The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Agriculture are due to receive comments on a preliminary determination that the adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 will not negatively affect the affordability and availability of new construction of housing covered by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. The agencies issued the notice of preliminary determination based on several studies showing that these codes are cost effective in that the incremental cost of the additional efficiency measures pays for themselves with energy cost savings on a life-cycle basis. READ MORE

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will hold a public meeting to discuss the preparation of an environmental impact statement for Beacon Wind LLC’s proposal to construct two wind energy facilities offshore Massachusetts with a total capacity of at least 2,430 megawatts. Beacon Wind 1 has a 25-year offtake agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and is expected to deliver 1,230 megawatts of power to the New York Independent System Operator’s electric grid in Queens. Beacon Wind 2 proposes to deliver more than 1,200 megawatts and interconnect at the same point or with the ISO New England grid in Connecticut.

The Bureau of Land Management will discuss Chuparosa Solar LLC’s proposal to construct and operate a 300-megawatt alternating current solar power project in Navajo county, Arizona. The project would be located on 6,626 acres of BLM-managed lands and 30 acres of private lands.

The U.S. Department of Energy is due to receive applications for projects funded through a $750 million funding opportunity to support clean hydrogen electrolysis, manufacturing, and recycling. The funding launches the first tranche of implementation of two provisions of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which authorizes $1 billion for research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen produced via electrolysis and $500 million for improved processes and technologies for manufacturing and recycling clean hydrogen systems and materials. READ MORE

The Bureau of Land Management is due to receive public input on EDF Renewables Development Inc.’s proposal to construct and operate the Bonanza Solar Project, a 300-megawatt alternating current solar power and battery storage project in Clark and Nye counties, Nevada. The proposed project, which includes solar panels, battery energy storage, and associated infrastructure, would occupy about half of the 5,133-acre application area on public lands, around 30 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Project construction is expected to take 12 months.

The U.S. Energy Department will hold an informational webinar to discuss its $25 million Enhancement & Innovation, or E&I, competitive grant, a part of the $3.5 billion allocated to the Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP, within the framework of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The E&I grant program aims to prioritize environmental and economic benefits for disadvantaged communities. The grant complements WAP, the oldest energy efficiency program in the U.S., to offer competitive funding and greater flexibility, allowing a wider range of novel weatherization activities, which include the installation of renewable energy technologies, electrification, more expansive health and safety measures, and workforce development. READ MORE