Alternative energy
Efforts to preserve and expand the U.S. nuclear fleet are figuring more prominently across the U.S., spurred by the growing demand for emission-free energy. In particular, policy actions and initiatives are geared towards making nuclear power more competitive.
Ambitious federal goals and initiatives to boost offshore wind power generation, coupled with state commitments, are opening new frontiers for the industry. Recent developments reflect the growing emphasis on transmission infrastructure upgrades and regional planning required to make these goals a reality.
Technological advancements and climate goals are driving the transformation to distributed energy resources (DER), such as solar photovoltaic systems. The transformation, which is empowering consumers with more choices and energy management options, has also prompted an evaluation of potential cybersecurity risks stemming from anticipated future growth.
The U.S. nuclear energy sector is now on the verge of a revival after years of premature plant closures and dim forecasts. Investments and tax incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), enacted in August, add new momentum to the nuclear power industry.
Federal and state actions to boost distributed solar show the growing interest in harnessing the technology to achieve broader policy goals.
The U.S. offshore wind industry is growing stronger, spurred by expansion into new leasing areas to support the national goal of 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and ambitious state-level commitments.
Strategies to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure are gaining emphasis as states seek to reduce the use of carbon-intensive transportation fuels to progress towards decarbonization and EV adoption goals.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a slew of measures to strengthen the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, which sets increasing annual volumetric mandates for renewable fuel use in the transportation sector.
The U.S. Energy Department’s $6 billion nuclear credit program, the pursuit for carbon-free generation to meet climate goals, and technological advancements are reigniting support for nuclear power. The global impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine has also escalated the importance of national security considerations in energy policies including a discussion about the role of nuclear power.
Amid federal and state policies aimed at catalyzing solar power to facilitate power sector decarbonization, an investigation into circumvention of tariffs on solar panels imported from Southeast Asia has created market uncertainty, threatening U.S. solar buildout.
The U.S. offshore wind industry is poised for continued progress as evident from the recent record-setting New York Bight wind auction, the first to be held under the Biden administration.
Across the U.S., state and federal agencies are accelerating efforts to bolster electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, expand consumer incentives, or electrify fleets, reflecting the growing importance of transportation electrification to achieve clean energy goals. States are also tasked with deploying billions in new federal funds for charging stations under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).