News & Commentary

PJM's Interconnection Inaction

June 20, 2024 Expert BlogPennsylvaniaClaire Lang-Ree, Tom Rutigliano

If PJM wants to get serious about reliability and protecting its customers during extreme weather, it’s time to stop arguing about interconnection and transmission planning and get to work.

Pennsylvania Takes a Crack at Making Virtual Power Plants a Reality

June 10, 2024 Expert BlogPennsylvaniaRobert Routh, Tom Rutigliano

Linking EVs, smart homes, and other resources to the grid takes work from PJM and states. Pennsylvania is beginning to do its part.

Colorado Legislative Roundup: 2024

May 29, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

This legislative session, Colorado once again solidified its place as a climate leader by taking on new and innovative approaches to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

Colorado Lawmakers Must Approve Landmark Proposal to Fund Public Transit

April 30, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

SB24-230 offers a tremendous opportunity to fund transit service through a fee on oil and gas production in Colorado—linking a key source of climate and ozone pollution with a key solution.

Of Colorado's Wetlands Protection Bills, Only HB 1379 Gets the Job Done

April 29, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoSam Gilchrist

Colorado urgently needs to step up to safeguard our wetlands and streams left vulnerable by the Sackett decision.

Let’s Commit to Saving Workers from Heat, Not Killing Them

April 24, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Texas, FloridaJuanita Constible

Recent actions by state government officials increase the urgency for a federal workplace heat standard.

Building a More Sustainable, Affordable Colorado with Thoughtful Housing Strategies

February 22, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Colorado, DenverAlana Miller

Land use reform proposed by Colorado leaders could deliver a triple victory for climate, air quality, and housing affordability.

Colorado makes Buildings Cleaner, More Livable

August 24, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlejandra Mejia Cunningham, Claire Lang-Ree

With a new Building Performance Standard policy, Colorado is leading the nation with clean, healthy buildings.

Renewables and Storage Hold Their Own in the Texas Heat Dome

July 5, 2023 Expert BlogTexasJohn Moore

No fossil fuels, no problem? Texas investments in wind and solar pay off, generating record-breaking renewable power to meet all-time high electricity demand during nearly 10-day heat dome—despite fossil fuel plant failures.

Hungry for Local Action in New Climate Law? Start Here

April 25, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, PhiladelphiaIrene Nielson

Cities can tap into millions but may not know about it yet.

Smart Housing Policy Is a Climate Strategy for Colorado

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

Colorado leaders are looking for ways to expand housing availability, improve housing affordability, and ensure housing development advances climate goals, including proposed legislation from Governor Jared Polis and legislative leadership.

Colorado River Basin Tribes Address a Historic Drought—and Their Water Rights—Head-On

November 14, 2022 DispatchColoradoTim Vanderpool

Their growing inclusion in the region’s water management will likely prove priceless.

Community Perspectives: Wasted Food in Philadelphia

November 7, 2022 Expert BlogPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaAndrea Collins, Madeline Keating

There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to crafting inclusive food waste prevention messaging. Philadelphia worked with community-based organizations to run community focus groups to better understand the biggest barriers to preventing food from becoming waste in local communities.

What We Need to Know to Harness the Heat Beneath our Feet

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogMassachusetts, New York, ColoradoJoe O'Brien-Applegate, Alejandra Mejia Cunningham

The Heat Was On and Our Power Grid Held: But Will It Next Time?

October 4, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, TexasChristy Walsh

It wasn’t easy, but the U.S. power grid defied record-breaking heatwaves and doomsday warnings to survive the summer without major service interruptions.

Victory! CO Cancels Highway Expansion, Funds Transit Instead

September 23, 2022 Expert BlogColorado, DenverAlana Miller

A plan to expand I-25 through central Denver has officially been scrapped and $100 million has instead been reallocated to transit, biking and walking investments.

Colorado Proposes Shift from Highway Expansion to Transit

August 25, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

In what would be a win for climate, equity, and all Coloradans, the Colorado Department of Transportation has proposed canceling two highway widening projects in the Denver region and reallocating resources to transit.

Solar Helps Keep the ACs Humming in Texas

July 21, 2022 Expert BlogTexasJohn Moore

In a month that has seen Texas sizzle under record-breaking heat, solar, and wind power have been key to helping keeping the lights on—and air conditioners humming.

Solving Problems—Not Pointing Fingers—in Texas

July 13, 2022 Expert BlogTexasChristy Walsh

Blaming any one power source is a mistake. We can’t make any one source of power foolproof, but we can make a grid that’s nimble, resilient, and reliable.

Colorado Legislative Roundup 2022

June 21, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller, Sam Gilchrist

The 2022 session brought about major victories for our health and environment and big opportunities for us to continue to invest in a clean, healthy and fair Colorado for all.