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Good morning, and welcome to the latest NetZero Insider Resources Intelligence Report.
We lead off with Ayla Burnett’s report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture earmarking more than $3 billion to support clean power development at seven rural electric cooperatives. USDA called it the largest such investment since the Rural Electrification Act was signed into law in 1936.
A new report by ISO-NE lays out the challenges that confront deep decarbonization of the New England grid. Jon Lamson reports that increasing variability of both supply and demand place critical importance on dispatchable zero-carbon resources that do not currently exist at scale.
Hugh Morley has a story on a new three-year program in New Jersey to create 200 MW of dual-use solar capacity on working farmland. The Board of Public Utilities is boosting agrivoltaics to both expand solar power generation and economically support farmers.
Also in New Jersey, John Cropley attended the American Clean Power Association’s offshore WINDPOWER 2024 conference. He filed three stories from the event:
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The industry representatives, advocates and regulators on the scene focused on progress offshore wind has made, rather than the threat Donald Trump poses to that progress, but the imminent election clearly was on the minds of many.
In other offshore wind news, Lamson has the details on the first-ever offshore wind lease auction in the Gulf of Maine. It was not a barn-burner — two developers bought four of the eight lease areas for a combined $21.9 million — but the results were better than in two auctions scheduled elsewhere earlier this year. They were canceled due to insufficient bidder interest.
Finally, Cropley has a more in-depth look at one wind farm proposed in the New York Bight: Community Offshore Wind. The plan is in its fourth and fifth iterations, respectively, in the latest solicitations by New Jersey and New York. At 2.8 GW, the proposal submitted to New York is the largest yet proposed in that state, and apparently anywhere else in the U.S.
As always, we have gathered a bumper crop of content from other media outlets to provide a wider view of the net-zero landscape. Some highlights:
Finally … does everyone remember “Rashomon?” The landmark Kurosawa film in which the characters recount very different versions of the same incident? Gave birth to the phrase “Rashomon Effect?”
We see something like that out of Nevada, where the U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved a major lithium mine:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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North Dakota
The North Dakota Landowners Association is asking the state Supreme Court to weigh in on questions over property rights and the underground storage of carbon dioxide. North Dakota Monitor
Ohio
Northeast Ohio's Quasar Energy Group heads up a team awarded a DOE grant to use carbon dioxide from biodigesters for making an algae-based polyurethane. Energy News Network
Oregon
A growing number of local and state agencies that rely on revenue from logging public forests are agreeing to scale back logging in exchange for money from carbon credits. Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon
Capital Chronicle reporter Alex Baumhardt found that putting forests into carbon markets could be a middle ground and does what critics say has long been needed: It puts a price on pollution, writes Lynne Terry, Capital Chronicle's editor-in-chief. Oregon Capital Chronicle
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Indiana
Hoosier coal advocates pushing for a ban on early coal-fired plant retirements have found allies among Republican Senate leaders. But a key House lawmaker publicly signaled opposition to such a measure -- and said he'd put forth his own proposal. Indiana Capital Chronicle
Ohio
The prospective owners boast of a focus on helping fossil fuel plants make the transition to sustainability. But it's unclear that anything will change at the 50-year-old facility. Ohio Capital Journal
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Kentucky
Power-intensive data centers will drive growth in electricity demand in the near future, says the utility serving the most Kentuckians. It plans to meet that demand by continuing to replace coal-fired power with natural gas while potentially adding up to 1,000 megawatts of solar power by 2035. Kentucky Lantern
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Louisiana
New Orleans City Council votes to use $32 million in settlement funds to role out distributed batteries and connect them in a VPP. Nola.com
New York
SunRun and Orange & Rockland start up NY State's largest VPP with 300 solar plus storage programs. Environment+Energy Leader
Texas
Fashion firm H&M invests in Texas solar VPP plant. Sourcing Journal
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International
With COP29? just around the corner, the reality of how far we still have ?to go to meet global climate goals is coming into focus??. ????A new United Nations Climate Change report finds "current national climate plans fall miles short of what's needed." Environmental Defense Fund
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Nevada
Litigation is now the only way stop the Rhyolite Ridge Mine from causing the extinction of Tiehm's buckwheat, harm to cultural sites and resources, and destruction of water resources. Center for Biological Diversity
Nevada
Federal land managers gave their final approval for a massive lithium-boron mine in Southern Nevada, becoming the first domestic lithium project to get full regulatory approval under the Biden administration. Nevada Current
Nevada
Project will quadruple U.S. lithium output, create hundreds of high paying jobs in rural Nevada. Businesswire
Nevada
Final decision reflects best-available science and careful balance of development and conservation; includes significant protections for habitat conservation. Bureau of Land Management
Nevada
For the first time under President Joe Biden, a federal permit for a new lithium-boron mine has been approved for a Nevada project essential to his clean energy agenda. The Associated Press
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International
Australian LNG firm sued over how clean it claims the natural gas its ships is. Bloomberg
International
Expectations for LNG market to be awash in supply still a few years away - buyers will be faced with spiking prices when demand is high globally until 2027 at least. Bloomberg
Texas
Bipartisan chunk of Texas Congressional delegation files amicus brief in appeal of two LNG facilities in the state, arguing should move ahead with development. Rio Grande Guardian
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Arkansas
Arkansas' southwestern Smackover Formation region could be home to millions of tons of lithium, according to a report from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment. Supply Chain Dive
Iowa
Iowa-based Critical Materials Recycling was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of six companies to receive a $500,000 cash prize and $100,000 in assistance from national laboratories. Twenty projects were selected in the initial phase of the DOE prize and awarded smaller sums, $75,000, to further develop their concepts. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Minnesota
The 100% e-Waste Collection bill is critical because without it, we'll continue to dump electronics into landfills and trash incinerators, all leaching toxic chemicals into the environment and causing fires. This is our chance to launch a successful effort and lead the U.S. in collecting and recycling this resource, write Kathleen Doran-Norton, a retired data analyst, and Marlise Riffel, a retired sociology professor in the Minnesota State College system. Minnesota Reformer
U.S.
The Biden administration hopes the tax cut will bolster domestic critical minerals mining and shore up America's clean energy supply chain. Greenwire
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Illinois
People's Natural Gas plan to replace natural gas infrastructure in Chicago could double heating bills, report claims. Chicago Sun-Times
International
South African natural gas producer sues solar developer for failing to get its permission to build on an area where it has mineral rights. Bloomberg
International
Methane emissions are just being studied with new satellites and their impact could be huge, attributable to oil/gas production, etc. The Hill
Pennsylvania
EQT sells of Pennsylvania pipelines for $1.25 billion to Equinor USA. Pipeline and Gas Journal
Pennsylvania
Amount of shale gas in Pa. means it could be a site for a lot of data center growth as their developers are looking for cheap, secure energy. RealClearEnergy
Pennsylvania
A new report detailing the growth of Pennsylvania's methane mitigation industry was released, revealing a 22.2% increase in the number of methane mitigation companies in the state over the past three years. Environmental Defense Fund
Tennessee
A federal appeals court will hear arguments Dec. 10 over the future of a proposed pipeline supplying the planned Cumberland Gas Plant in Stewart County. Tennessee Lookout
Texas
Article looks at why the growth of data centers will be a boon for Texas' gas developers Houston Chronicle
Texas
FERC grants three year constructione extension to 2029 for Golden Pass LNG - joint venture of Exxon Mobil and Qatar Energy. eenews.net
U.S.
Report finds data centers are poised to become major consumers of natural gas by 2030, using up to 6 BCF/day. The Deep Dive
U.S.
Blackstone in talks to invest $3.5 billion in major pipeline firm to address its debt load from a merger consummated earlier this year. Reuters
U.S.
Donald Trump lays some pro-gas energy policies like lifting LNG ban during Pa. rally. Fox News
U.S.
Shale gas has come to dominate production of the fuel due to consistent growth, but EIA reports it is down this year for the first time since 2000. EIA
Washington, D.C.
Renewable gas from sewage is going to fuel metro buses in Washington, D.C. areas. Greater Greater Washington
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Mississippi
As the world looks toward alternative energy forms to balance increased demand with the need to limit carbon emissions, the Public Service Commission is hoping to move Mississippi ahead of the curve. Mississippi Today
Oregon
Keeping themoratorium on building nuclear reactors is wise, given the dangerous distraction posed by the false solution of small modular nuclear reactors. Let's learn from the NuScale debacle and keep our focus on a just transition to a clean energy future -- one in which nuclear power clearly has no place, writes Kelly Campbell, policy director at Columbia Riverkeeper. Oregon Capital Chronicle
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania plant, site of the worst U.S. nuclear energy accident, is at the forefront of efforts to expand nuclear capacity to meet rising electricity demand. The New York Times
Pennsylvania
Members of the NRC requested details about the emergency evacuation plans for the restarted plant and information about the commercial deal with Microsoft, while imploring Constellation to quickly work on permitting related to its water use for the plant. Reuters
Rhode Island
Improvements in technology and a push to decarbonize could make nuclear more pervasive. ecoRI news
U.S.
U.S. efforts have underprioritized critical capacity-building in nuclear heavy manufacturing. In doing so, they risk repeating the mistakes that helped short-circuit previous hopes for a "nuclear renaissance" more than a decade ago. World Politics Review
Virginia
The NRC staff's assessment provides a useful window into decision making on power supply even when there is a diverse range of options that can be deployed as an alternative to a large nuclear plant. Nuclear Energy International
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Maryland
Ocean City, Md., neighboring towns, counties, sportfishing groups, hotels, amusement parks and boardwalk staple Thrasher's French Fries have filed a lawsuit against the federal government for approving a massive wind farm approximately 10 miles off the tourist town's coast. WTOP
Massachusetts
Company says it has exceeded its target to create 500 union jobs but has fallen short on its commitments to hire women and a diverse workforce. The New Bedford Light
North Carolina
The lease covers Avangrid's nearly 40,000-acre Kitty Hawk North wind farm proposed more than 36 miles from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and associated assets. Reuters
Oregon
Oregonians are invited to collaborate with state officials over the next year on a plan for developing offshore wind energy in the state. Oregon Capital Chronicle
Virginia
Omega Protein, the menhaden fishing operator in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean east of Virginia, is asking for a 15-mile buffer from the coast wherein future offshore wind projects can't be built, to avoid conflicts with their operations. Virginia Mercury
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International
The energy giant's CEO, Murray Auchincloss, has taken a profit-oriented approach and said in an interview that the company's "principal aim" was increasing earnings. The New York Times
U.S.
Former ConocoPhillips economist Marianne Kah on the election: Whether it's Harris or Trump, the outcome likely won't affect oil production. Capital & Main
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International
Canadian renewable fuel producers are facing lower returns on new facilities due to a slump in British Columbia's low carbon fuel standard credit market, a trend expected to persist amid a flood of exports from the United States. Reuters
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International
Eight months after the Alberta government lifted its moratorium on the development of new, large wind and solar electricity projects, investment has yet to return as companies choose instead to invest in other provinces. CBC
International
BP completes acquisition of remaining shares in Lightsource bp, aiming for expansion in large-scale renewable energy with a 62 GW pipeline across 19 global markets. Energy News Network
International
Next-generation geothermal energy means drilling deep--for heat instead of oil and gas. Inside Climate News
International
A utility sends phone alerts when wind power is cheap. A builder sells "zero bill" houses. They're among several experiments to redefine how people value electricity. The New York Times
Pennsylvania
While making progress on some renewable energy metrics, state ranks 48th out of 50 states and D.C. in those three big areas. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pennsylvania
Clean energy advocates urge support for a bill that would increase renewables' share of power generation. Inside Climate News
Pennsylvania
When it comes to growing renewable energy, Pennsylvania is lagging behind the rest of the U.S. LehighValleyNews
Texas
The agreement in the U.S. expands on ENGIE and Google's previous partnerships in Europe and is the fifth renewable energy project under agreement between the two companies globally. EnergyTech
Texas
Alberta has restricted its once-booming renewable energy sector, yet Texas is embracing the industry as a money maker that co-exists with oil and gas. The Globe and Mail
U.S.
Trump has suggested he would dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act, which has reshaped America's energy landscape. It won't be easy. The New York Times
U.S.
Ten states elect their public utility commissions, which make big decisions about energy. This November, the stakes are high, especially in Arizona and Louisiana. Canary Media
U.S.
The whole of the Fortune 500 is looking into clean energy tax credit transferability deals, according to tax credit investment banking firm Foss & Co. PV Tech
U.S.
The closeness of the contest is distressing for advocates and researchers, but some note that the most substantial action is at the state level. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The Inflation Reduction Act's transferability provision is expanding opportunities to turn the value of clean energy tax credits into real-world projects. Canary Media
Virginia
The recent storms should be a wake-up call for utilities to ramp up renewables rather than building more carbon-intensive fossil fuel plants to power data centers. But some companies never learn. Finding itself deep in a hole, Dominion proposes to keep on digging, writes former EPA employee and current Sierra Club renewable energy Chairperson Ivy Main. Virginia Mercury
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Kentucky
A federal investment of up to $1.4 billion to expand renewable energy will help transform how a Kentucky utility serves future generations, its CEO said. Kentucky Lantern
Louisiana
The City of New Orleans has purchased 62 of the 67 homes in a subdivision -- with plans to buy and tear down more -- to build a solar farm atop tainted land. EPA Administrator Michael Regan traveled to the city for a ceremony to launch the farm. Louisiana Illuminator
New Mexico
Residents of the East Mountains area outside of Albuquerque packed into the Vista Grande Community Center in Sandia Park recently to express opposition to a proposed solar farm with battery storage. New Mexico Political Report
North Carolina
In areas hit by Hurricane Helene, the nonprofit Footprint Project is replacing noisy and polluting generators with solar panels and batteries. Canary Media
U.S.
Meta has agreed to purchase all energy output from ENGIE North America's 260-MW Sypert Branch solar project in Texas when it comes online in late 2025, the companies announced. Utility Dive
Vermont
A 5-MW solar array providing power to a nearby university was inaugurated in Middlebury, Vt. With the help of Encore Renewable Energy and Greenbacker Renewable Energy, 40% of Middlebury College's electricity is powered by solar. Solar Power World
Virginia
A coalition that represents solar developers in Virginia plans to ask the legislature to change how solar projects are approved at the local level, arguing that municipal bans are hurting efforts to meet the requirements of the state's 2020 Clean Economy Act. Virginia Mercury
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Arizona
Recurrent Energy, a unit of Canadian Solar, has signed two 20-year tolling agreements for a 150-MW solar farm and a 600-MWh energy storage system in Maricopa County, Ariz. Renewables Now
International
Solinteg has developed the IntegOne HSH, a residential solar storage system that combines a single-phase hybrid inverter with one or two batteries. Up to 10 systems can connect in parallel, offering a maximum efficiency of 97.6%. pv magazine
U.S.
In areas with high population density or abundant solar energy, adding one to four hours of battery storage to a solar power facility can significantly increase site revenue. However, the added value diminishes with storage capacities exceeding four hours. pv magazine
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International
The levelized cost of electricity for renewable energy technologies is dropping globally, led by wind and solar energy, according to new reports from Wood Mackenzie. Utility Dive
U.S.
The United States produced more than three times as much solar, wind and geothermal power in 2023 as in 2014, with growth in all 50 states, according to Renewables on the Rise 2024, an online dashboard unveiled by Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. Environment America
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California
Ormat Technologies launches in California its largest energy storage project, Bottleneck, an 80-MW/320MWh system designed to provide energy services to San Diego Gas & Electric under a 15-year contract. Energynews
International
Amazon is trialing a new battery technology for its energy storage needs in cooperation with Swiss battery startup Unbound Potential, a participant of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. Renewable Energy Magazine
International
Canadian Solar's CSI Solar reported a third-quarter operating revenue of 12.22 billion yuan and a net profit of 0.72 billion yuan, marking an 8.3% increase from the previous quarter. The company continues to leverage its strong position in utility-scale energy storage and advanced manufacturing, with North American shipments accounting for over 30% of its module sales. TipRanks
International
Energy losses and advances in battery technology can affect utility-scale storage asset performance over time. Jordan Perrone, senior project development engineer at Depcom Power, explains how planning for battery storage augmentation from the start can simplify future upgrades down the line. pv magazine
International
India's Reliance Industries has completed the takeover of sodium-ion battery company Faradion, while Amazon is set to trial a novel flow battery technology. Energy Storage News
International
The method developed at the Technical University of Munich is intended to make several hundred thousand charge and discharge cycles possible in the future instead of a few thousand. A special protective layer for the zinc anodes of the batteries is crucial. pv magazine
International
"It won't be long" before Tesla's stationary energy storage business is shipping 100GWh a year, CEO Elon Musk has claimed. Energy Storage News
International
Nuclear power stations may make for a more eye-catching headline, but virtual power plants also could prove to be an important player in providing capacity for the growing number of data centers being built in the U.S. PV Tech
Missouri
Residents of a southeast Missouri town were forced to evacuate their homes Wednesday when a fire erupted at a nearby battery recycler. Missouri Independent
Nebraska
Nebraska-based electricity provider Lincoln Electric Systems has signed a deal to facilitate the development, financing and operation of a new battery energy storage project that will be built near an existing electrical substation. ESS News
New York
A novel collaboration between solar installer Sunrun and utility Orange & Rockland shows how New York could tap household solar generation to advance climate goals. Canary Media
Texas
Battery storage facilities, seen by many as a key component in shoring up the state's fragile electricity grid, have taken fitful steps to gain a foothold in some Houston-area cities. Houston Chronicle
U.S.
Redoxblox, a U.S. firm developing thermochemical energy storage systems, has closed its Series A financing round at around $40.7 million, adding to recent grants awarded by the California Energy Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy. Renewables Now
U.S.
The startup says its novel thermochemical storage system is a cost-effective way to provide clean heat to fossil fuel-reliant heavy industries. Canary Media
Wisconsin
The 20-MW/200-MWh pilot project in Wisconsin could be "the first of many CO2 batteries to be built in partnership between Energy Dome and Alliant," an Alliant executive said. Utility Dive
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Maryland
For years, Maryland environmentalists have fought in vain to stop sending millions of dollars in green energy subsidies to facilities that generate energy by burning trash. The Baltimore Banner
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