$4.6B for climate action plan implementation available from EPA

Measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions the most will get priority in Environmental Protection Agency funding decisions.

Retrofits can cut office building emissions by up to 70%: Schneider Electric

New research from the company says its digital building and power-management tools can slash up to 42% of operational carbon emissions, while eliminating fossil fuels can cut an additional 28%.

Decarbonizing 8 industrial sectors could require more than $1 trillion capital investment: DOE

An increasingly clean electric power sector could help drop industrial emissions 15% by 2030, according to a report from the Department of Energy.

Maryland officials press FERC to reject PJM directive to Exelon for $785M in transmission upgrades

The PJM Interconnection failed to consider energy storage and other options to handle Talen Energy’s plan to retire its Brandon Shores power plant, according to Maryland officials.

Updated Sept. 21, 2023

Offshore wind plan from Energy, Interior departments aims for regional collaboration, clarity on transmission planning

"Dissimilar or even disparate policies, processes, goals, and priorities” across states and transmission planning bodies are a barrier, the agencies said.

BASF, Nanotech Energy team up to produce lithium-ion batteries with recycled metals

The companies will also work with American Battery Technology Co. and Toda Advanced Materials to build a North America-based battery value chain.

Vistra plans to sell nearly 400 MW in PJM to ease market power fears from Energy Harbor deal

The plan to sell generating units in Ohio will accelerate the merger review process, the companies told federal regulators Monday. They plan to close the $6.3 billion deal by the end of the year.

DOE makes $400M available to assist states, territories in adopting energy-efficient building codes

Adoption of new building energy codes could save consumers up to $178 billion over three decades, the Department of Energy estimates.

KORE Power, Nidec sign 2.2 GWh deal amid focus on domestic energy storage manufacturing

KORE Power will provide Nidec North America with up to 600 MWh of lithium-ion battery cells, modules and racks in 2024.

Virginia SCC strikes down Dominion’s interconnection rules for distributed solar

An alliance of distributed solar developers and supporters argued Dominion Energy’s interconnection rules created unreasonable barriers to small-scale solar.

We’re asking the wrong question about EVs and grid resiliency

The U.S. has already passed the tipping point for mass electric vehicle adoption. Grid modernization must quickly follow, writes Chris Baker, the head of Enel X Way North America.

NREL provides baseline data on building energy use, efficiency upgrade benefits

National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s new End-Use Load Profiles dataset outlines possible shifts in buildings’ energy consumption under various “what-if” energy efficiency and electrification upgrade scenarios.

More than 300 Apple suppliers have commited to clean energy

The device maker also released its first carbon-neutral devices as it closes on its goal of dramatically cutting emissions in its supply chain.

SOO Green underground transmission line between MISO, PJM clears key hurdle with Iowa approval

The proposed 350-mile SOO Green project advances as two Democrats introduce a bill in Congress to spur interregional transmission capacity, partly to bolster grid reliability.

Xcel to supply United Power with excess energy after co-op’s exit from Tri-State

As Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association loses members over cost and sustainability concerns, departing utilities are working to secure alternative energy supplies.

California central buyer proposal could boost Pacific offshore wind industry, advocates say

California has adopted preliminary planning goals to install between 2 and 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045.

Updated Sept. 18, 2023

When it comes to government funding for clean energy, money isn’t everything

The rush to secure billions in clean energy and infrastructure funding has the potential to be disastrous if it goes wrong.

Southwest Power Pool expands Western reach with commitments from WAPA, Basin Electric

Seven utilities now plan to join the Southwest Power Pool and participate in Western interconnect markets beginning in early 2026.

DOD taps X-energy to develop enhanced design for transportable micro nuclear reactor

The Department of Defense is continuing funding for X-energy to develop a reactor design that “is ready for licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for both commercial ventures and military resiliency.”

Emerging firm and peaking clean energy tech can slash carbon-free power costs: Google

Corporate clean-energy buyers can help commercialize emerging technologies like next-gen geothermal, carbon capture and storage, advanced nuclear, hydrogen and long-duration storage, Google said.

Chevron joins Mitsubishi in 300 GWh hydrogen storage project as construction continues

The first phase of the Advanced Clean Energy Storage project will provide fuel for the Intermountain Power Agency's 840-MW blended gas power plant by 2025.

Competitive power markets are cleaner, cheaper and safer

Competitive market systems have proven more effective at driving cost-effective decarbonization than single-utility markets, all while fostering reliability and long-term planning.

Moody’s warns of potential power price volatility from renewables oversupply

Reliability costs associated with backstopping renewables could rise to $435 billion a year around the world by 2030, the ratings agency said in a report released Wednesday.

MISO: 49 GW has received interconnection approval, but projects face major delays

The roughly two-year delays in building generation and storage come as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator faces looming capacity shortfalls.

Manufacturers, efficiency advocates reach agreement on rules for refrigerators, other appliances

The joint support “clears the path ahead” for new standards, said Appliance Standards Awareness Project Executive Director Andrew deLaski.