Energy News Network (https://energynews.us/author/energywire/)
Massachusetts is expected to pass clean energy and climate legislation in the coming months that would require the state to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, dividing conservative groups and environmentalists in atypical ways.
States banning coal — including Hawaii — had mostly already committed to reducing carbon emissions.
As the long-shrinking coal industry hemorrhages jobs, states and local groups are seeking new ways to transition to a lower-carbon economy without leaving coal workers behind.
Illinois’ exponential solar growth is already slowing, putting the state’s renewable energy goals further out of reach.
State officials representing over a quarter of the country’s power sales announced a new coalition this week centered on 100% carbon-free targets.