News and Events
Shapiro threatens to pull Pennsylvania out of PJM over electricity prices
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is warning regional electricity grid operator PJM that the state will consider leaving the organization if it doesn’t do more to protect consumers against soaring power prices.
Why these doctors started writing medical 'prescriptions' for solar power
Anna Goldman, a primary care physician at Boston Medical Center, got tired of hearing that her patients couldn't afford the electricity needed to run breathing assistance machines, recharge wheelchairs, turn on air conditioning or keep their refrigerators plugged in. So she worked with her hospital on a solution.
California’s rooftop solar is a benefit, not a cost, to the state
A new study finds rooftop solar will save California $2.3B this year — a rebuttal to the ‘cost-shift’ math that’s led regulators to stifle solar growth.
For years, California utilities, regulators, and consumer advocates have argued that residents with solar panels on their rooftops are making electricity more expensive for everyone else in the state.
Learn how to secure an Electric School Bus with Federal and State Funding - November 13, 12 pm - 1:15 pm
Save the date for the Community Advocates for Cleaning Energy (CACE) Electric School Bus webinar on November 13th. Don’t leave the benefits and funding sources on the table! An EPA Clean School Bus Program Rebate round is now open with a due date of Thursday, January 9th, 2025. Start planning now for additional rounds to be announced in the future.
5 governors call for PJM capacity market rule changes to reduce ‘unnecessary’ consumer costs
Five governors are urging the PJM Interconnection to reform its capacity market rules and interconnection queue process to prevent “unnecessary” costs for electricity customers.
US solar panel manufacturing jumps 4-fold after Inflation Reduction Act
The sector is enjoying massive production investment thanks to the clean energy law, even as it contends with heightened tariffs.
New state grants mean solar panels could save cash-strapped Philly schools money.
As the school year kicks off, many Philadelphia students are returning to aging buildings that are powered by an electric grid fueled largely by planet-warming natural gas.
Solar for All kicks off with Habitat for Humanity's new project
David Hammes, from Exact Solar, explains that the solar systems on these affordable home ownership row homes will offset over 70% of the new low income homeowners' electricity use. The homes are Energy STAR certified, all electric, with high efficiency heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, high levels of air sealing and insulation and many other measures.
Barrington students form climate change group to BEE eco-friendly
Inspired by Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg, the Barrington Environmental Establishment has earned an EPA award.
BARRINGTON, R.I. — Four Barrington High School students, inspired by the 2019 protests led by Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg, started a club they hope will endure long after graduation.
Emma Pautz, Abigail Goblick, Siddharth Gupta, and Mia He noticed the impacts of flooding and extreme weather in their hometown and founded the Barrington Environmental Establishment (BEE) to foster environmental change.
Heat pumps are having their moment. Are they right for you?
More homeowners are opting for heat pumps, once thought to be ill-suited to cold Northeast winters.
For decades, Scott Nelson’s Oceanside Service has been installing traditional residential cooling systems and gas-powered furnaces in Jersey Shore communities such as Long Beach Island.
Gov. Shapiro’s Statewide Energy Initiative Makes PA the 1st State Gov’t to Commit to Getting 50% of Its Electricity from Solar Power
Governor Josh Shapiro joined Department of General Services (DGS) Secretary Reggie McNeil, Constellation President & CEO Joseph Dominguez, and Lightsource bp Senior Vice President Alyssa Edwards to unveil the Commonwealth's renewable energy initiative, the Pennsylvania Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy (PA PULSE).
Governor’s Energy Plan Diversifies Energy Generation, Avoids One-Fuel Dependence…
…Improves Grid Reliability, Lowers Consumer Costs, Generates Jobs; Or Upends Competitive Markets And Is A ‘Death Wish’ For Our Economy (?)
The Unspoken Truth: Economic Policy is Environmental Policy
Economic development projects shape the landscape and impact everyday life by influencing air quality, traffic volume, stormwater flow, and local employment opportunities.
Economic development can bring massive benefits to our communities, but it also brings other consequences that must be considered. These social and environmental considerations are known as "externalities."
Hey schools, go get your IRA tax credits!
US public education infrastructure faces significant challenges due to years of deferred maintenance and the growing impacts of climate change. Luckily, the Inflation Reduction Act offers substantial, easily accessible financial assistance to schools in the form of direct-pay tax credits for climate-friendly upgrades.
Big Solar is overtaking Big Oil!
An amazing energy production milestone was just passed. The seven biggest solar companies now provide more usable energy than the fossil fuel giants of "Big Oil".
What? Can this really be true? Yes, it can, if you compare the amount of useful energy that goes towards the desired output of the end-use application. It may sound complicated, but it's actually a fair way of comparing the two energy sources.
American-Made Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) announced the 18 winners of the American-Made Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot. Photographers, including professionals and amateurs, submitted awe-inspiring photos that showcase solar energy technologies, infrastructure, and research and development activities.
Opinion: Why Gov. Josh Shapiro’s PRESS initiative is a boon for PA’s energy sector
Leaders from Exact Solar and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia examine how a new plan could empower PA’s energy future.
After years of delays, Adams Solar Farm powers a quarter of Philly’s city buildings
Roughly a quarter of the electricity running Philadelphia’s municipal buildings now comes from solar power.
The Adams Solar Farm — a 230,000-panel solar array near Gettysburg — started generating energy in late March. The city has committed to buying most of the farm’s power for the next 20 years.
5 ways to make your Philly-area home greener
From the WHYY News Climate Desk
Worried about your carbon footprint, but not sure where to start? Turns out there’s plenty you can do at home.
Watch the First-Ever White House Summit for Sustainable School Buildings and Grounds
Schools are invited to watch the White House’s first-ever Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 Infrastructure on April 26th, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to providing communities equitable access to energy efficient, climate resilient, and healthy school facilities that are conducive to learning.