South Dakota opts out of Inflation Reduction Act energy rebates

South Dakota opts out of Inflation Reduction Act energy rebates

Owngarden | Moment | Getty Images A handful of states have rolled out rebates to consumers who make their homes more energy-efficient, just months after New York became the first state to do so, in May. Meanwhile, South Dakota officials in August declined the federal funding, which is tied to two new programs created by … Read more

Take a look inside a $1.1 million ‘zero emissions’ home

Take a look inside a .1 million ‘zero emissions’ home

Courtesy: Wojciechowski Family Real estate is a key puzzle piece in achieving the U.S.’ climate goals, according to federal officials. Residential and commercial buildings account for 31% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, after accounting for “indirect” emissions like electricity use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s more than other economic sectors like transportation … Read more

June sizzles to 13th straight monthly heat record. String may end soon, but dangerous heat won’t

June sizzles to 13th straight monthly heat record. String may end soon, but dangerous heat won’t

Earth’s more than year-long streak of record-shattering hot months kept on simmering through June, according to the European climate service Copernicus. There’s hope that the planet will soon see an end to the record-setting part of the heat streak, but not the climate chaos that has come with it, scientists said. The global temperature in … Read more

Converting cow manure to fuel is growing climate solution, but critics say communities put at risk

Converting cow manure to fuel is growing climate solution, but critics say communities put at risk

PIXLEY, Calif. — The stench of cow feces, urine and ammonia forces residents to keep windows and doors closed in parts of California’s farming country. Some people constantly run air purifiers at home to counter the smell and, they say, fight off air-related ailments. “We have a lot of health problems going around in this … Read more

$1 billion in EV tax credits issued upfront to buyers, say Treasury, IRS

 billion in EV tax credits issued upfront to buyers, say Treasury, IRS

Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images The federal government has issued more than $1 billion in tax credits as an upfront cash incentive to buyers of electric vehicles, the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Wednesday. The Inflation Reduction Act created a mechanism whereby tax credits for buyers of new and used … Read more

Researchers find a tiny organism has the power to reduce a persistent greenhouse gas in farm fields

Researchers find a tiny organism has the power to reduce a persistent greenhouse gas in farm fields

In the world of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide gets most of the blame. But tiny organisms that flourish in the world’s farm fields emit a far more potent gas, nitrous oxide, and scientists have long sought a way to address it. Now some researchers think they’ve found a bacteria that can help. Writing in … Read more

Here’s how to buy renewable energy from your electric utility

Here’s how to buy renewable energy from your electric utility

Wind turbines in Dawson, Texas, on Feb. 28, 2023.  Mark Felix | Afp | Getty Images As carbon emissions from fossil fuels keep warming the planet, eco-conscious consumers may wonder if there’s a way to buy electricity from renewable sources without installing technology like solar panels or windmills on their property. In short, the answer … Read more