July 17, 2024

The latest statistical report by the International Renewable Energy Agency shows global buildout of renewables progressing too slowly to limit the increase in global average temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, John Cropley. The organization estimates the world needs 11.2 TW of renewable capacity installed by then, but even if capacity increases 14% every year — as it did in 2023 — it would reach only 9.7 TW.

Elaine Goodman was all over California’s efforts to build more transmission, as lawmakers advanced a bill aimed at streamlining the approval of projects, and regulators are working on overhauling their rules regarding transmission project permitting. The California Energy Commission also approved a strategic plan for how the state can reach its goals of 5 GW of offshore wind power by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045. 

And speaking of offshore wind (he typed for umpteenth time), New Jersey’s fourth solicitation closed, with the three developers that delivered proposals having all submitted bids to the state previously. 

Here’s what else happened this past week: 

• CPUC Refines EPIC Program Strategic Objectives for Decarbonization 

• DOE, AAI Reports: VGI Critical for Managing New EV Power Demand
  

• Dominion Issues RFP for Small Modular Reactor at North Anna 

• Fuel-cell Vehicle Sales Plummet in 1st Half of 2024 
  

• Massachusetts Overhauls Municipal Aggregation Approval Process 

• Report Looks at Root Causes of Electric Rate Hikes 

• Reports Examine Economics of Clean Hydrogen 

• Startups: Market Will Move New Cleantech Regardless of Election Outcome 

• The Rocky Road to Performance-based Regulation in Connecticut 

See you next week!