WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition

US Cities and Towns Take Innovative Approach to Renewable Energy The WRI U.S. Polsky Energy Center supported cities, counties and local institutions in two U.S. states in purchasing clean energy. In Massachusetts, a consortium of 11 local institutions spurred…

Top outcome from 2025: US Cities and Towns Take Innovative Approach to Renewable Energy!

Read the whole story:

How can communities benefit from the rapid expansion of utility‑scale renewables—and what’s actually working on the ground? Join this critical conversation on March 26 and hear from leading industry experts: buff.ly/UVu8lc8

We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Doug Arent as a new Senior Fellow at the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition.

Welcome, Doug. We are delighted to have you on board.

Link to Doug's book: bit.ly/4b31q6z

Link to Doug's WRI Profile: bit.ly/4r2Xzw3 Show Less

Plug-in solar is already helping early adopters save money on their household #EnergyBills. We should be treating these devices like household appliances, not power plants.

@jigarshahdc runs through the top benefits in this quick explainer video

The full story: buff.ly/M21iPvg

Clean energy is accelerating. The climate crisis is too. 🌡️

Halfway to 2030, we are off track and business as usual will not fix it.

#ACT convened leading voices to ask what will shift this decade, from international law to fiscal reform and ending fossil fuel expansion: bit.ly/40EXJyX

Most people in the U.S. still can’t generate clean energy at home — especially renters. Plug‑in “balcony solar” could change that.

Small, affordable panels that plug into a standard outlet can help cut rising electricity bills and reduce grid demand. No rooftop needed.

Full story: bit.ly/3MxUrds

How Solar Power is Changing the Lives of Farmers in Berbere, Ethiopia For years, farmers in Berbere Woreda in southeastern Ethiopia lived hand to mouth — not because water was scarce, but because they didn't have access to a reliable, affordable energy source. Although…

Learn how solar-powered irrigation is transforming lives for the better for farmers in Berbere, #Ethiopia.

Read the full story: bit.ly/46qSkPz

youtu.be/BFoPpb-JNXI

#SolarPower #Farmers #People #CleanEnergy #Farming

For farmers like Adem in Gebe Keku and Gora Hido, solar‑powered irrigation is unlocking cash crops—onions, chilies, tomatoes—and new income. A pilot has made it possible.

Read the whole story: bit.ly/46qSkPz

Four rivers run through Berbere, Ethiopia — but farmers couldn’t reach the water they needed.

Solar pumps are finally unlocking it. Fields are greener, harvests are happening more than once a year, and families have new choices and new income.

Full story: bit.ly/46qSkPz

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There are almost 4,000 data centers in the United States. 60% of these are concentrated in just 10 states.

As data centers multiply across the country, so do their impacts. We examined seven ways this growth is reshaping local conditions in our latest article:

Nearly 37% of all the world's #datacenters are in the United States.

Virginia hosts the largest number of facilities, followed by Texas and California. Together, the top 10 states account for roughly 60% of all data centers nationwide.

Read more: lnkd.in/e3GrUdha

From Energy Use to Air Quality, How Data Centers Affect US Communities Energy prices and water use aren't the only ways data centers affect U.S. communities. We break down the impacts — and how some states are dealing with them.

🌇 NEW article: From Energy Bills to Air Pollution, How Data Centers Are Affecting US Communities

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Rising electricity bills are in the headlines, and many local governments want clarity on how utility rates are set.

We will break down the rate case process and how local governments can engage in our upcoming webinar.

Register: buff.ly/Z9tuhNJ

More Coal Won't Solve US Energy Woes The Trump administration is taking steps to keep aging coal plants online as energy demand rises. But this will lead to higher electricity bills for Americans.

#Coal is the most carbon-intensive #fossilfuel and emits toxic pollutants that can lead to lung disease and other health risks. So why then is the #TrumpAdministration making moves to prolong America’s farewell to coal plants?

Read how U.S. policy is propping up the coal industry:

India’s power transition is happening fast—but coal still dominates.

With demand surging and clean energy targets accelerating, Integrated Resource Planning can help states balance reliability, affordability, and national goals.

➡️Read more: bit.ly/4agxPpS
 
#EnergyTransition #IRP #India

US Integrated Resource Planning (IRP): born out of California’s 2000–01 electricity crisis, IRP now shapes long‑term energy planning in nearly 80% of U.S. states—aligned with clean energy and storage mandates.

➡️ Learn more: bit.ly/4agxPpS

#EnergyTransition #IRP #IntegratedResourcePlanning

Find out how utilities and energy planners are using Integrated Resource Planning to balance supply with demand over the long term while keeping costs and emissions down.

➡️ Real‑world examples: bit.ly/4agxPpS

#EnergyTransition #IRP #IntegratedResourcePlanning

⚡ Local governments can play a powerful role in utility rate cases — but the process can be tricky.

Join WRI for a webinar that breaks it all down on Feb 24 from 3-4 PM ET.

🔗 Register: hub.wri.org/events/2026/...

📉 To address rising emissions, the Indonesian government has released a policy roadmap targeting an 81% reduction in emissions from the nickel industry by 2045.

Read more about these ambitious plans: buff.ly/Dq1QNln

#Indonesia #CriticalMinerals #mining #nickel

More coal won’t solve America’s energy challenges. Our article looks at why recent federal actions aimed at reviving the industry are misguided:

🔗 buff.ly/HYZ9qpj

Streetlighting plays a critical role in safety and mobility, yet large parts of rural India remain poorly lit. WRI India supported JREDA’s phased rollout using the Energy Access Explorer to identify where solar streetlights could be rolled out to priority areas: bit.ly/4awbrKb

From the state of New York to countries like Nigeria and Senegal, leaders are citing affordability as a reason to continue investing in fossil fuels in the face of rising energy demand. Yet renewables are consistently cheaper to build than fossil fuel plants everywhere.

Article: buff.ly/4QLYGWH

Recent U.S. govt actions aimed at reviving coal will be costly and damaging for public health—all while more affordable, reliable, and abundant renewables are ready to go more quickly. ⚡

🔗 Read WRI's article on why more coal isn’t the answer to our energy challenges. ⬇️

www.wri.org/insights/tru...

Missed World Resources Institute #StoriesToWatch last week? You can now watch the whole recording including the live Q&A here: bit.ly/4rctpYp

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📣 The latest edition of the WRI Polsky Energy Monthly LinkedIn newsletter is available to read now! If you're not signed up already it's a great resource for our latest insights: buff.ly/L1muvc9

#EnergyInsights #Newsletter

Health facilities depend on reliable electricity to deliver even the most basic care. Yet globally, nearly 1 billion people rely on health facilities with unreliable or no access to electricity, putting lives at risk every day.

We unpack valuable lessons from Africa and India here: bit.ly/4rlQBD8

Still time to register for tomorrow's Stories to Watch 2026...

Register today to discover the stories that will shape 2026, and learn how putting people at the center of climate action can drive real, lasting change: bit.ly/4qTouem

#StoriesToWatch #STW #WRI

📈 From 2023 to 2024, demand for lithium rose nearly 30%, while demand for nickel, cobalt and graphite increased 6% to 8%. If governments stay on their current energy and climate trajectory, demand for critical minerals could double by 2030.

Clean energy is not only helping cut emissions — it’s also becoming a major source of employment growth. The biggest job gains by 2030 are projected in Evs and batteries (up 3.8 million jobs), power grids (up 1.5 million), solar energy (up 1.4 million) and energy efficiency (up 1.1 million).

One week left to register for this year's Stories to Watch...

Each story will combine insights from WRI experts with on-the-ground videos showing real people and real solutions in action.

Register today to discover the stories that will shape 2026: bit.ly/4qTouem

#StoriesToWatch #STW #WRI