Articles tagged with "clean-energy-policy"
Solar & Storage: The Key for Energy Affordability in Virginia - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica emphasizes that expanding solar energy and energy storage is the most immediate, cost-effective solution to meet Virginia’s growing electricity demand while enhancing affordability and grid reliability. Solar and storage technologies are highlighted as the fastest and cheapest new electricity sources to deploy, capable of coming online within months rather than years. By increasing access to distributed solar generation—such as rooftop, parking lot, landfill, and brownfield solar—and advancing grid-scale storage, Virginia can reduce pressure on electricity prices and give consumers greater control over their energy costs. The Solar Energy Industries Association supports a legislative agenda for Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly that includes raising the Renewable Portfolio Standard carveout for distributed solar, expanding energy storage goals, and streamlining residential solar permitting processes. These measures aim to stabilize the grid, lower electricity costs, and remove costly regulatory barriers that can add thousands of dollars to solar installation expenses. The article also notes that states across the political spectrum are investing in dispatchable energy storage to store cheaper electricity and
energysolar-energyenergy-storagerenewable-energygrid-reliabilitydistributed-generationclean-energy-policyHow To Lose The War On Renewable Energy, Bigly - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the resilience and growth of renewable energy in the United States despite a federal policy shift away from renewables starting January 20, 2025. Over the following year, wind and especially solar power have continued to dominate new electricity generation capacity additions, with solar leading for 25 consecutive months and utility-scale solar capacity increasing from 91.82 GW to 158.43 GW between September 2023 and September 2025. Wind energy also contributed significantly, outpacing natural gas in new capacity additions. This growth is supported not only by large-scale projects but also by smaller installations, particularly those converting brownfields and landfills into solar power sites. A notable development highlighted is the partnership between WM, the largest US waste management firm, and Invenergy’s Reactivate branch to launch a 50-project solar initiative on landfill sites, with plans to have projects operational by the end of 2027. This landfill-to-solar approach leverages otherwise uneconomical
energyrenewable-energysolar-powerwind-energyutility-scale-solarlandfill-solar-projectsclean-energy-policyIRS Sued Over Anti-Solar & Anti-Wind Tax Rules - CleanTechnica
A coalition of tribal utilities, local governments, consumer, and environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department challenging new tax credit rules that disproportionately and unfairly target wind and solar energy projects. The IRS recently eliminated a key method for renewable energy companies to prove construction commencement, a requirement to qualify for federal tax credits before their July 4, 2026 expiration. Plaintiffs argue this change arbitrarily singles out solar and wind projects without adequate justification, disrupting over a decade of established rules and likely leading to higher electricity prices for consumers. The lawsuit, led by the Oregon Environmental Council and joined by groups such as the NRDC, Public Citizen, Hopi Utilities Corporation, and several local government offices, contends that the IRS’s actions are part of a broader pattern by the Trump administration to impede renewable energy development. The plaintiffs emphasize that these restrictive tax rules threaten clean energy growth, increase pollution, and exacerbate climate-related harms, while also raising utility costs for vulnerable populations. They seek
energyrenewable-energysolar-powerwind-energytax-creditsclean-energy-policyIRS-regulationsOur Children's Trust Represents Young People In Wisconsin In Climate Suit - CleanTechnica
Our Children’s Trust, a public interest law firm known for representing young plaintiffs in climate-related legal cases, has partnered with Midwest Environmental Advocates to file a lawsuit on behalf of 15 young residents of Wisconsin. The suit challenges two state statutes that allegedly favor fossil fuel-powered thermal electricity generation and restrict the expansion of renewable energy within Wisconsin. The plaintiffs argue that these laws violate their constitutional rights by perpetuating greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to climate change and threatening their health, safety, and future stability. The case was filed on August 22 against the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) and the state legislature. The contested laws prevent the PSC from considering the environmental and health impacts of air pollution when approving new fossil fuel power plants and prohibit the commission from mandating utilities to increase their use of carbon-free energy sources. This legal framework effectively supports continued fossil fuel use despite Wisconsin’s official commitment to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate these statutes, arguing that
energyrenewable-energyclimate-changefossil-fuelsenvironmental-lawgreenhouse-gas-emissionsclean-energy-policyThe Ripple Effect: U.S. EV Slowdown & The Future Of ICE Service Businesses - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the impact of the Trump administration’s policy reversals in July 2025 that aim to slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the United States. Key measures include ending federal purchase incentives for new and used EVs, halting the national charging infrastructure program, rescinding California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate authority, and imposing steep tariffs on imported EVs and components. These actions increase EV prices, reduce consumer incentives, and create uncertainty for automakers, resulting in a significant slowdown in the U.S. EV market’s growth trajectory. The expected rapid rise in EV adoption, previously projected to reach critical tipping points in the early 2030s, is now delayed into the mid-2030s, contrasting sharply with faster adoption rates in Europe and China. The article situates this policy shift within a broader series analyzing EV adoption’s diffusion and its effects on internal combustion engine (ICE) service industries. It highlights that without federal support, the U.S. will see a prolonged transition
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-adoptioninternal-combustion-engineclean-energy-policybattery-mineralscharging-infrastructureLisa Murkowski Has Been Burned By Trump And Is Shocked! Shocked! - CleanTechnica
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) feels betrayed by the Trump administration after supporting the Inflation Reduction Act (referred to as the OBBBA in the article), which included nearly $500 billion in clean energy spending. Murkowski was the deciding vote for the bill, having secured protections for Alaskan wind and solar projects threatened by funding cuts. As a longtime advocate for oil and gas, she also supports a diversified energy approach including renewables, especially to address Alaska’s energy challenges like the Railbelt grid’s shortfall and reliance on costly diesel imports for rural communities. Initially, she viewed her support as a strategic compromise to keep clean energy projects viable. However, shortly after the bill’s passage, Murkowski criticized the Trump administration for issuing an executive order that restricts solar and wind project awards while favoring fossil fuels and hydropower, undermining the clean energy provisions she helped negotiate. She accused the administration of being disingenuous and warned that this move
energyrenewable-energysolar-powerwind-energyclean-energy-policyUS-energy-legislationAlaska-energy-projectsO, Canada! Who Stands On Guard For Thee? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the intertwined automotive industries of Detroit (Michigan) and Windsor (Ontario), highlighting how deeply integrated the U.S. and Canadian auto sectors are, particularly under agreements like NAFTA. Canada has set ambitious policies mandating that all new passenger vehicles sold by 2035 be electric, with an initial target of 20% EV sales by 2026. However, this policy is under significant pressure from U.S. interests, including American automakers with Canadian factories, who argue that the mandate is unrealistic given current EV sales and disrupts the auto manufacturing business. Canadian auto industry groups and some government officials are calling for the 2035 EV mandate to be scrapped or revised, citing concerns that it favors companies without a Canadian presence over domestic EV industry development. Despite this pressure, there is strong support within Canada for maintaining and adapting the EV policy rather than abandoning it. Advocates emphasize that Canada should not backslide on its clean vehicle goals, especially as other countries continue to push forward with
energyelectric-vehiclesautomotive-industryCanadaclean-energy-policyEV-mandateNorth-American-auto-manufacturingHow The Big Beautiful Bill (And Executive Orders) Will Likely Impact The US Auto Market In Unexpected Ways - CleanTechnica
The article analyzes the complex and somewhat contradictory impacts of a recently passed US bill and related executive orders on the electric vehicle (EV) market. Key incentives such as the $7,500 new EV tax credit, the $4,000 used EV credit, and the commercial clean vehicle credit are set to expire on September 30th, which is expected to trigger a surge in EV purchases in the third quarter as consumers rush to take advantage of the remaining incentives. While battery manufacturing credits remain, new sourcing restrictions complicate qualification, potentially increasing costs and limiting benefits. Additionally, zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) credits remain but with penalties eliminated, reducing the urgency for manufacturers to meet ZEV goals. Tesla, as the dominant US EV seller, faces particular challenges and strategic decisions amid these changes. Despite expectations, Tesla did not release a more affordable EV model by mid-2024, possibly delaying introduction until closer to the incentive deadline to capitalize on increased demand. The company may also forgo qualifying new
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-incentivesUS-auto-marketTeslaclean-energy-policybattery-manufacturing