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  Utilities’ misguided opposition to community solar in California

  With billions on the line from the federal government, California’s three largest utilities are actively working to stop the California Public Utilities Commission from issuing an equitable community solar program.

  Sachu Constantine • Jan. 10, 2024

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  To spur more EV chargers, regulators must get creative with demand charges

  No matter what the incentives for installing an EV charger, very few businesses will enter this marketplace if selling the product leads to thousands of dollars in charges that aren’t made up for with revenue.

  Chris Kaiser • Jan. 5, 2024

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  3 keys to optimizing energy storage in 2024

  Energy storage system deployments can be accelerated through a focus on transparency, risk and safety.

  Ryan Franks • Jan. 2, 2024

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  How COP28 is shaping the energy transition

  While decisions at the recent UN climate conference are a significant step forward, more action is needed to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.

  Andrew Keen • Dec. 22, 2023

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  Good policy by grid operators can address reliability concerns with EPA’s power plant rule

  There is an opportunity through the proposed rule to create more certainty around the timeline for the clean energy transition.

  Michelle Solomon • Dec. 21, 2023

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  The solar PTC is the game-changer that hasn’t been

  But as the market internalizes post-Inflation Reduction Act practices and procedures and adjusts to broader structural changes, optimism remains for the solar production tax credit.

  Akshat Kasliwal and Jesse Gilbert • Dec. 20, 2023

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  Why states should prohibit utility political contributions

  The 2005 repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act left PUCs in 30 states susceptible to political influence, jeopardizing their responsibility to provide consumers with reliable service at just and reasonable rates.

  Mark Van Orden • Dec. 19, 2023

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  How offshore wind wins

  The path forward for this sector is to rapidly go to scale with a business model that delivers net positive impacts for nature and people.

  Johan Bergenas • Dec. 18, 2023

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  The clean energy transition is here — and so are greenwashing claims

  These claims have the potential to cause reputational harm to a company while distracting attention from its environmentally beneficial activities.

  Majidah Cochran, Melissa Horne, Mindy McGrath, and Andrea Wortzel • Dec. 15, 2023

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  Michigan’s new clean energy package is historic for the country, not just the Midwest

  The state is now a test case for the country on how to take a set of bold clean energy policies and realize its goals to decarbonize the electric grid.

  Laura Sherman • Dec. 14, 2023

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  No shining example: Texas-style electric deregulation is bad for consumers

  Texas power market designers argue that short-term price spikes will encourage long-run investment, but why would power plant owners build more power plants just to make sure prices stay low?

  Ed Hirs • Dec. 8, 2023

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  Why is it becoming harder to cancel utility demand response programs than it is to cancel cable?

  As innovative DR solutions continue to emerge and mature, fostering a robust DR marketplace in which customers can easily sign up for these new opportunities will be crucial for advancing the distributed energy economy.

  Collin Smith • Dec. 4, 2023

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  The US could still get to net zero

  Reducing nearly 90% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 can be done without any Hail Mary innovations.

  Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023

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  Customer experience and other barriers are delaying utilities’ ability to distribute clean energy

  The grid infrastructure is severely outdated in most regions, companies are facing a huge upskilling and reskilling challenge in their workforce, and customers are demanding more reliable and affordable clean electricity options.

  Natasha Dowling • Nov. 30, 2023

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  Fire safety outreach is critical to energy storage development

  Some states may require stronger outreach around safety in exchange for other entitlements, including power purchase agreements and local permissions like zoning and fire code enforcement.

  Kelly Sarber and Scott M. Bryant • Nov. 29, 2023

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  Redeveloping retired coal sites into nuclear plants could benefit the planet and the economy

  In most regions, the retirement of coal plants will require replacing the power and grid services in some form to meet grid reliability and end-user needs.

  Caleb Tomlin • Nov. 27, 2023

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  The Southeast Energy Exchange Market launched a year ago. It still isn’t delivering on its promises.

  Over the past year, SEEM’s poor performance has proven its critics right and demonstrated that the energy trading platform is in dire need of a substantial overhaul if it is to be either lawful or beneficial.

  Nick Guidi and Chris Carmody • Nov. 22, 2023

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  Wake up, America: 8 actions to boost advanced nuclear and enhance US energy security

  Advanced nuclear reactors are no longer our grandparents’ nuclear technology, but the American nuclear permitting apparatus hasn’t caught up, Rep. Byron Donalds writes.

  Byron Donalds • Nov. 21, 2023

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  How to finance the world’s growing cooling needs? Blended public-private funding solutions.

  On a massive scale, we need third-party private sector financing solutions and targeted funding from international development and government agencies to spur investment in higher efficiency cooling equipment.  

  Bob Hinkle • Nov. 20, 2023

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  Wildfire risks in the US are soaring. Here’s what utilities can do.

  To address the increasing risk of wildfire, utilities must embrace short- and long-term strategies that emphasize asset protection, real-time risk assessment and infrastructure investments.

  Judsen Bruzgul and Neil Weisenfeld • Nov. 17, 2023

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  It’s past time for FERC to assess if the US needs more gas infrastructure

  If we build gas infrastructure blindly, one thing is certain: Rates we pay for energy will be neither just nor reasonable.

  Burçin Ünel and Jennifer Danis • Nov. 14, 2023

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  We need power market rules to reflect the grid as it is today, not as it was 70 years ago

  To allow competitive markets to fulfill their potentials, reforms will be required that prioritize reliability, efficient permitting, the integration of new commercially viable resources, and innovation.

  Todd Snitchler • Nov. 10, 2023

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  The rate cases are coming: How will utility customers react?

  Strong customer opposition to current rate cases could leave utilities in the lurch when it comes to raising funds they need to make good on their promises to improve the safety and sustainability of their operations.

  Mark Spalinger • Nov. 9, 2023

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  Mandatory energy disclosures can aid collaboration and sustainability in the cannabis industry

  By embracing such disclosures, we can enhance the controlled environment agricultural industry, promote efficient energy use and bridge the gap between growers and regulators.

  Bob Gunn • Nov. 8, 2023

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  How America’s grid modernization stakes echo Eisenhower’s interstate revolution

  Enacting sound policies that deliver a 21st century grid and spur interregional transmission development will drive tremendous economic and other benefits like our interstate highway system has done.

  Jose Zayas • Nov. 6, 2023

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