The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 21 announced new initiatives that will help lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. These actions support President Biden’s climate agenda. EPA and its ENERGY STAR program represent a fundamental tool for reducing carbon and achieving industry standard construction efficiency, as well as…...
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on Jan. 18 filed its final winter weatherization report, with the Public Utility Commission. The report indicates that 321 out of 324 electric generation units and transmission facilities completely passed inspection for new winterization regulations from the Commission. ERCOT, the grid operator, which manages about 90 percent of…...
The U.S Energy Department of Energy has announced a $420 million funding opportunity for the agency’s Energy Frontier Research Centers, or EFRCs, which have been instrumental in innovation and have unlocked scientific breakthroughs leading to transformative climate solutions like solar windows and carbon capture technology. The funding aims to incentivise climate solutions through early-stage research…...
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Jan. 7 issued an executive order reinforcing the state’s commitment to clean energy and outlining next steps in the state’s plan to achieve net zero emissions. The order increases the state-wide goal to a 50 percent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emission…...
The New York Independent System Operator submitted market rule changes for consideration by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposing to revise buyer-side mitigation, or BSM, rules, in a bid to advance the objectives of the state’s landmark climate law, according to a Jan. 10 press release. The changes would exempt clean energy resources from…...
Federal and state government agencies across the U.S. are advancing climate measures for effective implementation of emissions-reduction strategies to progress towards ambitious goals. Federal actions include an executive order directing the federal government to use its procurement power to achieve net-zero emissions, stronger auto fuel standards, and a methane reduction proposal. Recent state actions range from New York’s plan to implement its landmark climate law to Colorado’s oil and gas emission standards, and a cap-and-invest program in Oregon.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Jan. 5 outlined a plan to raise the rate of electrification of homes from about 20,000 homes per year to more than tenfold by 2030 and achieve two million electrified or electrification-ready homes. The plan includes workforce training, upgrading appliance efficiency standards, and mandatory energy benchmarking for large buildings…....
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Jan. 6 announced the start of the process to develop the 2022 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) to plan for the effective management of the state’s energy supply, distribution, and demand. The CES is expected to analyse Connecticut’s future energy needs, identify strategies to reduce cost for…...
The 2022 load forecast report of PJM Interconnection LLC, which manages the electric grid across 13 states and the District of Columbia, estimates summer and winter peak loads to rise by 0.4 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, over the next 10-year period starting this year. Net energy for load growth in the grid operator’s footprint…...
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Jan. 4 joined the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC), a not-for-profit public-private partnership created in 2018 to support the U.S. offshore wind industry through research projects. The participation is expected to play a key role in helping the state achieve its goal of 7,500…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Dec. 28 announced an increase in emergency aid for low-and middle-income families to keep their homes heated during the winter. The move aims to prevent disconnecting or exhausting sources amid expected increases in fuel prices. Compared to last year, the emergency benefit planned for this winter ranges from 32…...