The U.S. Department of Energy on Jan. 19 published the third edition of “Solar Power in Your Community,” a guidebook to assist local governments gain ecological and economic advantage of expanded solar energy infrastructure. This guidebook includes about forty case studies showcasing field-tested methods to overcome the solar marketplace barriers and discusses new technologies and…...
Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Jan. 18 inaugurated Energy Storage Solutions, an electric storage program for all categories of customers of Eversource and United Illuminating to adopt a consistent and robust electric distribution system. The Energy Storage Solutions enables customers to install energy storage set up as backup at their premises. The program will…...
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 on Jan. 18 approved an exchange of 400,000 barrels of crude oil for release to TotalEnergies’ subsidiary Atlantic Trading and Marketing, the fifth in a series of loans from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, or SPR. The exchange program is intended to increase short-term crude supplies in hopes of reducing retail…...
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on Jan. 15 issued an executive order to reexamine the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, the nation’s first mandatory cap-and-trade program to cut power sector emissions. The order notes that Virginia’s participation in RGGI risks contributing to the increased cost of electricity. Virginia became an official…...
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Jan. 14 released its Climate Equity Framework which outlines steps to implement the state’s air quality and climate policies, and plans to promote environmental justice. The framework proposes various suggestions to ensure public engagement and opinion in climate change policymaking and to minimize climate impact on…...
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…...
Federal and state agencies are advancing policy measures and incentives to foster transportation electrification, a key strategy to achieve ambitious emissions reduction mandates. Recent actions range from stronger national fuel efficiency standards to California’s $1.5 billion annual investment in clean vehicle incentives, and clean truck rules in New York and New Jersey.
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 U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Jan. 11 announced the release of its draft environmental assessment on the possible environmental and socioeconomic effects of commercial leases as well as related site assessment activities in the offshore Humboldt Wind Energy Area of California. The Humboldt WEA covers an area of about 206 square miles…...
Solar is expected to account for almost 50 percent of planned U.S. electric generating capacity additions in 2022, followed by natural gas-fired and wind encompassing 21 percent and wind 17 percent, respectively, according to a Jan. 10 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). EIA forecasts 46.1 gigawatts of new utility-scale electric generating capacity…
