Energy Tech

With energy demand surging, utilities fall back on their old standby: Fossil fuels.

Federal incentives for clean energy are struggling to overcome old-school planning.

  • By Emily Jones, Grist

Solar hits a renewable energy milestone not seen since WWII

With supply chains finally open, solar provided most of the nation's new electricity capacity last year.

  • By Tik Root, Grist

Government software that shines: Solar permitting’s bright future in 2024

COMMENTARY | By automating the permitting process for rooftop solar, cities and counties can save time and money for their building departments and homeowners.

  • By Mark Rodriguez

Federal money could supercharge state efforts to preserve nuclear power

A plant in Michigan might become the first in the nation to reopen after closing.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

Michigan to transition the state’s fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2040

The conversion to ZEVs can help reduce gas and vehicle maintenance costs, reduce pollution and improve public health, some say.

  • By Kyle Davidson, Michigan Advance

Despite setbacks, states are still counting on offshore wind

Canceled projects threaten more than half the offshore wind capacity under contract with states.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

As industry struggles, federal, state offshore wind goals could get tougher to meet

Supply and labor costs are standing in the way of some states' offshore wind development goals.

  • By Robert Zullo, States Newsroom

31 communities tapped as innovation hub finalists

The Biden administration expects the innovation hubs to spur scientific and technological innovation in communities across the country, including small and rural areas and those with historically underserved populations.

  • By Kery Murakami

Recharging the Rust Belt through climate innovation

The cross-sector Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance aims to transform the Midwest into a leading hub for climate technologies, economic development and investment.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Wind power in numbers: Tri-state pact aims to leverage better renewable energy deal

A trio of New England states will collaborate in soliciting and reviewing bids for offshore wind projects. The agreement aims to keep clean energy costs down.

  • By Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current

Study looks at climate change effects on rural electrical grids

Investigators from universities in South Dakota, Puerto Rico, Maine and Alaska are working together for the next four years to study severe weather events and electrical grids.

  • By Kristi Eaton, The Daily Yonder

A group of US governors promises to install 20 million heat pumps by 2030

And they want to put at least 40 percent of them in disadvantaged communities.

  • By Katie Myers, Grist
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Program helps manufacturers train workers for an all-electric future

Through the initiative, Minnesota is looking to address a lack of electrification courses designed for employees. The state also believes it will create employment growth in Minnesota.

  • By Frank Jossi, Energy News Network

Federal, state regulators prod utilities to consider technology for grid upgrade

The ‘grid-enhancing’ tech—popular in other countries—could reduce the need for new wires.

  • By Robert Zullo, Nebraska Examiner

Tech breakthrough could boost states’ use of geothermal power

Backers think geothermal could power as much as 20% of the U.S. grid.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

Budding U.S. offshore wind industry facing rough seas

States must overcome supply chain issues by exploring workforce development opportunities and other initiatives to meet state and federal targets for wind turbine installation.

  • By Robert Zullo, Maryland Matters

$90M awarded to update building energy codes

The U.S. Energy Department grants will provide technical assistance for updating state and local building codes to reduce harmful emissions.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Biden Administration Releases Road Map to Scale Up Nuclear, Hydrogen and Energy Storage

The reports address key challenges and potential solutions for getting these clean energy technologies off the ground.

  • By Akielly Hu, Grist

A Federal Program Looks to Connect Smart Buildings with Smart Policy

COMMENTARY | Buildings drive a third of the nation’s emissions. Smart buildings can change that with the right policies and programs in place.

  • By Elizabeth Stuart and Bentham Paulos

How a New Subsidy for ‘Green Hydrogen’ Could Set Off a Carbon Bomb

Using electricity to make hydrogen could drive down greenhouse gas emissions. Or it could underwrite a process that actually increases emissions.

  • By Emily Pontecorvo, Grist

EV Charging Station Map Highlights Disparities

Today’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure is concentrated along the coasts and in major cities.

  • By Shourjya Mookerjee