Expanding data center demand near Appalachia could slow down regional decarbonization efforts
Further decarbonizing the PJM grid is functionally impossible unless Appalachia replaces gas-fired generation with zero-carbon electricity.
Green Banks, Solar Policy, Federal Energy Tax Credits, and More — BIL/IRA Implementation Digest
Green Banks – Clean Communities Investment Accelerator & National Clean Investment Fund Updates Appeals court says EPA can recover ‘green bank’ funds – by Jean Chemnick – September 2, 2025 – E&E News by Politico – The ruling helps clear the agency’s way for clawing back billions of dollars the Biden administration had wanted to […]
Tracking the Impacts of HR 1 BIL/IRA Implementation Digest
Big Picture/Overview Summaries A List of Nearly Everything in the G.O.P. Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save — By Alicia Parlapiano, Margot Sanger-Katz, Aatish Bhatia and Josh Katz – July 3, 2025 – New York Times – Our reporters reviewed the hundreds of items in the bill and their corresponding Congressional Budget Office scores […]
Tracking U.S. Senate Vote on HR 1 — BIL/IRA Implementation Digest
Tracking U.S. Senate vote on HR 1 Despite last-minute changes, US Senate bill deals big blow to renewable energy — By Valerie Volcovici – July 1, 2025 5:40 PM – Reuters – The U.S. Senate’s massive budget bill that passed on Tuesday will make it harder to develop wind and solar energy projects, despite the […]
BIL/IRA Implementation Digest — April 18, 2025
Decision on all BIL/IRA Funds U.S. Dist. Judge Mary McElroy, Federal Dist. Court of RI’s Order – applies nationwide to EPA, DOE, Interior, USDA, HHS & HUD (and OMB). The same theory could apply to Green Bank Funds (see third bullet below). A Green Bank litigation summary starts on page three. Federal judge orders immediate […]
Why Trying to Save Coal Is Costing Us More Than We Think
Let’s talk about coal. Yes—coal, the black rock that powered much of America’s past. Lately, some leaders have been trying to bring it back in a big way. But here’s the truth: no matter what policies are put in place, the coal industry is on its way out—and trying to prop it up is only […]
BIL/IRA Implementation Digest — April 3, 2025
Energy Efficiency Updates – HHS Cuts Hit LIHEAP & PA PUC Draft Order Massive Cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program ‘It’s a bloodbath’: Massive wave of job cuts underway at US health agencies – By Nick Valencia, Brenda Goodman, Meg Tirrell, Tami Luhby and Sean Lyngaas, CNN – Wed April 2, 2025 – […]
BIL/IRA Implementation Digest — March 21, 2025
PA House Bill 362 – PA Energy Development Authority Pennsylvania takes first step to access low-income solar funds – Julie Grant, March 18, 2025 – The Allegheny Front – Solar advocates in Pennsylvania cheered a first-round vote by the state House Energy Committee of HB 362, which allows the state to accept millions in federal […]
The Carbon Implications of Ammonia Production
The US is on the verge of an ammonia ‘boom,’ which could expand fracking and incentivize risky carbon storage infrastructure. But as with any boom, industrial expansion will eventually bring a bust. At least 37 new projects have been proposed around the country which could increase ammonia production by over 350% within a decade. Part […]
BIL/IRA Implementation Digest — March 14, 2025
Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) – APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN RISE PA is a $396 million statewide industrial decarbonization grant program funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants under the IRA. Application Materials – DEP is now accepting applications for the Medium- and Large-scale Award Tracks. The […]