Insights: WRI's Blog

Pennsylvania's planned entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative marks the first time a major fossil-fuel producing state has joined the cooperative, which aims to cap carbon dioxide emissions from electric power plants. It won't solve all the Keystone State's energy challenges, but it's a big step forward.

The latest anti-climate proposal from the Trump administration would weaken regulations on methane from oil and natural gas. Colorado, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California offer innovative solutions for curbing this growing emissions source.

U.S. solar power is poised to grow 12% this year, but so far Virginia hasn't been a big part of the boom. That could change as Virginia's cities and counties band together to find ways to implement renewable power and meet their clean energy goals.

The United States used more energy in 2018 than ever before. While clean energy powered some of it, 80% came from fossil fuels.

Decisions from utility commissions across the country suggest natural gas' time as a "bridge fuel" may be short—renewables are already often preferred and cheaper.

The Green New Deal has inspired activism and debate, but not much action on Capitol Hill so far. That hasn't stopped states, cities and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico from taking bold steps now.

Many cities have set renewable energy goals. Some are achieving them through innovative ways, such as legislation, banding together to pool their buying power, partnering with utilities and community solar programs.

Water quality trading can spur more cost-effective reductions of pollution. But they're most effective when they have a strong driver, like a cap, and the new memo isn't as instructive as it could be on that front.

The United States still doesn't give any money to the world's largest climate fund. But things are looking up, with big contributions to the Global Environment Facility, the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund and the multilateral development banks.

With the U.S. Congress largely silent on the subject of ambitious climate legislation—at least since the 2009 push for a federal cap-and-trade program—the idea of a Green New Deal has stirred attention to climate change like never before.