Efficiency & Demand Response

Florida PSC approves utility demand-side management plans, despite staff, Walmart objections

Regulators rejected staff recommendations as well as objections from Walmart and other commercial and industrial users, saying utilities had complied with requests for more robust, updated demand-side management programs.

By Guy Burdick • July 09, 2020

Opinion

States are falling short on building decarbonization — Here's what regulators need to do

Programs and rules that are poorly suited for a transition from gas to electricity should be revisited, the authors write.

By Mike Henchen and Sherri Billimoria • July 09, 2020

Deep Dive

Momentum grows for piloting Netflix-like fixed subscription rates, but not everyone's on board

For customers who want predictable bills, pairing automated smart distribution technologies with flat rates can resolve the overuse challenge of traditional fixed bills.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 07, 2020

California approves landmark zero emission truck rule amid push to meet state environmental goals

The California Air Resources Board on Thursday unanimously passed its Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, requiring every new truck sold in California to be zero emission starting in 2045.

By S.L. Fuller • June 26, 2020

'A critical milestone': PG&E first gas-electric IOU to publicly support California's all-electric construction

A company executive said it "welcomes the opportunity to avoid investments in new gas assets that might later prove underutilized as local governments and the state work together to realize long-term decarbonization objectives."

By Kavya Balaraman • June 26, 2020

New York Power Authority, Signify upgrade 500K streetlights statewide

The partnership supports the Smart Street Lighting NY initiative, which looks to add LEDs and connect streetlights through IoT technology.

By Chris Teale • June 25, 2020

Ford plans to go carbon neutral by 2050, invest $11.5B in EVs

A significant portion of Ford's plan relies on switching over its vehicle offerings to high fuel economy, hybrid and ultimately zero-emission vehicles.

By Morgan Forde • June 25, 2020

Nevada moves to adopt stricter vehicle emission standards amid continuing federal-state battle

The Trump administration has rescinded waivers necessary for states to set their own vehicle emission standards, but that hasn't stopped Nevada and others from showing interest.

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2020

ACEEE highlights 10 building energy performance standards to help meet climate goals

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy issued a white paper Monday outlining different standards, ranging from Tokyo's cap-and-trade program to Washington State's clean buildings bill.

By Kristin Musulin • June 24, 2020

Utilities propose West Coast charging stations for electric trucks

Fleet managers are watching what utilities and agencies do and indicated in a survey they will deploy EVs as part of their freight-hauling fleet when they see the infrastructure assemble.

By Jim Stinson • June 22, 2020

Xcel to speed up $3B in clean energy spending in response to Minnesota prompt on COVID-19 recovery

The utility plans to aid the state's economic recovery through a variety of programs, including energy efficiency, renewables and storage, that would create an estimated 5,000 jobs.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 19, 2020

Lyft pledges all-EV fleet by 2030

The ride-hailing company said it would work with drivers to transition their cars to electric vehicles, a move it called a "radical shift in strategy."

By Chris Teale • June 18, 2020

FPL, other Florida utilities far behind rest of US on energy efficiency, advocacy group says

Florida Power & Light chooses to pursue far less energy efficiency than even significantly smaller utilities, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy says.

By Matthew Bandyk • June 12, 2020

DOE's Better Buildings initiative notches $11B in savings across 10 years

The program, launched under the Obama administration, has helped partners save almost 1.8 quadrillion Btus — which the U.S. Department of Energy says is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 27 million homes.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2020

New Jersey sets 'top tier' energy efficiency goal, targets more than 2% electricity savings

State regulators and energy efficiency advocates say the targets will lead to some of the highest energy savings in the country across the gas and electric sectors.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2020

Opinion

Massachusetts' Clean Peak Standard — A trailblazer in the nation's clean energy transition

As the standard comes into effect, it could play a substantial role in bringing additional clean energy technologies to the state. And adoption elsewhere could improve prospects of meeting aggressive renewable goals.

By Roger Lin • June 09, 2020

Daimler, Volvo establish subsidiary for fuel-cell electric trucks

The German OEM has a two-pronged strategy on electric trucks, with differing approaches in Europe and the U.S.

By Jim Stinson • June 09, 2020

Xcel preps new EV programs to address 'suboptimal' charging incentives in Minnesota

The utility plans to mitigate the cost of installing electric vehicle charging equipment through an expanded residential charging program designed to help customers participate in off-peak rates without the need for a dedicated meter.

By Robert Walton • June 05, 2020

EV charging gets small slice in Democrats' $494B transport infrastructure bill

The INVEST in America Act would reauthorize funding that's currently provided under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act to invest in greener infrastructure, including electric vehicle charging stations.

By Chris Teale • June 05, 2020

Businesses, lawmakers urge $22B in federal clean energy investment as sector job losses top 600K

In a letter to Congressional leaders, dozens of companies and advocacy groups proposed $22 billion in federal spending over five years to improve the safety, energy efficiency and resilience of critical public facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 03, 2020

Efficiency significantly cheaper than natural gas, DOE study concludes

Gas utilities in the U.S. spend about $1.4 billion a year on energy efficiency programs, which new research shows may be the most cost-effective way of meeting demand.

By Robert Walton • June 01, 2020

Deep Dive

Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'

COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

Retail co-location may prove key to sustainable funding for EV charging, panel finds

Grants and partnerships get the ball rolling, but retail businesses and restaurants may be the sustainable solution to a widening adoption-infrastructure gap, analysts concluded during a C2ES webinar last week.

By Emma Penrod • May 29, 2020

Columbus, Ohio exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 28, 2020