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Expert Blogs

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MISO and SPP Can Benefit from a More Connected Grid

Expert BlogTexas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, MissouriToba Pearlman

Electric grids across the Midwest, South, and in Texas failed a key resilience test during last month’s winter storm, and one key conclusion is clear: The grids connected via transmission lines fared significantly better than those isolated and on their…

Make It Modular: Why Wind and Solar Are So Resilient

Expert BlogTexasNathanael Greene

Wind and solar power were not the primary cause of the grid failure in Texas—the main culprit was fossil gas plants that went offline. In fact, wind and solar are intrinsically more reliable than fossil power, but not in the…

A Tale of Two Grids: Texas and California

Expert BlogCalifornia, TexasRalph Cavanagh

Although both California and Texas recently faced traumatic weather events, the consequences for electric system reliability were dramatically different. 

Texas Needs a Smarter, More Resilient Electric Grid

Expert BlogTexasJohn Moore

Freezing cold temperatures put the Texas electric grid into distress this week, with likely dozens of deaths and other human suffering, more than 4 million losing power, and more than 40% of the state’s gas, coal, and nuclear fleet offline…

Taking Care of the Food Workers Who Take Care of Us

NRDC in ActionColoradoNicole Greenfield
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the inequities faced by food- and farmworkers who put their health in danger just by coming to work each day. NRDC is pushing to change that.

2021 A Pivotal Year for Clean Energy in North Carolina

Expert BlogNorth CarolinaLuis Martinez
As we look back at 2020 and reflect on what comes next for North Carolina in clean energy and climate one thing becomes clear, Governor Cooper’s climate and clean energy legacy will be determined by the ability to take the…

Honolulu's New Climate Laws Will Save Energy and Money

Expert BlogHonolulu, HawaiiElizabeth Stampe
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell today signed a long-awaited package of climate legislation that will help reduce carbon emissions and save money for residents and the City.

Colorado Climate Action: Home Alone Edition

Expert BlogColoradoAriana Gonzalez
With the holiday season upon us and the new year just around the corner, now is the time to plan for next year’s climate action priorities. And what better plan than one inspired by the holiday classic Home Alone.

Cities Are Leading the Way: 2020 Wins & Look Ahead

Expert BlogUnited States, Charlotte, Honolulu, Pittsburgh, St. LouisJay Orfield, Kimi Narita
Cities made tremendous progress in their climate challenge goals throughout a difficult 2020. Now, cities are eyeing all that is possible in the new year.

Committing to Accessible, Zero-Emission Transportation in CO

Expert BlogColoradoAriana Gonzalez, Patricio Portillo, Arjun Krishnaswami
Though Colorado passed ambitious climate legislation last year setting GHG reduction targets, a recent report found that its current trajectory will miss those targets without new, strong commitments.

Committing to Expanded, Equitable Energy Efficiency in Colorado

Expert BlogColoradoAriana Gonzalez, Arjun Krishnaswami
Every day energy efficiency quietly benefits every family across the state of Colorado, but today, on #EEDay2020, we celebrate out loud the dollars saved, the homes comfortably warmed and cooled, and the air cleaned thanks to smarter energy use.

Food Systems Analyst

NRDC in ActionBaltimore, Nashville, Denver, Maryland, Tennessee, ColoradoJeff Turrentine
Andrea Spacht Collins is working to minimize food waste by changing the way we think about what we eat—and what we don’t eat, where it comes from, and where it ends up.

NC's Missing the Big Picture on Climate Resilience

Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore

NC is applying for $168 million from HUD's CDBG-MIT fund. But NC is proposing to focus on a narrow range of projects and missing the larger opportunity to use these funds to make much-needed changes to a range of local…