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Welcome to the latest NetZero Insider Resources Intelligence Report. We start with a global update: In its annual report on the clean energy transition, BloombergNEF calculates that worldwide investments reached $2.1 trillion in 2024, which was the most ever and was the first time the total surpassed $2 trillion in a single year. John Cropley has the details.
Our New England reporter, Jon Lamson, has two updates on power in that region:
Also on the subject of natural gas generation, Cropley has stories on two separate agreements to pursue development of gas turbines co-located with data centers or other large loads:
Cropley brings us up to speed as well on a step forward for renewables in New York and a step back in New Jersey:
As always, our fellow journalists at other news outlets were busy covering other developments this past week, and as always, we have gathered links to some of their work.
In nuclear news:
In offshore wind news:
In energy storage news:
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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California
With a limited supply of sustainable feedstocks as well as uncertainties around pollution and impacts on workers and communities, a shift to "biorefineries" by some oil refineries could be misguided and requires careful consideration. World Resources Institute
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South Carolina
The U.K. and European Union consider this a form of renewable energy and, in fact, woody biomass accounts for the largest source of renewable energy on the continent. WSOC
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South Dakota
Supporters of the bill said carbon pipelines do not meet the public-use standard required for eminent domain. Iowa Capital Dispatch
U.S.
Supporters of carbon capture composed a letter defending the 45Q tax credit. Energywire
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International
Institutions have been unwilling to commit to firm policies on metallurgical coal. Financial Times
U.S.
A letter signed by executives from a dozen firms asks the EPA to let the companies off the hook for cleaning up scores of harmful coal-ash sites. Canary Media
U.S.
The president failed to boost coal in his first administration. Now he's betting that surging energy demand will revive an industry in decline. Energywire
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U.S.
Op-ed argues that utilities should take the lead as VPPs expand to residential sector to address demand. Utility Dive
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U.S.
The DER roadmap issued in the last days of the Biden administration envisions interconnection wait times under one day for sub-50-kW systems and 25% shorter power outage durations by 2030. Utility Dive
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U.S.
Tapping 1% of the U.S.' superhot rock geothermal potential could produce 4.3 TW of firm power, according to the Clean Air Task Force. Utility Dive
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International
Expectations have fallen even more than anticipated, with new project announcements down by over 80% globally and producers scaling back earlier commitments. bne Intellinews
U.S.
West Virginia senator Shelley Moore Capito said president's pause on disbursement of funds is targeted at future spending, rather than obligated money -- although she does not seem entirely sure. Hydrogen Insight
U.S.
The new US administration's policies on blue and green hydrogen are not yet clear -- but based on what we know, these are the most likely outcomes, writes net-zero strategy consultant Omar Germouni Hydrogen Insight
U.S.
US hydrogen producers using power from low-carbon generation including wind farms have won a reprieve from the need to 'match' generation to hydrogen production on an hourly basis to qualify for production tax credits. Windpower Monthly
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Nevada
Many climate experts see its deserts as a place to build the green-energy future. For two local activists, the price is too great. The New York Times
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Hawaii
Importing LNG would be a major departure from previous state energy policy. Former Gov. David Ige nixed the idea of using LNG as a bridge fuel a decade ago. Hawaii Public Radio
International
EU will not ban Russian LNG imports unless it can guarantee alternatives to the supply. Reuters
International
European winter demand pulls cargoes from Asia, leads to high overall global LNG imports Reuters
U.S.
A look at how Biden DOE's LNG report could throw a monkey wrench into Trump's plans to expand gas production/exports Rolling Stone
U.S.
Venture Global stock prices drops below $25 on first day of IPO, already had been downsized from $40-46/share Fast Company
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International
Alberta, Canada businesses are looking to cash in on AI demand growth with its natural gas supplies attracting data centers to province MSN
International
Aritcle focuses on how tariffs/trade war would disrupt the finely tune North American natural gas market, with details on which states would suffer most. Forbes
International
Texas natural gas to start serving Yucatan as new pipeline from TC Energy is completed in Mexico. Natural Gas Intelligence
International
article examines how Trump tariffs would impact natural gas prices for Canadian imports Natural Gas Intelligence
Oklahoma
Oklahoma AG launches third lawsuit against firms in Uri - targets include BP, Chevron, Constellation KOSU
Pennsylvania
Natural gas-fired electric power generation has increased in Pennsylvania since 2013 as the state has shifted toward natural gas as its main fuel source for electric power generation. In October 2024, natural gas-fired generation accounted for 57% of the electricity generated in Pennsylvania, more than twice the share in October 2013 (26%). Energy Information Administration
Texas
Despite two prior denials, officials in Arlington, Texas approve natural gas drilling near daycare KERA News
U.S.
Diversified Energy tries to buy Maverick, growing its share of natural gas production from 138k boe/day by 77k boe/day MSN
U.S.
ECP executive talks rebound in natural gas after firm agreed to sell Calpine to Constellation PE Hub
U.S.
FERC reinstates pipeline's certificate a few days before court mandate was to issue, shutting it down. Important supplier of natural gas to Northeast. Reuters
Virginia
Previously known as the Panda Stonewall Energy Facility, the Potomac Energy Center is situated within PJM Interconnection in Loudon County, a region of Northern Virginia, which currently hosts 25% of U.S. data center capacity. POWER
Virginia
Dominion is adding 44 MW to 645 MW natural gas plant to help meet growing demand from data centers DatacenterDynamics
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International
Four months of low wind output in Germany are impacting the continent's power markets and the world's gas markets. Natural Gas World
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Idaho
Westinghouse and INL found that a nuclear plant's thermal energy can be used to make clean hydrogen, and heat homes and businesses. It can do this by distributing heat from a central source called district heating. Daily Energy Insider
Indiana
Consumer advocates say the legislation puts the financial cost of financing the expensive, unproven technology on ratepayers. Inside Indiana Business
International
A British startup envisions small reactors that can travel to sites where and when they are needed. E&E News
International
With its capacity to deliver low carbon electricity consistently 24/7, nuclear power has prevented around 70 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions over the past five decades. International Atomic Energy Agency
International
Challenges and failures of nuclear energy amidst renewed industry promises and government funding. Meer
International
How disillusionment with modernity birthed the anti-nuclear movement. spiked
Minnesota
Republicans overwhelmingly support repealing the nuclear moratorium; Democratic lawmakers say they'll take their direction on the issue from the Prairie Island Indian Community. Minnesota Reformer
South Carolina
State-owned utility Santee Cooper announced last week it would seek a buyer for the pair of half-built nuclear reactors, located at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Fairfield County, that were mothballed more than seven years ago. NewsBreak
U.S.
Artificial intelligence must adhere to the strictest standards of data security, privacy, and operational integrity. POWER
U.S.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved an updated mission statement, with its new Chairman David Wright saying it "should position itself to be a part of the solution." World Nuclear News
U.S.
In 2023, U.S. nuclear generators used 32 million pounds of imported uranium concentrate (U3O8) and only 0.05 million pounds of domestically produced U3O8. Energy Information Administration
Wyoming
TerraPower on Jan. 21 said it will work with Sabey Data Centers on "a strategic collaboration agreement to leverage advanced nuclear Natrium plants into SDC's current and future data center operations." POWER
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International
Wind Europe says any US retrenchment will be "a chance for Europe to be clear on what it wants." Euractiv
International
The flagging industry could face financial jeopardy if the president places tariffs on Denmark for refusing to hand over the island. E&E News
Maine
A changing political climate has, at times, dimmed the outlook for Maine's offshore wind desires. The Maine Monitor
Maine
Maine has a fleeting chance to get back in the race in 2025, despite President Trump's antipathy. The Maine Monitor
Maryland
US Wind will build the 1,710 MW project in four phases that will see 114 wind turbines, each with a 15 MW capacity, installed offshore Maryland. offshoreWIND.biz
New Jersey
Only one of the four active New Jersey wind projects appears unaffected by Trump's memorandum: Atlantic Shores South, which won its final federal permits on Dec. 16. New Jersey Monitor
New York
Arthur Kill Terminal, which has been in the planning stages for over five years, is meant to function as a specialized port where offshore wind turbines and towers could be assembled and staged before being brought out to sea. SILive.com
U.S.
Many of the projects have already received final approvals from the federal government prior to Trump taking office. ecoRI
U.S.
The environmental review process designated by the National Environmental Policy Act has often been blamed as a key cause for delays. Clean Air Task Force
U.S.
Over 64% of manufacturing and supply-chain investment supporting the emerging industry is in Republican districts, per new data. Canary Media
U.S.
A simple legal strategy could spell the end of the fledging industry, which had been poised for renewal. But it may also backfire. Grist
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U.S.
Oil and gas executives welcomed President Trump's early moves on energy policy, but many said they did not plan to increase production unless prices rose significantly. The New York Times
U.S.
U.S. producers, mainly shale companies which led a fracking revolution that unlocked vast new supplies of crude from rock, are pumping record amounts of oil, but using fewer rigs to do it. Reuters
U.S.
Output set to rise more slowly under new president than during Joe Biden's term. Financial Times
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Alabama
Past efforts to lease large tracts of land in Alabama's national forests have been unsuccessful, with a planned 2012 lease auction nixed as a result of public outrage over environmental concerns. Inside Climate News
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Texas
According to the latest numbers from 2023, wind power accounted for more than 28 percent of the mix in Texas, almost three times the national average. Texas Standard
U.S.
The finance forms part of an investment $600M in GE Vernova's US factories and facilities over the next two years to help meet the surging electricity demands around the world. reNEWS.biz
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California
The state went a record 98 of 116 days providing up to 10 hours of electricity with renewables alone. Grist
International
As ever, the latest analysis shows that policy decisions made in 2025 will strongly affect China's emissions trajectory in the coming years. Carbon Brief
Maryland
Hailed as a transformative initiative, the program has failed to deliver its promise of transitioning Maryland to clean, fossil-free electricity, the report's authors write. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The same affordability concerns that swept President Donald Trump to office are keeping blue-state leaders from mounting a vigorous response to his dismantling of federal climate policies. POLITICO
U.S.
Renewable energy asset owners come to a critical crossroads: invest in resilient, hardened assets or opt for standard equipment to minimize upfront costs. POWER
U.S.
Researcher Katherine Hoff explains how negotiation and dialogue can smooth the energy transition. High Country News
U.S.
But energy buyers and sellers have grown more adaptable in the face of an unstable policy landscape, LevelTen Energy said. Utility Dive
U.S.
He blew in amid a blizzard of executive orders, but 10 days into his term where do renewables stand under the returning, wind power-hostile president? Recharge
U.S.
The effort comes amid increasing alarm from renewable power developers that Washington will winnow key subsidies and other support driving the construction of wind farms, solar arrays and energy storage projects nationwide. Financial Post
U.S.
"There are daily developments, and I think people are just doing the best they can with the limited information we have at the moment," said Felisa Sanchez, a partner with law firm K&L Gates. Utility Dive
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Wisconsin
Other states allow companies to own residential solar arrays on homeowners' roofs, but in Wisconsin the question has been tied up in legal battles. Canary Media
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Arkansas
It should generate enough electricity to offset 80% of the power used by J.B. Hunt's three main corporate campus buildings in Lowell, Arkansas. Solar Power World
New York
Despite changing energy priorities in Washington, D.C., NYC's solar marketplace will continue to thrive: Good news for industry and consumers. pv magazine
U.S.
Recipients of the $7 billion Solar For All program were locked out of an online portal that's used to distribute federal funding. Energywire
U.S.
Crucial to panels, inverters and batteries, semiconductors are the solar industry's silent workhorses; however, material scarcity and supply chain issues loom. pv magazine
U.S.
Safe harboring allows companies to demonstrate a good-faith effort at starting a solar project to lock in the applicable tax credits in place that year. Solar Power World
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Michigan
The BESS, with a 30 year lifecycle, is designed for peak shaving, load shifting and regulation. It will be built with a dedicated substation to connect directly to Michigan's transmission system. Energy Storage News
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Wisconsin
The Republican-backed proposal comes amid a wave of construction after federal lawmakers invested billions of dollars during the Biden administration to slow the pace of climate change. Renewable Energy World
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California
Scientists at San Jos? State University recorded a dramatic increase in nickel, manganese and cobalt -- materials used in lithium ion batteries -- in soil samples. AOL
California
Battery safety has come a long way since the construction of the 300 MW first phase of Vistra Energy's Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California, which caught fire on January 16. pv magazine
California
Safety standards and industry practices have improved considerably since construction of the Moss Landing battery plant that recently burned up in California. Canary Media
Connecticut
Importing LNG would be a major departure from previous state energy policy. Former Gov. David Ige nixed the idea of using LNG as a bridge fuel a decade ago Solar Power World
International
The team uses 1,3-dimethyl imidazolium iodide (DMII) to enhance lithium-air batteries by improving charge transport and reducing overpotential. Interesting Engineering
International
From moving to 300Ah+ cells in 2023, some manufacturers are more than doubling the size of their largest cells announced. Energy Storage News
New York
The New York City-based developer of urban, "community-scale" battery energy storage systems has landed a $65 million finance package from lenders led by First Citizens Bank. pv magazine
U.S.
New whitepaper outlines analysis and policy recommendations to reach storage targets, including 10 million distributed storage systems by 2030. Solar Energy Industries Association
U.S.
Tesla expects its battery storage installations will jump at least 50% this year. Utility Dive
U.S.
In its 'Notice 2025-08', the Internal Revenue Service provided the updated cost proportion reference table for solar PV and battery energy system system products. Energy Storage News
Utah
Announced 27 January, the partnership would support Utah's Operation Gigawatt, an initiative that looks to expand Utah's power production over the next 10 years. Energy Storage News
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U.S.
Demand for clean power hiked on the back of falling costs, federal tax credits, and ambitious renewable energy targets, leading to over 2.5 TW of solar, wind and storage projects in U.S. grid connection queues at the end of 2023. Reuters
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California
Woodside billed its decision as part of a "disciplined approach" and said that it would instead prioritise a clean ammonia project in Texas. Renew Economy
New York
The funds will support a 674 MW solar project developed by Hecate Energy. pv magazine
U.S.
In his first sit-down interview since being sworn in, President Trump beat a familiar-sounding drum when discussing wind power, before steering his sights toward another renewable energy mainstay: solar photovoltaics. Renewable Energy World
U.S.
A new report outlines the country's ample "floatovoltaics" opportunity. Floating solar arrays have already taken off in some Asian and European countries. Canary Media
U.S.
On brownfields, more expensive screening requirements include mineral rights searches, environmental and geotechnical assessments. This is where risks arise. Solar Power World
U.S.
We expect U.S. utilities and independent power producers will add 26 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity to the U.S. electric power sector in 2025 and 22 GW in 2026. Energy Information Administration
Virginia
County officials fear a lack of local control and a possible change of character affecting farms and forestlands. Inside Climate News
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International
Goldwind and Envision are expected to dominate Chinese onshore wind turbine exports between 2024 and 2034 Reve
U.S.
It's time to say goodbye to the Biden administration's push for wind energy, a plan that risked steering America toward an unreliable energy path, writes Austin Gae, a research associate at The Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation
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