A picture of a virtual power plant.
Strengthening Oregon’s energy grid: The value of virtual power plants
Oregon can make our energy grid stronger and more affordable by using virtual power plants to coordinate local tools like home batteries and smart appliances. These smart solutions help lower energy costs for everyone while creating good local jobs in our communities.
Utilities
ClimateCast logo over Solar Impulse

Solar price hits new low, mercury reaches new highs

United Airlines buys stake in biofuels firm; China, Brazil, and Korea announce climate pledges; micro-grid improves electric service for California desert town; and more news of the week in clean energy solutions. 

Cities Get Clean Energy

City leaders across the United States see that energy efficiency means not only carbon reduction but also good government and sound economic policy:

ClimateCast logo over Pope Francis

Pope urges climate action, pundits ponder the impacts

Vermont vows 75 percent renewable grid by 2032, low oil prices cancel $200 billion in fossil mega-projects, India quintuples its solar targets, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions.

Bellevue builds clean energy cred

Bellevue, WA has been quietly earning accolades for its achievements in sustainability, clean energy and energy efficiency. What's next for this leading city?

ClimateCast logo over palm trees and solar panels

Bonn talks yield forest deal; rest of pact left to co-chairs

EPA to regulate airplanes’ climate pollution, Hawaii aims for 100% renewable power by 2045, rooftop solar installations up 76 percent, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions

ClimateCast logo over photo of solar installer

Top oil firms call for carbon price as Bonn talks begin

Kodiak utility goes 99.7 percent renewable, big rigs get a fuel economy makeover, EPA eases biofuels requirements, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions.

ClimateCast logo over flood-irrigated furrows

Pipeline-backing Tories ousted in Alberta elections

Biofuels for aviation move ahead, Seattle ‘kayaktivists’ prepare for showdown with Shell, TV meteorologists accept climate science, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions.

ClimateCast logo over spectrum of people calling for Gates Foundation to divest

Tesla batteries will change the grid balance of power

Shell’s Arctic drilling hits two stumbling blocks, three-quarters of extremely hot days can be pinned on climate change, Church of England divests, and more news 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. 

Cities aim to go all renewable

Local governments and utilities in the Northwest are making great strides to meet the challenge of providing affordable, renewable energy, This news digest from our New Energy Cities program highlights some current examples.

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The Path to Urban Carbon Reduction

The international climate talks are a moment in time for forward-looking urban leaders to demonstrate the collective political will they have amassed for bold climate action, and to show how far they have already come in reducing carbon emissions.

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Tools of the Trade

Urban leaders are looking beyond their typical toolbox of policies, programs, and partnerships, and experimenting with new approaches to achieve carbon reduction through cleaner energy supply, building energy efficiency, and low-carbon transportation.

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