Visual Primer: Distributed Solar Poised for Expansion Amid Growing Policy Support
Federal and state actions to boost distributed solar show the growing interest in harnessing the technology to achieve broader policy goals.
Alternative energy
Visual Primer: U.S. Boosts Offshore Wind Development to Meet Decarbonization 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.
Visual Primer: U.S. Federal and State Agencies Advance Efforts to Bolster Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
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.
Visual Primer: U.S. EPA Raises Renewable Fuel Mandates Amid Surging Gasoline Prices
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.
Visual Primer: Climate Concerns Drive Policy Actions to Preserve and Expand U.S. Nuclear Fleet
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.
Visual Primer: U.S. Investigation of Imported Photovoltaic Panels Dims Prospects for Solar Buildout
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.
Policy Primer: Offshore Wind Industry May 2022 Update
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.
Visual Primer: Transportation Electrification Gaining Importance in March Towards Low-Carbon Economy
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).
Visual Primer: Nuclear Power Increasingly Viewed as Vital Resource to Support Energy Transition
Nuclear power is increasingly viewed as a necessary resource to compensate for the decline in fossil fuel-based electricity in the transition towards a low-carbon future. Recent actions range from the U.S. Energy Department’s launch of a $6 billion program to sustain the existing nuclear fleet to West Virginia’s move to end a ban on nuclear plant construction and efforts to delay the closure of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in California.
Visual Primer: U.S. Offshore Wind Industry Marches On Despite Opposition Due to Impacts on Coastal Areas
U.S. offshore wind is gaining traction with new milestones spurred by state commitments of almost 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2040 and a federal goal of 30 GW by 2030. Recent developments include state-level project selections that could add more than 3.2 GW of new capacity, New Jersey’s proposal for a novel offshore wind transmission solution, and New York’s move to advance transmission technologies for offshore wind integration.
Visual Primer: Performance-Based Regulation Evolves to Align Utility and Customer Interests
Discussion around performance-based regulation (PBR) continues to evolve as utilities and regulators explore a framework aimed at strengthening the connection between utility returns and performance.
Visual Primer: Carbon Reduction Goals Prompt Lawmakers to Rethink Nuclear Power Policy
Carbon reduction goals are driving policy support to keep financially-struggling nuclear generation plants operating and encourage new reactors. The fuel diversity and zero-carbon attributes of the resource are fueling the policy debate over its role in meeting state and federal energy and environmental goals.