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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. 

The Other Solution to Texas’ Woes: Efficiency and Heat Pumps

Expert BlogTexasPierre Delforge, Alejandra Mejia Cunningham

As Texans continue to grapple with the devastation from recent winter storms, weatherization and modern super-efficient heating technology are powerful tools that can ease the stress on the electric grid and help Americans stay safe and comfortable.

What Texas Teaches Us About Good Governance

Expert BlogTexasMitchell Bernard

The extreme cold snap and the disaster it brought to the state is a reminder of the importance of good governance in a modern society—and the danger we court when we pursue policies untethered to the public interest.

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…

Fossils and Nukes: The Downsides to Congress’ Latest Actions

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Josh Axelrod, Geoffrey H. Fettus
With the passage of significant energy and climate legislation as part of an end-of-year spending package, Congress cobbled together legislation with both major climate wins (including the phase-down of HFCs) and problematic handouts for the fossil fuel industry and dangerous…

Michigan Clean Energy Year in Review (and the Road Ahead)

Expert BlogMichiganSamantha Williams, Derrell E. Slaughter
We are building a foundation now in Michigan for the clean energy transition, not only reaping the health and economic benefits for residents but also ensuring that the state is doing its part to tackle the climate crisis.

Latin America’s 2020 Climate Leaders and Laggards

Expert BlogInternational, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, BrazilAmanda Maxwell, Carolina Herrera, Jessica Carey-Webb, Marilyn Kunce
2020 was a turbulent year in Latin America—and a mixed bag on climate action. It will be important for the incoming Biden-Harris administration to put climate change front and center in its engagement with the region.

HFC Phasedown Marks Top Climate Win of 116th Congress

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.David Doniger, Alex Hillbrand
Year-end omnibus legislation includes a bill to phase down HFC super-pollutants—the biggest action this Congress has taken to meet the climate crisis.

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.

EPA Declines to Limit Deadly Soot Air Pollution

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Emily Davis, John Walke, Dr. Vijay Limaye
On its way out the door, the Trump Administration undermines the Clean Air Act and public health in a profound way.

Pepco Advances Climate Action in DC

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Ben Longstreth
Local energy distribution companies like Pepco are critical to helping their customers reduce pollution and save money by supporting energy efficiency measures for their homes and businesses, helping customers switch to electric vehicles, and promoting electric space and water heating.

Job for Day 1: Restore & Expand Efficiency Standards Program

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Kit Kennedy
When President-elect Joe Biden takes office, he’ll lead the United States in a time in which our country faces intertwined crises related to climate change, COVID-19 and its related economic effects, and racial injustice. Ambitious, cross-cutting and well-designed climate action…