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Welcome back to the NetZero Insider Resources Intelligence Report. The Thanksgiving hiatus is over, and thankfully we have plenty of intelligence to report from the renewables sector.
John Cropley has a two-story package about the latest developments in New York’s clean energy transition. The state’s efforts sometimes seem like the classic one step forward, one step back cycle, but seldom are the steps so close together as these.
Clean Path NY, an $11 billion package of transmission and generation projects that would have brought 3.8 GW of power to the New York City area, was canceled after years of development. The component projects themselves were not necessarily canceled, only the package in which they were gathered; the developers did not provide details.
Less than a week after that announcement, New York announced REC contracts for 23 proposed solar and onshore wind projects that total 2.34 GW of capacity and carry an expected price tag over $4.7 billion. They are in the later stages of development and should be less prone to the delays and cancellations that have plagued earlier-stage projects.
In New England, Jon Lamson reports that regional stakeholders widely support the New England States Committee on Electricity’s proposed procurement of transmission solutions in Maine and New Hampshire, although they differ on some of the details.
James Downing gives us the details of a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study on the resilience benefits of distributed solar-and-storage: These systems cut loss of load by a mean of 96%. The value of this varies significantly, however, based on the characteristics of individual customers.
New Jersey is seeking stakeholder input on its community solar program as it prepares for its 2025 solicitation of 250 MW. Hugh Morley writes that the first year of the program yielded two allocations that were nearly fully subscribed.
Cropley has a two-part update on East Coast offshore wind: BOEM gave its final approval to US Wind’s Maryland Offshore Wind project and announced a record of decision identifying 58 environmental measures expected to be applied to future projects in six wind energy lease areas in the New York Bight.
On the West Coast, Elaine Goodman writes about a different type of marine power generation: wave energy and tidal energy. A draft of a new report from the California Energy Commission indicates present-day technology could generate as much as 140 TWh per year but warns any attempt to deploy such technology at scale would face many obstacles.
Turning to our curated selection of news from other media outlets, we see a tale of two states in the nuclear sector, courtesy of the Portland Press Herald and Nashville Herald:
BNN Bloomberg and Reuters report more setbacks for offshore wind:
There are also updates from several different sources on the proliferation of battery energy storage systems:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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California
The idea that E15 could lower gas prices in California is, itself, controversial. Even more controversial, though, is the notion that expanding the use of biofuels comes with few consequences. Inside Climate News
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U.S.
The incoming Trump administration will have a say in whether federally backed direct air capture projects in Louisiana move forward. Louisiana Illuminator
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U.S.
The first law of holes says that you should stop digging when you're in one; it's time to stop retiring dispatchable resources if we don't want the hole we're in to get any deeper, writes Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of America's Power. Utility Dive
Wisconsin
The 1,100-megawatt Columbia Energy Center is now expected to run through the end of 2029. Energywire
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U.S.
EPRI and Kraken (UK VPP firm) working to standardize rules around resources as they become more widespread Utility Dive
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U.S.
As of November, four partners have backed out of development for a regional network of facilities that will produce, store, distribute and utilize hydrogen as an energy source across West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Hydrogen Central
U.S.
The U.S. Department of Energy is rolling out the first installment of its $1 billion commitment to ramp up clean hydrogen production in the Midwest, part of a bid by the Biden administration to lock in a nationwide road map for decarbonization. Grist
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International
Asian appetite for US LNG exports only expected to grow in the coming decades, report from Wood Mackenzie finds Delaware Valley Journal
International
With supply crunch in Europe, Asian LNG prices are also expected to trend upwards Reuters
International
A new pricing pattern is emerging in Europe as it must fill storage in the summer with LNG supply from US, others, meaning future prices are higher for next summer than the winter - when Russians used to charge more Financial Times
U.S.
EQT CEO is a big backer of LNG exports and the article looks into what that could mean for domestic gas pprices. Environmental Health News
U.S.
Overview of some Thanksgiving week orders from FERC on LNG exports that have been dealt a blow by courts Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
Rising costs of building LNG export facilities will limit competitiveness of exports from USA going forward. Yahoo
U.S.
Trump plans to move more LNG export facilities, but that won't have impacts for several years. Reuters
U.S.
Demand from LNG exports is nearing an all-time record as new facilities poised to come online Reuters
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Massachusetts
In the event of a power failure, the microgrid will be able to 'island' from the main grid, ensuring that essential services remain operational and that the City's most vulnerable residents are protected. Renewable Energy Magazine
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International
The country moved to block exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, which could cost the U.S. billions. Greenwire
International
Environmental campaign groups say the practice cannot be done sustainably and will inevitably lead to ecosystem destruction and species extinction. CNBC
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California
Aliso Canyon families settle natural gas leak that impacted neighborhood for $71 million. Facility outage had major impacts on wholesale power, gas markets. CBS Los Angeles
International
Trump's tariff threats against Mexico and Canada are not impacting gas trade with the south, at least yet. Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
EQT and Blackstone join up for $3.5 billion in pipeline investments - EQT will pay down debt, Blackstone stake in Mid Atlantic pipelines. Bloomberg
U.S.
TC Energy plans to pump more gas through a 63-year-old pipeline that former inspector Steve Bromley says is corroded and damaged. Energywire
Virginia
Article looks into Dominion's effort to build a new natural gas plant and get an air permit from Va. regulators. Yahoo
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International
Europe plans to head off Trump trade wars by offering to buy even more American LNG POLITICO Europe
International
Natural gas prices climb in Northern Hemisphere as winter looms, expeted to continue for near future Reuters
Louisiana
Sierra Club report on LNG export facility tax breaks find they cost Louisiana $7 million per job Fast Company
U.S.
Still waiting for LNG report from lame duck DOE, but it is expected to say that exports are dirty and drive up domestic prices. E&E News
U.S.
Venture Global is starting up another LNG export facility a few weeks before Trump takes office as it prepares for an IPO, and is embroiled in disputes with some oil and gas majors Financial Times
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International
The company sees demand for as many as 57 small reactors in total across its target markets in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe by 2035. CNBC
Maine
The cost to build a plant and lengthy regulatory reviews are cited as reasons why Maine is not joining other states looking to revive nuclear energy. Portland Press Herald
Tennessee
In its final report, the council affirmed the state's aggressive tack toward nuclear energy and urged investment into building what could be the first small modular reactor. Nashville Banner
Texas
State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide consistent, low-carbon power to large industrial facilities. But in South Texas, locals worry what a uranium boom means for their groundwater. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The federal government, major companies, and a growing number of climate advocates are supporting a series of nuclear-energy projects that could transform America's grid. The Atlantic
U.S.
The incoming Trump administration can appeal to women's eco sensibilities by highlighting facts about nuclear power as a reliable and environmentally friendly option. RealClearEnergy
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International
It was the first round in an tender to establish at least 6 gigawatts of wind power at sea in six parks by 2030. BNN Bloomberg
International
Since its launch in 2022, Corio has grown rapidly with major projects planned off the coasts of countries including the UK, South Korea and the U.S. BNN Bloomberg
International
The 18-month project will explore ways to co-locate scallop fisheries and offshore wind farms together, using alternative fishing methods to the traditional practice of dredging along the seabed which disturbs marine habitats and species. reNEWS.biz
International
The changes are part of a company-wide review launched in 2023 aimed at reducing costs as CEO Wael Sawan focuses on activities with the highest returns. In many cases that has meant reducing spending on low-carbon and renewable businesses and increasing the focus on oil, gas and biofuels. Reuters
U.S.
Brown University paper finds that expertise from nationwide opponents of renewables offers scripts and guidance to local anti-wind activists. ecoRI
U.S.
The president-elect has a personal vendetta, but some projects will be hard to derail. Mother Jones
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California
Faced with putting up hefty bonds to clean up their mess, operators are instead taking a pass on selling off dying wells. Grist
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International
Expert explains how Trump's tariff threats could impact cross-border natural gas trade with Canada. BNN Bloomberg
International
OPEC production cuts have backfired, turned US into major producer and exporter of oil and natural gas Natural Gas World
International
A deep dive into how Trump's threatened tariffs might change energy trades in North America and with China E&E News
Texas
Texas oil and gas production hits a new record - would be number one exporter of refined products in the world if independent. Texas Insider
U.S.
A rundown of what Trump plans to do for oil and gas production - includes bringing the Keystone Pipeline back from the dead. Natural Gas World
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Oklahoma
In 2023, Oklahoma was the nation's third-largest wind energy producing state behind Texas and Iowa, the report found. The Oklahoman
U.S.
GE Vernova and Vestas have 96% of the US near-term onshore wind generation capacity under construction or in advanced development where projects have selected and reported a turbine provider. Recharge
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Massachusetts
Harvard, MIT and the Mass General Brigham health system anchor the Consortium for Climate Solutions, which will help develop renewable energy projects in Texas and North Dakota. Facilities Dive
Minnesota
A top executive speaking at a regulatory workshop in October said the company can serve data centers and meet its clean energy mandate, but it might need to extend the life of natural gas plants. Energy News Network
Texas
A Fast Company analysis finds that the state is at the top of the list in terms of green energy job openings. Are Red State policies to thank? Fast Company
U.S.
Solar accounted for 78% of all new electricity generation capacity from January through September 2024 Environment America
U.S.
The founding partners of R3 Renewables initiated the development of 5.5 GW pipeline of 10 potential projects on reclaimed mining sites in Indiana and Illinois. Solar Builder
U.S.
Most clean energy projects are in Republican states, and foreign interest in forming joint ventures or investing in the US under the IRA framework is growing despite the election outcome. PV Tech
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island's renewable energy landscape tells a tale of contrasts: while leading New England in behind-the-meter solar adoption, the state's residents shoulder some of the highest electricity costs in the nation. Uprise RI
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International
The new duties announced on Friday by the Commerce Department extend the United States' anti-dumping regime in Southeast Asia to solar cells, from just finished modules previously. Reuters
International
The Israel-based company is eliminating about 500 jobs, mostly in South Korea, according to a filing. Energywire
Kentucky
The city of Lexington is actively investigating solar energy and its potential for Lexington while an internal group is also evaluating how city government is using solar now, and establishing priorities for the future, according to Mayor Kinda Gorton. Kentucky Today
U.S.
U.S. solar module factories are now able to produce enough to meet nearly all demand for solar in the United States when running at full capacity, according to Wood Mackenzie. Reve
U.S.
According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight Q4 2024 report, domestic module manufacturing will be able to keep up with the rapid pace of growth in the U.S. solar industry, and cell production is ramping up. pv magazine
U.S.
It installed 8.6 GW of new electricity generation capacity in Q3, representing a 21% year-over-year increase and the largest Q3 ever for the industry. Solar Power World
Virginia
Data centers are making the clean-energy transition harder, but so is local resistance to building solar. Virginia Mercury
Virginia
An opportunity for residents who want solar on their property is expanding to the Richmond and Hampton Roads area amid potential changes to how much savings Virginia's two largest utilities will offer to customers who install panels. Virginia Mercury
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Virginia
A draft recommendation calls for creating a Virginia advisory board that would regularize permitting of large solar and storage projects, to help guide the state toward meeting its clean energy goals. pv magazine
Wisconsin
Xcel Energy has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to acquire, build and operate the Elk Creek Solar and Energy Storage Project in Spring Brook. If approved, this acquisition would mark a significant expansion in the solar energy delivered to Xcel Energy customers in the Upper Midwest. The Chippewa Herald
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Connecticut
Plans to expand Connecticut's nascent web of grid-scale electric batteries have run into local opposition in the town of Granby, where neighbors and local leaders are seeking to block a proposed facility due to fears of what could happen in the rare event that it erupts into flames. CT Insider
Illinois
Batteries are a missing piece in Illinois' clean energy transition. Engineers and lawmakers are racing to add them to the power grid. Chicago Tribune
International
The financial sector is increasingly throwing its weight behind battery energy storage systems, but transparent regulations are necessary to keep the investment going. pv magazine
International
We're wasting too much of the clean energy we generate. Reservoirs and caverns can store excess solar and wind power. Grist
Kentucky
Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing is establishing a cell, module and packaging facility and is set to begin production in 2025. Utility Dive
Maryland
To help develop alternative batteries that are both sustainable and use easily available components, the University of Maryland has joined a $50 million partnership to develop high-energy, long-lasting batteries based on sodium rather than lithium. University of Maryland
Minnesota
An iron-air energy storage system will be co-located with a solar array in Minnesota. Though it weighs in at only 10 megawatts, the pilot-scale system will unlock the full 24/7 potential of solar power, leapfrogging over coal to threaten natural gas as well. CleanTechnica
North Carolina
Large grid batteries are finally coming to North Carolina, the nation's fourth largest solar power producer. Canary Media
Pennsylvania
Funding Will Support Two Pennsylvania-Based Manufacturing Facilities Developing Innovative Long-Duration Batteries, Strengthen Grid Resilience, and Create Up to 1,000 High-Quality Union Jobs. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
This divide is compounded by a lack of transparency on behalf of developers to fully explain innovations and safety improvements so that AHJs understand the true risk profile of proposed sites. Renewable Energy Magazine
Wisconsin
The pilot aims to validate EnerVenue's energy storage vessels' cycling flexibility, charge and discharge characteristics, duration, temperature performance and efficiency validation. H2 View
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U.S.
Interconnection applications are often reviewed manually, creating a labour-intensive process, particularly given that many applications are incomplete or insufficient. Smart Energy International
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California
As residents see sky-high bills, California's solar plants don't even operate at full capacity. SFGATE
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