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week of Mar. 9, 2023

The EnerKnol Week Ahead is back to give you the key energy policy events happening next week, all powered by the EnerKnol Platform. Coming up, the EPA begins the implementation of a $3 billion grant program for environmental and climate justice efforts that benefit overburdened communities; Washington discusses the possibility of connecting the state’s cap-and-invest program with other carbon markets; the Tennessee Valley Authority seeks input on renewing operating licenses that would allow the Browns Ferry nuclear plant to continue supply about 3.9 gigawatts of electric capacity.

Featured Entities

BLM

California EC

DOE

EPA

Minnesota PUC

Pennsylvania DEP

TVA

Washington ECY

Wisconsin PSC

Federal Agencies

Tuesday,
March 14
DOE Clean Energy Incentive Program

The U.S. Energy Department is due to receive concept papers on a funding opportunity under its $750 million Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program is aimed at supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers in energy communities. Last month, the department opened an application process for the program’s first funding opportunity, which invests $350 million to produce or recycle advanced energy property that is used to support clean energy supply chains.

Tuesday,
March 14
TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant License Renewal

The Tennessee Valley Authority will hold a meeting to discuss its draft supplemental environmental review on proposed actions associated with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission license renewals for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Limestone County, Alabama. Renewing the licenses would allow units 1, 2, and 3 of the plant to continue operating for an additional 20 years beyond the current license expiration date of 2033, 2034, and 2036 respectively. The renewals would allow the plant to continue supplying approximately 3,900 megawatts electric capacity.

Friday,
March 17
BLM Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project

The Bureau of Land Management’s Idaho Resource Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting. The agenda includes a report from the Lava Ridge Wind Project Subcommittee, and the council will have an opportunity to make recommendations to the bureau. This meeting will conclude the term of the subcommittee. The Lava Ridge project, an up to one-gigawatt commercial-scale wind energy facility, would be located in southern Idaho. The agency’s resource advisory councils offer opportunities for citizens from all backgrounds and interests to have a voice in the management of public lands and its resources.

Friday,
March 17
EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is due to receive responses to its request for information on the Environmental and Climate Justice program funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The program provides the agency with $3 billion in grants and technical assistance for environmental and climate justice efforts that benefit overburdened communities. The agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is seeking input on several aspects of the program including design, types of projects to fund, reducing application barriers, reporting and oversight, and technical assistance.

Eastern Region

Monday,
March 13
PA DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board Meeting

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will host a virtual meeting of the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board. Topics of discussion include carbon capture and storage and hydrogen development in the state, the status of natural gas storage, and an update on the implementation of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Western Region

Monday,
March 13
WI PSC 150 MW Saratoga Solar Project

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is due to receive comments on Saratoga Solar LLC’s application for a permit to build a 150.5-megawatt alternating current solar electric generation facility spanning an area of 1,900 acres in Wood County. The project will also include the development of an approximately 50-megawatt battery energy storage system. The Savion LLC subsidiary expects the solar facility to start operating by the end of 2024. 9816-CE-100

Thursday,
March 16
MN PUC Xcel Energy PPA Replacement

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Xcel Energy’s application for approval of two solar energy purchase agreements with Louise Solar Project and Fillmore County Solar Project to replace the Elk Creek Solar Project, which was approved by the commission in 2021. The replacement power purchase agreements provide for a combined total of 80 megawatts intended to support the Renewable*Connect program, a green pricing option that allows customers to meet a portion of their electricity needs from renewable energy resources. The company said that the replacement contracts are necessary as the Elk Creek Solar project has been delayed and faces interconnection issues. M-19-568

Thursday,
March 16
WA ECY Carbon Market Linkage

The Washington Department of Ecology will hold a listening session to receive public input on the possibility of linking the state’s cap-and-invest program with similar initiatives in California and Quebec. Linkage with other jurisdictions would facilitate a single market with a larger pool of participants, potentially increasing the stability of the emissions market and reducing carbon prices. Staff will detail the program background, linkage criteria, and the decision-making process. Additional sessions will be held on March 29 and April 18. READ MORE

Friday,
March 17
CA EC Electric Program Investment Plan

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on an upcoming proposed solicitation under the Electric Program Investment Charge, or EPIC, 2021-2025 investment plan. Established in 2012, the EPIC program invests in scientific and technological research to advance clean energy solutions. In September 2020, the commission approved the program for an additional 10 years from 2021 through 2030. The commission recently held a workshop to solicit information on the proposed scope, existing technologies, and research needed to develop a direct current nanogrid for heating ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, heat pumps. 20-EPIC-01

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