electric utilities
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At first glance, renewable-energy sources like solar power and energy-storage battery packs seem like a logical match. Energy storage allows excess power collected by solar panels to be stored for later use, addressing the intermittent nature of solar power. It's a concept that has already won over policymakers, electric utilities, and some automakers. DON'T MISS: Energy storage batteries face biggest test in California Tesla CEO Elon Musk has moved to consolidate the automaker and his SolarCity company in order to better facilitate the deployment of energy-storage-backed solar power. Many...
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Hawaii, utility offer $10,000 Nissan Leaf rebate; hope for carbon-free transport
Islands can be excellent places to promote clean energy. Because they are typically disconnected from both mainland grid infrastructure and sources of fossil fuels, it is easier for alternative sources of energy to gain a foothold. In fact, the cost of importing coal or oil to fuel power plants or...
Stephen Edelstein -
California utilities submit $1 billion of electric-car projects to regulators
California continues to lead the United States, and in some ways the world, in efforts to reduce and eliminate harmful emissions from road vehicles. Following the lead of Governor Jerry Brown, the state legislature and regulatory agencies have set aggressive goals to reduce emission of...
John Voelcker -
China axes 103 coal-fired power plants, citing smog, overcapacity
During negotiations for the Paris Climate Treaty signed last fall, a major concern among critics was whether the carbon emissions of China's sprawling and inefficient energy sector could be reined in. With China, the U.S., and dozens of other countries signing the agreement, the world's most...
John Voelcker -
First carbon-capture power plants come on line this year
For electric utilities eager to hang onto their existing coal-fired power plants, carbon-capture technology must offer an exciting chance at salvation. As the name says, carbon capture retains and stores the emissions produced by coal power plants in particular, in theory mitigating some of their...
Stephen Edelstein -
New bill in coal-producing Wyoming would ban renewable energy for utilities
While renewable-energy use has grown substantially over the last few years, the regulatory environment remains volatile. Some states have worked hard to stimulate renewable energy, supporting infrastructure projects and offering incentives to consumers who install home solar arrays. But others have...
Stephen Edelstein -
The news on the renewable energy front continues to be good, with the costs of wind and solar generation falling steadily. By some measures, large-scale renewable energy is now cost-competitive (or close) with the most efficient natural-gas electric plants. Moreover, the amounts of clean generating capacity installed continue to rise, both in North America and the rest of the world. DON'T MISS: More solar energy was added in 2016 than natural gas or wind That's undoubtedly a good thing, but as a recent post from the Environmental Defense Fund pointed out almost two years ago, there's more to...
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California's PG&E utility now offers $500 rebate for electric-car use
Pacific Gas & Electric now offers a rebate to customers who charge electric cars at home.
Stephen Edelstein -
Oregon's largest utilities plan to boost electric-car adoption
It's clear that after several years of electric-car sales, electric utilities see a role to be played in providing the infrastructure to make them practical. Two weeks ago, California utility PG&E received approval to install 7,500 public charging stations for plug-in vehicles. Now, Oregon's...
John Voelcker -
XL Hybrids gets big order for pickup truck plug-in hybrid 'upfit'
XL Hybrids is expanding its business to pickup trucks.
Stephen Edelstein -
California approves PG&E utility plan for 7,500 electric-car charging stations
Pacific Gas & Electric is the latest California utility to undertake an electric-car charging project.
Stephen Edelstein -
No, coal isn't coming back: the reasons in 5 charts
Various market forces have contributed to the decline of coal.
Stephen Edelstein -
New Jersey was always the place for residents of neighboring states—Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania—to buy cheap gasoline. That era ended two days ago, when a political deal struck between its legislature and the governor raised the state gas tax by a whopping 23 cents a gallon. Today, a new coalition launched with the aim of pushing the state "to the forefront on electric-vehicle adoption." DON'T MISS: How NJ Electric Utility Encouraged Employees To Use Plug-In Cars (Oct 2013) Named ChargEVC, the coalition is made up of environmental and community advocates, electric...
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Are Missouri electric-car charging stations like pay phones? Why that's important
The Missouri Public Service Commission has indicated charging stations should be regulated like pay phones.
Stephen Edelstein -
Carbon emissions from U.S. power generation fall to 25-year low
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from energy generation hit their lowest mark since 1991.
Stephen Edelstein -
VT electric utility sells Tesla Powerwall batteries to its customers
Vermont utility Green Mountain Power is selling discounted Tesla Powerwall battery packs to its customers.
Stephen Edelstein -
Net-zero-energy homes underscore evolution of electric utilities
Homes now have the ability to generate as much power as they use, but only if utilities stop fighting decentralized solar generation.
Stephen Edelstein -
Car dealer tries to install solar, town-owned utility limits power it can generate
A Pennsylvania Ford dealer runs afoul of a town's restrictions on solar power.
Stephen Edelstein -
San Diego Gas & Electric is the latest California utility to undertake an electric-car charging infrastructure program.
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SoCal Edison to install 1,500 electric-car charging sites; what's your electric utility doing?
Southern California Edison hopes to install 1,500 charging stations in its area of operations.
Stephen Edelstein -
Elon Musk vs Warren Buffett: how two titans see carbon-free electricity
Companies backed by Elon Musk and Warren Buffett battle over solar power in Nevada.
Stephen Edelstein -
What is a carbon tax and how would it work? A primer
A carbon tax would be a useful tool for curbing emissions, many economists believe.
Stephen Edelstein -
Another study confirms electric cars have lower carbon emissions, in Minnesota this time
It's a very reasonable question: electric cars themselves have no tailpipe emissions, but what about the power plants used to recharge them? After more than a dozen studies and five-plus years of plug-in car sales, we know the answer. In North America, an electric car charged on even the dirtiest...
John Voelcker -
Peabody, world's largest private coal company, files for bankruptcy
Peabody Energy is the 50th coal company to file for bankruptcy since 2012.
Stephen Edelstein