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Thanks for joining NetZero Insider for another dive into resources advancing the clean energy transition.
Because of the holiday, it was a light news week and a short workweek. By coincidence, our staff-written coverage in this latest Intelligence Report happens to all focus on the New England region, offshore wind or both.
Hugh Morley has a report on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management greenlighting Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, putting it on track to be New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm, if it comes online as planned late this decade. It was BOEM’s ninth positive Record of Decision for an offshore wind proposal in U.S. waters.
John Cropley also has a BOEM story: The agency set an Aug. 14 auction date for two lease areas off the Delaware and Virginia coasts with the potential for up to 6.3 GW of power generation. Seventeen companies have been qualified to participate in the auction.
Oil supermajor bp said it is still evaluating its options for Beacon Wind, a large facility in planning stages off the Massachusetts coast that terminated its contract with New York in January. Cropley asked bp about the status after a media report that the company had stepped back from offshore wind development to refocus on oil and gas.
Jon Lamson updates us on the New England Clean Energy Connect, construction of which was put on hold for two years as opponents’ challenges played out. In a filing with the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Avangrid reports making significant progress on the 1,200-MW transmission line.
Also in Maine, vandals inflicted hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage on a nearly completed community solar farm, using construction equipment to plow a path of destruction through the array of panels. Cropley has the details.
Beyond New England and offshore wind, we have gathered a geographically and thematically broad array of net-zero news for you:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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California
The Rodeo facility previously processed petroleum feedstocks. It is now producing 50,000 barrels per day (800 MMgy) of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Biomass Magazine
International
The Alliance brings together bioethanol producers, service providers, and input suppliers within the bioeconomy to support the climate action goals of the Paris Agreement and accelerate the transport sector's transition towards low carbon emissions. biofuels international
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International
Carbon capture, utilization and storage is critical for delivering net zero, but investor interest hinges on state support. Gas to Power Journal
Texas
The Gulf Coast is poised to be a major hub for underground disposal of greenhouse gas to mitigate climate change, but questions remain over who will fund it long-term. Inside Climate News
U.S.
By combining a rapid shift to 100% clean energy with large-scale deployment of carbon removal solutions, we can create a true climate restoration future - one with a healthy, livable planet for generations to come. pv magazine
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U.S.
Peer-reviewed research finds that community solar makes cheap renewable power available to more people, including those who live in rentals and multifamily buildings. Canary Media
U.S.
The Coalition for Community Solar Access released a Policy Roadmap that offers legislative guidance including model legislation. pv magazine
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International
Flex Connect can adjust smart appliances to help reduce strain on the grid when demand for power spikes. The Verge
U.S.
SunRun Virtual Power Plant executive sings praises of technology, says they work everywhere Utility Dive
U.S.
Basic explainer on how demand response works for building manager audience Facility Executive Magazine
U.S.
Graph showing nationwide participation in DR programs - 10 million residential customers and 235,000+ commercial participated in 2022 Statista
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U.S.
A report from Deloitte showed how distributed energy resources can help the U.S. meet its climate goals while improving the functionality of the grid. pv magazine
U.S.
EV charging, solar and fuel-based generation will be the largest sources of distributed capacity addition, according to WoodMac's 2024 U.S. distributed energy resource outlook. Utility Dive
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North Carolina
By forcing Duke to rethink and modify its proposed carbon plan to include a cleaner, more predictable and more affordable mix of power sources, the Utilities Commission can help accelerate our state's clean energy transition, while also protecting ratepayers' wallets, writes Sagar Sane, an advisory board member with the Environmental Defense Fund in North Carolina. Energy News Network
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Georgia
In a press release Plug said the tax credit would provide a "meaningful reduction" in its hydrogen fuel costs to customers, which would allow it to "drive overall fuel margin to a break-even run rate by the end of the year." H2 View
International
The Integrated Energy Station Project, located in Huizhou's Daya Bay Petrochemical Zone in Guangdong province, is invested in and built by a project company under local power distributor Electric Power Development. Yicai
International
Although purple hydrogen requires significant upfront investment due to the high costs of building a nuclear reactor, once set up, the technology offers several advantages. Energy Monitor
New Mexico
Production, distribution, power generation, carbon capture all in the works: Questions, concerns, confusion abound. Source NM
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Hawaii
The energy office is examining whether liquefied natural gas would be a practical replacement for low-sulphur fuel oil. Civil Beat
International
Germany's first land-based terminal for liquefied gases is set to go into operation in 2027 and will make a significant contribution to the security of supply of affordable energy in Europe. LNG Industry
International
Details competition between Middle East and USA on serving Asian LNG demand Natural Gas Intelligence
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Alaska
Anchorage residents adopting solar as worries of gas shortage, price spikes for grid power spread Alaska Public Media News
International
Gas flaring (burning fuel when produced as byproduct of oil drilling) hit pre pandemic levels in 2023, despite efforts to curtail practice. OilPrice.com
Massachusetts
Pouring $1B a year into gas system expected to be obsolete in 2050 makes no sense, Larry Chretien, executive director of the Energy Consumers Alliance, and Marilyn Ray Smith, a retired attorney who works with HEET and the Gas Transition Allies. Commonwealth Beacon
North Carolina
60 neighbors who live on lake north of Charlotte oppose Duke's efforts to build natural gas plant nearby. Charlotte Observer
Texas
Texas Gov. Abbot and Lt Gov. Patrick both want to double government funding for new natural gas plants to $10 billion. The Dallas Morning News
Texas
Sugar Land, Texas, building new natural gas plant to boost reliability, but draws opposition from residents who don't want to live near it. Chron
U.S.
Antero Resources Group files lawsuit against FERC approval on pipeline rate cases Bloomberg Law
Washington
Update on ballot initiative against law that could end natural gas service in Washington, backers confident as deadline looms July 5. Big Country News
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Georgia
With much fanfare and celebration, Georgia Power just marked a major milestone: two new nuclear reactors near Augusta, Ga., are now generating enough electricity to power a million homes, without using fossil fuels or emitting planet-warming carbon dioxide. WABE
International
EDF did not say what the budget impact would be of redrafting its design after four years of work, nor whether it would delay the rollout of its SMRs, which had been advertised as being ready for market in the 2030s. Reuters
International
Nuclear power is vital to fighting climate change and meeting our soaring demand for electricity. It's also crucial to our national security. All of this makes reinvigorating the U.S. nuclear industry a priority, writes Bechtel CEO Brendan Bechtel. Power
Pennsylvania
The conversations, which two sources described as "beyond preliminary," signal that Constellation is advancing plans to revive part of the southern Pennsylvania nuclear generation site, which operated from 1974 to 2019, Reuters
U.S.
The RFP is for low-enriched uranium from domestic sources. It is intended to help spur the safe and responsible build-out of uranium enrichment capacity in the United States, promote diversity in the market, and provide a reliable supply of commercial nuclear fuel. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
The U.S. needs to install more than 10 GW of new nuclear power, said Chris Womack, the CEO of Southern Company. This is equivalent to about 10 new nuclear plants with a single reactor each. CNBC
U.S.
Recent bipartisan legislation and a fresh $900M in DOE funding aim to boost the nation's moribund nuclear sector, but industry asks for more. Canary Media
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Delaware
The Senate adopted the Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024 (Senate Bill 265) on 30 June, with the legislation now sent for sign-off to Delaware Governor John Carney, who has previously pledged his support, according to Oceantic Network. offshoreWIND.biz
Florida
The state of Florida currently has zero windmills operating on land or offshore, and some Republican legislators want to keep it that way. ABC News
International
In March 2024, Maersk Supply Services announced it would partner with Louisiana-based Edison Chouest Offshore for the offshore wind business. Maritime Executive
International
Under the deal between German asset manager Luxcara and Ming Yang the Chinese group would supply 16 turbines, each with a capacity of up to 18.5 MW, set for installation in 2028. Reuters
U.S.
The offshore wind installation vessel, the Charybdis, won't set sail until next year, potentially after one of the most pro-green energy administrations in history has left the White House. CNBC
U.S.
A global rush to develop offshore wind is creating stiff competition for the available fleet of cable-layers, underpinning the reasoning behind building a Jones Act-compliant CLV for the American market. Riviera Maritime Media
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International
The aircraft is designed to transport gigantic wind turbine blades to remote onshore locations, facilitating the creation of more wind farms. World Economic Forum
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Arizona
A new renewable energy project has been proposed at Red Lake, about 35 miles north of Kingman. Now, officials are determining exactly what that may mean for Mohave County. Havasu News
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Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Senate approved a bill aimed at expanding the adoption of renewable energy in a bid to help Massachusetts meet its climate goals, including reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Associated Press
North Dakota
North Dakota officials have approved a letter to Minnesota regulators warning that the state's recent carbon-free energy standard may be unconstitutional. Minnesota Reformer
U.S.
Up until about 2020, there was a strong bipartisan consensus in favor of expanding wind and solar power. Since then, however, support among Republicans has dropped dramatically, approaching 50%, according to polling data released this week. Ars Technica
U.S.
Lazard's Levelized Cost of Energy+ report showed tailwinds for energy storage but a notable increase in costs for new-build renewables since 2021. Utility Dive
Wisconsin
It's time to prioritize the long-term well-being of our communities and environment over short-term gains. Together, let's urge policymakers to embrace a clean energy future for Wisconsin -- one that benefits everyone, now and for generations to come, writes John Imes, co-founder and director of the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative. Wisconsin Examiner
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Michigan
Tens of millions of Americans live under HOAs, which sometimes block rooftop solar for aesthetic reasons. Michigan is the latest state to protect access to solar. Canary Media
West Virginia
Much of West Virginia enjoys about 85% as much sunlight as Miami, Fla., which means it's ideally suited to solar energy use, says the founder and CEO of West Virginia-based Solar Holler. West Virginia Explorer
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Maine
The Fort Kent area, which is home to more than 11,000 customers, met and even exceeded 100% of its energy needs with local solar power over several days in early May. MSN
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California
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of California have both recently established funding to help communities create these resilience hubs that rely on solar + battery systems to provide emergency power for residents. Solar Builder
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey are turning up the heat on solar and battery storage permitting, burning toward a July 31 legislative deadline to pass a bundle of bills that put clean energy and local municipalities hurtling toward a meteoric collision. Greenfield Recorder
New Mexico
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission denied a group of legislators' request to intervene in a case involving new generation and energy storage assets for the state's largest utility. The legislators also asked the regulators to reconsider a final order issued in the case. New Mexico Political Report
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U.S.
To drive the growth of renewable energy on BLM lands, the final rule reduces costs and institutes a streamlined administrative process for renewable energy projects. National Review
U.S.
On balance, more think wind or solar development would help rather than hurt their local economy. But large shares think it would make no difference or are not sure. Pew Research Center
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Arizona
Arizona electric cooperatives including Trico in Pima County and co-ops in Cochise and Mohave counties celebrated $55.2 million in federal loan funding to support three battery energy-storage projects. Arizona Daily Star
Arizona
The firm said it's adjusting the pace of its investments but remains confident the facility will play an important role in its operations. Utility Dive
International
The first phase of Datang Group's 100 MW/200 MWh sodium-ion energy storage project in Qianjiang, Hubei Province, was connected to the grid. pv magazine
Michigan
CMS Energy's CMS subsidiary, Consumers Energy, has signed a deal to collaborate with Jupiter Power to build 100 megawatts of battery energy storage projects in Michigan. This partnership agreement should put CMS a step toward duly achieving its net-zero carbon emission goal by 2040. Yahoo
New York
Battery NY to be located in University-owned facility in Johnson City. BingUNews
Texas
Some experts shared data to back up their praise for the "connect and manage" approach used by Texas grid operator ERCOT, while others speaking on an industry panel explained their reservations. pv magazine
U.S.
The model ordinance serves as a guiding framework for thousands of counties and municipalities across the country seeking to develop regulations for energy storage facilities in their community. Solar Industry
U.S.
The sun sets while demand is increasing, leaving a shortfall that needs to be met. Two remedies are often pointed to: natural gas plants that can ramp up quickly, and battery storage. Today, we will look at how batteries are addressing this issue. FactSet
U.S.
ESS Tech, listed on the New York Stock Exchange as "GWH," announced it has secured a $50 million investment from the Export-Import Bank of The United States. pv magazine
U.S.
The paper demonstrates a new sodium battery architecture with stable cycling for several hundred cycles. By removing the anode and using inexpensive, abundant sodium instead of lithium, this new form of battery will be more affordable and environmentally friendly to produce. TechXplore
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U.S.
Stakeholder-driven transmission siting can happen once communities realize what is on the table, writes Robin Allen, a senior fellow with the Niskanen Center Climate department. Utility Dive
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Arizona
EDF Renewables' proposed Socorro project would sit on 3,066 acres on nearly 6,000 acres of public land and it would produce up to 350 MW of solar energy along with battery energy storage. pv magazine
Florida
The Sunshine State is finally living up to its nickname for solar energy, but we could be doing much more, writes Craig Pittman, a longtime Florida journalist. Florida Phoenix
Michigan
To achieve clean energy goals, the legislation authorized the state to override local bans on large-scale renewable energy projects. Several townships had blocked solar and wind projects across the state in recent years. The Manchester Mirror
U.S.
SolarEdge Technologies, a provider of inverters, module level power electronics, battery energy storage, and other related technologies, announced it has been selected by Rutgers University to support research of dual-use agrivoltaics. pv magazine
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