Recent efforts to repeal renewable electricity standards (RES) by fossil-fuel backed opponents have been thwarted in Kansas and North Carolina. The reason? As a newly released review of state RES policies by the Union of Concerned Scientists report clearly shows, these popular, bipartisan policies are working effectively all over the country; affordably driving new renewable energy development and delivering substantial economic benefits to states and local communities in the process. Simply put, the facts on the ground are proving difficult to overcome for those seeking to roll back progress toward a clean energy economy. Read More
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Labor and Environment: “Joined at the Hip”
April 29th, 2013
Since its launching in 2006, the Blue-Green Alliance (BGA) has united some of the largest and most impactful unions, environmental, and science-based organizations in an effort to accelerate the transition to a clean and prosperous energy economy. As proud members of the BGA, the Union of Concerned Scientists was well represented at their annual Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference in Washington, DC last week. My colleague and UCS Kendall Fellow Jeremy Richardson was an active participant and logged the following report: Read More
A Trivial (and Fun) Way to Celebrate Earth Day
April 22nd, 2013
Are you looking for an entertaining and engaging way to make a difference this Earth Day? Consider hosting a Cooler Smarter trivia event! It will put you on the path of being a low-carbon leader, and help challenge, inform, and inspire your family and friends to lower their carbon footprint. Read More
State Renewable Electricity Standards: A Cornerstone in America’s Clean Energy Transition
February 7th, 2013
Compelling evidence shows that state-level renewable electricity standards (RES) are affordably reducing market barriers and stimulating new, stable, and long-term markets for wind, solar, and other renewable energy technologies throughout the United States. To continue the nation’s clean energy transition in 2013 and beyond, strong leadership in expanding state RES policies is critical. Not surprisingly, fossil-fuel backed special interest groups have geared up to block progress. Read More
Driving Renewable Energy: Policies That Matter
February 5th, 2013
The year 2012 will go down as a very good year for renewable energy, with both the wind and solar industries experiencing record development. What will it take to continue the momentum in 2013? In this new blog series — Ramping Up Renewables: Clean Energy Policies to Watch in 2013 — UCS energy experts will discuss some of the most important policies that President Obama, Congress, and state policy makers can focus on in the coming months to further the clean energy transition this year and beyond. Read More
Fact Check: Koch-Funded Group Misleads Michigan Voters on Clean Energy
October 5th, 2012
On November 6, Michigan voters will decide on Proposal 3, a renewable electricity standard (RES) that requires utilities to increase their use of clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar to 25 percent by 2025. The initiative is affordable and will deliver important economic and environmental benefits. But a flawed and biased study released last week by the Koch-funded Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Beacon Hill Institute threatens to undermine Proposal 3 and stall Michigan’s progress toward a clean energy future. Read More
Burning Coal, Burning Cash in Michigan
September 18th, 2012
Michigan’s two largest electric service providers—Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy—seem to prefer sending billions of ratepayer dollars out of state to pay for coal imports rather than investing more in homegrown renewable energy that will provide help to the local economy. Michigan voters will get an opportunity to change that this November by supporting Prop 3, a ballot initiative that would require the state to get 25 percent of its power from renewable energy sources like the wind and sun by 2025. Read More
Michigan Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs
July 19th, 2012
More than 140 academics, scientists and experts in Michigan have signed an open letter in support of ramping up Michigan’s renewable electricity standard to 25 percent by 2025. Read More
Improvements Needed on National Clean Energy Standard
May 16th, 2012
On May 17th, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on a national clean energy standard (CES). The dialogue is a welcome step, but in order to transition toward a truly low-carbon, clean energy future, the bill requires several improvements. Read More
Wanted: Low-Carbon Leaders
May 9th, 2012
Cincinnati, Ohio recently became the first major city in America to offer residents the chance to purchase a 100 percent renewable electricity supply. The effort showcases a central theme of our new book, Cooler, Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living: how citizen action and community leadership can promote innovative energy policies to lead us toward a low-carbon future. Read More




