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High Country News

High Country News

A nonprofit independent magazine of unblinking journalism that shines a light on all of the complexities of the West.

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Renewable Energy

Posted inArticles

The New Mexico utility that wants to go all in on green hydrogen

by Mary Catherine O’Connor August 19, 2024August 20, 2024

The project, like the larger green hydrogen economy, will need to overcome skepticism from local communities and funding challenges.

Posted inArticles

Washington solar project paused amid concern about Indigenous sites

by B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster August 12, 2024August 9, 2024

Avangrid Renewables said they plan to review comments from tribal nations and private landowners.

Solar panels sit on top of buildings and homes in Lapwai, Idaho.
Posted inJuly 2024

How the Nez Perce are using an energy transition to save salmon

by Emily Senkosky July 1, 2024June 28, 2024

The tribe is working to replace the generating capacity of the Lower Snake River dams with solar power.

Posted inArticles

Voters from both parties want enduring public lands protection

by Maria Handley June 28, 2024August 8, 2024

Opinion: The Biden administration has made progress protecting lands that belong to all Americans. But there’s more to be done.

Posted inArticles

Data centers could set back climate progress

by Jonathan Thompson June 27, 2024August 8, 2024

AI, cryptocurrency “mining” and our digital lifestyles imperil the energy transition — and the planet.

An uncollared female pronghorn near the fencing at the San Juan Solar project. Pronghorn have trouble jumping over fences and other barriers, making it hard for them to cope as their habitat shrinks.
Posted inJune 2024: The Idea of Wilderness

The race to understand the risks of the energy transition for wildlife

by Sarah Tory June 1, 2024June 6, 2024

Researchers are trying to understand how utility-scale solar affects New Mexico pronghorn.

Posted inArticles

Can carbon capture transition California’s oil fields?

by Jake Bittle May 15, 2024August 8, 2024

In Kern County, the community searches for an economic alternative to a fossil fuel industry. Will it be any fairer than the old one?

Posted inArticles

Wildlife habitat and tribal cultures threatened by Washington’s largest wind farm

by B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster April 26, 2024August 8, 2024

The newly approved renewable energy project is planned across an eco-corridor and ceremonial sites.

Posted inArticles

Tribes turn to the U.N. for help intervening in gigantic Arizona wind project

by Taylar Dawn Stagner April 23, 2024August 8, 2024

The SunZia transmission line will cut through Indigenous lands in the Southwest.

Sonya Schaller, a supporter from Omak, Washington, holds a sign during a gathering on Badger Mountain in East Wenatchee, Washington.
Posted inArticles

Wenatchi-P’squosa people demonstrate against proposed solar project 

by B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster April 5, 2024August 8, 2024

The Badger Mountain development in eastern Washington threatens heritage foodways on sacred lands.

The Palen solar site on BLM land in Riverside County, California.
Posted inApril 2024: Epic Journeys

The great solar build-out

by Erin X. Wong April 1, 2024April 3, 2024

Public-land managers ponder where to allow utility-scale solar projects

Posted inArticles

The good, the bad and the ugly of the state legislative season

by Jonathan Thompson February 29, 2024February 28, 2024

While Congress does nothing, Western state lawmakers pass a flurry of consequential and/or crazy — bills.

Solar farm installation on BLM land in the Nevada Crescent Dunes.
Posted inArticles

Biden plan will earmark millions of acres of public land for solar development

by Erin X. Wong January 29, 2024February 1, 2024

Proposed updates to the Western Solar Plan would also close sensitive areas to utility-scale solar projects.

SOURCES: USGS; Library of Congress; Flickr Creative Commons; Oregon Department of Transportation; Washington Department of Natural Resources via a public records request.
Posted inJanuary 11, 2024: The Creatures in Our Midst

Washington’s solar permitting leaves tribal resources vulnerable to corporations

by B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster January 19, 2024February 5, 2024

Tribal officials say the process threatens cultural resources and what remains of healthy Indigenous foodways.

Posted inJanuary 1, 2024: January 2024

The New Mexico co-op breaking up with fossil fuels

by Mary Catherine O’Connor January 1, 2024January 31, 2024

An 80-year-old electricity supplier goes all in on decarbonization.

Posted inJanuary 1, 2024: January 2024

12 not-so-easy steps to decarbonize the grid

by Jonathan Thompson January 1, 2024February 6, 2024

Electrifying will make a difference if that power comes from clean sources.

Posted inJanuary 1, 2024: January 2024

Labor unions and environmentalists are working together on the energy transition

by Brooke Larsen January 1, 2024March 30, 2024

In 2023, groups found solidarity on the climate, but work lies ahead.

Posted inJanuary 1, 2024: January 2024

How 3 Indigenous women are leading the way on climate change

by B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster, Anna V. Smith and Joaqlin Estus December 28, 2023January 31, 2024

These experts bring knowledge and justice to the climate conversation.

A solar panel covered parking lot on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, Arizona.
Posted inArticles

Pondering public lands and the energy transition conundrum

by Jonathan Thompson November 30, 2023February 1, 2024

Fighting the climate crisis will require difficult choices.

Posted inOctober 2, 2023: The Dark Side of the Sheepherding Industry

New legislation is creating a clean-energy project pulse

by Jonathan Thompson October 2, 2023January 24, 2024

Will the manufacturing renaissance finally displace fossil fuels?

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