Renewable Energy

EPA's Carbon Standards Are a Powerful Tool Main Ideas: The EPA's carbon emissions standards for power plants are essential in tackling climate change. Comprehensive and strong regulations are necessary to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) carbon standards for power plants play a crucial role in addressing climate change. These regulations are seen as a powerful tool in curbing carbon emissions from the electricity sector. To effectively combat the impacts of climate change, strong and comprehensive rules are necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA's carbon standards provide a framework for power plants to reduce their emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. Click here for the original article.

RMI’s Smarter MODES Calculator Helps Quantify Benefits of Climate-Friendly Transportation Summary RMI's Smarter Mobility Options for Decarbonization, Equity, and Safety (Smarter MODES) Calculator is a tool that decision-makers can use to visualize the pollution reduction, cost savings, and health benefits of climate-friendly transportation options. The calculator takes into account factors such as vehicle miles traveled, mode shift, and fuel efficiency to provide a comprehensive analysis. It can help states and communities make better-informed decisions about transportation policies and investments to mitigate climate change and promote equity. RMI hopes that this tool will allow decision-makers to assess the potential impact of their transportation choices and prioritize investments that ...

Main Ideas: The Southeastern United States is becoming a key region for decarbonization efforts. The region is experiencing a surge in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Several automakers have announced plans to set up EV production facilities in the Southeast. Companies like Tesla, Volkswagen, and Lucid Motors are expanding their charging networks in the region. The growth of EVs in the Southeast is expected to contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Author's take: The Southeastern United States is rapidly establishing itself as a hotbed for decarbonization through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. With multiple automakers setting up production facilities and expanding charging networks, the region is poised for a significant reduction in green...

As Demand Grows for Electric Cars, So Does the Market for Green Jobs in the EV Industry Main Ideas: Analysts predict that the demand for electric cars will continue to increase in the next decade This growing demand will lead to an expansion of job opportunities in the electric vehicle (EV) industry There will be new job openings across various sectors related to EVs such as manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and charging infrastructure The shift towards EVs is expected to create green jobs and contribute to the development of a more sustainable economy Author's Take: The increasing demand for electric cars is not only driving the growth of the EV industry but also creating new employment opportunities in various sectors. As the market for electric vehicles expan...

"Atrocious Air" — 10th US Risk Assessment Summary: First Street has released their 10th national risk assessment titled "Atrocious Air." The report assesses the risks posed by air pollution in the United States. Details: First Street, a research organization focused on climate change, has released their 10th national risk assessment called "Atrocious Air." The report aims to assess the risks posed by air pollution in the United States. It analyzes data on air quality, identifying areas with high levels of air pollution and estimating the number of people and properties at risk. The assessment highlights the impact of air pollution on public health, the economy, and the environment, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address this issue. Author's Take: "Atrocious Air" provides an ...

EV Sales Rise to 7.2% of US Auto Sales, Tesla 4.3% of Auto Sales Main Ideas: Full electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US reached 7.2% of total auto sales in 2021. Tesla accounted for 4.3% of all auto sales in the US in 2021. In 2019, full electric vehicle sales were only 1.4% of US auto sales. 2020 witnessed a rise in EV sales to 1.7% of US auto sales. Increasing consumer demand, expanded EV models, and improvements in charging infrastructure are contributing factors to the growth of EV sales in the US. Author's take: The US is experiencing a steady increase in the adoption of electric vehicles, with 7.2% of auto sales being electric in 2021. Tesla continues to dominate the EV market, accounting for 4.3% of all auto sales in the US. This growth in EV sales can be attributed to factors su...

A Route To Immediate & Impactful Decarbonization With Short-Term PPAs Summary Short-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) can provide an effective way for businesses to decarbonize their energy use quickly and generate immediate environmental benefits. This article explores how short-term PPAs work and how they can contribute to the decarbonization efforts of businesses. Main Points Short-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) can help businesses decarbonize their energy use quickly. Unlike long-term PPAs that typically span over 10 years, short-term PPAs have a duration of 1-5 years. Short-term PPAs offer flexibility, allowing businesses to adapt their energy consumption to changes in their operations or market conditions. By entering into short-term PPAs, businesses can support renewable...

AstraZeneca, Atlassian, and Philips take different approaches to helping suppliers lower emissions AstraZeneca AstraZeneca has pledged to work with suppliers to set science-based targets to lower emissions. The company believes that by working together, they can help reduce carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. AstraZeneca's approach involves collaborating closely with suppliers to understand their emissions profile and identify areas for improvement. The company aims to engage suppliers in long-term relationships and provide them with the tools and resources needed to reduce their carbon footprint. Atlassian Atlassian is committed to supporting its suppliers in setting science-based targets for emissions reductions. The software company recognizes the importanc...

Transforming the Power Grid for a Clean Energy Future Summary: The transformation of today's power grid is necessary for achieving a clean energy future. The collaboration and partnership of businesses, utilities, and governments is essential in making this transformation happen. Achieving a cleaner and more sustainable power grid will require the integration of renewable energy sources. This transformation will create new opportunities for innovation and technological advancements in the energy sector. Author's Take: The shift towards a clean energy future demands the transformation of the existing power grid, and this can only be accomplished through the joint efforts of businesses, utilities, and governments. By integrating renewable energy sources, we can make significant progress to...

Grand River Transit Introduces Electric Buses for Zero-Emission Pilot Summary: Grand River Transit is set to launch its first electric buses next month as part of its zero-emission bus pilot program. The program aims to transition the transit system to a fleet entirely composed of electric buses by 2040. The initial phase will see the deployment of four electric buses on regular routes, with charging infrastructure to be installed at the transit facility. The move towards electric buses aligns with the commitment of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The pilot program will help to evaluate the benefits and challenges of electric bus adoption on a larger scale. Electric Buses for a Sustainable Future Autho...