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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invests in high-impact research, development, and demonstration to make clean energy at least as affordable and convenient as traditional forms of energy. Part of DOE’s mission is to ensure the benefits of clean energy reach all Americans, especially those historically underserved by the energy system and overburdened by pollution.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions that reduce pollution, advance environmental justice, and lower energy costs. Through tax credits and other financial incentives, consumers can now pay less for more energy-efficient appliances , cleaner cars and trucks , and home upgrades.

Why Clean Energy Matters

DOE invests in projects and activities to make clean power more accessible and affordable. Check out some of the latest efforts:

Accessible, Affordable Solar Energy

Community solar provides clean power to consumers who subscribe to a nearby, shared solar energy system. It’s a low-cost option for those who can’t install solar panels on their rooftops. The Solar Technologies Office (SETO) hosted its third annual  National Community Solar Partnership Summit  on January 19   in San Diego, California, and virtually, with roundtable discussions about community solar markets, accessible financing, customer acquisition, and access to capital. 

That day, SETO also launched the  Community Power Accelerator , a platform that connects solar developers, investors, philanthropists, and community-based organizations to finance and deploy more community solar projects. The Accelerator will build a pipeline of credit-ready community solar projects, especially those benefiting underserved communities, connecting them with investors and philanthropic organizations to fund projects. 

SETO also announced the winners of the $100,000 Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar prize competition, which recognizes solar projects and programs that use or develop best practices to increase equitable access to community solar for subscribers and their communities. Read more about the summit .

Accessible, Affordable Wind Energy, Transportation, and More

The Wind Energy Technologies Office recently released a $28 million funding opportunity to bring more wind power to more Americans by breaking down barriers to deployment. About $20 million will fund research projects to improve technologies that transmit large amounts of electricity from offshore wind over long distances; improve permitting processes to make distributed wind more accessible to communities where it can be equitably deployed; and to better understand the impacts of offshore wind development on communities. The remaining funding will support projects that reduce the impacts of wind technologies on wildlife.

About one-third of U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions come from the transportation sector, affecting millions of Americans, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. Transportation costs are the second-largest annual household expense in the country, and for the poorest Americans, the financial burden is disproportionately and unsustainably high.

A large seal showing the logos of the various EERE offices, with "Are You A Clean Energy Champion?" written across the middle of it on a ribbon

Every American can advocate for renewable energy by becoming a Clean Energy Champion. Both small and large actions make a difference.

Join the movement .

On January 10, the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency announced the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization , a pathway to a clean transportation sector that improves air quality, lowers transportation costs, and creates better-paying manufacturing jobs.

Furthermore, EERE’s new Clean Energy to Communities program helps communities transition to clean energy. It connects local governments, electric utilities, community-based groups, and others with national lab experts and tools to meet each community’s unique needs and interests.

The Importance of Energy Efficiency

Approximately one-third or more of the energy used by buildings goes to waste, costing as much as  $150 billion  annually. On January 18, EERE's Building Technologies Office (BTO) launched the $22 million Buildings UP prize to increase the capacity of subnational teams to develop and implement building upgrades that create more energy-efficient buildings and clean-energy-ready homes, commercial spaces, and communities.

BTO also launched $45 million BTO Benefit 2022/23 funding opportunity to reduce the cost of building decarbonization and improve quality of life for building occupants. Selected research projects will focus on innovations in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water heating, thermal and battery energy storage, and more.

And the $2.4 million American-Made Equitable and Affordable Solutions to Electrification Prize (EAS-E prize) incentivizes innovators to develop and deploy techniques to make electrification cheaper and easier for contractors to implement and for homeowners to afford in diverse communities and all housing types.

While these are some of our more recent efforts to improve energy accessibility and affordability, all EERE’s work takes energy accessibility and affordability into account.

Energy Affordability and Accessibility News

The Weekly Jolt is a digest of the top clean energy news, tips, events, and information from DOE and EERE.

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How affordable clean energy solutions can tackle energy poverty

High voltage tower

As the energy industry makes the transition to clean energy it must consider costs for end users. Image:  Freepik.

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Stay up to date:, energy transition.

  • Transition to clean energy must also tackle energy poverty around the world.
  • Infrastructure investment needed to support this transition is beyond the reach of many countries.
  • Low-income countries, like Colombia, are proving that low-cost solutions can achieve economic and environmental benefits.
  • Read the Energy Transition Index 2021 .

According to the United Nations, 700 million people (10% of the world’s population) still live in poverty. A shocking statistic by any account, but one that many of us forget as we get on with our busy lives and deal with our own personal stresses.

What is less well known, or less discussed, is that people living in poverty need access to energy far more than their more affluent peers – to keep warm, to provide and prepare healthy food, and to access clean water. For those of us not living in poverty, access to energy is of course just as vital, but we have the means to provide warmth and food for ourselves and our families in multiple, easily accessible ways. We typically take these fundamental needs for granted.

Have you read?

These are the biggest hurdles on the path to clean energy, how to solve the investment puzzle of clean energy transitions in the developing world, how can we ensure energy is clean, secure and affordable.

We in the energy industry focus so keenly on achieving the energy transition, and rightly so. This work is encapsulated by two UN Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and Goal 13 Climate Action. The UN defines its 17 Sustainable Development goals as “integrated and indivisible”. Have you ever stopped to consider how the energy transition is linked to the others, especially to Goal 1 “Ending poverty in all its forms, everywhere”?

According to the UN: “The world is making progress towards Goal 7 [Affordable and Clean Energy], with encouraging signs that energy is becoming more sustainable and widely available. Access to electricity in poorer countries has begun to accelerate, energy efficiency continues to improve, and renewable energy is making impressive gains in the electricity sector. Nevertheless, more focused attention is needed to improve access to clean and safe cooking fuels and technologies for 3 billion people.”

What if we could do more? Here’s the thing – we can.

Working towards the energy transition offers a unique and very important opportunity to also address energy poverty and poverty in the broader sense. The solution is in how we pursue the energy transition.

Moving to clean energy is key to combating climate change, yet in the past five years, the energy transition has stagnated.

Energy consumption and production contribute to two-thirds of global emissions, and 81% of the global energy system is still based on fossil fuels, the same percentage as 30 years ago. Plus, improvements in the energy intensity of the global economy (the amount of energy used per unit of economic activity) are slowing. In 2018 energy intensity improved by 1.2%, the slowest rate since 2010.

Effective policies, private-sector action and public-private cooperation are needed to create a more inclusive, sustainable, affordable and secure global energy system.

Benchmarking progress is essential to a successful transition. The World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index , which ranks 115 economies on how well they balance energy security and access with environmental sustainability and affordability, shows that the biggest challenge facing energy transition is the lack of readiness among the world’s largest emitters, including US, China, India and Russia. The 10 countries that score the highest in terms of readiness account for only 2.6% of global annual emissions.

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To future-proof the global energy system, the Forum’s Shaping the Future of Energy and Materials Platform is working on initiatives including, Systemic Efficiency , Innovation and Clean Energy and the Global Battery Alliance to encourage and enable innovative energy investments, technologies and solutions.

Additionally, the Mission Possible Platform (MPP) is working to assemble public and private partners to further the industry transition to set heavy industry and mobility sectors on the pathway towards net-zero emissions. MPP is an initiative created by the World Economic Forum and the Energy Transitions Commission.

Is your organisation interested in working with the World Economic Forum? Find out more here .

Some countries will be able to invest massively in new infrastructure – according to a new Wood Mackenzie analysis , the US will need to spend an estimated $4.5 trillion over the next decade to convert to 100% renewable energy) – but in less affluent countries this type of investment simply isn’t an option.

How utilities execute their investment in the energy transition is of great importance because these choices will most directly impact lower income customers in the form of increased bills. Countries and their utilities are rightly being thoughtful about how they do this.

Colombian example shows energy transition can be low-cost

Take Colombia for example – where they are finding clever, innovative, and low-cost ways to pursue the energy transition and provide affordable electricity to their citizens – of whom more than a quarter live below the poverty line.

One of Colombia’s leading utilities, Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), has recently announced its successful application of Modular FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems), which manages the power flow on the grid and is having broad economic and environmental benefits. This technology is allowing EPM to optimize its existing infrastructure, rather than needing to invest in the construction of new infrastructure and improve energy access throughout Medellín. EPM is serving this growing load by facilitating the connection of renewable generation. Through this work, EPM is improving system reliability while lowering operational costs and this translates into lower bills for their customers.

EPM’s vision and commitment to leverage innovation is benefiting Medellín ratepayers, and the broader Colombian electric sector. It is this kind of creative action the energy industry must consider, if we are going to achieve the energy transition, and more importantly, address energy poverty.

We have an opportunity to do something about it, as citizens of the world we have an obligation to do something about it. Now is the time to start talking, thinking, and most importantly take action.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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  • 08 August 2023

Clean energy can fuel the future — and make the world healthier

You have full access to this article via your institution.

Aerial view of rows of solar panels on a hillside in Zhumadian, Henan Province of China.

China is on track to reach its solar-power target for 2030. Credit: Zhao Yongtao/VCG/Getty

The 2030 targets laid out by the United Nations for the seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) are clear enough: provide affordable access to energy; expand use of renewable sources; improve energy efficiency year on year; and enhance international cooperation in support of clean-energy research, development and infrastructure. Meeting those goals, however, will be anything but simple. As seen in many of the editorials in this series examining the SDGs at their halfway stage , the world is falling short.

This is due, at least in part, to the influence of the fossil-fuel industry, which drives the economics and, often, the politics of countries large and small, rich and poor. Rising human prosperity, as measured by economic growth, has long been linked to an abundance of fossil fuels. Many politicians fear that the pursuit of clean-energy sources will compromise that economic development. The latest science clearly counters this view — but the voice of the research community is not being heard in the right places. To meet the targets embodied in SDG 7, that has to change.

There is much to be done. In 2021, some 675 million people worldwide still did not have access to electricity. This is down from 1.1 billion a decade or so ago, but the pace of progress has slowed. On the basis of current trends, 660 million people, many of them in sub-Saharan Africa, will remain without electricity by 2030. And projections indicate that some 1.9 billion people will still be using polluting and inefficient cooking systems fuelled by coal and wood (see go.nature.com/3s8d887 ). This is bad news all round: for health, biodiversity and the climate.

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Carbon emissions hit new high: warning from COP27

Achieving the energy-access targets was always going to be a stretch, but progress has been slow elsewhere, too. Take energy efficiency. More energy efficiency means less pollution, and energy efficiency has increased by around 2% annually in the past few years. But meeting the target for 2030 — to double the rate of the 1990–2010 average — would require gains of around 3.4% every year for the rest of this decade.

The picture for renewable energy is similarly mixed. Despite considerable growth in wind and solar power to generate grid electricity, progress in the heat and transport sectors remains sluggish. Renewable energy’s share of total global energy consumption was just 19.1% in 2020, according to the latest UN tracking report, but one-third of that came from burning resources such as wood.

One reason for the slow progress is the continued idea that aggressive clean-energy goals will get in the way of economic development. It’s easier and more profitable for major fossil-fuel producers to simply maintain the status quo. Just last month, ministers from the G20 group of the world’s biggest economies, including the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia and the United States, failed to agree on a plan to phase out fossil fuels and triple the capacity of renewable energy by 2030.

But this is where science has a story to tell. In the past, researchers say, many models indicated that clean energy would be more expensive than that from fossil fuels, potentially pricing the poorest nations out of the market as well as driving up people’s food bills and exacerbating hunger. But the latest research suggests that the picture is more complex. Energy is a linchpin for most of the SDGs, and research that merges climate, energy and the SDGs underscores this 1 . For example, the agriculture and food-transport sectors still depend on fossil fuels, and that generates pollution that kills millions of people each year. Other links are indirect: lack of access to light at night and to online information — as a result of energy poverty — hampers educational attainment and contributes to both long- and short-term inequality.

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US aims for electric-car revolution — will it work?

The lesson from research is that it might be easier, not harder, to address these challenges together. In 2021, researcher Gabriela Iacobuţă at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability in Bonn and her colleagues showed that technologies centred on renewable resources and efficiency tend to come with few trade-offs and many benefits, including improved public health and wealth, thanks to a cleaner environment and better jobs 2 . And climate scientist Bjoern Soergel at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and his colleagues found that a coordinated package of climate and development policies could achieve most of the SDGs while limiting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels 3 .

The study assessed 56 indicators across all 17 SDGs. One proposed intervention is an international climate finance mechanism that would levy fees on carbon emissions that would be redistributed through national programmes to reduce poverty. A second focuses on promoting healthy diets — including reducing the consumption of meat, the production of which requires a lot of water, energy and land. This would benefit people on low incomes by lowering both food and energy prices.

The biggest challenge lies in translating these models to the real world. To do so, we need leaders who are not bound by outmoded thinking, are aware of the latest science and can draw on the research to build public support for the necessary energy transition. We require more national and international public institutions that are willing to address problems at the system level. And all of this needs a science community that is willing and able to champion knowledge and evidence.

Nature 620 , 245 (2023)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02510-y

Vohra, K. et al. Environ. Res. 195 , 110754 (2021).

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Iacobuţă, G. I., Höhne, N., van Soest, H. L. & Leemans, R. Sustainability 13 , 10774 (2021).

Article   Google Scholar  

Soergel, B. et al. Nature Clim. Change 11 , 656–664 (2021).

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SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

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  • By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
  • By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
  • By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
  • By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
  • By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support.

Affordable, clean energy fuels sustainable development, such as by providing the light that allows a child to do her homework or the power that a woman uses to run sewing machines for her business. Worldwide, 1.1 billion people still have no electricity. Three billion burn solid fuels such as wood and animal dung for cooking and heating, filling their homes with dangerous pollutants.

Over 4 million people died prematurely from indoor air pollution caused by cooking with solid fuels in 2012. 60% of those who died were women and girls.

In spending more time around the home, women and girls accounted for 6 out of 10 of the 4.3 million premature deaths caused in 2012 by indoor air pollution.

The lack of modern energy sources has other consequences for women and girls, who are often the primary household energy managers. They may spend hours each day collecting fuel and carrying heavy loads. In households that cook with solid fuels, girls spend 18 hours a week, on average, gathering fuel. Women are largely sidelined in the industries that produce modern sources of renewable energy, however, comprising only 20 per cent of the workforce.[ 1 ]

Some indications suggest that women are more likely than men to conserve energy—using up to 22 per cent less, including through a greater willingness to alter everyday behaviours.[ 2 ]

UN Women acts to extend energy access  through gender-inclusive energy planning and policies, promoting women’s entrepreneurship for sustainable energy, and improving women’s skills and access to financial resources. Since 2011, UN Women has co-sponsored the Gender Equality Award granted by the SEED Initiative, a global partnership for action on sustainable development and the green economy.

Suhela Khan. Photo: UN Women/Jeevan Kanakkassery

Take Five: “The opportunity for sustainable energy entrepreneurship is significant for women” Suhela Khan currently leads UN Women’s joint programme with UNEP, called "Women’s Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Energy Programme" in India, talks about how women’s access to clean energy and entrepreneurship can be improved in India, which is in the midst of a profound transformation in the energy sector. 

Eisha Mohammed, 41, is a solar engineer working and living in Mjimwema, a remote village in southern Tanzania. Photo: UN Women/Stephanie Raison

From where I stand: Eisha Mohammed Eisha Mohammed, a solar engineer in Mjimwema, a remote village in Tanzania, installs and repairs solar equipment, bringing electricity to many homes in her village. She spent six months training to be a solar engineer at the Barefoot College in India, supported by UN Women and the Government of India.

26 women from 16 villages in Liberia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda were selected to participate in six months of training on building, installing and maintaining solar lamps and panels. Photo: Thomas Dworzak/Magnum Photos for UN Women

Photo essay: Rural women light villages in Liberia In post-civil war Liberia, less than 10 per cent of the population has access to electricity. Rural Liberian women, trained as solar engineers at the Barefoot College in India with support from UN Women, are pioneering efforts to provide affordable and clean energy by installing and managing solar lamps in their communities.

Kimiyaa Umar showing her energy-saving cooking stove that her group assembles and sells. Photo: UN Women/Fikerte Abebe

Loans and energy-saving technology transform lives in rural Ethiopia A joint programme in Ethiopia brings together six UN Agencies to help women save and invest in energy-saving cooking stove technology cooperatives. Kimiya Umar, a 35-year-old mother of six, is one of 19,500 beneficiaries who has received entrepreneurship training, and these women also sell these stoves to other villages, benefitting more women.

[1] International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

[2] UNIDO (2013),  Sustainable Energy For All: The gender dimensions , p. 11.

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Global progress on affordable and clean energy must be accelerated in order to close energy gap, new report says

essay on affordable and clean energy

Governments, businesses and civil society organizations have made tremendous strides in bringing affordable and clean energy to more people in recent years, but this progress has been largely uneven and must be accelerated in order to leave no one behind, says a new collection of policy briefs compiled by the multi-stakeholder SDG 7 Technical Advisory Group (SDG7-TAG)  and convened by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Urgent reinforced action and more investment, particularly in least developed countries and is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 on energy by 2030.

Advancement on SDG 7 has the potential to spur progress across the SDGs on poverty eradication, gender equality, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security, health, education, sustainable cities and communities, clean water and sanitation, jobs, innovation, transport, and refugees and other situations of displacement.

The briefs in the compilation, “Accelerating SDG 7 Achievement: SDG 7 Policy Briefs in Support of the High-level Political Forum 2019,” focus on the links between SDG 7 and the SDGs under review at the upcoming High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July: SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reduced inequalities, SDG 13 on climate action, SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and SDG 17 on partnerships. This stock-taking report is being issued at the midpoint of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All 2014-2024 with the aim of also informing a series of intergovernmental discussions this year, including the SDG Summit, Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, Mid-term Review of the Samoa Pathway and Mid-term Review on the Implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries.

“There is still much to do to ensure universal access,” said Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “Despite increases in electrification over the last 2 years, about 840 million people still lack access to electricity. Meanwhile, around 3 billion people rely on wood, charcoal, animal and crop wastes, or other solid fuels to cook their food and heat their homes, and the rate of progress towards cleaner fuels and technologies in fact slowed down between 2009 and 2017.”

Sheila Oparaocha, Executive Director of the ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy and co-facilitator of the SDG 7 Technical Advisory Group, said: “We have been witnessing tremendous progress in the adoption of renewable technologies, along with rapid cost declines and strategic shifts in policies that are transforming energy systems in many parts of the world. Though we have strong momentum, we must continue to mobilize greater political will and cooperation, as well as higher levels of public and private investments in a sustainable energy future.”

Hans Olav Ibrekk, Policy Director, Section for Energy and Climate Change at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-facilitator of the SDG 7 Technical Advisory Group, added: “We are proud to present the second edition of the policy briefs to inform this year’s critically important gatherings: the Mid-point Conference on the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All in May, the High-Level Political Forum in July, and the SDG Summit and Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in September. We sincerely hope that Member States and all stakeholders—including the international organizations, multilateral development banks, businesses and civil society groups—will find the analysis and recommendations useful as they review and renew their commitments to achievement of the SDGs.”

Furthermore, SDG 7 will be discussed at UN Headquarters on 23-24 May at a High-level Dialogue on the implementation of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All 2014-2024: A Mid-point Review. Experts from all sectors, including governments, the energy sector, civil society and the UN system will discuss major issues and demonstrate action related to the implementation of the Decade, with a focus on the links between SDG 7 and the other SDGs. On Thursday there will be a series of roundtables about energy issues like clean cooking, transportation and climate change, and a high-level briefing and interactive dialogue will take place on Friday.

Key findings from the report:

  • US$1.3 to $1.4 trillion per year is required to meet SDG 7, more than twice the current level. Current investment is not spread equally.
  • More than 230 million children go to primary schools without any electricity, compromising educational and development outcomes.
  • Energy efficiency and renewable energy investments continue to act as robust socio-economic drivers. Employment in renewable energy stood at 10.3 million in 2017 and could reach potentially 24 million by 2030.

Information on the High-level Briefings and Interactive Dialogues about the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All:

What: This high-level plenary session will review the progress towards the goals of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, and its global plan of action. Senior representatives of Member States and other stakeholders will be invited to share remarks, followed by an open dialogue session on accelerating the implementation of the goals of the Decade. Key speakers include DESA USG Liu Zhenmin and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Climate Action Summit Luis Alfonso de Alba.

When: Friday, 24 May 2019, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Where: ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

Webcast: https://webtv.un.org

Background on the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All 2014-2024:

In 2012, the General Assembly unanimously approved resolution 67/215, by which it declared the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All 2014–2024, underscoring the importance of energy issues for sustainable development. The General Assembly called for the rapid implementation of the strategic objectives of the global plan of action for the Decade, including in resolution 72/224. More recently, through resolution A/73/236 on “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”, the General Assembly invited “the Secretary-General, within existing resources, to convene dialogues, which could consist of a series of events including discussions among energy policy makers and other multi-stakeholders in 2019 to be supported by the Secretariat, in order to discuss the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, including the global plan of action for the Decade as described in the report of the Secretary-General.”

Further information:

The full report, SDG 7 Policy Briefs in Support of the High-level Political Forum 2019, can be downloaded here: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/22877UN_FINAL_ONLINE_20190523.pdf

Background about Sustainable Development Goal 7: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg7

More about the Sustainable Energy for All initiative: https://www.seforall.org/

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News from the Columbia Climate School

6 Important Points About the ‘Affordable Clean Energy Rule’

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

By Jessica Wentz for the Sabin Center’s Climate Law Blog

On Tuesday, August 21, EPA published a proposed rule to replace the Clean Power Plan . The proposal, entitled the “Affordable Clean Energy Rule,” would establish a framework for controlling CO2 emissions from existing power plants which is significantly less effective and environmentally protective than its predecessor. Here are six important things to know about the proposed rule:

coal power plant, Affordable Clean Energy Rule

1. The proposal sets a very low bar for emissions reductions. 

The Clean Air Act mandates that the performance standards established for existing sources under Section 111(d) must reflect the “best system of emissions reduction” (BSER) for the pollutant and source category being regulated. EPA is proposing to define the BSER for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing power plants as on-site, heat-rate efficiency improvements. In other words, the performance standards established for power plants would only reflect those emission reductions that can be achieved through making the existing plants more efficient—they would not reflect the much larger reductions that could be achieved by switching to cleaner energy sources and improving demand-side energy efficiency (often referred to as measures “outside the fence line” of power plants). As a result, the standards will be considerably less stringent.

The standards may also fail to ensure emissions reductions at all, insofar as there may be a “rebound effect” wherein plants that implement heat-rate improvements may be called upon to run more hours, thus increasing the total amount of CO2 generated (while still complying with performance standards). EPA explicitly recognizes the potential for such a rebound effect in the proposal without providing any recommendation for mitigating the effect.

2. There are no numerical standards or targets for GHG reductions, and states will have wide latitude to establish their own performance targets.

The Clean Power Plan established numerical emissions reduction targets for states based on the application of the BSER to power plants within those states. These targets were an essential element of the implementation framework insofar as they provided a benchmark against which to gauge state progress. The Affordable Clean Energy Rule does not establish any emissions reduction standards or targets for states. Rather, EPA is proposing to issue a list of “candidate technologies” that states can use to establish standards of performance for individual power plants within their jurisdiction. EPA is also proposing to let states set weaker standards (or no standards at all) based on their assessment of the plant’s “remaining useful life” (based on language in Section 111(d), which recognizes that performance standards should account for this factor). In effect, the rule allows states to decide how much to cut emissions, if at all, rather than providing numeric targets for them.

3. The proposal would have a net cost to U.S. citizens of billions of dollars.

Many environmental and public health advocates have expressed concern about the foregone health and emissions benefits associated with this proposal. EPA had projected that the original Clean Power Plan would reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 415 million tons relative to a no-action baseline, whereas the Affordable Clean Energy rule would only reduce CO2 emissions by 14-27 million tons relative to a no-action baseline. This emissions increase corresponds with a significant reduction in health benefits: EPA estimates that replacing the Clean Power Plan with this proposal will cause an additional 470-1,400 premature deaths, 48,000 cases of exacerbated asthma, and 21,000 missed school days as compared to a baseline where the Clean Power Plan is implemented.

There are also staggering differences in monetized net benefits from the two rules. It is somewhat difficult to compare these benefits because, as we noted in our comments on the proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan, EPA has significantly revised its cost-benefit methodology to downplay benefits and overstate costs associated with climate regulations. Before it changed its methodology, EPA had estimated that the Clean Power Plan would deliver net health and climate benefits ranging from $26-$46 billion per year by 2030. EPA now claims that replacing the Clean Power Plan with this proposal “ could provide $400 million in net benefits ” but the underlying regulatory impact analysis (RIA) completely undermines this claim. Even with its modified cost-benefit methodology, EPA finds that replacing the Clean Power Plan with this rule would actually result in billions of dollars of net “foregone benefits” (i.e. costs) under every scenario analyzed. This is illustrated in Tables ES-12 and ES-13 of the RIA:

essay on affordable and clean energy

EPA quietly incorporated a major modification to the New Source Review (NSR) program into this proposal—specifically, a new provision which would allow states the option to adopt a new test for determining whether a physical or operational change at a power plant qualifies as a “major modification” (which triggers a variety of NSR requirements pertaining to permitting, emissions monitoring, and emissions control). Currently, the NSR process is triggered if a change is predicted to cause a significant net increase in the facility’s annual emissions, but under the new test, sources could use an alternate test whereby NSR is only triggered if there is a significant net increase in hourly emissions. EPA claims this change is needed to encourage utilities to invest in efficiency improvements (even though the rule already requires this), but critics contend that it is just another way of undermining Clean Air Act protections by allowing facilities to increase their emissions without triggering NSR requirements.

5. The legal fate of the proposal depends on the legal fate of the Clean Power Plan, which is already tied up in litigation.

The D.C. Circuit granted EPA’s request to place the litigation involving the Clean Power Plan on hold pending EPA’s reconsideration of the rule. One of the key questions in that case was whether Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act authorized EPA to issue quantitative emission guidelines based on a BSER that includes “beyond the fence line” measures such as fuel switching. In this proposal and the proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan , EPA made it very clear that it no longer believes it has such authority. Indeed, this is EPA’s entire rationale for confining the BSER to on-site heat rate improvements. One critical question is whether the D.C. Circuit will agree with EPA’s new interpretation, as this bears on the fate of both rules. It would therefore make sense for the D.C. Circuit to revisit the case sooner rather than later to issue a decision on this matter, as that would be more efficient from a judicial management perspective and would shorten the lag time before one of the rules can take effect.

6. The proposal will not save the coal industry.

President Trump and EPA claim that this rule will help save the coal industry, but there is little evidence to support this. There is no doubt that the coal industry is in decline: since 2010, hundreds of coal-fired power plants—nearly 40 percent of the U.S. coal fleet— have been retired . Most experts believe that this decline is largely driven by many different factors , including the decreasing price of natural gas and renewables, changes in consumer preferences, and other forms of regulation (e.g., controls on conventional air pollutants). The proposed replacement rule would have a very modest effect on the industry as compared with these factors, and the coal industry would still face the prospect of regulation by states and the next administration. In light of all this, experts anticipate that market forces will continue to drive the coal industry’s decline in the foreseeable future. Indeed, according to this report just issued by West Virginia University, the only thing propping up the coal industry in recent years has been exports, and those are endangered by President Trump’s trade war.

This post was originally published on the blog of Columbia’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.

  Jessica Wentz is a staff attorney and associate research scholar at the Sabin Center. 

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Hi Jessica Can you clarify some confusion regarding EPA public comments site re the REPEAL and REPLACEMENT OF CPP on the Sabin Deregulation TRacker site. EPA Submission of Public Comments. There appears to be some confusion about the site to submit public comments as the EPA appears to have merged both the REPEAL of CPP and REPLACEMENT of CPP (ACE Rule) into one submission site. However the two Rules are clearly distinct documents in the Federal Register. . From the Sabin Center Deregulation Tracker, “EPA Publishes Proposed Replacement to Clean Power Plan”, the link to the EPA site for public comments is https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355 . But this was the original docket for the Repeal of CPP, opened in October 2017. The replacement is the Affordable Clean Energy Rule and there is another link for this: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355-21117 The docket was opened on August 31st 2018. There are several EPA sites that have further information on ACE

The Repeal which appears to have gone no-where, had 1,344,730 comments!! and if the EPA is accepting comments to ACE on this same site, they are not going to be prominent. The ACE is clearly broader and more stringent than the original REPEAL so the individual public comments do not necessarily overlap. This confusion may be innocent . Also the comment period is only 2 months. Thank you

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UNICEF Data : Monitoring the situation of children and women

essay on affordable and clean energy

GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Goal 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Sustainable energy is a critical enabler and dramatically improves the quality, accessibility and reliability of services that children rely on for their survival, development and well-being. In homes, for example, children need reliable access to modern lighting for their daily chores and to do homework after dark. And they need heating and cooling to stay comfortable. Health centres and schools require energy for lighting, operating medical devices and life-saving procedures, cooking, heating, cooling and digital connectivity. Low levels of electricity access are correlated with poor educational performance, lower attendance and a decreased ability to attract and maintain teachers.

Sustainable energy measures provide considerable benefits in reducing indoor air pollution and related health risks, particularly for children. Indoor air pollution, largely caused by the burning of solid fuels, contributes to over half a million deaths of children under 5. Even more will suffer lasting damage to their developing brains and lungs.

UNICEF’s contribution towards reaching this goal centres on working with partners to support sustainable energy, by providing solar lighting for schools, solar pumps in communities vulnerable to droughts and floods, and other off-grid energy solutions that improve children’s learning and health. Energy-related data on the sectors most relevant to children is scarce, specifically the health- and education sectors as well as infrastructure such as transport. Disaggregated data on children and their access to and benefits from energy is even scarcer, which also applies to specific data on access to sustainable energy. Collecting and disaggregating these data are vital to understanding how and where children are being left behind in the context of energy access.

Child-related SDG indicators

Target 7.1 by 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services, proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology.

  • Indicator definition
  • Computation method
  • Comments & limitations

Cooking, lighting and heating represent a large share of household energy use across the low- and middle-income countries. For cooking and heating, households typically rely on solid fuels (such as wood, charcoal, biomass) or kerosene paired with inefficient technologies (e.g. open fires, stoves, space heaters or lamps). It is well known that reliance on such inefficient energy for cooking, heating and lighting is associated with high levels of household (indoor) air pollution. The use of inefficient fuels for cooking alone is estimated to cause over 4 million deaths annually, mainly among women and children. This is more than TB, HIV and malaria combined. These adverse health impacts can be avoided by adopting clean fuels and technologies for all main household energy end-or in some circumstances by adopting advanced combustion cook stoves (i.e. those which achieve the emission rates targets provided by the WHO guidelines) and adopting strict protocols for their safe use. Given the importance of clean and safe household energy use as a human development issue, universal access to energy among the technical practitioner community is currently taken to mean access to both electricity and clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting. For this reason, clean cooking forms part of the universal access objective under the UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology is calculated as the number of people using clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting divided by total population reporting that any cooking, heating or lighting, expressed as percentage. “Clean” is defined by the emission rate targets and specific fuel recommendations (i.e. against unprocessed coal and kerosene) included in the normative guidance WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: household fuel combustion.

Current global data collection focuses on the primary fuel used for cooking, categorized as solid or non- solid fuels, where solid fuels are considered polluting and non-modern, while non-solid fuels are considered clean. This single measure captures a good part of the lack of access to clean cooking fuels, but fails to collect data on type of device or technology is used for cooking, and also fails to capture other polluting forms of energy use in the home such as those used for lighting and heating.

New evidence-based normative guidance from the WHO (i.e. WHO Guidelines for indoor air quality guidelines: household fuel combustion), highlights the importance of addressing both fuel and the technology for adequately protecting public health. These guidelines provide technical recommendations in the form of emissions targets for as to what fuels and technology (stove, lamp, and so on) combinations in the home are clean. These guidelines also recommend against the use of unprocessed coal and discourage the use kerosene (a non-solid but highly polluting fuel) in the home. They also recommend that all major household energy end uses (e.g. cooking, space heating, lighting) use efficient fuels and technology combinations to ensure health benefits.

For this reason, the technical recommendations in the WHO guidelines, access to modern cooking solution in the home will be defined as “access to clean fuels and technologies” rather than “access to non-solid fuels.” This shift will help ensure that health and other “nexus” benefits are better counted, and thus realized.

The indicator is modelled with household survey data compiled by WHO. The information on cooking fuel use and cooking practices comes from about 1300 nationally representative survey and censuses. Survey sources include Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMS), Multi-Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), the World Health Survey (WHS), and other nationally developed and implemented surveys. Estimates of primary cooking energy for the total, urban and rural population for a given country and year are obtained together using a single multivariate hierarchical model. Using household survey data as inputs, the model jointly estimates primary reliance on 6 specific fuel types: 1. unprocessed biomass (e.g. wood), 2. charcoal, 3. coal, 4. kerosene, 5. gaseous fuels (e.g. LPG), and 6. electricity; and a final category including other clean fuels (e.g. alcohol). Estimates of the proportion of the population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology (SDG indicator 7.1.2) are then derived by aggregating the estimates for primary reliance on clean fuel types from the model. Details on the model are published in Stoner et al. (2019).

Only survey data providing individual fuel breakdowns and with less than 15% of the population reporting “missing” and “no cooking” and “other fuels” were included in the analysis.

Countries with no household fuel data but classified as high-income according to the World Bank country classification (37 countries) were assumed to have fully transitioned to clean household energy and therefore are reported as >95% access to clean technologies. No estimates were reported for low- and middle-income countries without data (Bulgaria, Cuba, Lebanon, Libya). Modelled specific fuel estimates were derived for 135 low- and middle-income countries and estimates of overall clean fuel use were reported for 190 countries.

The indicator uses the type of primary fuels and technologies used for cooking, heating, and lighting as a practical surrogate for estimating human exposure to household (indoor) air pollution and its related disease burden, as it is not currently possible to obtain nationally representative samples of indoor concentrations of criteria pollutants, such as fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide. However epidemiological studies provide a science-based evidence for establishing those estimates using these surrogates.

The indicator is based on the main type of fuel and technology used for cooking as cooking occupies the largest share of overall household energy needs. However, many households use more than one type of fuel and stove for cooking and, depending on climatic and geographical conditions, heating with polluting fuels can also be a contributor to household (indoor) air pollution levels. In addition, lighting with kerosene, a very polluting and hazardous fuel is also often used, and in some countries is the main fuel used for cooking.

While the existing global household survey evidence base provides a good starting point for tracking household energy access for cooking fuel, it also presents a number of limitations that will need to be addressed over time. Currently there is a limited amount of available data capturing the type of fuel and devices used in the home for heating and lighting. Accordingly WHO in cooperation with World Bank, and the Global Alliance for Clean Cook stoves, is leading a survey enhancement process with representatives from country statistical offices and national household surveying agencies (e.g. Demographic and Health Survey, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Living Standards Measurement Survey) to better gather efficiently and harmoniously information on the fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting. This process is currently in the piloting phase with expected rollout of the final household surveys questions (~6 questions in total) expected in the coming year. These few questions will replace and slightly expand the current set of questions commonly used on national multipurpose surveys to assess household energy.

Substantial progress has already been made toward developing and piloting a new methodology known as the Multi-Tier Framework for Measuring Energy Access (World Bank) which is able to capture the affordability and reliability of energy access explicitly referenced in the language of SDG7 and harnesses the normative guidance in the WHO guidelines to benchmark tiers of energy access. The methodology for the Multi-Tier Framework for Measuring Energy Access has already been published based on a broad consultative exercise and represents a consensus view across numerous international agencies working in the field. A first Global Energy Access Survey using this methodology has already been launched and is underway expecting to yield results by early 2017.

UNICEF has one key ask of governments to help reach Goal 7: UNICEF encourages countries to include children in policies and investments related to sustainable energy. UNICEF encourages governments conducting a Voluntary National Review to ensure their reports are:

1) Informed by relevant, disaggregated data, including on children.

2) Linked to national plans, budgets and accountability frameworks.

3) Inclusive of children’s voices on SDG issues, for instance through conducting consultations with children and youth.

Learn more about  UNICEF’s key asks for implementing Goal 7

All eyes on California to figure out energy decarbonization, economic growth, and fairness

The stakes in California’s clean energy experiment are almost unimaginable, as are the costs, but the state has successfully led the country and the world on energy before.

Around the world, people are watching California try to decarbonize electricity completely by 2045 while growing its $4-trillion economy and making sure low-income communities share in the benefits of clean energy and avoid any unfair burdens. Some people are looking to learn what to do where they live. Others want to see California fall on its face.

essay on affordable and clean energy

“Many folks are actually really rooting for our California clean energy experiment to fail, but in fact it’s succeeding,” David Hochschild , chair of the California Energy Commission, said Jan. 29 in opening a two-day conference at Stanford University. The CEC is responsible for the planning the state’s energy system. It co-sponsored the first day of the conference, the Stanford Government Energy Summit , which was hosted by Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability . The day focused on how researchers can help California achieve its climate goals.

“We have to win the climate Super Bowl now,” said Hochschild in reference to the San Francisco 49ers football team winning its conference championship the previous night. “Really, that will only happen if the great California clean energy experiment succeeds.”

The stakes are huge with many challenges between today and success by 2045, speakers at the meeting said. One of the tenets of the strategy is to electrify as much possible of what now runs on fossil fuels, as is happening with vehicles. Electrifying ships, trains, airplanes, heating in homes and commercial buildings has hardly begun. Scientists are trying to find out how to transform industrial processes that today rely on burning coal.

essay on affordable and clean energy

“The world is embarking on the largest transition humanity has ever undertaken,” said Arun Majumdar , dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. “All major nations, all major corporations and organizations have made commitments to reduce their emissions, but no one really knows how to navigate this future,”

“Historically, California has been at the forefront of energy and the environment,” said Majumdar, a professor of mechanical engineering, of energy science and engineering, and of photon science. “People in California and from around the world are hungry for a model of thoughtfulness, care, innovation, and solutions. It is our time to step up to the plate and deliver.”

In California, as in other advanced economies, the electricity system in a decarbonized world is expected to deliver about twice as much power or more as today. The existing California grid needs a lot of work. Utilities will be expected to transform the 20th Century to electricity system to a smart grid that can optimize everything from solar farm output to when and where people charge their electric vehicles. Beyond these improvements, utilities must deliver electricity reliably while doubling the system’s size.

A good start, overshadowed

For many reasons, though, California may successfully transform its energy system in a way that is fair to all its residents, while continuing to grow its economy, several speakers said. The state has the world’s fifth largest economy, which could provide the transformative investments and resources needed if researchers and entrepreneurs invent and demonstrate the needed technologies, and if the state and local governments enact effective policies. Some 60% of California’s electricity is emissions-free today, and almost every home has smart meters.

Also, the state is home to some of the world’s best research institutions and is the center of the startup world. California is now making major investments in the ability to store electricity from intermittent wind and solar power. Electricity deregulation, despite a disastrous start more than 20 years ago, is now founded on sophisticated, robust power markets.

The remaining challenges, however, outweigh these first steps and the timeframe is just 21 years. The amount of infrastructure required is enormous, from offshore wind farms to much more energy storage capacity, and from new transmission lines throughout the western United States to many more transformers and higher capacity distribution lines, said Jason Glickman , executive vice president for engineering, planning, and strategy at Pacific Gas & Electric Co., one of the largest U.S. utility companies. Unfortunately, getting a new transmission line permitted and licensed takes 10 years in the United States.

Southern California Edison needs to build new transmission lines at four times the pace of today and new distribution lines at ten times the current rate every single year between now and 2045, said Steven Powell , the utility’s president and chief executive officer.

But perhaps the biggest hurdle will be deploying a smart grid, for which most of the power electronics, software, and privacy protections are still being refined. The ability to reduce electricity demand instantaneously whenever solar or wind output unexpectedly drops will be crucial for a reliable and affordable decarbonized electricity system. With only so much grid-scale energy storage, this means being able to postpone electricity use wherever possible in millions of homes and businesses. Reinventing the grid was a major theme of the day’s conversations.

“An ingredient we need to be focused on as a state is on that load flexibility side, getting a lot more intelligent and surgical about where and when the demand is and the ability to manage that load in a different way,” said PG&E’s Glickman, who earned a bachelor’s and master's degree in management science at Stanford.

Equity and costs

essay on affordable and clean energy

Another big challenge is avoiding past and current inequities. California imports much of its electricity from other western states, and 10% of that power is generated by burning coal. Electricity imports in the United States are associated with about 700 premature deaths elsewhere annually, a Stanford study found in 2022, and low-income people and people of color suffer disproportionately from such deaths, often due to living near or downstream from coal-fired power plants.

California does have many natural gas-fired power plants. The oldest and most polluting of these are called "peaker plants," which are small plants often in urban areas used to meet high, regional electricity demand when no other generation sources are available.

What is important, according to Eddie Ahn , executive director of the California environmental justice organization Brightline Defense, "is looking at what is the overall energy mix and how does it help us, hopefully in the long term, retire peaker power plants across the state, which are, as we heard earlier, primarily cited in low-income communities."

The positive side of a just transition is energy equity, in which historically disadvantaged populations gain access to, for example, EVs, cleaner home appliances, and clean energy jobs. EV ownership today is rarely realistic for people who live in apartments, due to a lack of EV chargers. This disproportionately affects disadvantaged populations.

Nearly every step in the energy transformation costs a lot of money, several speakers noted, and those costs are weighing on California consumers. The investments underway in the state’s electricity system are the main cause of the annual double-digit increases in electricity rates, though much of that is about hardening the grid against wildfires – adapting to the effects of climate change rather than reducing emissions.

Despite the help of much federal funding delivered recently for climate change solutions, “we are at this breaking point in rates,” said Alice Busching Reynolds , president of the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates and sets the rates charged by California’s three investor-owned utilities.

Ultimately, a couple speakers said, private capital will be needed for most of the transition after public money and electricity bills have demonstrated a successful path.

Still, reasons for optimism exist. Other states, the U.S. federal government, and other countries have modeled many of their energy policies on those in California, several speakers noted. These policies include standards for air quality, vehicle fuel efficiency, and home appliance efficiency, as well as financial incentives for rooftop solar power, EVs, and heat pumps.

“We have the California Energy Commission. We have the citizenry of the state working together. Stanford University and other academic institutions are working together. All towards a common goal,” said Roland Horne , interim director of the Precourt Institute for Energy and professor in Stanford’s Department of Energy Sciences & Engineering. “What we need is policy, not politics.”

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essay on affordable and clean energy

New committee will evaluate Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability affiliate programs

The newly established Industrial Affiliates Review Committee will evaluate all industrial affiliate programs in the school to ensure they are in alignment with university guidelines.

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Affordable Clean Energy Rule

May 11, 2023 -  EPA proposes Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants

March 7, 2023  - EPA is extending the due date for state plans under the Affordable Clean Energy Rule until April 15, 2024.  Because the ACE Rule's July 8, 2022 deadline passed while the rule was vacated by the D.C. Circuit, and because states had no reason to continue to work on their plans during the period when the ACE Rule was vacated, it is necessary to extend the deadline for state plan submittal.  By extending the deadline, this action makes clear the EPA does not expect states to take immediate action to develop and submit plans under Clean Air Act section 111(d) with respect to greenhouse gas emissions from power plants at this time.  This is a final rule that will be effective upon publication in the Federal Register.  

Related Proposals

Proposed Affordable Clean Energy Rule In August 2018, EPA proposed the Affordable Clean Energy rule (ACE) to  establish emission guidelines for states to develop plans to address greenhouse gas emissions from existing coal-fired electric utility generating units. 

Proposed Clean Power Plan Repeal In October 2017, EPA proposed to repeal  the Clean Power Plan because it exceeded EPA's authority.

On June 19, 2019, EPA issued the final Affordable Clean Energy rule (ACE) – replacing the prior administration’s overreaching Clean Power Plan with a rule that restores rule of law, empowers states, and supports energy diversity. The ACE rule establishes emission guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) at their coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs). In this notice, EPA also repealed the CPP, and issued new implementing regulations for ACE and future rules under section 111(d). 

On January 19, 2021, the D.C. Circuit vacated the Affordable Clean Energy rule and remanded to the Environmental Protection Agency for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.

EPA Finalizes Affordable Clean Energy Rule, Ensuring Reliable, Diversified Energy Resources while Protecting our Environment

  • Overview of the Final Affordable Clean Energy Rule
  • CO 2  Emissions Trends
  • Overview of the Regulatory Impact Analysis
  • Repeal of the Clean Power Plan
  • Revised CAA Section 111(d) Implementing Regulations
  • Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations
  • Final Rule: Delay of Submittal Date for State Plans Required Under the Affordable Clean Energy Rule
  • RIA for the Repeal of the Clean Power Plan, and the Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units
  • Power Sector Analysis for the final ACE rule
  • Overview of ACE
  • ACE Implementation Frequently Asked Questions
  • Stationary Sources of Air Pollution Home
  • Industry Sector Groups
  • Area Source Standards
  • Risk and Technology Review Status
  • New Source Performance Standards
  • Good Neighbor Plan for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
  • Small Business Assistance Program

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Affordable and clean energy

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Essay on One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy

One step towards green and clean energy essay -.

Energy is extremely essential to life and all living organisms. We need energy to function effectively in our everyday lives. Most of the living and nonliving organisms around us need energy for sustenance. Traditional energy sources like coal,oil,and natural gas contribute to global climate change. Burning of these fuels also causes air pollution. So we should use more renewable energy sources. Here are a few sample essays on “One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy” .

Essay on One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy

100 Words Essay On One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy

Green energy is generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind or water. It often comes from renewable energy sources and includes wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy and hydroelectric power .

These energy sources can help to reduce pollution and have several advantages such as minimal maintenance cost, cost savings and storage capacities. Human behavior of contaminating the earth with hazardous wastes and garbage degrades and pollutes the environment.

A good approach will be to work to transform these wastes into biogas, which is a renewable energy source. Turning to the use of green energy is an excellent strategy to alleviate global warming and maintain a clean and healthy environment.

200 Words Essay On One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy

The world needs cleaner energy sources. ‘Go green’ is an earth-friendly approach to living. It means as an individual as well as a community in a way that is friendly to the environment and is sustainable for the earth.

Advantages Of Green Energy

Green and clean energy sources have very low or zero carbon emissions. They are environment- friendly.

Another advantage is that it is irrelevant to rely on any country to supply renewable energy resources, unlike its non-renewable counterparts.

In 2019 India also announced that it would be additionally doubling its renewable energy target from 175 GW by 2022 to 450 Giga-Watt.

Green energy is really beneficial for the environment because it does not affect nature in any way. It is one of the alternative energy sources that has received distinct attention from governments and various organizations to keep the planet clean.

Green energy can reduce the effects of greenhouse gasses produced in the atmosphere by fossil fuels and other sources.

We may utilize solar-powered stoves and other solar-powered gadgets to help us harness the sun’s energy. It will aid in the conservation of energy and be convenient in the future. Moreover, good energy resources will be obtainable in the future.

500 Words Essay On One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy

The present era is the era of industrialisation, to which energy is essential. For most of this work, traditional sources of energy are used. These traditional sources of energy have detrimental effects on the environment. Hence, a helpful alternative will be to turn to sources of green and clean energy.

Green energy can be defined as a renewable energy source because it is never exhausted. It's a sustainable energy source for generations. Wind turbines are a well-known example of green and clean energy. They generate electricity by working with the wind.

This creates zero carbon emissions. Windmills are another source of renewable energy. Geothermal energy is another example of a renewable energy resource. They are found in the earth's crust. They are extracted by drilling.

India’s Steps Towards Green And Clean Energy

Recent studies have shown that India's dominance in green and clean energy is significant. The country is trying to bring a revolutionary change in the field of generating electricity through solar energy and wind energy. The government has implemented a solar pumping programme for irrigation in the fields. Different types of solar devices save electricity and gas. They will also be used by future generations.

Fusion Energy

A recent milestone in nuclear fusion research was announced by U.S Scientists. It made a breakthrough in fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars that one day could provide a cheap source of electricity. The results are good news for advocates of nuclear energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.

This energy source produces no greenhouse gasses and minimal waste compared to conventional energy sources. It could produce limitless, carbon-free energy to supply electricity needs without raising global temperatures and worsening climate change. Developing this kind of technology delivers a low-carbon, sustainable source of energy that helps to protect the planet for future generations.

Ways To Save Energy

Energy conservation is most important in today’s world. By conserving energy today, we can brighten our future. Here we are going to discuss some ways to save energy in our day to day life.

Use energy efficient appliances such as energy saving bulbs or air conditioners etc.

During the day, try to rely on sunlight for light rather than turning the lights on.

Turn off and unplug all appliances when not in use to prevent unnecessary use of energy.

Old appliances usually consume more electricity than required. Hence, replacing old appliances with new ones helps in staying energy efficient.

How I Save Energy

One day there was a discussion in our classroom about how to save energy. Energy conservation is achievable by using energy more efficiently. We discussed many points in our class. I followed the following measures at home and my surroundings to save fuel. These are:

Replaced filament bulbs to CFL or LED lights in our home.

Turn off all home and office electrical equipment when not in use.

Turn off lights when not in use.

Use energy star labeled equipment everywhere.

Consider adding solar panels to our rooftops.

Public transportation is one of the important ways to save energy. So, I use more public transport than private transport.

I also made my family members and other friends aware of this. Now everyone started following this as much as they can so that we save energy as much as we can.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

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Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Water Manager

A career as water manager needs to provide clean water, preventing flood damage, and disposing of sewage and other wastes. He or she also repairs and maintains structures that control the flow of water, such as reservoirs, sea defense walls, and pumping stations. In addition to these, the Manager has other responsibilities related to water resource management.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Geotechnical engineer

The role of geotechnical engineer starts with reviewing the projects needed to define the required material properties. The work responsibilities are followed by a site investigation of rock, soil, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest. The investigation is aimed to improve the ground engineering design and determine their engineering properties that include how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. 

The role of geotechnical engineer in mining includes designing and determining the type of foundations, earthworks, and or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be made. Geotechnical engineering jobs are involved in earthen and concrete dam construction projects, working under a range of normal and extreme loading conditions. 

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Finance Executive

A career as a Finance Executive requires one to be responsible for monitoring an organisation's income, investments and expenses to create and evaluate financial reports. His or her role involves performing audits, invoices, and budget preparations. He or she manages accounting activities, bank reconciliations, and payable and receivable accounts.  

Investment Banker

An Investment Banking career involves the invention and generation of capital for other organizations, governments, and other entities. Individuals who opt for a career as Investment Bankers are the head of a team dedicated to raising capital by issuing bonds. Investment bankers are termed as the experts who have their fingers on the pulse of the current financial and investing climate. Students can pursue various Investment Banker courses, such as Banking and Insurance , and  Economics to opt for an Investment Banking career path.

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Treasury analyst career path is often regarded as certified treasury specialist in some business situations, is a finance expert who specifically manages a company or organisation's long-term and short-term financial targets. Treasurer synonym could be a financial officer, which is one of the reputed positions in the corporate world. In a large company, the corporate treasury jobs hold power over the financial decision-making of the total investment and development strategy of the organisation.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

A Team Leader is a professional responsible for guiding, monitoring and leading the entire group. He or she is responsible for motivating team members by providing a pleasant work environment to them and inspiring positive communication. A Team Leader contributes to the achievement of the organisation’s goals. He or she improves the confidence, product knowledge and communication skills of the team members and empowers them.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Individuals in the architecture career are the building designers who plan the whole construction keeping the safety and requirements of the people. Individuals in architect career in India provides professional services for new constructions, alterations, renovations and several other activities. Individuals in architectural careers in India visit site locations to visualize their projects and prepare scaled drawings to submit to a client or employer as a design. Individuals in architecture careers also estimate build costs, materials needed, and the projected time frame to complete a build.

Landscape Architect

Having a landscape architecture career, you are involved in site analysis, site inventory, land planning, planting design, grading, stormwater management, suitable design, and construction specification. Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York introduced the title “landscape architect”. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) proclaims that "Landscape Architects research, plan, design and advise on the stewardship, conservation and sustainability of development of the environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment". Therefore, individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are those who are educated and experienced in landscape architecture. Students need to pursue various landscape architecture degrees, such as  M.Des , M.Plan to become landscape architects. If you have more questions regarding a career as a landscape architect or how to become a landscape architect then you can read the article to get your doubts cleared. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Veterinary Doctor

A veterinary doctor is a medical professional with a degree in veterinary science. The veterinary science qualification is the minimum requirement to become a veterinary doctor. There are numerous veterinary science courses offered by various institutes. He or she is employed at zoos to ensure they are provided with good health facilities and medical care to improve their life expectancy.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Speech Therapist

Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

Healthcare Social Worker

Healthcare social workers help patients to access services and information about health-related issues. He or she assists people with everything from locating medical treatment to assisting with the cost of care to recover from an illness or injury. A career as Healthcare Social Worker requires working with groups of people, individuals, and families in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, mental health clinics, child welfare, schools, human service agencies, nursing homes, private practices, and other healthcare settings.  

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Talent Agent

The career as a Talent Agent is filled with responsibilities. A Talent Agent is someone who is involved in the pre-production process of the film. It is a very busy job for a Talent Agent but as and when an individual gains experience and progresses in the career he or she can have people assisting him or her in work. Depending on one’s responsibilities, number of clients and experience he or she may also have to lead a team and work with juniors under him or her in a talent agency. In order to know more about the job of a talent agent continue reading the article.

If you want to know more about talent agent meaning, how to become a Talent Agent, or Talent Agent job description then continue reading this article.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Fashion Blogger

Fashion bloggers use multiple social media platforms to recommend or share ideas related to fashion. A fashion blogger is a person who writes about fashion, publishes pictures of outfits, jewellery, accessories. Fashion blogger works as a model, journalist, and a stylist in the fashion industry. In current fashion times, these bloggers have crossed into becoming a star in fashion magazines, commercials, or campaigns. 

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

Travel Journalist

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Videographer

Careers in videography are art that can be defined as a creative and interpretive process that culminates in the authorship of an original work of art rather than a simple recording of a simple event. It would be wrong to portrait it as a subcategory of photography, rather photography is one of the crafts used in videographer jobs in addition to technical skills like organization, management, interpretation, and image-manipulation techniques. Students pursue Visual Media , Film, Television, Digital Video Production to opt for a videographer career path. The visual impacts of a film are driven by the creative decisions taken in videography jobs. Individuals who opt for a career as a videographer are involved in the entire lifecycle of a film and production. 

SEO Analyst

An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns. 

Production Manager

Quality controller.

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Metrologist

You might be googling Metrologist meaning. Well, we have an easily understandable Metrologist definition for you. A metrologist is a professional who stays involved in measurement practices in varying industries including electrical and electronics. A Metrologist is responsible for developing processes and systems for measuring objects and repairing electrical instruments. He or she also involved in writing specifications of experimental electronic units. 

Production Worker

A production worker is a vital part of any manufacturing operation, as he or she plays a leading role in improving the efficiency of the production process. Career as a Production Worker  requires ensuring that the equipment and machinery used in the production of goods are designed to meet the needs of the customers.

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

ITSM Manager

Information security manager.

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

Big Data Analytics Engineer

Big Data Analytics Engineer Job Description: A Big Data Analytics Engineer is responsible for collecting data from various sources. He or she has to sort the organised and chaotic data to find out patterns. The role of Big Data Engineer involves converting messy information into useful data that is clean, accurate and actionable. 

Applications for Admissions are open.

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Larry Heiman: A Year of Affordable Home Energy Upgrades Leads to Building Community

As part of the Clean Energy Generation, Larry Heiman used tax incentives and rebates to slash the cost of upgrading his Georgia home to help curb climate-warming pollution. Now, he's spreading the word so others in his community can do the same.

If the thought of implementing clean energy in your home is daunting, you are not alone. For many of us, even small steps like small-scale energy efficiency upgrades, and especially larger ones like installing rooftop solar panels, seem like unattainable goals, especially when the costs for each upgrade keep racking up.

It is important to remember that not every upgrade has to be done at once, and that there are resources and funding available to help make energy upgrades more affordable. As part of the Clean Energy Generation , you can choose to make home energy upgrades to benefit you and your family’s health, save money on energy bills, and play a part in making your community safer and cleaner, no matter your age, income, zip code, or abilities. 

Larry Heiman from Dunwoody, Georgia, is one member of the Clean Energy Generation who is tackling energy inefficiencies and carbon pollution in his home by making home energy upgrades – and he had a little help. Larry has taken advantage of tax credits and rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and his local utility company almost every step of the way as he has made his clean energy transition. This financial support made his choice to take the leap to tackle inefficiencies less daunting. Throughout this process, Larry has learned a lot about clean energy and about how to take advantage of available resources, and now he is spreading the word to his community.

Tune into our next Clean Energy Generation webinar on Friday, March 1 from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET to hear more from Larry and SACE staff about how each of us can play a role in the Clean Energy Generation by making home energy upgrades, and read on to learn about Larry’s path to using clean energy in his home, the financial incentives his family used along the way, and how he’s sharing what he’s learned to help others.

Register for the Webinar on March 1

What was the first way you took advantage of tax credits and rebates from both the IRA and your local utility?

I’ve always been interested in and worried about climate change, but as far as my own personal life, I didn’t take any action until last year. I had learned about and followed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and thought a lot of it could be applied widely, so I figured why not dive in and do something myself. That’s how it started, and I chose to start with my car. The first thing we did was buy an EV last April with the help of a $7,500 rebate . 

Shortly after, we installed a level two EV charger, which we did not get any tax credit for from the IRA because we are not in an eligible census tract. Much of Georgia and the Southeast in general does fall into eligible tracts, like lower-income or rural, and can receive a 30% tax credit on EV charger installation costs. In the end, we did get a rebate from Georgia Power, so it’s good to check with your utility for those. 

Our EV is our workhorse car – we use it to take our daughter to school and drive to work, and we try to use it any time we drive around town. Very recently, we were able to trade in my old car for a plug-in hybrid EV, but before that, we had the one EV. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing – or all new off the lot. Now, many people can get up to a $4,000 tax credit on certain pre-owned EVs at the dealer. 

What energy efficiency measures have you taken around your house, and how did you get started with those?

After buying our EV, we installed solar panels in July 2023, but in retrospect, I would not recommend installing solar first to electrify your home. The energy efficiency work instead should be the baseline – it’s like putting a bandaid over paper cuts all over your house. 

We bought our house in Dunwoody, Georgia 10 years ago. It’s 53 years old and your average two-story home, built in an era where people didn’t care or know too much about energy efficiency. To learn how to make the house more energy efficient, I’ve had two energy audits: first through my utility with a rebate, and second through a local HVAC contractor. The second audit was the most useful. I got a detailed report from tests they conducted around my house, such as a blower door test. They pointed out places around my home that could be sealed better, from most important to least important.

For example, we have a basement that has heating and cooling, where it’s not as important for us to air seal between that space and the first floor because the exchange of air is about the same temperature. But in our unconditioned attic, they checked how the insulation is holding up and where air sealing is needed, and they showed me that there are many places where air passes in and out of our attic, like around recessed lighting receptacles, the door to the attic, and holes where wires pass through. So they recommended caulking each air leak on a hole-by-hole basis and adding better insulation, or spray foaming the attic, which is insulation and an air sealing solution all at once. 

So this year, we plan to do the attic air sealing and insulation improvements to save on energy bills immediately, and to prepare our home for installing a heat pump in the near future, so that our home can be heated and cooled more efficiently. To offset some of the cost of the air sealing and insulation, we plan to use both tax credits from the IRA ( 25C tax credit of up to $1,200 per year) as well as rebates from Georgia Power. When we one day replace our existing HVAC system with a heat pump, we can also receive a tax credit on that of up to $2,000. 

So far, we’ve done little things ourselves, like door weather stripping and baseboard caulking. If you want to do some work yourself, you can buy the weatherization materials and save the receipts for an IRA tax credit – it adds up, and there are all sorts of home weatherization materials out there to get started. 

How have you used tax credits and rebates to install solar panels on your home?

To get started with solar installation, I went to a kickoff event for a local solar installer in May 2023 and had someone come do a consultation, then the panels were installed in July. Thanks to the 25D tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act, we will receive a 30% tax credit from the IRA on the total cost of the project. 

My utility, Georgia Power, does not offer net metering to new rooftop solar owners. Instead, Georgia Power credits us less than half of the retail electricity rate for electricity we export back to the grid – or, the excess of power our solar panels produce but that our house does not consume at that time. 

Therefore, it is economically advantageous for us to use the electricity our solar panels generate right when the panels produce it, instead of letting that electricity flow back to the grid. For this reason, we make sure to plug in one of our EVs whenever one of us is home during the day, using the “slow” charger to lengthen the time of the charging session to last the whole day. We also do laundry or other electricity-consuming activities during the day when our panels are producing electricity, rather than at night. 

In the future, we may consider installing a battery storage system to complement our solar panels. There is also a 30% federal tax credit for residential battery storage systems provided in the IRA. With a battery storage system, we could store the electricity our solar panels produce, and then use that electricity to power our home during power outages and/or to power our home at night, instead of paying for electricity from the grid.   

How are you involved in your community to encourage others around you to take clean energy action?

A goal of mine is to create a group of like-minded citizens to collaborate to promote decarbonization in the community at large, among residents and businesses. The group could hopefully provide education on ways to decarbonize and save money, maybe even offering in-home advice to homeowners and renters. This group would not be limited to Dunwoody, but I felt that it would be best to start by targeting people in my general area. This is what prompted me to get in contact with people who have also signed up with the Clean Energy Generation in my area.

Since last May, I have been on the Dunwoody Sustainability Committee. There are a number of items in the City’s Sustainability Plan, enacted in 2021, that relate to energy efficiency and clean energy that I will be working to get action taken on. 

The first action I’ve taken is calculating a greenhouse gas inventory for my local government’s operations, like city buildings and the police vehicle fleet – I teamed up with a professor and his students to work on this in 2023. The results of this greenhouse gas inventory provide a starting point to measure the effects of actions the City takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We just received the outcome of the inventory, and my first action is going to be meeting one-on-one with members of the City Council and the mayor to implore them to demand action from City administration. 

Why do you think it is important to implement clean energy in our homes and communities? 

For me, the most important reason was first the environmental concern, specifically global warming, but saving money and keeping my family healthy are big benefits for sure. I am trying to encourage others to do what they can to decarbonize, so it would be a bit hypocritical not to first do what I can myself with my own personal infrastructure. Plus, going through this personally will give me a chance to learn about the processes so I can then pass on tips to others, hopefully.  

GET INVOLVED IN THE CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION

As members of the Clean Energy Generation , we all have the power to take action and make a difference where we can in reducing our environmental impact. Like Larry, we can explore energy upgrades to make our homes more energy efficient and comfortable, as well as the methods to help make these changes more affordable – and then we can share what we learn with our communities.

You don’t have to be a clean energy expert to make an impact – just ready to learn and excited to make a difference. 

Remember to tune into our next Clean Energy Generation webinar on Friday, March 1 from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET , where Larry and SACE staff will talk about the ways each of us can play a role in the movement through making home energy improvements, plus the funding that is available to help make them more affordable. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. We hope to see you there!

Register for the Webinar

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COMMENTS

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  3. GOAL 7: Affordable and clean energy

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  4. Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

    By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. Target 7. 5.

  5. How to make clean, affordable energy available to everyone

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  6. Making Clean Energy More Accessible and Affordable

    Making Clean Energy More Accessible and Affordable The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invests in high-impact research, development, and demonstration to make clean energy at least as affordable and convenient as traditional forms of energy.

  7. How affordable clean energy solutions can tackle energy poverty

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  8. Clean, affordable, equitable: The energy systems we need

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  14. 6 Important Points About the 'Affordable Clean Energy Rule'

    1. The proposal sets a very low bar for emissions reductions. The Clean Air Act mandates that the performance standards established for existing sources under Section 111 (d) must reflect the "best system of emissions reduction" (BSER) for the pollutant and source category being regulated.

  15. SDG Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

    7.1.2 Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology Key asks UNICEF has one key ask of governments to help reach Goal 7: UNICEF encourages countries to include children in policies and investments related to sustainable energy.

  16. Affordable and Clean Energy: A Study on the Advantages and

    Affordable and Clean Energy: A Study on the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Main Modalities Pablo Carpejani, Érica Tessaro de Jesus, +5 authors B. Richter Published in World Sustainability Series 2019 Environmental Science, Engineering TLDR

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    Corpus ID: 262731578 Affordable and clean energy Desa Published 2016 Environmental Science, Economics, Engineering TLDR Redoubled efforts will be needed, particularly for countries with large energy access deficits and high energy consumption, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Expand View via Publisher Save to Library Create Alert Cite

  18. Affordable and Clean Energy

    Affordable and Clean Energy Walter Leal Filho, Anabela Marisa Azul, Luciana Brandli, Amanda Lange Salvia, Tony Wall Springer International Publishing, Jan 10, 2021 - Science - 1309 pages

  19. All eyes on California to figure out energy decarbonization, economic

    David Hochschild, chair, California Energy Commission (Credit: Jim Gelsinger) "Many folks are actually really rooting for our California clean energy experiment to fail, but in fact it's succeeding," David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission, said Jan. 29 in opening a two-day conference at Stanford University.The CEC is responsible for the planning the state's energy ...

  20. Essay about Renewable and Clean Energy

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  23. Affordable and clean energy (2022)

    (DOI: 10.18356/9789210018098c011) The world continues to advance towards sustainable energy targets. Nevertheless, the current pace of progress is insufficient to achieve Goal 7 by 2030. Improvements in energy efficiency, for example, will need to accelerate to reach the climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hundreds of millions of people still lack access to electricity, and slow ...

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    Affordable And Clean Renewable Energy Essay 790 Words 4 Pages Affordable and Clean renewable energy in Costa Rica Image a country that has clean renewable energy for its citizens. Where the lights never have to go out. A country that does not have to rely on another state for their energy needs.

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    Download PDF One Step Towards Green And Clean Energy Essay - Energy is extremely essential to life and all living organisms. We need energy to function effectively in our everyday lives. Most of the living and nonliving organisms around us need energy for sustenance.

  26. Larry Heiman: A Year of Affordable Home Energy Upgrades Leads to

    Tune into our next Clean Energy Generation webinar on Friday, March 1 from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ET to hear more from Larry and SACE staff about how each of us can play a role in the Clean Energy Generation by making home energy upgrades, and read on to learn about Larry's path to using clean energy in his home, the financial incentives his ...