . 1 April 2022
Podcast

Can Europe quit Russian fossil fuel by next winter?

Does the Russian war in Ukraine upend the idea that natural gas can be a bridge fuel?

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By Shayle Kann . 31 March 2022
Heat pumps

How to move Europe from gas heat to heat pumps — fast

As the European Union tries to free itself from Russian gas, it should offer subsidies and policy supports to boost heat-pump adoption, a new report says.

By Jeff St. John . 30 March 2022