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Fighting for lower costs and less pollution in NW Natural’s latest rate case
Something is up, and unfortunately, it may be a higher utility bill for Oregon gas customers. In a time when communities are already bracing for Congressional Republicans’ new energy tax hike, NW Natural Gas Company is trying to raise costs on Oregonians as well. Even worse, they aim to raise our gas bills to boost their shareholders’ profits and invest in expensive fuels under the guise of decarbonization, rather than providing lower-income customers with the option to install an energy-efficient heat pump! Climate Solutions does not intervene in every rate case, but when we think there is…
Greenhouse emissions

Serenity, Shmerenity

The oil industry would like us to keep our dependence on fossil fuels in the category of "things I cannot change," instead of finding "courage to change the things I can." Shell's Arctic drilling plans pose a serious threat to our security and a stable climate future. Their fleet's presence in Seattle is straining our community and sending our economy off in the wrong direction. Serenity? Puh-leeze.

Windmills spinning at sunset

The right policy for Oregon at the right time

An exciting bill making its ways through the legislature would hold major polluters accountable for their contributions to global warming, require Oregon to achieve its legislatively adopted climate goals, and level the playing field for clean energy development in our state. 

Big rigs leading the way on low-carbon transport

When you think of low carbon vehicles, are you more likely to envision a sporty Tesla than a delivery truck? If so, it may surprise you to know that the big rigs on the road—government and commercial fleets of trucks, buses, and even tractor trailers—are leading the charge toward clean, low carbon transportation.

Redmond, WA gets its clean energy house in order

Redmond, WA is walking its clean energy talk, allocating $820,000 to reduce the city's energy consumption and carbon footprint.

ClimateCast logo over kayaks protesting the Polar Pioneer, Seattle

Canada vows 30% carbon cut, pipelines hit resistance

$1 billion can’t buy love for an LNG terminal, biomimicry improves PV design, climate cinema on screens large and small, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions.

ClimateCast logo over Ivanpah power station

PV power surging ahead — no thanks to Moore’s Law

Biologists tally bird deaths at power tower, Tesla to offer home battery plus solar panels you can lease, Obama finds his climate anger, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions. 

Something good lurking in the FOG: Gresham turns waste into watts

Sometimes good things lurk in the FOG. In this case, FOG is a waste product—fats, oils, and grease—and it’s a major reason why the City of Gresham was able to turn its wastewater treatment plant from an energy hog into the first net zero energy plant in the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon Legislature considers paths to a clean energy economy

Climate Solutions spoke up in Salem this week, weighing in on three different carbon-reduction proposals that could shift our environment and our economy from pollution to prosperity.

ClimateCast logo over thatched roof with solar panel

Mexico, Norway pledge cuts in run-up to Paris talks

U.S. coal sector in ‘structural decline,’ sea level rise could pop $1.4 trillion real estate bubble, UK climate emissions drop 8 percent, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions. 

ClimateCast logo over beetle-killed forest, British Columbia

World economy grows, but CO2 emissions hold steady

All oils are not created equal; wind, solar, and geothermal turn Nicaragua from rolling black-outs to power exporter; Hawaii considers 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions. 

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Carbon Reduction Know-How

In the early days of climate action, urban plans to reduce carbon frequently suffered from the laundry list syndrome: cataloguing potential strategies without any evidence of how they would meet long-term goals. Since then, cities and counties have become more sophisticated about cutting carbon, and are developing clean energy transition plans to do it.

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Cities Setting the Pace

Leading urban governments have set aggressive goals such as carbon neutrality and 80% reduction by 2050, and others have committed to sourcing 100% of their energy with renewables. These are not empty pledges, but achievable goals that local officials are already implementing.

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The Low-Carbon City Movement

In December 2015, international leaders will gather in Paris for what are arguably the most important global climate talks ever. Countries are updating their carbon reduction pledges, which currently fall far short of what is necessary to hold global warming at two degrees Celsius. This represents an ambition gap among national negotiators that the bold climate leadership of city officials around the world can help close.

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