Explainers

Understand the basic terminology for how energy is measured in this quick primer from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Learn the basic terminology for how electricity is measured in this quick primer from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Harnessing the wind is one of the cleanest, most sustainable ways to generate electricity.

The effects of climate change are apparent throughout California, including higher temperatures, more extreme wildfires, and rising sea levels. Communities must prepare for them.

A list of prominent global warming skeptic organizations, including examples of their disinformation efforts and funding sources from the fossil fuel industry.

Serious accidents at nuclear power plants have been uncommon—but their stories teach us the importance of nuclear safety.

Waste accumulates at U.S. nuclear power plants as the process of choosing a site for a geological repository has stalled.

The NRC. What do they do, how do they work, and how effective are they?

The nuclear power cycle uses water in three major ways: extracting and processing uranium fuel, producing electricity, and controlling wastes and risks.

In the United States, 90 percent of electricity comes from conventional thermoelectric power plants – coal, nuclear, natural gas and oil – that require cooling.

Producing electricity from natural gas has implications for our water resources.

A primer on a national renewable electricity standard, including its mechanisms and the benefits that it can provide.