‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will have Americans paying higher prices for dirtier energy

The new federal law favors energy technologies that are already profitable and increase global warming over cleaner approaches that could use the investment support.

Daniel Cohan, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University • conversation
July 9, 2025 • ~9 min

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ positions US energy to be more costly for consumers and the climate

Some technologies could rapidly cut emissions, while others do little to fight climate change. The House bill favors the latter while nixing support for the former.

Daniel Cohan, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University • conversation
June 10, 2025 • ~10 min

Utilities choosing coal, solar, nuclear or other power sources have a lot to consider, beyond just cost

To really compare different electricity sources, you also have to look at the roles they play in keeping the lights on and their drawbacks.

Paola Pimentel Furlanetto, Ph.D. candidate in power systems, UMass Amherst • conversation
April 14, 2025 • ~8 min

Ann Arbor’s sustainable energy utility aims to build the electric power grid of the future − alongside the old one

With the Trump administration prioritizing fossil fuels, cities and states will have to lead the way on clean energy.

Mike Shriberg, Professor of Practice & Engagement, School for Environment & Sustainability, University of Michigan • conversation
March 10, 2025 • ~9 min

Trump’s offshore wind energy freeze: What states lose if the executive order remains in place

Offshore wind power brings more than local, clean energy. It provides jobs, encourages innovation and boosts economic growth as supply chains develop.

Barbara Kates-Garnick, Professor of Practice in Energy Policy, The Fletcher School, Tufts University • conversation
Feb. 6, 2025 • ~9 min

How the oil industry and growing political divides turned climate change into a partisan issue

The climate policy pendulum is swinging back again with Trump in office. Money, lobbying and talking about red vs. blue states all play a role in the political and public divide.

Joe Árvai, Director of the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability | Professor of Psychology, Biological Sciences, and Environmental Studies, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
Jan. 22, 2025 • ~12 min

Offshore wind farms connected by an underwater power grid for transmission could revolutionize how the East Coast gets its electricity

A big roadblock to offshore wind power is getting approval for onshore transmission lines. But what if there were fewer connection points, and power could flow both ways? Plans are underway.

Erin Baker, Professor of Industrial Engineering Applied to Energy Policy, UMass Amherst • conversation
July 31, 2024 • ~10 min

Fusion power could transform how we get our energy — and worsen problems it’s intended to solve

Some processes that support fusion energy fuel climate change and may harm the environment.

Sophie Cogan, PhD Candidate, University of York • conversation
July 5, 2024 • ~6 min

Why US offshore wind power is struggling – the good, the bad and the opportunity

Two new wind farms began producing power in 2024, but several canceled contracts have left a dark cloud over the industry. A wind power expert explains why US offshore wind has been slow to scale up.

Christopher Niezrecki, Director of the Center for Energy Innovation, UMass Lowell • conversation
May 9, 2024 • ~10 min

Why US offshore wind energy is struggling – the good, the bad and the opportunity

Two new wind farms began producing power in 2024, but several canceled contracts have left a dark cloud over the industry. A wind power expert explains why US offshore wind has been slow to scale up.

Christopher Niezrecki, Director of the Center for Energy Innovation, UMass Lowell • conversation
May 9, 2024 • ~10 min

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