Solar & Renewables: Page 3
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Vineyard Wind wins 804 MW bid for offshore wind in Connecticut
The developer had submitted proposals to deliver up to 1,200 MW in the state.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 06, 2019 -
Solar developers, manufacturers clash on Trump tariff impacts as trade commission poised to reevaluate
Developers estimate 62,000 jobs and 10.5 GW of deployment will be lost through 2021 due to the tariffs. But more domestic manufacturers are now defending the policy.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Is FERC overstepping its authority and hurting renewables? States, power groups question PURPA plan
Diverse stakeholders said the commission's proposal would leave small facilities in unregulated markets at a disadvantage, while several major utilities backed their trade group in supporting the changes.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Deep DiveRoad to 100: How a demolished Kansas town became a model of DOE renewables resilience
The destruction wrought by a 2007 tornado gave the federal government an opportunity to build up a fully renewable town in a conservative part of the country.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 04, 2019 -
Renewables, legal groups challenge FERC's authority to upend PURPA
Federal regulators are proposing changes to the law for the first time since 2006. Some groups argue the move falls outside the commission's authority and will harm renewables in markets monopolized by utilities.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 04, 2019 -
Deep DiveCan new transmission tech boost capacity and save billions? Two proposals aim to find out
Advocates are pushing a "shared savings" approach to incentivize deployment, but system operators have doubts.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 03, 2019 -
Montana rejects NorthWestern's bid to end net metering, add separate rate class for solar
The proposal also would have added a demand charge. Regulators rejected the plan unanimously.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2019 -
Inside the fight to overhaul PURPA: What three commissioners think of FERC's proposed changes
The 1978 law — largely credited with driving the small renewables market — is facing a potential major shift, and though most regulators agree the rule should be changed, they disagree with some of FERC's mechanisms.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 26, 2019 -
Despite changes, commissioners see traditional utility system dominating over next decade: NARUC
U.S. utility commissioners agree that traditional fossil fuel generation will be an important aspect of grid reliability over the next decade, according to a NARUC survey.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 26, 2019 -
OpinionFERC is on the right track with resilience. Republicans can help by upholding conservative principles
Republicans in Congress and the administration should affirm local control, while ensuring a high threshold to justify the government favoring any one energy resource or generation technology over another, the author writes.
By Charles Hernick • Nov. 25, 2019 -
For South Carolina solar, 'things look bleak,' advocates warn, as utilities defend lower rates
Regulators cut payments to large-scale solar producers by 33% last month, which protects consumers from "inflated" rates, according to Duke Energy. Renewables advocates say it is a "doomsday scenario."
By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Cincinnati to build nation's largest city-led solar array
The project, which is predicted to reduce 158,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, will cover 1,000 acres with more than 310,000 solar panels.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 25, 2019 -
ISO New England chief presses for carbon price in response to Sanders, Warren and others
A carbon price would be a "simple and easily-implemented mechanism" to speed renewables onto the grid, Gordon van Welie wrote, while noting that the region's states oppose its use within wholesale electricity markets.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Ohio denies AEP cost recovery for 400 MW proposed solar, but projects expected to proceed
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio concluded the utility had not shown a need for the additional generation, but its decision creates uncertainty for the future of solar development in the state, environmental advocates said.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2019 -
PNM: Carbon capture would raise San Juan transition cost to $6B, as PRC, legislator battle rages
A proposal to lengthen the coal plant's life through what would be the largest carbon capture project to date is deemed too expensive by its majority owner and raises environmental concerns.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Deep DiveRoad to 100: How the shale boom broke Georgetown, Texas' renewables spell
In 2017, the city of about 50,000 became the largest in the U.S. able to claim it ran on 100% renewable energy. But after customer bills spiked last year, its utility department is facing an overhaul.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Nevada governor orders plans for economy-wide carbon reductions
Steve Sisolak, D, on Friday, signed an executive order that focuses on energy efficiency, transportation electrification and demand management, among other steps.
By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 25, 2019 -
Democrats move to take 100% clean energy push national with new bill
The legislation would require all sectors of the economy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but gas and hydro groups stress the need for a diverse energy portfolio in any climate solution.
By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 22, 2019 -
Deep DiveRoad to 100: How one man's mission to power his hometown by wind created a Northwest Missouri boon
The town of 1,200 was the first in the country to be able to power all of its electricity from wind resources. Now, the county is booming in wind production.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 21, 2019 -
Sanders, Warren join fellow senators in urging New England to speed clean energy transition
Lawmakers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont want to see the New England grid operator incorporate market reforms that will accelerate the region's transition away from fossil fuels.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019 -
New Jersey more than doubles offshore wind energy target to 7.5 GW
The Garden State has the second largest offshore wind goal in the nation, as New York set a 9 GW goal in January.
By Larry Pearl • Nov. 20, 2019 -
SponsoredMaximizing the value of your green power programs
Well-designed green power programs provide many benefits to utilities. Be sure you extract the full value from your program.
By Amanda Mortlock, VP, Utility Partnerships, 3Degrees • Nov. 20, 2019 -
House clean energy tax bill sees broad industry support, but Senate path uncertain
The draft legislative package, introduced Nov. 19, adds energy storage and offshore wind, while extending solar and electric vehicle tax credits.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2019 -
Can concentrated solar power act as energy storage? DOE wants to know more
DOE wants to make CSP work as solar energy that is available "on demand" and can store energy in the form of heat, as opposed to PV solar which is intermittent and depends upon separate systems to store energy for later use.
By Matthew Bandyk • Nov. 19, 2019 -
OpinionPURPA is undermining the clean energy transition. Colorado has a better way
The most abusive manipulation of PURPA is its use by Qualifying Facilities to force utilities into lengthy "must-take" contracts, with above-market rates that are locked in for years or decades, the former head of Colorado's PUC writes.
By Joshua Epel • Nov. 19, 2019
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