article thumbnail

As states continue to use less coal for electricity, driving electric vehicles becomes even cleaner

Green Car Congress

These results indicate that coal and oil are the energy sources leading to most emissions, and that hydro, wind, and nuclear are the energy sources leading to least emissions. The increases occurred only in Alaska (from 11% to 13%) and Oregon (from 2% to 3%). Energy source. Proportional amount of emissions relative to hydro.

Coal 334
article thumbnail

NREL study suggests cost gap for Western renewables could narrow by 2025

Green Car Congress

A new Energy Department study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that by 2025 wind and solar power electricity generation could become cost-competitive without federal subsidies, if new renewable energy development occurs in the most productive locations. mmBtu and $8.43/mmBtu. Source: Hurlbut et al.

Renewable 230
article thumbnail

PNNL study finds that PHEVs and BEVs could serve as feasible resource to offset grid imbalances caused by integration of large amounts of intermittent wind generation

Green Car Congress

The report examined grid conditions in the Northwest Power Pool, which covers Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming; many of them home to abundant wind resources and wind energy projects. This research was funded by the Department of Energy.

Wind 210
article thumbnail

ORNL assessment finds >65 GW of untapped hydropower in US rivers and streams

Green Car Congress

The greatest hydropower potential was found in western US states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. A new assessment conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has identified more than 65 gigawatts of untapped hydropower potential in US rivers and streams.

Missouri 207
article thumbnail

The US government opens 22 million acres of federal lands to solar

Baua Electric

The updated roadmap refines the analysis in the original six states and expands to five more states – Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. It also focuses on lands within 10 miles of existing or planned transmission lines and moves away from lands with sensitive resources. million homes.

Solar 98
article thumbnail

Perspective: Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Programs May be the Solution

Green Car Congress

The legislation would also provide new incentives for domestic oil and gas drilling, nuclear power plant construction, carbon capture and storage, and renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Graham recently declared, “ Economy-wide cap-and-trade is dead. ” There will never be a cap-and-trade bill passed by the United States Senate.

Gas 244