From the Associated Press (6/10/26): Solar power is hitting new milestones in the U.S. and remains the leading source of new power.
Data released in June by global energy think tank Ember, along with a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie, show the continued growth of solar and decline of coal in the United States despite federal policy. In May, for the first time, solar supplied more of the nation’s electricity than coal, or 12.8%, Ember said. Coal supplied 12.2%, its fourth-lowest monthly share ever.
Solar also became the third-largest source of electricity in the U.S. in May, behind natural gas and nuclear. Coal generation hit an all-time monthly low in April and rebounded only modestly in May, allowing increasing solar generation to overtake coal.
Globally, electricity generation from renewables is growing rapidly. Renewables will become the largest global energy source, used for almost 45% of electricity generation by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.
You can read the Associated Press article here.
In Connecticut, residential solar recently got a significant boost. In its recently concluded session, the Connecticut General Assembly passed HB 5340 (Public Act 26-127), which legalizes portable, plug-in “balcony” solar systems.
It permits residents to install plug-in devices up to 1,200 watts without needing utility approval, interconnection agreements or landlord permission, though products must meet UL 3700 safety standards.
You can read more about the new law here.
From The Guardian (6/4/26): Humanity can raise living standards, reduce inequality and keep global heating within a 2C rise, according to a sweeping vision for planetary survival.
A report by the World Inequality Lab (WIL) aims to be the most comprehensive attempt yet to navigate the crises pushing the world toward climate breakdown, political extremism and ever greater economic and social tension. The Global Justice Report “for equality and prosperity within planetary boundaries” is the product of 45 authors based on databases compiled by more than 200 researchers from around the world.
It offers a set of bold policy proposals, including hefty wealth taxes on billionaires, sharp reductions in working hours, a change in diets and a shift of investment from materially intense sectors, such as industry and mining, to education and health.
If these and other measures are taken, the report says, the incomes of 89% of the world’s population would double by 2100 and global heating would be kept below 2C above the preindustrial average. This is projected to keep global temperature rises to 1.8C by the end of the century – considerably lower than other, catastrophic 4C to 4.5C estimates.
You can read more here.