Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional CommissionOrganizations (RSOs) With the rise of renewable energy and the need to reduce emissions, concerns have been raised regarding the aging and underfunded US energy grid to meet current and future demands. So, what does the current energy grid look like, and how can it be adapted to meet...
Category: United States News Brief and Action Alert
US Utility Scale Electricity Generation
In the first six months of 2022, 24% of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation came from renewable sources, based on data from our Electric Power Monthly. The renewables’ share increased from 21% for the same time period last year. Renewables are the fastest-growing electricity generation source in the United States.In 2020, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totaled 5,981...
Less than 1% of the 250 Million Cars, SUVs, and Light-Duty Trucks on the Road in the United States are Electric
The United States is commonly regarded as a car-centric country, with cars being a dominant American mode of transport. U.S. infrastructure and road rules tend to privilege cars over other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Cars have been a major component of American culture, particularly since the 1950s. Since 2009, the United States is home to the second largest passenger vehicle market of any country...
Changing Climate Will Increase Harm to People’s Lives, Homes, and Prosperity in the US
Loss and damage are generally discussed in the international climate area in terms of developing county impacts. However, the impacts of loss and damage applied to developed countries, like the United States, also have staggering financial and non-economic implications. This discussion will explore what loss and damage has already occurred in the United States and...
Supreme Court Restricts Ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Power Plants
In 2021, climate action made major strides in the United States as President Biden released executive orders, Congress passed a major infrastructure law, and federal agencies strengthened climate-related regulations. However, 2022, by contrast, has brought significant setbacks for climate action. Likely the most important comes in a Supreme Court decision announced on June 30th, which...
United States: Climate Progress Indicators
Little change in preponderance of fossil fuel usage as compared to renewables between 2020 and first few months of 2021; for the first two months of 2022, energy consumption released 953 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, up 40 million metric tons from the same period in 2021 (a 4.38% increase); emissions from wildfires so...
The U.S. Has Several Strong Youth Climate Organizations
Across the world, youth are mobilizing for climate action by demanding their leaders do better to secure their futures, and the United States is no exception. Compared to older generations, young Americans are more worried about global warming and believe more strongly that it will pose a serious threat in their lifetimes. As a result,...
The United States is the World’s Largest Producer of Natural Gas and Largest Exporter of Liquified Natural Gas
The United States is central to the natural gas industry worldwide. The country has been the world’s largest producer of natural gas since taking over the title from Russia about a decade ago. In 2020, the U.S. produced roughly 33.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, averaging out to 91.5 billion cub feet produced per...
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Makes for Difficult Energy System Choices for the United States
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has already profoundly altered the world, with significant implications for the globe’s ability to transition to clean energy and stave off climate change. While countries scramble to meet their energy needs without relying on Russian gas, the United States has been dealt a critical choice: double down on fossil fuel...
United States: Climate Progress Report
HIGHLIGHTS – Clean Versus Fossil Energy Consumption (Monthly) – Carbon Dioxide Emission from Energy Consumption (Annually) – Wildfire Year-to-Date Statistics (Annually) Clean vs. fossil energy consumption Source: EIA monthly energy review, Topic 1.3, “Primary energy consumption by source” The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) updates its analysis of U.S. energy trends monthly, including comparisons...