Tag Archives: California

By Joel Jaeger, Katrina McLaughlin, Lori Bird and Karl Hausker   Building a clean, reliable, cost-effective power grid will require many different types of energy. The bulk will come from solar and wind; but since these aren’t available 24/7, 365 days a year, they must be paired with a smaller amount of clean, “firm” power that’s always available when needed. Geothermal energy, nuclear energy and …

A new study on behalf of Milliken has identified the top U.S. states for sustainable energy production. The rapid rise of the sustainable energy sector worldwide has been one of the most important technological and economic stories of recent years. Continued urgency to mitigate the impact of climate change has spurred governments and companies to speed the transition to greener energy sources. Global …

SACRAMENTO – In the first three months of 2024, Californians purchased 102,507 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and total sales increased from the previous quarter. That’s the highest-ever for the first quarter of any year, despite the share of ZEV sales slightly declining from the previous quarter. This comes as California surpassed both its zero-emission truck sales and vehicle sales goals two years ahead of schedule, and surpassed its 10,000 …

SAN FRANCISCO— The Center for Biological Diversity, The Protect Our Communities Foundation and the Environmental Working Group late Wednesday petitioned the California Court of Appeal to review the state’s new rooftop solar policy. The policy, which took effect April 15, significantly slashes the credit new solar users get for sharing their extra solar energy with the grid. The legal action comes after …

SAN FRANCISCO— California regulators should revise a new rooftop solar plan to make solar more affordable for low-income communities, dozens of groups will tell the California Public Utilities Commission at its meeting Thursday. The commission’s plan drastically slashes the credit new solar users would get for sharing their extra solar energy with the grid. More than 100 groups are urging the commission …

The U.S. energy storage market installed a record 4.8 GW in 2022, with installations expected to reach almost 75 GW between 2023 to 2027 Projects across all segments faced continued delays, however residential and nonresidential segments both increased quarter-over-quarter while grid-scale fell 26% from Q3, falling short of historically record producing Q4 volumes Source: Wood Mackenzie U.S. Energy Storage Monitor 2022 …

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Full Operation of California Solar Project That Will Power More Than 145,000 Homes PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The Department of the Interior today announced that the Blythe Solar Power Project – a four-unit, 485-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic facility and 387 MW battery energy storage system in Riverside County, California – is now fully operational. The project, which will produce enough energy …

Concrete is the second most widely utilized substance on the planet behind water. Developers use concrete – and its primary ingredient, cement – to build roads, foundations, bridges, and other structures. Environmentalists are targeting the material’s manufacturing process because of its large carbon footprint. Eco-conscious engineers are following the sustainability path by integrating renewables into cement and concrete production. Before …

Electric cars are becoming more popular each year. This is especially true as gas prices continue to rise and governments offer more incentives for people to switch to more environmentally conscious means of transportation. However, while electric cars aren’t a fresh concept like they were several years ago, does that mean that electric cars are now becoming more affordable? In …

Alternative energy sources are in high demand as our economy faces both supply chain issues and high costs of oil and gas. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated constraints on this industry that is so dependent on international trade. Now our most essential facilities—our hospitals and clinics—are seriously exploring a shift to alternative, sustainable energy grids that might help them reduce …

First solar projects approved under the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior announced today it has approved two solar projects with a third nearing final completion on public lands in Riverside County, Calif., underscoring the Department’s commitment to promoting onshore renewable energy production. The three projects will generate roughly 1,000 megawatts (or 1 gigawatt of power) and are the first projects approved under the Desert Renewable …

Over the last century, humanity has become more urbanized than ever before. According to a 2019 Reuters report, more than half the world’s population now lives in an urban area. And increased urbanization has numerous side effects, including rising energy demand and costs. Large amounts of power are required to keep cities running, meaning that urban life is significantly more …

As the world transitions to electric vehicles, the race is on to lock down the U.S. domestic supply of this crucial mineral The electric vehicle (EV) revolution has begun. Globally, 27 percent of all passenger vehicles are  forecasted to be EV by 2030. Ford has announced its plan to lead the charge by investing $11.4 billion1 in EV production. GM …

As the entire world continues to feel the negative effects of climate change, in the form of increased inclement weather events and rising global temperatures, it’s impossible to ignore the myriad ways in which humans are fueling these changes. In fact, research indicates that fossil fuel emissions are the primary cause of climate change, a phenomenon that can be directly …

EUREKA, Calif. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory were in Eureka, Calif., today with U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas, Tribal leaders and community officials to discuss offshore wind opportunities that will create jobs and strengthen the local economy. Secretary Haaland and the group toured the …

The eco-conscious movement recently found a place in the construction industry. Environmental engineers and scientists developed new technologies and materials that limit building’s ecological impact.  President Biden initiated the Build Back Better plan upon entering office, improving sustainability standards. It promotes sustainable building practices and green infrastructure development. Biden allocated $2 trillion to restructuring the clean energy and development industry, …

The green technological movement is improving various industries. Since Tesla revolutionized the automobile market, the transportation sector began transitioning away from its fossil fuel reliance. The shift promoted eco-consumerism values, forming new production and sourcing standards. Vehicles without tailpipe emissions significantly reduce atmospheric degradation. We may additionally limit air pollution by enhancing the energy grid’s sustainability. Device enhancements, customer values, …

The early 2021 winter storm in Texas left residents without power for days. Extremely low temperatures caused statewide health risks, generating panic and distress. Following the blackout, government officials searched for future prevention plans. Solar power provides a sustainable solution for power outages. Many individuals invested in renewable energy after the blackout, eliminating their reliance on the grid. The government …

  Clean energy sees first recorded drop in overall jobs, yet policies hold promise for unparalleled growth in years ahead Sector recovered 300,000 jobs since unemployment peaked in Q2 Clean vehicles and wind energy finish year in the positive, despite early losses WASHINGTON, DC (April 19, 2021) – Clean energy jobs surged nearly 11 percent in the second half of 2020 …

One of the most significant trends over the last decade for the economy, society, geopolitics, and the environment has been the rise of renewable energy. Fossil fuels have been the basis of the industrial economy for generations, powering tremendous economic growth but with dangerous consequences for the environment and public health. With the dramatic expansion of renewable energy technologies over …