Energy and Climate Change

Forty-one states and the District of Columbia have mandatory net-metering rules, but the rapid growth in residential solar has states from New York to Montana to Arizona wrestling with how to promote this renewable, distributed resource in a way that placates utilities challenged by integrating the power and apportioning the associated costs.

Montana’s energy economy is in crisis.

Three years ago the mayor of San Francisco pledged to achieve zero waste by 2020. Racing to Zero tracks San Francisco’s waste stream diversion tactics and presents innovative new solutions to waste. This film documents a surprising, engaging and inspiring race to zero.

Compared to existing lithium-ion battery technology, this could shift the future of energy storage forever – and the whole thing was discovered on accident.

Or is distributed generation just regulatory arbitrage?

Power-to-heat and demand-side management are the most cost-effective measures for the country’s grid up to 2030, concludes a government-funded study.

It’s time to think of winters like the past three as glimpses into the future.

The startup Green City Solutions has created a 13-foot high installation that can fight pollution with the force of 275 trees while also serving as a hub for free Wi-Fi and other infrastructure needs.

The charging station was provided by Climate Smart Missoula, which is a community-funded group that fosters partnerships and actions to address climate change in the community.

Several large solar projects are planned around the state this summer, promising new jobs in a rapidly growing field.