While Congress provided federal assistance to some industries early into crisis, they have completely ignored others, like the clean energy industry. Read more >
Will Congress Let Clean Energy Momentum Stall Out During COVID?
Rob Cowin, director of gov't affairs, Climate & Energy
December 14, 2020 2:49 PM EDT
The Real Reason Behind Coal’s Cycling Woes
Joseph Daniel, Senior Energy Analyst
February 24, 2020 11:04 AM EDT
Integrating renewables into the current mix of resources sure does get a lot of attention these days. Sadly, the issue has been thrown up as an unnecessary barrier to the development of wind and solar. One of the most pervasive arguments I’ve heard suggests integrating variable resources (like wind and solar) is costly and sometimes physically impossible. But data recently analyzed by UCS adds to the growing body of work that undercuts such arguments. Read more >
How States Can Make Energy Storage Work for Communities
Jeremy Richardson, senior energy analyst
December 13, 2019 11:19 AM EDT
Know of a state where policy might be moving on energy storage? Or a lawmaker interested in the potential for storage to improve people’s lives? Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) new policy brief, “How to ensure energy storage policies are equitable,” offers a policy roadmap for clean energy champions to design ways to stimulate greater deployment of energy storage—in ways that put the needs and interests of communities first. Read more >
California recently adopted legislation that puts them on the path to source all of their electricity from solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies by 2045. Photo: Dennis Schroeder / NREL
Despite Trump Roadblocks, Full Steam Ahead for Clean Energy Transition
Jeff Deyette, director of state policy & analysis, Clean Energy
October 1, 2018 2:07 PM EDT
With today’s public hearing on the EPA’s wretched and dangerous ‘plan’ for regulating power plant carbon emissions, the Trump administration is continuing its assault on clean energy, public health, and the climate. Whether withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement or bailing out uneconomic coal plants at the behest of his fossil fuel cronies, President Trump desperately wants to reverse progress on the transition to a low-carbon economy. But his schemes continue to flop thanks in large part to the ongoing actions of states, utilities, and corporations that are forging ahead with commitments to accelerate the adoption of wind, solar, and other clean energy technologies. And come this November, voters will have the opportunity to cast their support for clean energy as well.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s been happening recently and what to look for come November 6.
How Quickly Have US Solar and Wind Grown?
John Rogers, Senior energy analyst
August 16, 2017 12:49 PM EDT
Here at the Union of Concerned Scientists, we spend a lot of time focusing on the future—where we need to get to (on climate change, for example), how we do that (clean energy, clean transportation, carbon pricing,…), what happens when we delay (sea-level rise, anyone?). For clean energy in particular, though, it’s great to remember how far we’ve come and how fast we’re moving. A look at how states’ use of wind and solar has grown does that pretty nicely. Read more >
