This week in resources news, NetZero Insider’s Jon Lamson wrote about a study from ISO New England finding its existing grid can handle the addition of 9,600 MW of offshore wind without major upgrades. Connecting closer to Boston, by far the region’s biggest city, also could save $4.1 billion by 2050, the study found. The 9,600 MW figure could be plugged into before risking curtailment during low load periods. If generators accept more curtailment, or pair offshore wind with storage,
even more could be plugged in before major grid upgrades are required.
A pair of libertarian organizations have stories on how the Jones Act affects energy on opposite ends of the continent. The act requires domestic goods in interstate commerce to be shipped in U.S.-built ships, crewed by Americans. Reason writes about how the law is causing problems for Alaska, which has plenty of natural gas around the North Slope, but can’t get it to its own demand centers on the opposite end of the peninsula. The state could get a short-term waiver from the act so it can ship gas to its customers. But energy interests in
Puerto Rico found a more permanent solution through a loophole and an old LNG ship, according to a blog post from the Cato Institute. The ship was built in France, but now that it is American flagged it can ship natural gas to Puerto Rico. But that loophole does not apply to fully fledged U.S. states.
The Energy Information Administration released an analysis showing the United States maintained a healthy lead as the biggest exporter of LNG in the world in 2024. The U.S. exported 11.9 Bcf/day, easily staying ahead of Qatar and Australia, which averaged below 11 Bcf/day. Exports were flat from 2023 due to facility outages, lower demand in Europe, and no new export facilities coming online since 2022. For a deeper look into the issues around LNG, the Louisiana Illuminator has a long story on how the industry, in which the state is a major player, has changed since the War in Ukraine started and American LNG helped replace Russian gas that used to be piped into Europe.
Virtual power plants continued to make progress, with Pacific Gas & Electric and Sunrun working together on a pilot program to cut local grid constraints, as E&E News by Politico reported. Virginia public radio subsidiary WMRA has a story about a bill that the legislature sent to Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) that seeks to kickstart the VPP
business in the commonwealth. Since that story was posted, Youngkin has responded to the bill requesting some changes from the legislature, though saying he supports the general idea of VPPs. The legislature can respond to the request and get the bill passed.
Read other stories in this week’s intelligence report:
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U.S.
A small but increasing amount of biodiesel in the United States is consumed in the residential, commercial and electric power sectors, according to new estimates now published in our State Energy Data System. Previously, we allocated all U.S. biodiesel consumption to the transportation sector, where the vast majority of biodiesel is consumed. Energy Information Administration
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Alabama
State officials have ordered tighter monitoring of methane gas above coal mines in the state after a slap on the wrist from federal officials. Will it be enough to mitigate the risks? Inside Climate News
Maryland
A bill advancing in the Maryland General Assembly would enshrine a recent federal rule on coal ash dumps in state law, as President Donald Trump's administration considers rolling that standard back. Maryland Matters
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California
PG&E launches VPP pilot program to tap distributed solar for benefit of the grid. E&E News
U.S.
Renew Home sets up new VPP program to manage the resources for other energy providers Solar Power World
Virginia
Gov Youngkin said he wants some tweaks to this bill, but supports VPPs and the idea generally. Legislature has a chance to respond to his request and make it a law. WMRA Public Radio
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International
A new report illustrates a concerning dynamic: Record heat last year pushed countries to use more planet-warming fossil fuels to cool things down. The New York Times
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Utah
With the present generation of geothermal power plants, it is only possible in the relatively few regions of the world with hot enough rocks and water close to the surface. But seeking deeper sources of energy, the University of Utah with support of the U.S. Department of Energy has been conducting the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy experiment near Milford, Utah. CleanTechnica
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Pennsylvania
Local groups say federal regulators unlawfully issued preliminary approval for an energy storage project on the Susquehanna River. E&E News
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Alaska
Alaska will look into relief from Jones Act as its ample gas supply cannot be transported to local customers facing shortages anytime soon without it Reason
International
Taiwan's state owned petro firm CPC Corporation signed a letter of intent to get gas from Alaska in bid to get/stay in Trump's good graces The Japan Times
International
Alaska Gov. continues East Asia tour as he tries to sign up customers for LNG from state Reuters
International
Wood MacKenzie estimate that LNG from US has just 48% of European coal's emissions Energynews
International
Oil major Shell sees LNG as a key source of its future business, plans to boost sales 5% in next five years. Natural Gas Intelligence
International
The biggest single economy that is a net importer of LNG is seeing demand for the commodity drop. Bloomberg
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico benefits from a Jones Act loophole to start getting natural gas from French-built, American-flagged ship. Wouldn't work for New England or Hawaii Cato Institute
U.S.
The industry has a more friendly federal government, but 8 large-scale LNG export facilities planned for Gulf and East coasts face uncertainty around trade wars, future global markets, and competition from domestic demand Forbes
U.S.
US exported 11.9 BCF/day to lead world, beating Qatar and Australia by about 1.5 BCF/day EIA
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Colorado
Colorado School of Public Health study found childhood cancer more likely among kids who grew up near oil and gas wells Colorado Public Radio
Indiana
Indiana legislature passes bill to label natural gas and propane energy WVXU
International
Natural gas generator and data center for Durango, Mexico with backing from federal govt. DatacenterDynamics
International
LNG proponents say gas will help rebuild Ukraine. But critics say it will only help industry - undermining Ukraine's security and Louisiana's environment. Louisiana Illuminator
Michigan
Michigan lawmakers considering bills to keep Upper Peninsula natural gas plants running. They provide baseload that helps run iron mines that help supply automakers. WZMQ
Texas
Fed Survey of oil and gas executives finds more uncertainy among industry two months into President Trump's term. The Dallas Morning News
U.S.
Cold winter cut into storage enough that prices could surge next fall if production does not come up to help refill storage MSN
Wisconsin
WE Energies wants to build a new gas plant, but it is running into some opposition to expanding fossil fired generation Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Michigan
Holtec International launches "Mission 2030" to build two SMRs at Palisades nuclear plant, nearly doubling energy output. Inside Climate News
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Illinois
Illinois is distributing $57 million in grants through three initiatives aimed at accelerating the state's transition to clean energy, with a focus on historically disadvantaged communities. Chicago Construction News
International
The U.N. this week issued a report that warns hotter average temperatures will put stress on the renewable energy resources we rely on to help us manage hotter average temperatures. CleanTechnica
International
A new report finds that while electricity demand skyrocketed, the deployment of new wind, solar and nuclear power did, too. Grist
U.S.
From Maine to Massachusetts, state officials are targeting clean energy programs as a way to reduce costs for ratepayers. Advocates say it's shortsighted. Canary Media
U.S.
Engie SA and Ares Management have expanded their gigawatt-level partnership in the U.S. after a unit of the asset manager acquired a stake in a 900-MW portfolio of operational solar farms, one of which coupled with storage. Renewables Now
U.S.
A stake of a 900-MW solar portfolio owned by Engie was purchased by Ares Management, an alternative asset management firm. Engie North America will retain a controlling interest in the portfolio, which includes three solar projects in the MISO and ERCOT regions. pv magazine
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Texas
The company's subsidiary, Mission Solar Energy, is planning to make the new facility eligible for manufacturing tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Manufacturing Dive
U.S.
Solar industry experts say it has too much Republican support, and makes so much sense economically, that the solar industry will keep growing. Fast Company
Virginia
Advocates sought change to reach clean energy goals amid an uptick in local permit denials. Inside Climate News
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California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has expedited BayWa re's 300-MW Cornucopia Hybrid agrivoltaic project, streamlining judicial review and cutting permitting delays. pv magazine
California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, announced that he has certified the Cornucopia Hybrid Solar Project using the California Environmental Quality Act's judicial streamlining provision, speeding up the construction of 300 MW of solar along with 300 MW of battery storage. Utility Dive
Hawaii
Innergex's Hale Kuawehi Solar and Battery Storage Project reached commercial operations March 25. The project, located on Hawaii Island, integrates 30 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity with 30 MW/120 MWh of battery storage. Innergex
International
Danish energy group ?rsted A/S has invested $55 million in Mission Clean Energy to back the expansion of the San Francisco-based platform's solar and energy storage pipeline in the U.S. Renewables Now
International
Canadian independent renewable energy developer SolarBank has announced a definitive agreement with an institutional investor for equity financing of up to $19 million. Yahoo
U.S.
We expect 63 gigawatts of new utility-scale electric-generating capacity to be added to the U.S. power grid in 2025 in our latest Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory report. This amount represents an almost 30% increase from 2024 when 48.6 GW of capacity was installed, the largest capacity installation in a single year since 2002. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
The demonstration program will include up to 1,500 electric residential customers with battery energy storage systems and up to 400 customers with smart electric panels to enhance local grid reliability. T&D World
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International
The U.S. energy sector is being hit by a series of import tariffs that could impact growth. Preliminary rulings on new countervailing and antidumping duties on certain Chinese components are expected this month, on top of President Trump's decision to increase tariffs on China by a further 10% from March 4, representing a 20% tariff since he began his second term. Reuters
International
RayGen of Australia has combined concentrated solar with waste heat through the Rankine cycle to create cost-effective long-duration energy storage. CleanTechnica
International
The startup's collaboration with Horien Salt Battery Solutions is set to accelerate the commercialization of its low-cost, long-duration energy storage technology. pv magazine
Massachusetts
A first-of-its-kind "vehicle-to-everything" pilot is giving out 100 free chargers to test how EVs can earn money for sending backup power to the grid. Canary Media
Massachusetts
As Westfield continues to grapple with forever chemicals, Mello and other residents are rallying against what they see as a new environmental threat: a large-scale lithium-ion battery storage project. MassLive
U.S.
A joint venture between a U.S. and Japanese construction company has secured a $97 million Defense Department contract to build energy storage facilities aimed at shielding the U.S. Navy on Guam from power outages. Stars and Stripes
Utah
Utah-based solar energy company Torus has joined exclusive company when it was certified as one of only two commercial battery providers to pass Rocky Mountain Power's testing standards for the Wattsmart Battery Program. Deseret News
Virginia
The Virginia General Assembly has passed legislation that aims to promote new energy storage investments in the commonwealth. Cardinal News
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