Small size, big problems: NuScale’s troublesome small modular nuclear reactor plan
Despite its small size, NuScale has outsize cost and safety problems.
Articles by Grant Smith, Anthony Lacey
Stifling solar: Duke Energy’s long war against North Carolina clean energy
Duke Energy is asking North Carolina utility regulators to approve a plan that could stifle the growth of renewable solar power in the state while hiking ratepayers’ bills – the latest in the monopoly...
Using virtual power plants to spur energy equity, grid stability and fight the climate crisis
When a heatwave struck California last August, a private energy service company coordinated the solar arrays, battery storage, and smart appliances and thermostats of 150,000 homes – and helped...
Decarbonizing industries, transportation doesn’t require costly carbon capture
Fighting the climate crisis will require deep reductions in carbon emissions from industries and transportation, but new research and investments show that this goal can be met through novel clean...
Why America can’t afford an ‘all of the above’ energy policy
It’s a reliable tell: Politicians and pundits who want to sound like boosters of clean, safe, renewable energy, while clinging to dirty, dangerous energy sources like fossil fuels and nuclear power...
Nuclear Industry Politics: Bribes, Corruption and Lies
The U.S. nuclear industry knows it can't compete fairly on the open market with safe, clean, cost-effective renewable energy sources like solar, wind and storage batteries, so it's turning to illegal...
In Pandemic-Triggered Economic Crisis, Millions of Americans Struggle To Pay Utility Bills
The economic meltdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic means that legions of Americans are struggling to pay their utility bills. As with other impacts of the pandemic, the federal government has...
Trump’s Energy Regulators Are Undercutting Growth of Renewables
Federal regulators' rule changes to prop up coal and natural gas power plants could severely disrupt progress toward a clean, renewable energy future – and cost 65 million mid-Atlantic and Midwest...
Oregon Is a Renewables Leader But Needs Congress’ Help in Wake of Pandemic
Oregon is a national leader in wind and solar development, with strong state policy backing. Oregon's renewable portfolio standard requires that electric utilities get at least half of their power...
Massachusetts’ Net-Zero Goal Could Stall Without Federal Pandemic Relief
In January, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Although all New England states have aggressive carbon reduction targets...
Deep in the Heart of Texas, the Pandemic Threatens Renewable Energy
When you think of energy and Texas, you think of oil. But besides being the leading oil and natural gas production and refining state, Texas is also a national leader in renewable energy.
The Pandemic Sends an Ill Wind Through Iowa. Will Congress Step Up To Help?
In 1983, Iowa was the first state to set a renewable energy standard – requiring utilities to generate a mandated share of electricity from renewable sources – and it paid off: Wind power is Iowa's...
After the Pandemic, Kentucky Can Rebuild the Economy and Create Jobs by Investing in Clean Energy
The coronavirus pandemic will leave in its wake an urgent need to rebuild state economies. In Kentucky, building out the state's huge potential for wind and solar power can play a major role – but...
The Coronavirus Stimulus Must Address Three Crises: The Pandemic, the Economy and Climate Change
Congress is on the brink of approving the biggest stimulus package in U.S. history – $2.2 trillion to fight the public health and economic crises of the coronavirus pandemic. Subsequent rounds of...
Without Congressional Support, the Pandemic Could Stall Growth of Renewable Energy
The remarkable growth of renewable energy production from wind and solar has created thousands of green jobs and helped reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
As Electric Vehicles Boom Globally, Federal Policy Is Holding Back Growth in U.S.
More carbon dioxide emissions come from transportation than from generating power, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. In 2017, transportation accounted for 29 percent of total...
There They Go Again: Energy Department Disses the Future of Renewables
Each year, the federal Energy Information Administration projects the nation's electric power mix out to 2050. And every year, the agency gives short shrift to wind and solar power while forecasting...
Hydrogen: Another Nail in the Coffin for Dirty Energy
Wind and solar power, plus storage batteries, are rapidly pushing aside coal, natural gas and nuclear reactors as smart and affordable energy sources. Now hydrogen is emerging as the next disruptive...
As States Lead the Way to a Clean Energy Future, Federal Policies Remain Stuck in the Past
Across the nation, states and local governments are leading the way toward a clean, safe and renewable energy system – 100 percent electric and powered by solar and wind, coupled with battery storage...
Cities Moving To Ban New Natural Gas Hookups
As coal's death spiral continues, the next front in the fight against the climate crisis is natural gas.
