The offshore wind industry’s recent setbacks have put the U.S.’s near-term deployment goals out of reach, but the sector will rebound, according to the Oceantic Network’s 2024 U.S. Offshore Wind Market Report. NetZero Insider’s John Cropley tells us why the group remains optimistic.
NetZero Insider also covered other significant developments in the offshore wind sector:
James Downing has a story on Dominion Energy selling a 50% interest in Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, a $10 billion, 2.6 GW project that is the nation’s largest to date and is scheduled to start construction this year.
Maine chose Sears Island as the preferred site for the offshore wind port it wants to build. Cropley writes that the estimated $500 million facility is an important piece of the state’s ambition to be a leader in the floating wind turbine industry, but the decision to place a port on what is now a wooded nature preserve is
controversial.
Cropley also covered Avangrid the 2023 earnings report. The utility operator and renewable energy developer played both sides of the equation well in 2023, bailing out from two unprofitable offshore wind contracts at minimal cost and getting the nation’s first “steel in the water” with Vineyard Wind, the wind
farm it is building with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
Our curation of offshore wind news includes:
Also last week, Cropley returned to shore for two stories on land-based resources:
Three Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers explained their study on the demographics of rooftop solar adoption, reporting that the income gap is narrowing between people with solar panels on their homes and those who lack them.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that 5.2 GW of fossil fuel generation is scheduled for retirement in 2024, and that 62.8 GW of utility-scale generation is scheduled to come online — almost all of it from emissions-free sources, including a record 36.4 GW of solar.
Other news organizations looked at other aspects of the energy transition:
pv Magazine wrote about a new report that projects community solar installations will more than double nationwide by 2028 and reach 14 GW capacity.
Advocacy group E2 says its analysis found that Georgia is the nation’s leader in IRA-related clean-energy and clean-economy projects.
And Hydrogen Central reports that Environmental Defense Fund researchers have sounded an alarm on hydrogen’s potential climate impacts. The researchers say the most widely used lifecycle assessment frameworks fail to include crucial factors, including the warming effects of hydrogen emissions.
There’s much more in the Intelligence Report below:
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California
New rooftop solar systems are worth a lot less than they used to be in California, following the state's dramatic changes in net-metering policy. But residents still have one clear pathway to making solar and battery installations pay off. They can join a "virtual power plant." Virtual power plants, or VPPs, use software to combine the power of hundreds or thousands of small-scale solar and battery systems to mimic traditional power plants. Canary Media
Colorado
A taxpayer-funded agency founded to keep water flowing to the cities and farms of Western Colorado is poised to spend nearly $100 million on rights to the water that flows through the Shoshone facility, the culmination of a decadeslong effort to keep Shoshone's water on the west side of Colorado's mountains. KUNC
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Iowa
The carbon dioxide emissions of ethanol plants are relatively pure, which makes them economically attractive candidates for carbon capture. A handful of Iowa's 42 ethanol refineries already capture their emissions and sell the gas for other commercial purposes. Iowa Capital Dispatch
U.S.
The fuels would come from oilseed plants such as Camelina sativa -- native to Europe and central Asia -- and replace kerosene, a fossil fuel that traditionally powers aircraft. TechXplore
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Alaska
Combined
with generous federal subsidies, the bill could enable enhanced oil recovery, sequestration of emissions from new coal-fired power Alaska Beacon
Nebraska
A company that wants to help ethanol producers harness their carbon dioxide emissions to produce an additional renewable fuel says its technology is a viable alternative to proposed carbon dioxide pipelines. CapCO2 Solutions is nearing completion of its first "green methanol" project at an ethanol plant in Illinois. The company hopes that a successful launch there this summer will lead ethanol producers in Iowa to follow suit. Nebraska Examiner
Wyoming
Wyoming lawmakers are
hoping to clarify permitting and rulemaking around an up and coming energy industry. Wyoming Public Media
U.S.
Dozens of green groups, think tanks, and industry associations submitted feedback in response to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)'s guidelines on voluntary carbon credit trading, of which commentators varied in degrees to which the CFTC can establish standards regarding underlying carbon credits in derivatives contracts. Carbon Pulse
U.S.
The American Bureau of Shipping
(ABS) has published industry requirements for liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carriers for safe and efficient transportation as more industries adopt carbon capture technologies. GasWorld
Texas
Omina Midstream Partners announced it has received federal funding from the DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) to conduct a feasibility study for it's proposed carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) hub located on the Texas side of the Delaware Basin. RBN Energy
South Dakota
A major showdown over Carbon Capture pipelines is headed to the South Dakota House. The State Senate approved what's called a compromise bill yesterday. It strips local governments of the power to control the location and safety set-back zones around the pipelines, giving that power to the state. KELO-AM
Pennsylvania
Occidental Petroleum plans to ramp up its use of captured carbon dioxide to pump more oil out of the Permian Basin, harnessing the company's growing network of direct air capture projects. E&E News
North Dakota
Without
the use of carbon sequestration and capture, the future of oil in North Dakota is both limited and on the decline according to Kathy Neset, of Neset Consulting. McKenzie County Farmer
Nebraska
Stanton County denial would require Summit Carbon Solutions to reapply for conditional use permit Nebraska Examiner
Louisiana
Southeastern University has deployed four buoys onto Lake Maurepas which will be used to independently monitor effects from Air Products' potential carbon capture and sequestration project on the lake. Fox 8 New Orleans
California
Carbon TerraVault 1 would store millions of tons of planet-warming carbon a mile beneath the nearby Elk Hills Oil Field. Oil production in that field and others nearby has sustained the county's economy for over a century. Some environmental advocates are skeptical of the carbon removal industry -- and its ability to create a significant number of jobs -- but California policymakers view carbon removal and storage as a necessary tool to manage greenhouse gas emissions. Inside Climate News
Louisiana
Lake Charles Methanol (LCM) will invest $3.24bn to build an industrial facility feature blue hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage (CCS) for low-carbon methanol production. H2 View
Kansas
Discover how Missouri's GOP navigates internal divisions while Kansas pioneers carbon dioxide storage, reflecting the Midwest's role in shaping American politics and environmental policy. BNN News
Kansas
They will need approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, but two ethanol companies hope to construct the first carbon sequestration sites in the state of Kansas. OK Energy Today
International
Seatrium
Limited has obtained the world's first full-scale, turnkey Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) retrofit project on a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier from Solvang ASA, Norway, in a ground-breaking step towards maritime decarbonisation. The project demonstrates Seatrium's dedication to environmental sustainability and is a significant step towards lowering carbon emissions in the shipping sector. Marine Insight
International
In an era where the threat of climate change and carbon emissions loom larger by the day, scientists are delving into the world's oceans, armed with an extensive catalog of hundreds of thousands of DNA and RNA virus species. Earth.com
International
European Union legislators
reached a political agreement in the early hours of Tuesday (20 February) on a proposal to set up the world's first registry for certified carbon dioxide removals obtained from eco-farming practices and industrial processes. Euractive
International
Seven Alberta First Nations have banded together to seek answers as industry and government move on billion-dollar plans to inject and store millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases underneath or adjacent to their traditional lands. The Hamilton Spectator
Illinois
A company that wants to help ethanol producers harness their carbon dioxide emissions to produce an additional renewable fuel says its technology is a viable alternative to proposed carbon dioxide pipelines. Nebraska Examiner
Wyoming
Wyoming's carbon capture mandate at coal-fired power plants saw several amendments last week and will head to the Wyoming Legislature's Senate Appropriations Committee before potentially being considered on the Senate floor. WyoFile
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Georgia
Georgia Power currently offers subscriptions to solar power, and says the proposed legislation to allow other developers to do so is "a solution in search of a problem." Energy News Network
Georgia
A push to expand community solar in Georgia is running into opposition from the state's largest electric utility, which has been under pressure in recent years to increase rooftop solar. Proposals filed in both chambers have sparked interest at the committee level, with those talks set to continue this week. But a key deadline for legislation to pass out of at least one chamber is quickly approaching. Georgia Recorder
Minnesota
Minnesota regulators on Feb. 15 lowered the compensation rate for community solar gardens in a move designed to save money for Xcel Energy ratepayers that drew opposition from the solar industry and energy justice advocates. Sahan Journal
Pennsylvania
The House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee on Wednesday heard testimony regarding a community solar bill -- a topic which has been under consideration by Pennsylvania legislators for over a decade. The Center Square
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania embraces solar power through community projects, as proposed in House Bill 1842. Overcoming challenges and local resistance, the state is set to democratize solar energy and lead the way in renewable energy adoption. BNN Breaking
U.S.
According to the latest report released by Wood Mackenzie and the Coalition for Community Solar Access, annual installation volumes landed around 1 GWdc for the third consecutive year in 2023, and 8% average annual growth is expected through 2028. Solar Builder Magazine
U.S.
The cumulative total of community solar installations is expected to reach 14 GW in the United States by 2028, according to a report by Wood Mackenzie. pv Magazine
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California
State has a lot of programs aimed at growing VPPs, but they are not enough to stave off market that has slipped since Net Energy Metering rates were cut Canary Media
International
Fever Energy, a Swedish VPP firm, is expanding in Europe after getting $10.8 million in capital pv magazine International
International
China has gone farther than anywhere else with EVs and it is showing how the tech needs to be paired with "virtual power plants" so their batteries be charged efficiently, offer services to the grid. MIT Technology Review
Virginia
Voltus signs deal with Commonweath of Virginia to get some of its government buildings into DR programs. energycentral.com
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California
The state has created more ways for solar-and-battery-equipped homes to get paid to help the grid -- but not enough to save the crashing rooftop solar market. Canary Media
U.S.
A new vehicle-to-grid standard could make it much easier for EVs to share data and power -- and save money for drivers and utilities alike. Canary Media
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International
Op-ed looks into tension around our growing appetite for gadjets/tech and the need to address climate change. LED lights are efficient, but in practice in places like Las Vegas more get deployed so savings can be nullified. The New York Times
National
Homebuilders and their trade groups are a key opposition group to more efficient building codes, arguing upfront costs make them harder to sell. The Washington Post
National
Bloomberg column looks into the economic benefits of efficient appliances Bloomberg
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Oregon
Umatilla Electric Cooperative is responsible for 1.8 million tons of carbon emissions annually despite having just 16,000 customers. One of those customers is Amazon, which has data centers in areas where renewable energy access is limited. Governing
U.S.
Newly released documents show the FBI monitoring anti-Keystone protesters much earlier than previously known. Grist
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Colorado
Leveraging FEMP technical assistance and NREL's REopt(R) model, a techno-economic modeling and optimization tool, the Denver Federal Center evaluated the integration of a geothermal heat exchanger (GHX) into the heat pump system at Building 48, one of their buildings currently undergoing extensive renovations. U.S. Department of Energy
Ohio
In a new study, researchers have developed a method for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, powered by clean and relatively inexpensive geothermal energy. TechXplore
Texas
Backed by several major energy names, Sage Geosystems is ready to put the pedal to the metal on its first Texas project. Houston Business Journal
Texas
A Houston-based startup plans to build what it called a "first of its kind" geothermal energy storage project in Texas. Houston Chronicle
U.S.
Romania and the US will undertake a feasibility study for geothermal heating in Bucharest, strengthening ties between the two countries in the field of energy. Think GeoEnergy
U.S.
Teams from the University of Oklahoma and Columbia and Princeton Universities took top prizes in the 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition of the US DOE. Think GeoEnergy
Washington
Legislation to further study and incentivize the development of geothermal energy sources passed the Washington State Senate on a unanimous vote Monday. Washington Senate Democrats
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U.S.
A new report finds that grid-enhancing technologies can help gigawatts of solar and wind leapfrog the clean energy logjam -- and save a ton of money. Canary Media
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California
Energy Vault started construction on a utility-scale green hydrogen + battery long duration energy storage system with 293 MWh of dispatchable carbon-free energy in Calistoga. Solar Power World
International
Global electrolyzer manufacturing for green hydrogen is on pace to hit 54 GW by 2027, potentially exceeding demand for the equipment two times over by 2030, according to a report by clean energy advisory firm Clean Energy Associates. However, it remains uncertain whether all the factories currently announced will ultimately be built, according to George Touloupas, senior director of technology and quality for solar, storage and green hydrogen at Denver-based Clean Energy Associates. Utility Dive
Oregon
Nearly a year after Alcoa announced an agreement to sell its closed Intalco Works aluminum smelter to a Canadian energy company, the prospective buyer continues to hold its cards close to the vest. Executives with Calgary-based AltaGas are now offering a few more clues about their plans to redevelop the sprawling complex near Ferndale, Wash., to produce "green" hydrogen, a fuel the federal government is willing to generously subsidize if the production process is truly clean. Oregon Capital Chronicle
U.S.
Inflation Reduction Act incentives have driven rapid growth in planned green hydrogen projects -- and in the number of factories that plan to serve them. Utility Dive
U.S.
The most widely used lifecycle assessment frameworks fail to include three critical factors: 1) the warming effects of hydrogen emissions; 2) measured real-world methane emissions intensities; and 3) the near-term warming impacts of emissions. Hydrogen Central
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Arkansas
State officials predicted Arkansas will be the nation's next leader in lithium production at the inaugural Lithium Innovation Summit on Feb. 15 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock. State Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald said Arkansas could provide as much as 15% of the world's finished lithium once production ramps up. Companies like Standard Lithium, ExxonMobil, Albemarle and TETRA Technologies have made significant investments in the state and were sponsors of the summit. Arkansas Advocate
U.S.
The Senate approved $2.7 billion in funding for domestic uranium enrichment Feb. 13 as part of a $95.3 billion national security supplemental appropriations bill that also includes funding for military assistance to Ukraine and Israel. Utility Dive
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International
A look into whether LNG saves carbon emissions and other claims the industry makes from Canary Media. Canary Media
National
Drilling rig counts continue to fall in the U.S. due to cheap prices Natural Gas World
Washington State
Washington Senate advances bill that would ban new natural gas customers, which has already passed the house The Daily Chronicle - Centralia Chronicle
U.S.
Natural gas prices this month fell to an inflation-adjusted 30-year low of $1.59 per thousand cubic feet, benefiting consumers of the fuel like utilities, but hurting producers. Reuters
U.S.
This month, the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. announced its intention to build the South's largest gas pipeline in more than a decade. It would run from Virginia down through the Carolinas and Georgia before swinging west to Alabama, right through the heart of the American South. Gas is a human health and environmental nightmare, but more, gas pipelines permit the construction of new gas-fired power plants that will be in service for decades, writes Margaret Renkl, a contributing Opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South. The New York Times
U.S.
The LNG industry frames itself as a tool of foreign policy and a climate solution. Canary Media
Texas
Retired Sandow coal plant in
Texas is being replaced with natural gas unit due to demand from bitcoin miners Houston Chronicle
Southeast
Transcontinental Gas Pipeline proposed largest project in US South in a decade -Southeast Supply Enhancement. Op-Ed notes policymakers in region "cussedly resistant" to renewables. The New York Times
Pennsylvania
People's Gas asking for rate hike in its Western, Pa. territory - neede dto upgrade distribution system for safety, leaks. WPXI Pittsburgh
North Carolina
Dominion planning new natural gas pipeline in North Carolina, which would help fuel new gas plants developed by Duke Energy. AOL
National
House of Representatives passed bill that would reverse LNG pause, though it is unlikely to pass in the Senate even with several who caucus Democrat opposing Biden on the issue. Reuters
National
A look into gas utilities' "clean" offerings, which are usually just offset programs that critics label greenwashing E&E News by POLITICO
International
A look into how leakage regulations are ramping up around the world. Natural Gas World
National
Chesapeake cut natural gas production plans for '24 due to prices below $2/MMBTU, which led to prices jumping Wednesday (though still well-below $2) MarketWatch
National
Natural gas prices crater in the United States after one of the warmest winters on record Financial Times
National
Video on multiple local news sites look into "certified natural gas" that is supposed to be produced with less emissions, notes FTC is investigating issue wataugademocrat.com - Watauga Democrat
National
Google's Nest Renew and Ohm Connect combining into new VPP company, Google putting up $100 million. Forbes
Missouri
Ameren announces plans to build 800 MW peaker plant near St. Louis, some argue it has cheaper options St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Maine
Stakeholders in Maine are working on major legislation that would block new natural gas service to combat climate change. Press Herald
Louisiana
LNG Export facility's construction is running slightly behind schedule, needed to ask FERC for an extension Natural Gas Intelligence
Louisiana
Centerpoint selling Louisiana/Mississippi gas operations for $1.2 billion to Bernhard Capital Reuters
International
General Electric touts new gas peaker south of Sydney as the first dual fuel (green hydrogen and gas) plant to be built in Australia. GE News - ge.com
Washington, D.C.
DC OPC files petition with PSC seeking an investigation into the safety of Washington Gas Light's distribution system. DCist
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International
The hard truth is that scientists and engineers don't even know yet whether controlled fusion can be achieved to make useful work, at least anywhere outside the sun (and other stars, of course). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
International
The government wants more nuclear plants to help tackle climate change, but delays and soaring costs are complicating the effort. New York Times
International
Nuclear energy, which accounts for 10% of the world's electricity, is enjoying a renewed push as a baseload, low-carbon power source and 62 new nuclear reactors are under construction. A supply gap is emerging. Northern Miner
New Jersey
First Lady Tammy Murphy announced her opposition to a proposed natural gas plant in the Ironbound section of Newark, a position that could put her at odds with her husband's administration. The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission has for a decade urged the construction of a backup power plant near a wastewater treatment plant in Newark, but the plan has drawn stark opposition from residents and others who warn a new power plant would further overburden the Ironbound. New Jersey Monitor
Tennessee
Due to its close location to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which has studied fusion since the 1950s, it seems a natural choice for another fusion experiment -- enter Type One energy, a company looking to work toward the commercialization of fusion power. Electrek
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Maryland
While some coastal communities in Delaware are considering a benefits package from US Wind that could bring $10 million in financial benefits, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan went on record this week to publicly reject a similar offer from the offshore wind company. Ocean City Today
Rhode Island
Opponents, whose strategy can be summed up as Doubt + Delay = the Demise of offshore wind, rely on shock, anger, and fear to exaggerate the danger of taking positive action. ecoRI News
U.S.
The year is not two months old, but the U.S. industry bears little resemblance to the one that finished 2023 with a thud. Breakups and reconsidered commitments caused by hard financial times are leading to a restructured offshore wind sector with shrunken ambitions. E&E News
U.S.
The Biden admin has an ambitious target for new offshore wind farms -- but a 100-year-old law is slowing down construction and ratcheting up installation costs. Canary Media
U.S.
The Biden administration's goal is to deploy offshore wind turbines capable of generating 30 gigawatts of power by 2030. That's more than 2,000 turbines. To meet this target, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, part of the Department of Energy, says there's a need for four to six wind turbine installation vessels. But as 2030 draws ever closer, the incomplete Charybdis remains the only one. Hakai Magazine
U.S.
While there have been high profile "bad news" headlines, several large projects are maturing, and Intelatus expects to see significant offshore construction taking place in 2024 and 2025. Marine Log
U.S.
Donald Trump has attacked President Biden's climate and energy policies with gusto, but many of his criticisms are simply untrue. New York Times
U.S.
The newest deals to sell electricity include crucial provisions that increase the price of power if inflation goes up. Energy Voice
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U.S.
Recent research suggests the IRA's methane fee could batter the oil and gas industry to the tune of more than $1 billion. Grist
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International
By using ReWind, customers saved an estimated 1985 workdays and EUR680 000 compared to current non-digital solutions. The companies who took part in the pilot included Orsted, SSE, and Energia. Energy Global
International
But the company is confident it can solve quality issues. Investing.com
Texas
Power generated by Texas wind farms dropped by 22% in January 2024 from the same month in 2023 as low wind speeds continue to stifle output across the main power system in Texas, the largest power market in the United States. Reuters
U.S.
The turbines of German wind turbine maker Nordex SE have emerged as the cheapest to maintain in the US, according to a ranking by IntelStor. Renewables Now
Washington
The potential cuts underscore the difficulties developers face in finding the right location for the kinds of massive renewable energy projects Washington needs to wean its grid off fossil fuels and to meet the ever-increasing demand for the power. TechXplore
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Arizona
Salt River Project continues to experience significant load growth on its Arizona system and Feb. 12 announced plans for a new all-source request for proposals for up to 1,200 MW of peak generating capacity and up to 2,500 MW of carbon-free capacity. Utility Dive
California
The resources are needed to meet the California Public Utilities Commission's new 25 MMT annual electric sector carbon emissions target for 2035, a nearly 60% drop from the 2020 level. Utility Dive
California
The California Public Utilities Commission, during its meeting Feb. 15, approved a sweeping plan to reduce the state's yearly electric sector greenhouse gas emissions to 25 million metric tons by 2035, down nearly 60% compared to the 2020 emissions level. The new goal would also require the state to build more than 56 GW of additional clean energy generation, including solar, different durations of energy storage, as well as 4.5 GW of offshore wind, according to the agency. Utility Dive
Georgia
Large-scale clean energy projects announced in Georgia in just the first year of the federal Inflation Reduction Act are projected to create or support almost 39,000 jobs and generate tens of billions of dollars in new wages, tax revenue and economic growth, according to a new economic analysis by BW Research for the national nonpartisan business group E2. The analysis was released in conjunction with the Georgia Clean Economy Summit in Atlanta, hosted by E2, the Georgia Solar Energy Association, Black Owners of Solar Services and the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance. E2
Michigan
The Michigan Public Service Commission is gathering public input on a controversial new law, Public Act 233, which gives it final authority in approving large renewable energy projects. In fall 2023, Michigan lawmakers narrowly passed a set of climate bills that accelerate the state's transition to clean and renewable energy. This month, the commission laid out its plans to implement that legislation, including larger energy waste reduction goals and requiring utilities to generate at least 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 60% by 2035. Michigan Advance
Michigan
A new ballot initiative challenges Michigan legislation that shifts authority over large-scale renewable energy projects from local to state regulators. The legislation aims to expedite progress towards the state's climate goals. Allegations have surfaced about the ballot initiative's leaders having ties to the fossil fuel industry. Planet Detroit
U.S.
The world's largest retailer persuaded 5,900 suppliers to improve their energy efficiency and redesign their packaging, among other measures. GreenBiz
U.S.
The report predicts children's health would improve if all new passenger vehicles sold by 2035 were zero-emission, all new trucks sold by 2040 were zero-emission and the country's electric grid became powered by all clean energy by 2035. The Hill
U.S.
The federally owned utility TVA has not held a public hearing on its resource planning process, so advocacy groups held their own hearing, presenting a plan for TVA to reach 100% clean energy by 2035. pv Magazine
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U.S.
The 18th edition of the EnergySage Marketplace Report finds the residential solar segment in the U.S. is rocked by persistent inflation, the California NEM 3.0 and rising loan fees. pv Magazine
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Colorado
Sun Bear, an enormous solar and battery storage installation in Colorado, will have more than 2 million solar panels spread across 5,500 acres of land belonging to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, part of the Weenuche Band of the Ute Nation. The primary developer is the Canigou Group, which styles itself as a global leader in renewable energy. The facility will cost up to $1.5 billion and produce peak power of 975 MW. CleanTechnica
Georgia
A push to expand community solar in Georgia is running into opposition from the state's largest electric utility, which has been under pressure in recent years to increase rooftop solar. Proposals filed in both chambers have sparked interest at the committee level, with those talks set to continue this week. But a key deadline for legislation to pass out of at least one chamber is quickly approaching. Georgia Recorder
International
With a global PV oversupply cycle in full swing and price declines of more than 40% having rocked the market in 2023, it appears likely that significant reductions should not be expected to continue this year. pv Magazine
Kansas
Utilities would be prohibited from taking private land using eminent domain to build solar farms under legislation Kansas lawmakers weighed Feb. 19. Eminent domain authority allows governments or utility companies to take private property for public use; property owners are compensated at market value but can have their land taken if they don't agree to sell. The practice has come under scrutiny, especially in Missouri, as developers prepare to build a high-voltage transmission line from Kansas to the Indiana border. Kansas Reflector
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities announced sweeping net metering program changes Feb. 15 that could expand distributed energy generation across the state, Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy Michael Judge said. Among the most impactful changes are new net metering cap exemptions for private behind-the-meter facilities generating 60 kW to 2,000 kW and public behind-the-meter facilities generating 60 kW to 10,000 kW. The exemptions immediately benefit net metering facilities served by two of Massachusetts's three investor-owned utilities, Judge said. Utility Dive
Pennsylvania
As the popularity of solar energy grows, some townships find themselves at a crossroads of embracing renewable energy while protecting their rural landscapes. In 2023, Lower Allen Township switched to solar power, taking less electricity from "the grid" and, as a result, saving residents of the Cumberland County Community money. But in Buffalo Township, locals are expressing concerns about the possible disadvantages of adopting solar power. WHP
U.S.
The rise has been charged by a range of factors that have created massive brands. Where did the sector emerge from, who was buying before, who is buying now, and what's next? Tristan Rayner reports. pv Magazine
U.S.
Wilson Chang, climate tech entrepreneur and CEO of Sunrock Distributed Generation, sees significant opportunity amid a rebound in growth for the US solar sector beginning in 2024. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
Although PV module prices have begun to stabilize over the past few years, the going price for power purchase agreements remains unsettled, according to data from LevelTen Energy and other industry analysts. Utility Dive
U.S.
The Energy Information Agency issued its latest report Feb. 15. According to its Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, the energy sector expects to add 62.8 GW of new utility-scale electricity generating capacity in 2024, 55% more than the 40.4 GW of electricity that was added in 2023. The vast majority -- 36.4 GW, or 58% -- will come from new utility-scale solar installations. CleanTechnica
U.S.
While the company's energy storage deployments are on the up, its solar power business has declined since its SolarCity purchase. Power Technology
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California
Solar battery capacity in California has been increasing at an impressive rate in the last four years, and data from the California Independent System Operator has detailed just how much clean power the technology is providing to the state's grid. In 2020, battery capacity was providing 500 megawatts of power to the grid from solar sources, but the increase since is remarkable. In May 2023, 5,000 megawatts of clean power was available to use. The Cool Down
California
The Edwards & Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage facility covers 4,660 total acres of land, approximately one-third the size of Manhattan. To link up the whole system, engineers had to lay over 450 miles of wiring. IFL Science
Massachusetts
The projects have a total of 6.2 MW of solar and 5.5 MWh of storage. Saur Energy
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Arizona
FERC announced a new policy requiring that any energy project seeking to build on tribal land must get the tribe's approval before it will permit the project. Inside Climate News
International
A Norwegian battery company has been working since 2022 to open a supersize factory outside of Atlanta that will bring more than 700 jobs to the region. Freyr Battery is developing a manufacturing process for lithium-ion batteries that it says will be less expensive and have less waste than the processes many competitors use. The batteries would be available for stationary energy storage and for use in large electric vehicles such as buses. Inside Climate News
International
What does it look like when you puncture a battery with a nail gun? Crush it, light it on fire, put it in water, freeze it, broil it, slash it, short circuit it, or overheat it from the inside out? The Energy Mix
International
2023 was another blockbuster year for battery energy storage systems, with major deployments and easing supply chain issues marking a year of growth for BESS, albeit with safety concerns continuing to grab headlines. Energy Storage News
New York
As Hecate Grid moves forward with the development of its Swiftsure Project -- a 650-MW Battery Energy Storage System that will occupy eight acres of land on Victory Boulevard in Travis -- the utility-scale energy storage operator says it is working closely with the FDNY on a site-specific design that meets the highest standards for safety and security. Staten Island Advance
South Carolina
Enersys said they chose Greenville as a way to attract engineers to want to move to the area. They said they also are planning to lean on Clemson University when it comes to recruiting talent to fill their 500 open roles. WRBL
Texas
Plus Power has announced the completion of approximately $98 million in tax equity investment for its 200-MW/400 MWh Ebony Energy Storage facility in Comal County, Texas. The investment from Greenprint Capital Management, a market leader in structured, renewable energy tax credit partnerships, will help the project stabilize ERCOT's power system during dynamic summer demand and cold winter storms while helping to integrate more renewable energy into the grid. PR Newswire
U.S.
Energy storage investment tax credits were priced more highly than any other clean energy type in transferability transactions in the U.S. last year, according to a report from tax credit ecosystem Crux, which its CEO discussed with Energy-Storage.news. Energy Storage News
Washington
A federal commission released its final environmental review for the Goldendale Pumped Storage Energy Project -- to the consternation of several tribes and environmental groups. Northwest Public Broadcasting
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Minnesota
Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE, has issued a Request for Proposals for up to 400 megawatts of wind energy to come online by the end of 2027, an important milestone in advancing its EnergyForward vision for 100% carbon-free energy. The RFP follows Minnesota Power's 2021 Integrated Resource Plan approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which calls for the company to acquire up to 300 megawatts of solar energy that is being evaluated in a separate RFP and 400 megawatts of wind generation. Business Wire
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