On September 28, the Department of Energy released a new report titled “Revolution…Now,” which paints a very positive picture for green energy. The report says that government investments in technology have paid off dramatically, especially in the case of utility-scale wind and solar electricity generation. These technologies accounted for 66 percent…
On September 3, President Obama and China’s President Xi Jinping spoke in Hangzhou, China, and confirmed that their nations would join the Paris climate change agreement. China’s legislature had ratified the deal the day before. The U.S. Congress appears unlikely to ever ratify the agreement, but President Obama has said…
On August 23, the California Assembly took another big step towards greener electricity, but many are critical of the cost. The state’s Assembly passed legislation to enshrine into statute a target that Governor Jerry Brown has already required by executive order. The law would reduce greenhouse gas emissions to be…
On June 8, the Scientific American reported on the success of an interesting new financing structure that is increasing the deployment of rooftop solar. Rooftop solar often makes good sense for society as a whole, but it has logistical and financial challenges. Utilities are skeptical because rooftop installations can be…
The end of May brought more evidence of coal’s decline relative to natural gas and renewables. The U.S. Energy Information Administration put out their latest numbers and found that in the first quarter of 2016, coal produced 28.7 percent of the nation’s electricity, while natural gas provided 32.1 percent. Renewables…
Oregon has joined a number of states working to create a 50 percent renewable energy mandate. Earlier this year, Oregon utilities agreed to back a bill that will slowly phase out coal-fired energy generation and bring in 50 percent renewable energy generation by 2040. While this is a more relaxed…
The city of Las Vegas and NV Energy have entered into a deal that will put the city on track to being the first city of its size served 100 percent by renewable energy. This news was announced in late November. Specifically, the new partnership will light every streetlight, city…
Texas, the largest wind power generator in the country, is creating so much extra power, they’re giving it away for free. Texas utility TXU Energy is now offering free electricity from 9 PM through 6 AM, and it’s not the only utility to offer free “nighttime minutes” of electricity. Over…
We’ve all heard of social networks and ride-sharing, but have you heard of solar sharing networks? Chances are, probably not. This is what Vermont’s Green Mountain Power and Yeloha, Inc. are now offering customers. How does it work? Just as renting your home out to someone while you aren’t at…
California’s political leadership has been very vocal about green energy initiatives, and its goal of deriving 50 percent of the statewide power mix from renewables by 2030. With the recent progress of SB 286, the legislators are putting action behind their promise. Recently approved by the California Senate Appropriations Committee,…
