Climate watch: EVs more efficient, power outages increase and more studies and updates
EVs have lower GHG emissions in all U.S. counties.
A common argument against electric vehicles (EVs) is that they are not really climate-friendly because they use electric power produced by fossil fuels. A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan, however, finds that even after accounting for the source of the power EVs “have lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles in every county across the contiguous United States.” That includes the coldest counties even though EV efficiency declines as the temperature drops.
Cool roofs in Philly.
Philadelphia is launching a pilot program to test the effectiveness of 150 “cool roofs” in the city by painting them white. A nonprofit, The Energy Coordinating Agency, will monitor the temperature in some of those homes. They will analyze energy usage before and after the cool roofs were installed. It is anticipated that the whited-roofed homes will show decreased energy use for air conditioning in Philly’s sweltering summers.
Another PA school district goes solar
The small Cornell School District in Coraopolis is the first in Allegheny County to go to 100 percent solar energy. The move is expected to save the district $2.5 million over 30 years. Solar developer BAI Group put together a power purchase agreement that allowed the district to install solar panels without putting any money down.
Power outages increase in PA
Power outages in Pennsylvania hit a 30-year high last year, according to the 2024 Pennsylvania Electric Reliability report from the Public Utility Commission. The PUC cites severe storms, vegetation-related damage and an aging power grid as reasons. In addition, only three of the State’s 11 electric distribution companies — PECO, UGI and Wellsboro — met PUC standard performance metrics.
Study finds town’s water contaminated.
A peer-reviewed study published in “Scientific Reports” contends that Pittsburgh-based gas company EQT contaminated local water in the Greene County town of New Freeport due to fracking activities. The research was done by professors at Duquesne and Pitt. They found evidence of methane and oil and gas brine in more than half of 75 water samples taken. On a related note, a judge in August declined to grant an injunction in a lawsuit that would have obliged EQT to provide clean water to residents.
Fossil fuel-fired plant stays open.
On Aug. 28, the U.S. Department of Energy reissued an emergency order forcing the Eddystone oil-and-gas-fired power plant, near Philadelphia, to stay open for another 90 days. The 760-megawatt plant was originally slated to shutter on May 31. Eddystone has operated infrequently in recent years. That’s because the facility was not economical. Its deactivation notice with PJM came in December 2023 and was approved by the grid operator following a study that “did not identify any reliability violations” from the shutdown. Critics say it “signals the Trump administration’s commitment to keeping every fossil-fuel plant running, no matter the consequences.”
The ‘Fix Our Forests Act.’
Citizens’ Climate Lobby has come out in favor of the “Fix Our Forests Act.” It has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and is now before the Senate. CCL says it empowers forest managers to act quickly on common-sense solutions such as thinning dense undergrowth, removing dead trees, using modern fire detection systems, and strengthening our wildland firefighting workforce. At the same time, says CCL, it preserves strong environmental protections, ensures tribal consultation, and builds in early community input — balancing urgency with accountability.
Richard W. Jones is a volunteer with the State College chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.