High Costs, Infrastructure Challenges Hinder Electric Vehicle Penetration

U.S. Transportation Department Approves Plans for Nationwide EV Charging Network

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Sept. 27 announced it has approved electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plans for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, formula program. The initiative, created by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, provides $5 billion to…...

Appalachian Power Requests $65 Million Rate Hike for Electric Service in Virginia

Maine Commission Approves New Energy Storage, EV Rate Options to Support Climate Policy

The Maine Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 27 authorised stipulations in a case examining utility rate design to encourage state climate change policy. The authorized provisions allow for the execution of a number of new optional electric rates for customers of electric vehicles, energy storage technologies and heat pumps, together with those used for space…...

lng imports eia

U.S. LNG Imports Reached 15 Year Low During the First Half of 2022: EIA

U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) imports during the January-June 2022 period were recorded at their lowest level in at least 15 years, averaging 0.08 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), down by 60 percent compared with previous five year average of 0.2 bcf/d. At the same time, U.S. LNG exports have risen significantly, amid the…...

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

EPA’s New Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Office to Address Climate Equity

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Sep. 24 announced the creation of a new national program office devoted to advancing environmental justice and civil rights. This office will act as an enabler fulfilling the agency’s commitment to delivering justice and equity for all, while pushing the critical issues to the highest levels of the…...

CARB SIP pulse

California Adopts Strategy to Meet Federal Ozone Standard by 2037

The California Air Resources Board on Sept. 22 approved the 2022 State Implementation Plan, or SIP, strategy for reaching the federal health based standard for ozone emissions within the next 15 years. The net cost of the strategy is projected to be $96.2 billion, which involves $33.8 billion in board actions and $62.3 billion in…...

New Jersey Governor Expands Offshore Wind Goal to 11 Gigawatts by 2040

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Sept. 21 signed an executive order, increasing the state’s offshore wind target to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2040, nearly double the existing goal of 7.5 gigawatts by 2035. The order  instructs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to examine the viability of raising the target further. In addition…...

U.S. States Expand Opportunities for Energy Storage in Pursuit of Ambitious Goals

California Regulator Proposes New Approach to Phase Out Use of Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility

The California Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 23 released a staff proposal to create a framework to replace Southern California Gas Company’s Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility. Regulators seek a solution in place to substitute the gas facility by using non-gas-fired electricity generation, storage energy efficiency, and building electrification. Approval of the proposal could…...

DOE NETL Hydrogen Research

Biden Administration Announces $7 Billion Funding Opportunity to Kick-Start U.S. Clean Hydrogen Economy

The U.S. Energy Department on Sept. 22 launched a $7 billion program to build regional hydrogen hubs, or H2Hubs throughout the U.S. The H2Hubs, coupled with a grander $8 billion hydrogen hub package sponsored through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA will be a key driver in aiding groups across the U.S. make…...

Virginia Pollution Control Board Endorses Stricter Power Plant Emissions Rule as State Moves to Join Regional Carbon Market

Unprecedented Level of Investments Needed to Achieve New York’s Climate Policy: NYISO Outlook

The New York Independent Systems Operator on Sept. 22 released its 2021-2040 System and Resource Outlook providing a comprehensive overview of potential resource development over the next 20 years and potential pathways for transmission and supply investments to transition to a reliable zero-emissions power grid. The report notes that unprecedented levels of investment are required…...

U.S. Wind, Solar Developers Brace for Project Delays as COVID-19 Crisis Disrupts Supply Chain

New York Launches Solicitation for 2 Gigawatts of Large-Scale Renewables

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sept. 21 announced the state’s sixth competitive solicitation, seeking 2 gigawatts or more of new large scale renewable energy projects. The projects are expected to have the capability to provide electricity for around 600,000 homes and sustain the conventional speed of state contracted opportunities for private renewable energy developers…....