Earth Day roundup: The latest private-sector and Biden administration decarbonization efforts

As various companies and federal agencies release a flurry of announcements in tandem with Earth Day celebrations, Utility Dive takes a look at the biggest news in the sector.

By Utility Dive Editors • April 22, 2022

NextEra CEO blasts 'outrageous' solar panel anti-dumping investigation, says some projects may be delayed

At least 2 GW of solar projects may be impacted by supply chain disruptions, company leaders said Thursday, but growth in other areas could pick up the slack.

By Emma Penrod • April 22, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Amazon set to reach 100% renewable goal 5 years ahead of target with 3.5 GW of new energy projects

A series of 37 new renewable energy projects — 26 to be located in the U.S. — announced by Amazon on Wednesday will expand the capacity of the company's clean energy portfolio by nearly a third.

By Emma Penrod • April 20, 2022

New York approves transmission contracts to advance Clean Path NY, Champlain Hudson projects

The Public Service Commission also expanded a key development program for distributed solar in the state.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2022

Automated solar permitting program sees 31 MW approved in first year of operation

The DOE-backed solar permitting platform is looking to expand services after its first year of operation, but its developer says some barriers remain in place, including for utility-scale applications.

By Emma Penrod • April 19, 2022

Virginia governor approves tax exemption for residential and mixed-use solar installations

Solar advocates praised the state for removing a potential barrier to solar access, but it remains unclear exactly how the exemption will apply to residents.

By Emma Penrod • April 14, 2022

NorthWestern Energy sues to overturn FERC PURPA ruling in dispute over solar-battery project

The spike in natural gas prices could spark a PURPA revival in the Northwest, according to a PURPA attorney.

By Ethan Howland • April 13, 2022

PPA prices rise 28.5% as supply and regulatory challenges pile up: report

Rising prices, prompted by the outbreak of war in Ukraine, appear to be the new normal — at least for the time being — in renewable energy, expert says.

By Emma Penrod • April 13, 2022

Arizona regulators deny SRP gas plant expansion, citing community impacts and insufficient supporting evidence

Salt River Project said the decision creates a near-term resource issue and that it will continue to evaluate its "generation and market options."

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2022

Virginia SCC staff questions Dominion Energy's offshore wind cost assumptions

The regulatory commission's staff testimony addresses whether the cost estimates were based on accurate assumptions by Dominion, the first utility to build large-scale offshore wind in the United States.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 12, 2022

Rapid development could push cost of hydrogen below $2/kg in the next 10-20 years, analysts say

Hydrogen seems set for a third year of exponential growth, according to a Wood Mackenzie analysis, and multiple firms say prices are likely to fall rapidly in the coming years.

By Emma Penrod • April 11, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

Clean energy sector eyes window for passing federal tax breaks amid challenge of high energy prices

Now that the Senate has confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, clean energy groups are hoping to see movement in Congress on long-term tax incentives, but multiple obstacles remain.

By Larry Pearl • April 8, 2022

Senators press for quicker solar anti-dumping investigation amid reports of sector's 'rapid degeneration'

U.S. solar developers reported 318 projects totaling 51 GW of solar capacity and 6 GWh of attached battery storage are being canceled or delayed in the wake of the Department of Commerce investigation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated May 3, 2022

DOE funds study to evaluate converting Alabama gas plant to run partially on hydrogen

The project, which has received $800,000 in Energy Department funding, is part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate the use of hydrogen as a means of long-term energy storage.

By Emma Penrod • Updated April 5, 2022

High risk, small reward: Regulators should tread carefully when reviewing utility hydrogen proposals

Hydrogen blending with natural gas would likely raise consumer costs, increase dangerous pollution, and risk public safety, all while minimally reducing emissions, the author writes.

By Hadley Tallackson • April 5, 2022

Duke Energy proposes 1.3 GW solar solicitation in the Carolinas

The third-party solicitations are a way for the state to expand solar competition within the region, according to experts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 4, 2022

Hydrogen is going 'green' in many ways but policy changes are needed for grid management, analysts say

A growing contingent of companies looking to buy hydrogen aren’t just interested in sustainability — they also see benefit to their bottom line.

By Emma Penrod • April 1, 2022

Supply-chain squeeze: Solar, storage industries grapple with delays, price spikes as demand continues to grow

Facing price pressures and uncertainties, developers are struggling to complete projects or procure new ones, experts say.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 31, 2022

DOE takes stock of offshore wind supply chain, calls for 2,100 turbines to meet 30 GW goal

Barring supply-chain constraints, NREL said, it expects 30.1 GW of offshore wind to be installed in the U.S. by the end of 2030, meeting the Biden administration's goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 31, 2022

Commerce Department kicks off 1-year solar tariff investigation on panels imported from Southeast Asia

The federal investigation into allegations of "textbook" tariff circumvention could contribute to the forecasted 19% decline in near-term solar installations, according to industry groups.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 29, 2022

Biden's proposed budget includes nearly $45B for climate and clean energy, a 7% increase for DOE

The proposal, released Monday, calls for spending $502 million to weatherize and retrofit low-income homes, including $100 million for a pilot program to electrify low-income homes.

By Ethan Howland • March 29, 2022

BOEM sets May auction for offshore wind leasing in 2 areas off the Carolinas

Stakeholders commended the Biden administration for dividing the Wilmington East wind energy area into two lease opportunities, creating more competition.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 28, 2022

Illinois renewable energy plan details extensive equity measures for future solar, energy projects

Per the terms of a new state law, the plan calls for equitable hiring requirements for contractors and establishes pilot projects to study and remove barriers for low-income residents.

By Emma Penrod • March 24, 2022

Ukraine war could extend bump in US coal use, but utilities remain confident in decarbonization path

When 2021 natural gas demand drove prices up, generators turned to coal. The war in Ukraine seems to be driving a similar pattern.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2022