News

July 29 -- It's still only a tiny fraction of Americans who actually own electric cars. But that number is growing fast.

So far this year, roughly 54,973 plug-in electric and battery-electric vehicles have been sold in the United States. >>View Article

July 29 -- Renewable energy policies help businesses and investors save money, create jobs, and reduce carbon pollution. The recent move by Ohio politicians to freeze the state’s renewable-energy and energy-efficiency standards shows they are not thinking ahead. We need to support policies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Clean Power Plan, which helps us invest in a clean-energy future and cut pollution. >>View Article

July 29 -- The Florida Energy Office, led by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, weighed in on conservation goals for big utilities at the Florida Public Service Commission. Utilities are regulated by the PSC, which takes its marching orders from state leaders. >>View Article

July 29 -- The word "equitable" is not one we often use when discussing our nation's energy policies, but it needs to be if communities of color plan to have a meaningful role in the energy revolution happening in America. >>View Article

July 29 -- Most energy experts agree that energy efficiency in the built environment is the low hanging fruit for reducing the production of deadly greenhouse gases. >>View Article

July 28 -- A Texas Empowerment report released by Choose Energy shows that about one in three Texans choose renewably sourced energy options.

That’s 100 percent more than any other state, Levente McCrary, spokeswoman for Choose Energy, said in an email.

“While Texans may have bigger grids and bills when it comes to energy, they also have a lot of choice in green energy plans — which may be partly why they gravitate to green energy plans more often than any other state,” she said. >>View Article

July 28 -- Beginning this month, Rhode Island officially launched a new policy for heating oil in the state to contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. As stated by Sen. Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown), the state’s requirement is a recognition of the national security, environmental and economic benefits that come from expanding the use of a domestically produced, cleaner-burning, renewable energy source. >>View Article

July 28 -- Alexis Williams’ recent op-ed “Minnesota's carbon-cutting plan should maximize efficiency and renewable-energy development” (July 24) could not be more on-point about the opportunity for Minnesota’s clean energy future.

Without question, Minnesota is a leader among states in renewable energy. Williams' insights are exceptionally timely, not only because Minnesota is one of 30 forward-thinking states with market-focused goals for renewable energy, but because it is projected to surpass these goals well in advance of the 2025 target. Here’s a fact: By next year, Minnesota will get more than 25 percent of its energy from renewables, boosting local economies and lowering energy costs for consumers. >>View Article

July 28 -- The skies are threatening to pour on the Apple solar farm but as the woman in charge of the company's environmental initiatives points out: the panels are still putting out some power. Apple is still greening its act.

The company, which once drew fire from campaigners for working conditions in China and heavy reliance on fossil fuels, is now leading other technology companies in controlling its own power supply and expanding its use of renewable energy. >>View Article

July 28 -- Is there anything hopeful to say about the lousy new law that is freezing Ohio’s clean-energy mandates? Only that it could have been even worse — and that Gov. John Kasich and the General Assembly still have a chance to start to reverse the damage they’ve done.

Make no mistake: The law is plenty bad. The governor and the Republican-dominated legislature have paused for two years the state’s successful five-year-old standards for alternative energy and energy efficiency. Ohio is the only state that has taken such a step backward. >>View Article