New Mexico Enacts Trio of Bills Supporting Renewable Energy Expansion

Virginia Signs Largest State Renewable Energy Contract to Buy 420 Megawatts of Solar, Wind

Democratic Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia entered into a contract with Dominion Energy Inc. to buy 420 megawatts of renewable energy to power state government facilities, according to an Oct. 18 news release. The agreement, which includes four new solar projects and Virginia’s first onshore wind facility, will ensure that state agencies and institutions…

President Biden Commits U.S. to Achieve 50 Percent Emissions Reductions in 2030

Trump Administration Challenges California’s Cap-and-Trade Pact With Quebec, Citing Intrusion into Federal Sphere

The U.S. Department of Justice on Oct. 23 filed a lawsuit against California for unlawfully entering into a cap-and-trade agreement with the Canadian Province of Quebec in 2013. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, claims that the agreement interferes with foreign policy and the federal government’s full and…

China Natural Gas Production

China Expands Incentives to Boost Natural Gas Production Amid Growing Imports: EIA

The Chinese government introduced a subsidy program establishing new incentives for domestic production of natural gas from tight formations and extending existing subsidies for extraction from shale and coalbed methane resources, according to an Oct. 23 report from the U.S. Energy Information administration. The program, introduced in June, is scheduled to be in effect through…

Utility Investments to Aid Minnesota’s Economic Recovery

California Regulator Seeks 4 Gigawatts of New Resources to Avoid Power Capacity Shortfall Starting in 2021

The California Public Utilities Commission issued a proposed decision on Oct. 21, requiring load-serving entities to procure 4 gigawatts of additional capacity to forestall potential resource adequacy shortages starting in 2021. The order also recommends extension of the Water Resource Control Board’s once-through-cooling regulation compliance dates for about 3.7 gigawatts of gas-fired units slated to…

AEP to Advance 1.5 Gigawatts of Wind Projects Despite Texas Commission’s Denial

NIPSCO Seeks Approval of 300 Megawatt Wind Farm as Part of Long-Term Plan to Phase Out Coal

The Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to authorize the acquisition of a 302-megawatt wind farm from EDP Renewables North America LLC through a joint venture, according to an Oct. 22 filing. The Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm, which will be located in White County, was selected through a request…