Democratic Governor Tony Evers on Aug. 16 signed an executive order requiring the state’s electricity consumption to be carbon-free by 2050. The order establishes the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, which will work with other state agencies and utilities to achieve the goal. The new office will develop a clean energy plan to help…
The Missouri Public Service Commission approved an agreement allowing Ameren Missouri to build its proposed Outlaw wind project in Atchison County, according to an Aug. 16 press release. Ameren will acquire the proposed 299-megawatt facility from Enel Kansas LLC upon completion under a build-transfer agreement. Under the agreement, Outlaw Wind Project LLC, a special purpose…
Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed legislation on Aug. 9 to convene a task force that was officially formed in 2013 to analyze and evaluate policies and economic options to facilitate offshore wind energy development. The law directs the state’s Department of Natural Resources to identify areas of Illinois’ public trust lands of…
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 12 granted Xcel Energy Inc.’s request to expand the utility’s Renewable*Connect pilot program, a green pricing option, into a permanent initiative. Xcel sought the expansion because the program, established in 2017, has been fully subscribed and there is additional customer demand. The unfulfilled demand for its two renewable…
Vineyard Wind LLC expressed disappointment at the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s decision to further delay the approval of the environmental review for its 800-megawatt offshore wind project, according to an Aug. 9 press release. The developer urged the agency to expedite the review, highlighting the project’s potential to kickstart the offshore wind industry…
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission found Puget Sound Energy and Avista, two of the state’s investor-owned electric utilities, are in compliance with state renewable energy requirements and supply at least 9 percent of its electric load through renewable sources for 2019, according to an August 8 press release. PSE exceeded its commission-approved target of…
The New York Public Service Commission on Aug. 8 opened a proceeding to examine options to align the state’s resource adequacy programs with renewable energy and emissions reduction goals, while ensuring safe and adequate service at just and reasonable rates. New York enacted legislation last month, which requires a carbon-neutral power system by 2040 and…
The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Aug. 5 conditionally granted Northern States Power Company’s request for a determination of prudence for its contract to buy 151 megawatts of wind-generated power from Dakota Range III LLP. The agency ordered that customers should receive financial compensation for the renewable energy certificates, or RECs, associated with the…
The North Carolina Utilities Commission on Aug. 5 approved tariff revisions filed by Duke Energy Carolinas LLC and Duke Energy Progress LLC to implement the Green Source Advantage Program, which allows for the direct procurement of new renewable energy resources by large nonresidential customers. The commission approved the program with changes in February and directed…
Competition among U.S. states eager to take the lead in the nation's still nascent offshore wind sector is fueling growth and bringing the industry to new highs. Turning these goals into reality will be no small feat, as the targets are several hundred times the current installed capacity. Still, this hasn’t dissuaded states from doubling down on offshore wind commitments.
The California Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 1 revised a 1992 energy efficiency policy to allow funding for electrification efforts, paving the way for new programs that use electric technologies powered by emissions-free resources. The decision modifies the “three-prong test” that was originally adopted to avoid encouraging programs that involved substituting one fuel for another,…
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed a measure on Aug. 1 requiring the levelized price of offshore wind contracts resulting from subsequent solicitations to be lower than the initial procurement if the price is adjusted for federal tax credits, inflation, and incentives. The legislation takes into account the decline of federal tax credits in…
