 Energy & Environment |
Energy & Environment |
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Falling costs drive green energy — even as political tides shift |
The U.S. is barreling toward an energy transition as renewables — especially solar — become ever-cheaper sources of energy. |
© Illustration / Samantha Wong; and Adobe Stock |
Renewables and natural gas have been gaining while coal has declined for years, but the trends have accelerated since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Democrats' climate, tax and health care bill, passed in 2022 with massive subsidies for renewables. In 2023, renewables accounted for more than 20 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S., roughly double their 2010 share, according to the Energy Information Administration. Natural gas, meanwhile, contributed about 43 percent, up from 24 percent in 2010. And both solar and gas power are expected to grow more in the years ahead. "The power sector is, year on year, adding a lot more renewables, and in particular solar. Solar is getting cheaper and its adoption is scaling," said Thomas Rowlands-Rees, head of North America Research at BloombergNEF. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Christopher Knittel agreed that the low cost of solar will be "driving a lot of adoption, because it's just a cheap source of electricity." The unsubsidized cost of solar power dropped almost 85 percent between 2010 and 2023, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Solar's economics are now being bolstered by the IRA, whose generous tax credits for low-carbon power sources are being eyed for potential cuts by Republicans. Read more at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. |
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How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: |
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Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland posted cryptic videos to social media ahead of her anticipated run for New Mexico's governor. |
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Two top Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee on Monday asked for answers from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership on activity by associates of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the agency. |
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) threw his support Monday behind legislation aimed at guaranteeing that wildfire-impacted homeowners, rather than their lenders, would receive interest earned from insurance payouts. |
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she wants President Trump to "get rid" of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as it exists today. | |
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News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: |
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Behind the Oil Industry's Biggest Divorce: Chevron Versus California (The Wall Street Journal) Trump Killed a Major Report on Nature. They're Trying to Publish It Anyway. (The New York Times)
NOAA told to search grant programs for climate-related terms (Axios)
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Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: |
- The House Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a hearing titled "America Builds: Clean Water Act Permitting and Project Delivery"
- The House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a hearing titled "Oversight Hearing on Restoring Energy Dominance: The Path to Unleashing American Offshore Energy"
- The House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a hearing titled "Restoring Multiple Use to Revitalize Americas Public Lands and Rural Communities"
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Two key stories on The Hill right now: |
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Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance is growing in viewership hours after the big game, gaining more 11 million views since it aired Sunday night. Read more |
| A federal judge extended indefinitely the deadline for government workers to accept a government buyout, as a lawsuit to block the offer continues in court. Read more |
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Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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