Energy Tech

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

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
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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

Can My Electric Car Power My House?

Bidirectional charging is the next big stage for electric vehicles. But storing power in your car and sending it back to your house involves more than flipping a switch.

  • By Seth Blumsack, The Conversation

There’s a Push to Get More Electric School Buses on the Streets—Moms Are Driving It

They just got a boost from Vice President Kamala Harris, after she announced the EPA would distribute $17 million to convert diesel school buses to electric and low emission buses.

  • By Jessica Kutz  , The 19th

Who's Responsible if a Tesla on Autopilot Kills Someone?

Courts may decide, says a professor of civil litigation.

  • By Emily Rosenthal , Futurity

A Parched West Remains Divided on Desalinating Seawater

Environmentalists criticize the technology as economically and ecologically harmful.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline

Driverless Cars Won’t Be Good for the Environment if They Lead To More Auto Use

COMMENTARY | Studies show that when people can ride in a car without operating it, they increase their car use. That could increase traffic and pollution, unless government puts a price on car travel.

  • By Giovanni Circella and Scott Hardman , The Conversation