News & Commentary

The Belvidere Plant's Transition to an EV Plant Has a Bright Future

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, IllinoisGina Ramirez

The United Auto Workers’ historic strike results in important benefits, including a path for reopening the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.

National Scorecard Says Illinois Can Do Better on Transportation

November 8, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisMuhammed Patel, Samantha Henningson

A new scorecard from NRDC shows that Illinois is trailing behind its neighbors in building a clean and equitable transportation system.

Solar Gets Backing Before the Ohio Supreme Court

October 24, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, OhioDaniel Sawmiller

The Ohio Supreme Court has received written arguments in a case that could decide the future of large-scale solar projects in Ohio.

Clean Cars Yield $178 Billion in Benefits for Illinois

October 16, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisMuhammed Patel

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars II Program can bring $178 billion in benefits to Illinois.

A Tale of Two Capacity Auctions—and Still Too Much Coal

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, Illinois

A capacity price spike impacted Illinoisans’ electricity bills last June. What has MISO done to prevent it from happening again? It’s a mixed bag—with too many fossil fuels inside.

Illinois Must Invest in Transportation Options for All

June 28, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, IllinoisSamantha Henningson, J.C. Kibbey

The infusion of $10 billion in federal funds presents an opportunity to either double down on a dirty, unfair status quo—or choose a new transportation future.

Midwest states need a modern grid to supercharge clean energy goals

June 15, 2023 Expert BlogMinnesota, Midwest, Illinois, Michigan

Midwest states are already leading on clean energy, but achieving their goals depends on the power grid's readiness. We need the electricity system to catch up.

Illinois Needs to Address Transportation Pollution—Not Widen I-55

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoJ.C. Kibbey

Illinois has a transportation pollution problem. Expanding I-55 would only worsen it, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

Leveling the Playing Field Toward an Equitable Clean Freight Trucks Transition

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)Sarah Elkotbeid

Our climate and health crises are so vast and complex, we have to change the way we tackle our problems to move the needle. The Delivering Zero Emissions Communities (DZEC) clean truck accelerator program is exploring new models.

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.

SPP Must Rework Rules That Penalize Wind and Solar Power

March 28, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, United StatesCaroline Reiser, Natalie McIntire

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) rejection of Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) proposal gives SPP a new opportunity to create an accreditation process that does not discriminate against renewable resources.

EPA, Do the Right Thing on Truck Pollution

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, Missouri, Kansas City (Missouri)

If the Biden administration is going to deliver on its pledges to address climate change and environmental justice, EPA must approve the most ambitious state and federal heavy-duty vehicle standards possible.

Fossil Fuel Fearmongering at PJM Threatens to Waste Millions and Delay Renewables by Years

December 7, 2022 Expert BlogEast, MidwestTom Rutigliano

Gas power plant developers are searching for ways to salvage their investments in unneeded power plants. Their last attempt at this was thwarted, but they’re trying again.

A Promising Model for Electrifying Transportation Equitably

October 5, 2022 Expert BlogMinnesota, Minneapolis, St. PaulSamantha Henningson

Minneapolis and St. Paul residents logged 25,000 trips and nearly 250,000 miles on the nation’s first renewably powered all-electric car-share program

Energy Efficiency: Key to Affordable Energy in Michigan

October 5, 2022 Expert BlogMichigan, MidwestLaura Goldberg, Valeria Rincon, Derrell E. Slaughter

Today, October 5, marks Energy Efficiency Day, an important day to reflect on the many benefits energy efficiency provides year-round. 

Peoria Students Get Hands-On Renewables Experience

September 6, 2022 Expert BlogPeoria, IllinoisSelena Kyle

A Labor Day to Celebrate Clean Energy Jobs

September 2, 2022 Expert BlogMidwest, United StatesManish Bapna

Clean energy is driving a manufacturing renaissance, across the heartland, and across the nation.

Cleaning Up Michigan’s Grid

August 29, 2022 Expert BlogMichiganDerrell E. Slaughter

Chicago’s Plan for 100 Percent Clean Municipal Electricity

August 12, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoValeria Rincon, Megan Ross

The City of Chicago took an important step forward this week in the transition towards clean, electric buildings.

Midwest Grid Operator’s Inching Forward, Miles to Go

July 25, 2022 Expert BlogMidwestToba Pearlman

MISO's Board just approved the largest investment in transmission in the United States. These lines will bring on more clean energy and provide savings to customers. However, this is just the start.