We lead off this edition with the tariff increases President Biden ordered to be imposed on certain Chinese products. NetZero Insider’s K Kaufmann writes that Chinese exports in three sectors central to decarbonization — solar, batteries and electric vehicles — have surged since 2022. The Biden administration’s goal is to protect the billions of dollars that have been invested in U.S. manufacturing and the jobs that have been created as a result.
We have several other significant developments out of Washington within our curated collection of national reporting in the past week:
An industry-government-academic consortium working to advance all forms of energy storage in New York held its annual conference in the state’s capital. Speakers described the need for extensive storage buildout to support the state’s decarbonization goals; lamented the financial and regulatory hurdles to deploying utility-scale storage; and laid out the efforts the state is making to remove those hurdles. John Cropley reports from the event.
Other media outlets produced reports on energy storage capacity growing in the United States and beyond, including:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report.
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U.S.
Substitution of renewable fuel oils for petroleum-derived distillates is most advanced on the West Coast, where California has adopted state-level regulations requiring minimum blending rates and usage. BOE Report
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North Carolina
An interconnection project is dead after ZNC Turkey Creek learned it could cost as much as $100 million and take at least eight years to tie into the Duke Energy grid, N.C. Utilities Commission documents show. NC Newsline
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U.S.
After distributing $4 billion of energy project credits in the first round, the DOE is back with more money for decarbonization opportunities. GreenBiz
U.S.
Generators can comply with the rule by installing carbon capture and sequestration, but that technology is still unproven at scale according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Utility Dive
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Maryland
Maryland's Brandon Shores can't close down -- even though its owners want it to. The coal plant is a poster child for how poor grid planning stalls climate progress. Canary Media
Wyoming
In a historic move, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed ending federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. The region, which extends from northeast Wyoming to southern Montana, is the nation's largest coal supplier, and for 50 years a pillar of Wyoming's economy. WyoFile
Wyoming
With the state's coal industry facing increasing federal regulations and a declining market, lawmakers are considering whether state subsidies, in the form of tax breaks, might mitigate the financial turmoil destabilizing a $650 million pillar of Wyoming's economy. WyoFile
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Minnesota
The effort brings up an acrimonious debate over the costs and benefits of community solar, and could threaten legislation meant to cut red tape for clean energy development. Star Tribune
New York
Statewide Solar for All will combine the utility-managed Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and market-based community solar with the goal to deliver clean energy savings to low-income households. Spectrum Local News
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California
Sunrun VPP in California is getting ready for summer peak demand with 16,200 customers - 32 MW - making it the largest VPP in the country. Solar Builder
Texas
ERCOT looking for 500 MW of DR to help meet this summer's peak demand. American Public Power Association
Texas
Base Power offering retail electric plans in Texas that come with batteries installed at customers' homes that the firm operates and runs as a VPP in ERCOT's markets. Electrek
U.S.
RMI argues that data centers can set standard for new loads with DR, efficiency, clean energy purchases etc and avoid a surge in natural gas demand. Rocky Mountain Institute
U.S.
Article gives a basic run down of VPPs and how they can help meet growing demand on power grid. New Scientist
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Michigan
Harms include severe weather, crop failures, and economic hits from lack of ice and snow. Grist
Texas
An industrial buildout is erasing the last traces of an ancient world, but the Carrizo/Comecrudo, unrecognized and unknown, continue to resist. Inside Climate News
U.S.
Federal and state governments subsidize and facilitate the production and consumption of oil, natural gas and coal despite knowing these products are permanently damaging life on a planetary scale, writes William Becker, executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project. The Hill
Wyoming
Oil, gas and coal industry representatives vowed to fight new federal regulations, predicting that capturing carbon, renewable intermittency and rising energy demand will keep their products viable. Inside Climate News
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International
'Substantial' subsidy programmes being undermined by bureaucracy and poor regulation, says senior executive. Hydrogen Insight
New Mexico
Hydrogen is tougher to compress and keep in tanks than other fuels, including natural gas and propane, making surface storage difficult. The Cool Down
New York
It is not clear at this stage if such loans would come from commercial financiers or the US Treasury's Federal Financing Bank -- nor is it clear what the scale or location of the six projects might be. Hydrogen Insight
U.S.
Plug Power has received an up to $1.66 billion conditional loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, which the company will use to finance the development and construction of up to six hydrogen production facilities. Utility Dive
U.S.
Spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to subsidise 'clean' H2 that actually drives up emissions would be utterly indefensible, writes the Union of Concerned Scientists' Julie McNamara Hydrogen Insight
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International
Despite carbon commitments, Qatari energy minister expects demand for natural gas will continue to grow past 2030 Bloomberg
International
Houthi attacks in Red Sea mean it has been 4 months since an LNG cargo has gone through the area/Suez Canal -splitting up the world's LNG shipments. The Japan Times
International
Congestion at Panama Canal might be poised to ease soon, but LNG shipments through it have hit all-time low. Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
Ships lining up outside Freeport LNG facility as it returns to full service Reuters
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California
Bill working its way through California legislator would require pollutant warnings on gas stoves sold in the state. Capital Public Radio News
California
A look into how restaurants have impacted the debate over moving away from end use natural gas. They were key litigants in the Berkeley case and industry plans to use them again. Bloomberg
Connecticut
Avangrid says its plans to invest in electric/gas utilities in Conn. depends on state actions - comes after Eversource announces plans to pullback investments there. Milford Mirror
Illinois
Report argues Illinois natural gas bills could triple within the decade without actions from the state The Pantagraph
International
China's economy has been wobbly lately, but it is still buying commodities like natural gas at a high rate as cheap prices offer a chance to rebuild stocks. Pricier commodities are not seeing a similar upswing. Reuters
International
A deep dive into how important Norweigian sovereign oil/gas company Equinor has become for Europe's natural gas supply. Bloomberg
International
A look at how much gas China has started importing from Russia since Ukraine invastion started as Putin lobbies China to build a long-planned pipeline Axios
Montana
The short-term fate of NorthWestern Energy's new methane-fired power plant in Laurel and whether it was properly granted permits now rests in the hands of the Montana Supreme Court after justices heard oral arguments in the case challenging the state's analysis for the plant that, when operational, is expected to emit more than 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Daily Montanan
Montana
NorthWestern's $310 million plant would saddle Montanans with higher energy bills on top of the historic 28% rate hike it recently levied on ratepayers. It would emit hundreds of tons of dangerous and carcinogenic airborne toxins in the Yellowstone Valley each year. Daily Montanan
North Dakota
Basin Electric Co-op plans to build another natural gas plant in North Dakota. KFGO
Tennessee
TVA moving forward with plans for new natural gas plants, replacing coal, but over objections of parties who wanted more renewables. The Associated Press
Texas
Texas natural gas generation set a production record during January cold snap - producing a peak of 49.4 GW. U.S. Energy Information Administration
Texas
Russel Gold's story looks into the approval of a pipeline to bring Permian Basin gas from Texas to Mexico for export and what issues they looked over. Texas Monthly
U.S.
A look into gas producers' lawsuit against EPA's methane rule. E&E News
U.S.
EIA details increase in natural gas burn at power plants around the country. U.S. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
Natural Gas prices in Permian basin went negative again this week - has happened 17 times since March in production field driven by oil Business Recorder
U.S.
Waste Management is in talks to sell its landfill natural gas business for $3 billion. CNBC/Reuters
Virginia
Va lawmakers and residents are asking FERC to stop MVP pipeline from entering operations after it asked to do so. E&E News
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International
The ban on imports of the fuel for nuclear power plants begins in about 90 days, although it allows the Department of Energy to issue waivers in case of supply concerns. Reuters
International
The Kremlin said the U.S. decision to ban Russian fuel was not critical for Russia but said that the Americans, when they found it difficult to compete with Russia, reached for measures which distorted and undermined the norms of global markets. Reuters
Tennessee
Results from the experiments will be used to support the commercial deployment of so-called "high burnup fuels" before the end of the decade. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
A reliable uranium supply chain is essential to powering the world's largest fleet of 93 commercial reactors in the U.S., producing life-saving medical isotopes, and deploying new advanced reactors. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
Biden and lawmakers have so far failed to simplify the nuclear regulatory and permitting process. Daily Caller
U.S.
Additionally, NRC staff recommended that the agency invest in "foundational tools" by acquiring gen AI-based services and integrating AI in the NRC's system for document access and management's cognitive search technology. FedScoop
U.S.
Oklo is currently working to build its first small-scale reactor in Idaho, which could eventually power the types of data centers that OpenAI and other artificial intelligence companies need to run their AI models and services. CNBC
U.S.
The advanced fission companies, both of which are designing very small modular reactors for remote or mobile heat and power applications, completed their IPOs and began trading last week. Utility Dive
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Florida
The measure, which takes effect on 1 July, also would boost the expansion of gas, reduce regulation on gas pipelines and increase protections against bans on gas appliances such as stoves. Independent
Louisiana
600+ Workers Across Three U.S. Gulf States Built a "Floating Home Base" for Offshore Wind Technicians Supporting ?rsted's Northeast Wind Farms Business Wire
Maine
Labor groups talk with residents, who've seen industries dry up and leave the midcoast, about opportunities in wind energy. Rhode Island Current
Maine
In the next decade, UMaine researchers said, they envision turbine platforms floating in the ocean beyond the horizon, stretching more than 700 feet skyward and anchored with mooring lines. The Hill
Massachusetts
Both proposals were brought forward by Val Oliver, the founder and president of ACK For Whales, the Nantucket-based group that is fighting against Vineyard Wind and claiming that it is harmful to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Nantucket Current
New Hampshire
Both sites are valuable because they have existing connections to the power grid; creating such connections at new sites can lead to years-long delays. Concord Monitor
New Jersey
Former president Donald Trump said he would immediately block offshore wind power projects via executive order if elected. WorkBoat
U.S.
First steel was achieved for Revolution Wind pounding in the first of the 65 turbine foundations that will hold the turbines; off the coast of Virginia, the first six foundations headed out last weekend for Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Wind Farm. Maritime Executive
U.S.
This opportunity will boost projects that address several major areas of need for offshore wind, including accelerating research and development of offshore wind platforms, expanding the reach of the domestic supply chain, improving offshore wildlife protection through new monitoring technologies, and advancing U.S. academic leadership in floating offshore wind. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
By issuing more flexible, risk-aware solicitations now, states can reduce the risk of future cancellations and head off a scenario where the industry is trying to build too much at once." Utility Dive
U.S.
The first study analyzed hurricane risk to wind turbines operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The second identifies and discusses opportunities and challenges for offshore wind energy development in the Gulf. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Virginia
The first six monopiles, which are produced by EEW SPC, were loaded onto DEME Group's installation vessel Orion in the Port of Virginia, said Dominion Energy. offshoreWIND.biz
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International
The study also shows within six months a turbine can generate all the energy consumed across its life-cycle. TechXplore
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International
It's chemically identical to petroleum diesel, so no engine or equipment modifications are needed to existing diesel trucks. This makes it viable for long-haul, over-the-road operations, while BEVs are limited by range, weight and more. Overdrive
U.S.
A rush by U.S. fuel makers to recalibrate their plants to produce renewable diesel has created a supply glut for low-emissions biofuels, hammering profit margins for refiners and threatening to impede a young industry. Reuters
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Ohio
Streamlined legal requirements and economic factors explain the jump in orders since 2020 to let petroleum companies drill on dissenting owners' land. Energy News Network
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks 50th in the nation for percentage growth in total solar, wind and geothermal generation since 2013. The Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, a fossil fuel powerhouse, trails other states in terms of new renewable energy. TechXplore
U.S.
The DoD and Dominion Energy are jointly exploring several potential solutions, including on-site clean power generation, building level energy efficiency and a variety of other resilience and efficiency enhancing distributed energy resources. Daily Energy Insider
U.S.
A little more than two years ago, a clean energy record was broken. For the first time, a regional transmission organization met more than 90% of its electric demand, called load, with renewable power. Michigan Advance
Utah
Utah's change in carbon-reduction commitments is a reversal of progress and a significant setback for sustainability efforts. The Cool Down
Vermont
The state's Senate approved the measure, putting Vermont on track to be among the first states to fully decarbonize its power grid. Canary Media
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Maryland
Hailed as landmark legislation, SB 783 empowers municipalities to speed permitting, raises net metering cap, supports a payment in lieu of taxes program and more. pv Magazine
U.S.
Land for large solar arrays is limited on the island. Rooftop panels can provide electricity during blackouts and bring the island closer to its clean energy goals. Inside Climate News
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Maine
The city council is considering a novel approach to funneling proceeds from the sale of renewable energy credits into a trust fund that would support efforts to meet the goals of a 2020 climate action plan. Energy News Network
Mississippi
A solar energy advocacy group is suing the Mississippi Public Service Commission to repeal a decision that suspends incentives for low to mid-income Mississippians and school districts to install solar panels. The Clarion-Ledger
U.S.
The requirements of measures such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act mean that solar panel prices in the United States can be twice as much as in Europe. pv Magazine
U.S.
The huge public utility has built little solar capacity so far. Now the region's local power companies are driving a buildout with help from developer Silicon Ranch. Canary Media
U.S.
These systems are installed on homes, businesses and in large ground-mounted arrays across the country. Solar Power World
Washington
Western Washington is one of the worst places in the contiguous United States for solar energy. Perhaps even the worst place. Seattle Times
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California
The Vacaville City Council will discuss a moratorium on Battery Energy Storage, the latest chapter in a yearslong discussion regarding the issue in Vacaville. A vote of four-fifths of the council will be required to pass the moratorium following a public hearing on the issue. The Vacaville Reporter
International
According to the International Energy Agency and BloombergNEF, battery storage was the most invested-in energy technology in 2023 with the biggest-ever annual growth in deployments recorded. Energy Storage News
International
In a recent study, a group of Turkish researchers have computed models suggesting that hydrogen storage can store renewable energy at large scales and relatively low costs. IEEE Spectrum
International
An expected sharp fall in battery costs for energy storage in coming years will accelerate the shift to renewable energy from fossil fuels, the International Energy Agency said. Reuters
Maryland
Residents in College Park and the city of South Fulton have a litany of concerns over the planned $400 million lithium ion battery storage plant planned for a large wooded site near their communities, from safety and impact on property values to how the deal was handled by their local governments. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michigan
DTE Energy is issuing a Request for Proposal for new standalone energy storage projects totaling approximately 120 MW. Power Engineering
New Hampshire
On CloseUp, Granite Shore Power highlighted its plan to transition the Merrimack and Schiller stations to battery storage for anticipated development of offshore wind platforms in the Gulf of Maine. WMUR
New York
BESS siting has been a hot-button topic on Staten Island for the past year, with residents and elected officials alike voicing concerns about the placement of units in close proximity to commercial and residential properties. SI Live
Texas
Battery developers love the freewheeling ERCOT system, and all the new energy storage is helping to bolster the grid. But will the good times last? Canary Media
Texas
Texas is expected to install 6.5 GW of utility-scale batteries in 2024, bringing the total installed capacity to around 10 GW, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows. Reuters
U.S.
Developers currently plan to expand U.S. battery capacity to more than 30 GW by the end of 2024, which would exceed petroleum liquids, geothermal, wood and wood waste, or landfill gas. U.S. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
The latest opportunity feeds into OE's Rapid Operational Validation Initiative, which will validate the reliability of new technologies faster than real-time and help new energy storage companies get their innovations to market faster. Emerging Tecnology News
Virginia
The company's recently-approved projects will use technology that utilities are only now starting to test out at grid-scale. The pilot projects fall into categories carved out by another piece of state law, the Virginia Grid Security and Transformation Act. VPM
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U.S.
Implementing such software enables data to be leveraged via a variety of advanced capabilities, many of which revolve around AI and machine learning. GE Vernova
U.S.
Contrary to the conventional opinion that regulation is an obstacle to grid modernization, regulators have, in fact, largely demonstrated strong support over the past six years, writes Kathy (Huishan) Hu, is a research associate at Wood Mackenzie Utility Dive
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Mississippi
A primary factor in the success of these projects has been the relationships that Clearloop has forged in Panola County. CEO Laura Zapata credits the company's early efforts to establish communication with area leaders. Solar Builder
Tennessee
The two middle Tennessee businesses have agreed to partner on the 110-megawatt (MWAC) Copeland Solar Farm, which will be the largest solar facility to serve a local power company (LPC) directly in the Tennessee Valley. Business Wire
U.S.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar farms cost $1.06 per watt, whereas residential solar systems cost $3.16 per watt. Market Watch
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Massachusetts
Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative has secured an 8-year pilot license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to test prototypes of turbines that harness tides to create energy. Cape Cod Times
Pennsylvania
The tests being conducted will aim to further understand how wave energy converters hold up to different marine conditions while also focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency and potential impacts on local ecosystems. YourErie
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