The electricity sector accounts for about 25% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted in the U.S. (the second largest source). This is a decrease of about 12% since 1990 due to increasing efficiency and a shift to lower and non-emitting sources of generation. Coal generates 24% of the energy in the U.S., followed by natural gas at 37%, nuclear at 20%, and renewables at 18% (all percentages as of 2019).
Issues with energy usage range from the production of electricity; its increasing use in transportation, buildings and other sectors; and related conservation and efficiency standards. Electricity production and energy efficiency are especially amenable to direct regulation and incentives by state and local agencies.
Examples of effective actions include state-wide Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPSs) and implementation of RPS portfolios by municipal utilities, Community Choice Energy programs, and investor owned utilities. Local programs and incentives include those for energy conservation, increased energy efficiency, battery storage, demand management, building electrification, and reach or stretch building codes.
Description: UPDATE: Ithaca faces challenges in implementing its plan to motivate owners to decarbonize their buildings. Their private-sector partner, BlocPower, […]
Using Low Risk Opt-in Loans to Decarbonize Buildings Equitably Read More »
Description: UPDATE: Ithaca faces challenges in implementing its plan to motivate owners to decarbonize their buildings. Their private-sector partner, BlocPower,
Description: Local governments across the country are adopting land-use plans and zoning regulations enabling dual-use approaches to solar power generation and
Create or Update Zoning Ordinances to Enable Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Read More »
Description: Local governments across the country are adopting land-use plans and zoning regulations enabling dual-use approaches to solar power generation and
Description: The EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, offered grant money
EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program Read More »
Description: The EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, offered grant money
Description: In many locations, the cost of electricity is increasing at alarming rates. This results not only from increased demand but
Description: In many locations, the cost of electricity is increasing at alarming rates. This results not only from increased demand but
Description: The global scientific community and many governments worldwide agree that global warming is caused by increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon
State and Local GHG Emission Reduction Programs Read More »
Description: The global scientific community and many governments worldwide agree that global warming is caused by increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon
Description: Zoning ordinances are frequently used to advance the goals of General Plans for development in cities or counties. Zoning that
LEED Certification for Zoning Requirements Read More »
Description: Zoning ordinances are frequently used to advance the goals of General Plans for development in cities or counties. Zoning that
Description: Across the country, many cities and states are taking steps to address the harms of natural gas emissions within
Prohibiting Natural Gas (methane) Infrastructure in New Buildings (update) Read More »
Description: Across the country, many cities and states are taking steps to address the harms of natural gas emissions within
Description: Cities and communities around the country are reducing their climate disrupting emissions by cleaning up their electricity supply. In
Promote lowest feasible carbon emissions Read More »
Description: Cities and communities around the country are reducing their climate disrupting emissions by cleaning up their electricity supply. In
Description: The implementation of networked geothermal, also referred to as community geothermal and geothermal districts, began in the United States
Multi-Building Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Read More »
Description: The implementation of networked geothermal, also referred to as community geothermal and geothermal districts, began in the United States
Description: Los Angeles, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; and other cities across America are passing ordinances that prevent
Restrict fossil fuel infrastructure development – industrial scale facilities Read More »
Description: Los Angeles, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; and other cities across America are passing ordinances that prevent
