| Can we all have EVs without crashing the electric grid? Norway gives us a preview. More than 20 percent of the country's overall vehicle fleet is electric, while more than 90 percent of new cars were plug-in electric. The grid has pretty much shrugged it off — so far. Battery-electric vehicles, essentially energy storage on wheels, can be part of this solution. But the challenge will be to intelligently manage how the load is distributed, not building a bunch of new power plants just for EVs. Can solar panels make your house more valuable? Historically, yes. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory also cites data showing that for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills, home value increases by $20. But that finding hasn't stayed consistent, says Amanda Pendleton, who directs home trends research for Zillow. The real estate firm found solar panels did not command a premium in 2022, probably because of the exceptionally tight and expensive housing market. What can the United States learn from Japan? When Japan needed to rapidly cut emissions to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the international climate accord, it decided to hold a fashion show. After the government launched Cool Biz, a clothing brand featuring cooler, breathable materials, offices cut back on air conditioning, slashing carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to the annual output of several natural gas power plants. Have something on your mind? You can submit questions by email at climatecoach@washpost.com, or join one of my Live Chats or Post Reports podcasts to ask in real time. | 
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