Switching to efficient, electric HVAC appliances could save Oregon $1.1B through 2050, study finds

Selling only zero-emissions heating and cooling appliances by 2030 could nearly halve climate pollution by 2035, the study finds.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 6, 2022

Federal incentives needed for ‘wholesale shift’ to medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks: Third Way

The U.S. trucking industry needs federal purchasing and manufacturing incentives to speed investment payback times and fully adopt electric options, public policy think tank Third Way said.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Building Electrification

Decarbonization goals are spurring building electrication efforts across the U.S. While the use of heat pumps and other technologies is expanding, some policies are facing legal challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Seattle residents can request an EV charger on their street

By installing chargers on utility poles and freestanding structures, Seattle aims to meet the charging needs of residents in multifamily housing or others who don’t have garages and other spots where most EV charging occurs.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 30, 2022

General Motors aims to make EV charging accessible to apartment residents

Working with cities, states and local GM dealers, the automaker wants to solve the challenge of charging access for those who live in multifamily dwellings, the automaker’s EV charging analyst explains.

By Dan Zukowski • June 29, 2022

Energy sector job growth outpaces overall US economy, with strength in transportation, renewables: DOE

The number of jobs in the U.S. energy sector grew 4% in 2021, outpacing 2.8% growth in overall domestic employment, according to the agency.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2022

California climate change plan's reliance on carbon removal technologies draws criticism

The California Air Resources Board is in the process of putting together the 2022 update to its scoping plan, which charts out a pathway to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045

By Kavya Balaraman • June 23, 2022

Why President Biden's order to increase production of energy-saving technologies isn't enough

Our existing energy systems, gas or electric, are collective solutions to our community’s needs. Our transition to cleaner buildings must be collective as well, the author writes. 

By John Farrell • June 23, 2022

Proposed gas furnace efficiency rule expected to move 9% of customers toward electric heat: DOE

The federal government wants to phase out older, inefficient home furnaces, but the natural gas sector says the change is expensive, complicated and places too much burden on consumers.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2022

Environmental groups push more aggressive path to California's goal of 100% clean car sales by 2035

Representatives from the auto industry, however, indicated that meeting even the state’s current proposed regulations would be “extremely challenging.”

By Kavya Balaraman • June 10, 2022

DOT proposes rules for national EV charging network, including 97% uptime and 150 kW requirements

The proposal, which requires fast-charging stations to offer a standard plug and at least four charging ports, would apply to projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2022

Los Angeles pilots digital twin project to aid building decarbonization

Digital twin platform Cityzenith is teaming up with Los Angeles to help construct a virtual replica of a section of the city to help make its buildings more sustainable and reduce carbon emissions.

By Melissa Goldin • June 6, 2022

As storm season begins, White House building code initiative aims to cut energy waste, build resilient homes

Hazard-resistant building codes can reduce energy waste and make communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2022

Natural gas legislation: What multifamily developers, owners need to know

While a growing number of local governments ban natural gas hookups, over a dozen states have moved to prevent this type of legislation.

By Jen A. Miller • June 2, 2022

Inside Ithaca’s plan to electrify 6,000 buildings and grow a regional green workforce using private equity funds

The city has mustered $105 million in private funds to support low-cost loans for businesses and residents to install heat pumps.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2022

Air Liquide targets growing demand for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with new Las Vegas facility

Air Liquide believes hydrogen may offer advantages over electric vehicles in applications where downtime for charging can interfere with operations, but forklift manufacturer KION doesn't see the two technologies as competing.

By Emma Penrod • June 2, 2022

Rising costs won't stymie the global EV market, but BNEF identifies 'growing risk' of inequitable transition

Global EV sales will triple by 2025, according to BloombergNEF, but there is a "widening gap" between wealthy and emerging economies when it comes to adoption of emissions-free vehicles.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2022

Customer and conservation groups urge New York regulators to tackle medium- and heavy-duty EVs

Efforts to electrify New York's transportation sector have so far prioritized passenger cars and trucks, but a next phase could focus on large trucks and buses.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2022

'Dramatic shift' in utility regulations, better pilot designs needed to propel energy transition, DOE report finds

Electric industry players call for innovations in the way regulators handle pilots of new utility and private sector technologies and system operations in a new Department of Energy paper.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2022

Invest federal funds in energy efficiency, dozens of groups, companies urge state officials

Buildings account for roughly 40% of global energy usage, a "figure that is projected to rise," according to Ryan Dalton, director of state policy and external affairs at SiemensUSA.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2022

Collaborating on zero energy homes could help meet utility climate goals and grow affordable housing

Zero energy homes exceed building codes, feature a high-performance building envelope and cold climate heat pumps, and could help utilities meet their goals.

By Rebecca Foster • May 25, 2022

Electric evolution increasingly seen as inevitable for waste and recycling fleets

Timeline predictions vary, but conversations at WasteExpo suggested a wider consensus is forming that refuse fleets are destined for electrification. With that, the focus shifts from doubts about trucks to infrastructure stresses.

By Maria Rachal • May 17, 2022

Uber increases EV incentives to achieve its all-electric by 2030 goal

The company announced new efforts to entice drivers to switch to EVs and the addition of "premium" electric vehicles in a press conference yesterday on expanding its event, food delivery and travel services.

By Dan Zukowski • May 17, 2022

As California confronts the future of its natural gas system, who could get left behind?

Without a proper transition strategy, experts worry that potential declines in natural gas demand will lead to large increases in energy bills likely to fall on the state's most vulnerable customers.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 16, 2022

Washington, D.C., is 'ideally poised for electrification,' Sierra Club finds. The city's gas utility disagrees.

Renewable natural gas and green hydrogen could help the nation's capital avoid costly electric grid upgrades, according to Washington Gas.

By Robert Walton • May 13, 2022

Closing the gap on rural EV 'charging deserts'

Targeted federal funding and strategic regulation will be crucial to ensure that the charging network to power the electrical transformation is accessible and affordable for all, the author writes.

By William Policastro • May 13, 2022