Category: Energy Efficiency

Before Electric Vehicles Became Political, There Was the Toyota Prius

The political polarization of battery-powered cars may have started when Toyota released its first hybrid model 25 years ago.
How to Deal With Higher Home Heating Bills

There is still time to take advantage of federal tax credits for energy updates. But federal heating aid for low-income people was delayed by the government shutdown.
E.P.A. Retreats From Plans to End the Energy Star Program

The agency has faced blowback from business leaders and Republicans over plans to end the popular energy efficiency program.
Energy Department to Gut Funding for Solar and Wind Projects

Stripping hundreds of millions of dollars from renewable energy and efficiency initiatives is part of a broader move to undo efforts to wean the United States off fossil fuels.
Could the Electric Hydrofoil Ferry Change the Way We Commute?

New technology can help vessels glide quickly over water in less time and with fewer emissions than their diesel counterparts.
Should the Government Stop Subsidizing a Car Feature That ‘Everyone Hates’?

The E.P.A. under Trump is moving to eliminate credits to carmakers for the fuel-saving start-stop function.
HUD Pauses Program for Energy-Efficient Upgrades in Affordable Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development said it was reviewing all aspects of the Biden-era program to ensure it was carried out consistent with the agency’s core mission.
A New Mega-Ship From Europe Heads to the Caribbean

The new MSC World America will arrive in spring, joining other huge ships. Be prepared for a strong European influence when it comes to design and food.
E.V. Tax Credits Are a Plus, but Flaws Remain, Study Finds

The Inflation Reduction Act was a compromise between competing priorities. Evaluating the law on the effectiveness of the $7,500 tax credit for E.V.s is tricky.
Amazon Says It Reached a Climate Goal Seven Years Early

The company said it effectively got all of the electricity it used last year from sources that did not produce greenhouse gas emissions. Some experts have faulted the company’s calculations.
‘You Can Be a Little Different in Queens’: Why This Home Is Not Like the Others

Instead of a conventional renovation, one New Yorker took a progressive approach. Now he pays almost nothing for energy, and the air is always fresh.
California Will Add a Fixed Charge to Electric Bills and Reduce Rates

Officials said the decision would lower bills and encourage people to use cars and appliances that did not use fossil fuels, but some experts said it would discourage energy efficiency.