Energy
"Plugged In" Says Farewell
Plugged In will unplug on Friday. It’s been a great seven years and we look forward to continuing the conversations that we started here
Stories by Robert Fares
Energy
Does Renewable Energy Increase Electricity Prices? See for Yourself
How much does electricity cost in your state? Where does it come from? Here's a chart
Energy
Federal Commission Issues Order to Integrate Energy Storage with U.S. Power Markets
Under new regulations, power markets must recognize the unique characteristics of energy storage to reduce barriers to its direct competition with power plants
Energy
Texas Got 18 Percent of Its Energy from Wind and Solar Last Year
For years critics have claimed grid costs and stability will spiral out of control before we hit 20 percent renewable energy. Texas is proving them wrong
Energy
Why Solar Trade Policy Matters
Analysts say proposed tariffs on imported solar panel components could cut 88,000 jobs and seriously slow U.S. solar energy growth
Energy
Energy Secretary Rick Perry Proposes New Regulation to Prop Up Coal, Nuclear Plants
The rule would guarantee a profit to any power plant with 90 days of fuel stored on-site in the name of grid resiliency — but experts say it will do nothing for resiliency and increase costs for consumers...
Energy
Hurricane Maria Dealt a Devastating Blow to Puerto Rico's Electric Grid
Puerto Rico lost approximately 80 percent of its power lines, and experts expect it will take months to restore power to the island
Energy
Wind Energy Is One of the Cheapest Sources of Electricity, and It's Getting Cheaper
A comprehensive survey of the wind industry shows wind energy is routinely purchased in bulk for just two cents per kilowatt-hour—and turbines are only getting cheaper, bigger, and better...
Policy
Senate Advances Bill Undermining Trump Administration's Energy Research Cuts
The Senate Appropriations Committee moved to sustain funding for energy research and development, breaking with the president and House of Representatives
Climate Change
Is Activism or Moderation the Surest Path to Decarbonization?
Confronting climate change is an urgent challenge. But it's not clear if keep-it-in-the-ground activism or all-of-the-above-energy moderation is the best way forward
Energy
Landmark 100 Percent Renewable Energy Study Flawed, Say 21 Leading Experts
A critique of seminal research on the feasibility of a 100 percent wind, water, and solar energy system finds serious shortcomings, underscoring the need for continued research and a balanced decarbonization portfolio...
Policy
Why I'm Marching for Science
Our democracy depends on evidence-based policy. Our economy depends on the U.S. scientific enterprise. The time has come for scientists to make their voices heard.
Energy
The U.S. Electric Grid's Cost in 2 Charts
All of the equipment and manpower required to get electricity from power plants to customers costs about 750 dollars annually per customer
Energy
A U.S.–Mexico Trade War Could Threaten Natural Gas Exports
Mexico is hungry for natural gas and within pipeline distance of the U.S., but talk of tariffs and a border wall could undermine booming gas exports
Energy
Storing solar energy in the home can increase energy consumption, emissions
Storing solar energy for nighttime use is less green than just sending it straight to the grid
Energy
2 Bipartisan Paths Forward on Energy and Climate Policy
Despite the rancor of the U.S. presidential election and transition, supporting nuclear power and streamlining transmission line and pipeline construction could provide a bipartisan path forward on energy and climate...
Climate Change
The Republican Energy and Climate Policy Agenda
To prevent a radical rollback of climate change regulations by GOP lawmakers, the environmental movement should shift its message to appeal to the American mainstream
Energy
Wind Energy Experts See Lower Costs, Bigger Turbines on the Horizon
Despite the fact that wind energy is already one of the cheapest electricity resources available, experts in the wind industry anticipate larger turbines will drive costs down 24 percent by 2030...
Policy
Why Experts Should Apply to Work in the Trump Administration
President-elect Donald J. Trump will hire over 4,000 political appointees. Scientists, engineers and experts of all stripes should apply to preserve facts in the post-truth era
Energy
Is the U.S. Energy Independent?
No, but energy interdependence has made the U.S. energy supply more resilient to outside shocks than ever before
