Why Balcony Solar Panels Haven’t Taken Off in the US
In countries like Germany, balcony-mounted solar panels are all the rage. But from breaker-masking to voltage mismatches, America’s grid isn’t ready for it—yet.
The Climate Crisis Threatens Supply Chains. Manufacturers Hope AI Can Help
The Covid-19 pandemic showed just how vulnerable global supply chains are. Climate shocks could pose an even greater risk.
Trump’s Policies Are Creating Uncertainty for Fossil Fuel Companies
The Trump administration aims to make fossil fuels cheap—so cheap they wouldn’t be worth extracting. “‘Drill, baby, drill’ is nothing short of a myth,” one oil executive has said.
States and Startups Are Suing the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Critics of the NRC say its red tape and lengthy authorization timelines stifle innovation, but handing some of its responsibilities to states could undermine public trust and the industry’s safety record.
Grid-Scale Battery Storage Is Quietly Revolutionizing the Energy System
This energy storage technology is harnessing the potential of solar and wind power—and its deployment is growing exponentially.
Finland Could Be the First Country in the World to Bury Nuclear Waste Permanently
In March, Finland successfully completed the first test of its encapsulation plant, which, if finished, will become the world’s first permanent underground storage facility for radioactive waste.
This Artificial Wetland Is Reusing Wastewater to Revive a Lost Ecosystem
Las Arenitas is an artificial oasis that recycles used water from the border city of Mexicali to regenerate ecosystems in the Colorado River delta.
As Summer Approaches, Federal Cuts Threaten Program to Keep Vulnerable People Cool
Some $380 million is now in limbo after reductions in the federal workforce affected staff that run a program helping low-income people pay their energy bills.
FEMA Isn’t Ready for Disaster Season, Workers Say
Instability, cuts, and a looming sense of dread have FEMA employees unsure the agency is ready for hurricanes, fires, and floods. “We are being set up for a really, really bad situation," says one.
One Man’s Quest to Reforest the Rio Grande Valley
The Tamaulipan thorn forest once covered 1 million acres on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Restoring even a fraction of it could help the region cope with the ravages of a warming world.