Western Area Power / Creative Commons Liquified natural gas generators provided temporary power while crews worked to restore service in Louisiana following Hurricane Laura in September 2020. Genevieve Liang is a member and past fellow of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a national business advocacy group for economy and environment. Power outages are increasingly becoming a … [Read more...] about Commentary: It’s time to tap potential of renewable community microgrids
DOE, House Energy committee question proposed building energy code changes
AP Photo/Tony Dejak Workers building a home in Pepper Pike, Ohio, in January. Increased involvement by local and state officials led to efficiency gains, prompting pushback from the building industry. The organization responsible for developing model building energy codes is facing growing pressure to reconsider proposed changes that would limit the role of state and local … [Read more...] about DOE, House Energy committee question proposed building energy code changes
Massachusetts asks utilities for ways to avoid bill spikes from EV fast-charging
A new state law requires utilities to propose alternatives to help customers avoid large demand charges that can come with installing electric vehicle fast-chargers. Massachusetts is asking utilities to come up with new ways to tally the bill for customers with electric vehicle fast-charging stations that won’t punish them for drawing electricity in sporadic … [Read more...] about Massachusetts asks utilities for ways to avoid bill spikes from EV fast-charging
Providence rule would require energy benchmarking for all large buildings
Michael Salerno The Steel Yard workspace in Providence uses a lot of energy, but its operators are among the building owners voluntarily complying with the city's energy benchmarking ordinance. A voluntary benchmarking program launched a few years ago hasn’t caught on with commercial building owners, so city leaders want to make it mandatory. The Steel Yard is … [Read more...] about Providence rule would require energy benchmarking for all large buildings
Michigan group helping to keep justice on the state’s environmental agenda
A year-old Michigan council created to advise Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration on environmental justice has helped steer the state’s climate and pandemic responses, members and other activists say, though some would like to see it play a more prominent role going forward. … [Read more...] about Michigan group helping to keep justice on the state’s environmental agenda