[USA] “EEI President Tom Kuhn Congratulates Newly Confirmed FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee”

[EEI, 6 December 2018]

The Senate has voted in favor of Bernard McNamee’s FERC Commissioner nomination 50 to 49.  McNamee will replace Robert Powelson, who was nominated by Trump to FERC in May of 2018. McNamee has faced controversy for his ties to the fossil fuel industry and what can be seen as aversion to the renewable industry and environmental sector in general. Tom Kuhn, President of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), congratulated McNamee for his Senate confirmation saying, “EEI and America's electric companies thank Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Senate for recognizing the importance of maintaining a full Commission and for voting to confirm Commissioner Bernard McNamee. There are many critical issues impacting EEI member companies and their customers. Among them, we need to update the transmission planning process, streamline the siting and permitting process, and develop predictability for the return on equity for transmission projects in order to attract investment, all while ensuring the reliability and security of the energy grid. We also need to modernize the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) because market abuses are creating billions of dollars in unnecessary costs for customers.”

[USA] “EV Drive Coalition Launches to Reform & Recharge Electric Vehicle Tax Credit”

[EV Drive Coalition, 13 November 2018]

Electric vehicle and EV charging companies like Tesla, GM, Nissan, ChargePoint, Plug in America, Volta, as well as various consumer and environmental stakeholders., have united to form the EV Drive Coalition. This coalition was created to persuade Congress into extending the federal electric vehicle tax credit. While the original tax credit has succeeded in helping commercialize electric vehicles, the tax credit must be extended to ensure “continued market growth and stabilization.” One of the members of the EV Coalition, Dan Turton, Vice President of Public Policy at General Motors North America declared, “A federal tax credit to help make electric vehicles more affordable for all consumers is integral to reaching a zero emissions future and establishing the U.S. as the leader in electrification. We feel that the tax credit should be modified so all customers continue to receive the full benefit going forward.”

[USA] “National Grid Expands Partnership with AutoGrid in Series D Investment”

[AutoGrid, 14 November 2018]

On November 14, National Grid Partners and AutoGrid, a data analytics startup, announced their latest partnership and direct investment agreement to develop “advanced applications of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven optimization, enabling predictive control of grid-edge assets.” This partnership is based off of AutoGrid’s $32 million Series D investment round. Lisa Lambert, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at National Grid and the Senior Vice President of National Grid Partners, stated “They have one of the best utility-focused AI teams in Silicon Valley, and we believe there is a tremendous market opportunity for them to grow rapidly over the next few years. We are also actively engaging AutoGrid to help meet our strategic objectives in the grid analytics category." AutoGrid is one of our first direct investments.  As a side note, this is not the only partnership National Grid has with AutoGrid; the two have a gas demand-response pilot in New York.

[USA] “Kentucky Power Seeks New Solar Projects in Eastern Kentucky”

[Kentucky Power, 17 October 2018]

Kentucky Power is aiming to add up to 20 megawatts of solar energy in response to growing customer interest in renewables and efforts to diversify the company’s electric generation mix. Matt Satterwhite, Kentucky Power’s President and Chief Operating Officer, noted the interest from businesses saying, “We have had requests from business customers in our region to explore solar energy options that could help them meet their own green energy goals,” and added that increased solar “could help our communities diversify their economies and boost development in eastern Kentucky as more and more businesses seek renewable energy to power their operations.” The company is currently seeking bids for new solar resources. In turn, Kentucky Power “may buy solar facilities from winning bidders.” To qualify as a bid, the projects must be located in the company’s service territory and have an interconnection with PJM or Kentucky Power’s distribution system. In addition, the bidding project must be at least 5 megawatts in size and be operation by December 31, 2021.

[USA] “Dominion Energy Seeks Input on Renewable Energy Expansion”

[Dominion Energy, 17 October 2018]

Dominion Energy has issued a request for information (RFI) from non-residential (i.e. commercial, industrial, and governmental) customers on their renewable energy preferences and interest. This data will then be used to inform the company’s plans to develop 3,000 megawatts of additional solar and wind projects that should be under development or go online by 2022. This effort is encouraged under the state’s new Grid Transformation & Security Act which was passed on July 1, 2018. Among other things, this legislation focuses on increasing clean energy investments -touted to encourage “the largest increase of renewable energy resources in the state’s history- and modernizing the grid. Corynne Arnett, Dominion Energy’s Vice President of Customer Service, added that Dominion “welcome[s] the opportunity to learn more about the renewable energy targets and goals of business and governmental customers across the state. This information will help us adapt renewable programs to meet customer needs as we grow our renewable generation fleet in Virginia, which is currently the 4th largest solar fleet in the country among utility holding companies."

[USA] “IPCC 1.5°C Report: A ‘Wake-Up Call’ for World Leaders”

[World Resources Institute, 7 October 2018]

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released a special report detailing the impacts of warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. This report is the response to a UNFCCC invitation when the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. The IPCC report details the differences between the impact of a 1.5 degree increase in warming and a 2 degree increase and shows that even a .5-degree difference can drastically increase the prevalence and intensity of extreme weather events and sea level increases that is directly tied to climate change. The report also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and multi-prong solution that considers not only decarbonization of the economy, but also reforestation, consumerism, and carbon captures and storage technologies. Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the World Resources Institute, stated, “Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees will require a radical transformation of economic and social systems at a scale never seen before. This is difficult, but by no means impossible. We know how to do it, and we know that it will lead to a much healthier economy and much healthier citizens. We now know that accelerated climate action can lead to large economic benefits, including a $26 trillion win…The urgent message of the IPCC report must be carried into the halls of power and the negotiation rooms at COP24. This should be a moral imperative for all leaders around the world.”

The full report can be found here: http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/

[USA] “Duke Energy to Invest $500 Million in Battery Storage in the Carolinas Over the Next 15 Years”

[Duke Energy, 10 October 2018]

Duke Energy has announced their intent to invest $500 million in battery energy storage technologies in North and South Carolina over the coming 15 years. These investments will add about 300 megawatts of battery capacity in the region (currently there is less than 30 megawatts of capacity). One of Duke’s first steps towards achieving this goal is their Hot Springs Microgrid project located in North Carolina.  This project includes a 2-megawatt solar facility and a 4 megawatt lithium-ion battery project and is part of the company’s “Western Carolinas Modernization Project” which focuses on increasing the clean energy footprint in that region. Duke’s other battery storage projects include a 9-megawatt lithium-ion battery located in Asheville, a 95 kWh zinc air battery that can be found in Haywood County- both projects are in North Carolina.  Rob Caldwell, President of Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology, praised his company’s innovative efforts, saying, “Duke Energy is at the forefront of battery energy storage, and our investment could increase as we identify projects that deliver benefits to our customers. Utility-owned and operated projects in North Carolina and South Carolina will include a variety of system benefits that will help improve reliability for our customers and provide significant energy grid support for the region."

[USA] “Florida Power & Light Company Crews Responding to Widespread Power Outages in the Wake of Hurricane Michael”

[Florida Power and Light, 11 October 2018]  

With Hurricane Michael’s landfall in southeastern United States, electric utilities such as Florida Power & Light (FPL), have intensified their efforts to restore power to communities in Florida, Georgia, and parts of South Carolina. Over 1,000 FPL employees and contractors are working to help restore power and are supporting search and rescue efforts; of these, 50 are full-time contractors whose focus is purely search and rescue. The company is also providing mobile fueling for Florida Highway Patrol vehicles. Eric Silagy, President and CEO, commended his company’s efforts saying, “Last year, restoration workers from as far away as Canada traveled to Florida to help restore power following Hurricane Irma, and we’re honored to do the same for those affected by this devastating storm.” (As of the morning of October 12, “1.4 million utility customers from Florida to Virginia were without power.”) [1]

[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/hurricane-michael-damage-florida-flooding-georgia-power-outage-weather-deaths-today-live-updates/

[USA] “DOE Applauds Vogtle Decision”

[DOE, 26 September 2018]

The construction of Vogtle 3&4, located in Georgia, was approved in a September 26, 2018 vote by all four of the project’s co-owners (Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, and Dalton Utilities). This project will be the US’s first large scale utility-based nuclear project in over 30 years. Vogtle 3 is expected to come online in November 2021 and Vogtle 4 a year late in November 2022. The project will also support jobs in Georgia – employing over 7,000 workers during construction and 800 permanent jobs post-construction. As a result, the plant will provide reliable and clean energy to approximately 500,000 homes for decades. DOE’s Spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes expects that the completion of this project will cement the US’s leadership in nuclear technology. Hynes also hopes that “this project will mark the beginning of a nuclear renaissance in America.”

For more info, please click here: https://www.southerncompany.com/newsroom/2018/sept-2018/all-vogtle-owners-vote-to-move-forward.html

[USA] “Massachusetts Clean Energy Advocates Welcome SMART Program Order”

[SEIA, 27 September 2018]

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has issued its Order on the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. The issuance of this order was one of the final steps to be taken before the SMART program, whose legislation was signed in 2016 by Governor Charlie Baker,[1] could be implemented. The details of this legislation can be found at the Massachusetts legislature’s portal.[2]The program is expected to boost the state’s solar industry and increase solar jobs as well by extending access to 75% of Massachusetts residents who previously could not install rooftop solar. As a result, Massachusetts’s leadership in the solar industry began to falter. However, with the implementation of the program, solar will once again thrive in the state. This program is also expected to provide a savings of $4.7 billion to ratepayers. Sean Garren, Senior Director of Northeast for Vote Solar, stated, “Solar projects have been stalled across the Commonwealth for more than a year now awaiting the launch of the SMART program, which will still be weeks from now. These projects will mean local investment, new jobs and property taxes, as well as a cleaner and more resilient energy system.”

[1] https://www.mass.gov/news/department-of-public-utilities-issues-order-to-continue-solar-development

[2] https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S1979

[USA] “Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler Concludes Visit to G7 Environmental Ministers Meeting”

[EPA, 20 September 2018]

The EPA Administrator concluded his visit to the G7 Environmental Ministers Meeting on September 20, 2018. The meeting involved leading officials from Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and the European Commission. Wheeler participated in one-on-one as well joint sessions. These sessions often focused on reducing air and water pollution, transitioning to a low carbon economy, resource efficiency, food waste, and improving “natural infrastructure to reduce coastal risk.” Wheeler and the European Union Commission delegate, Daniel Calleja, also talked about developing an air quality exchange in order to share technical information between EPA and EU experts.  Wheeler stated of the conference, “The United States is pleased with the progress being made by global leaders to advance practical solutions that will reduce marine litter, minimize food waste, and improve air quality. We look forward to continuing constructive dialogue.”

[USA] “Cape Fear River Flooding Damages Sutton Lake, Causes Safe Shutdown of Natural Gas Plant”

[Duke Energy, 21 September 2018]  

Flooding of the Cape Fear River has cause Duke Energy’s L.V. Sutton 625 mw natural gas plant to shut down. The river’s flooding has “caused breaches in the cooling lake dam surrounding the cooling lake.” Water from the cooling lake also flowed into the natural gas plant itself. While there are two coal ash basins near the Sutton plant, Duke does not believe that the ash has breached the steel wall separating the basin and the cooling lake. Duke Energy has employees in place who are securing the area while engineers are developing and activating repair plans for the site. Duke also predicts that, based on historic data, that there is “little to no chance that cooling lake water will contribute to a measurable change to water levels in the area.”

[USA] “U.S. Becomes World’s Largest Crude Oil Producer and Department of Energy Authorizes Short Term Natural Gas Exports”

[DOE, 13 September 2018]  

The Energy Information Administration, in their Short-Term Energy Outlook, has found the US to be the largest global crude oil producer, greater than even Russia and Saudi Arabia. This past February, America’s crude oil production surpassed Saudi Arabia – a first in over 20 years. In June and then again in August, the U.S.’s crude oil production was greater than that of Russia’s for the first time since 1999. On a separate issue, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a short-term order for the Freeport LNG project to export up to 2.14 bcf/d of natural gas as LNG over a two-year term both to free-trade and non-free trade agreement countries; of course, this does not include countries that have been expressly banned from U.S. trade relations.

[USA] “EPA Grants $1.6 Million to Northwest and Alaska Tribal Groups to Reduce Harmful Diesel Emissions”

[EPA, 12 September 2018]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted $1.6 million to three tribal groups in the Northwest and in Alaska; the Lummi and Tulalip Tribes (in Washington state) and the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Alaska. This award will be used to replace old diesel engines and generators thereby reducing the amount of harmful emissions the tribes will be exposed to. This award is provided under the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). DERA works to reduce diesel combustion byproducts (e.g. hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter) by funding retrofit projects, engine replacements, and promotes idle reduction. Chris Hladick, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, stated “Clean diesel technologies not only improve air quality in Indian Country, but advance innovation and support jobs. These projects will significantly reduce harmful emissions and protect public health in tribal communities.” It is interesting to note the contrast between the work of EPA’s DERA to reduce harmful emissions and the EPA top administrators’ efforts to reduce vehicle tailpipe emissions standards.

[USA] “EEI Launches Industry-Wide Environmental, Social, Governance, and Sustainability Reporting Template”

(EEI, 27 August 2018)

The Edison Electric Institute will launch an “environmental, social, governance, and sustainability-related (ESG/sustainability) reporting template;” this report is the first and only one of its kind.  It is based on voluntary reporting of both quantitative (i.e. governance methods and strategies) and qualitative data (i.e. portfolio, emissions, capital expenditures, and resources). Through this report, electricity customers can be better informed on their utility’s status in these areas. EEI’s member electric companies will also benefit as each company’s financial sector will be provided with more standardized and consistent ESG/sustainability information. Tom Kuhn, EEI’s President” said that the pilot form of this report (released in December 2017) was “well-received by investors, key stakeholders, and customers.” JPMorgan Chase’s Deputy Global Head of Sustainable Finance also applauded EEI’s efforts and stated that “as ESG goes mainstream, the disclosure template will help lenders, investors, and EEI member companies engage on the most important ESG and sustainability matters for the electric power industry.”

[USA] “National Solar Leaders Endorse Nevada’s Renewable Energy Ballot Measure: Question 6”

(SEIA, 30 August 2018)

This coming November, Nevada’s ballot will feature Question 6 – a ballot measure that would raise the state’s renewable targets to 50% by 2030. Question 6 is expected to create more jobs, grow the economy, and bolster public health. The measure has earned the support of “two leading solar organizations:” the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Vote Solar Action Fund. Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO of SEIA, commended the measure stating, “No state has seen the profound effect that strong policy can have on jobs and economic activity than Nevada. A strong RPS in Nevada is not only imminently achievable, but also will create massive jobs, stimulate economic activity and support air quality.” Jessica Scott of the Vote Solar Action Fund noted the support renewable energy has from all sides of the political spectrum: “Overwhelming majorities of Republican, Democratic and Independent Nevadans all want more healthy, job-creating clean energy powering their communities, and it’s exciting that they'll now have the opportunity to vote for that brighter future for their families and future generations at the ballot this fall.”

[USA] “Department of Energy Announces Technology Commercialization Fund Projects”

[DOE, 22 August 2018]

The Department of Energy has announced $20 million of funding for 64 projects; this funding will be overseen by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF). As these 64 projects may also receive matching funding from the private sector, the DOE hopes the projects will aid in developing the relationship between the DOE’s national labs and private businesses. U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry stated of the project, “By connecting innovators at our national labs with entrepreneurs in the private sector, DOE is breaking down barriers and finding the nexus between ingenuity and opportunity.” Projects selected for funding have a variety of focuses, including electric vehicle charging, advanced nuclear reactor development, lithium-sulfur rechargeable batteries, and carbon capture.

[USA] “DOE 2017 Wind Market Reports Indicate Strong Wind Power Installation Trends and Falling Prices”

[DOE, 23 August 2018]

The Department of Energy has released three wind energy market reports – the 2017 Distributed Wind Market Report, the 2017 Offshore Wind Technologies Market Update, and the 2017 Wind Technologies Market Report- all note that US wind installations are growing and will continue to grow as offshore wind projects are actualized and as technology costs and wind prices decrease. These three reports cover each of the three market sectors inherently tied to the wind industry: “land-based utility scale, distributed, and offshore wind.” Some of the highlights from the reports are included below:

·         In 2017, the US wind industry saw 7,017 MW of capacity installed

·         41 states have utility-scale wind projects

·         The expansion of the wind industry has led to the creation of 105,000 jobs and $11 billion in investments for new wind plants

·         35% of distributed wind projects in 2017 were installed in homes and 25% were installed at agricultural sites

·         “New offshore wind turbines are being developed with 10–12 megawatts of capacity (compared to an average capacity of 2.3 MW for land-based turbines and 5.3 MW for offshore wind turbines installed in 2017).”

[USA] “SEIA Supports Legislation to Increase Government Use of Renewable Energy”

(SEIA, 25 July 2018)

Representative Peter Welch (Democrat-Vermont) and Representative Ralph Norman (Republican – South Carolina) have introduced legislation, H.R. 6538, that will allow the General Services Administration (GSA) – an independent federal agency which oversees the “basic functioning” of the federal government such as procurement- to enter into 30 year renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs). Currently, only the U.S. military may enter into PPAs that last longer than 10 years. SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association, has expressed support for such a legislative measure and its President and CEO, Abigail Ross Hopper, stated that “this bill will help save taxpayer dollars by allowing all federal agencies to take advantage of the significant cost savings currently enjoyed by the U.S. military through the use of long-term PPAs.”

Further information on this bill can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6538

[USA] “EEI Statement on Energy Grid Security”

(EEI, 24 July 2018)

EEI Vice President of Security and Preparedness, Scott Aaronson, issued a statement acknowledging the importance of cybersecurity in the face of repeated threats to US critical infrastructure. He noted that though there was a campaign to target US critical electric infrastructure in July 2017, the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) was able to quickly update its response to the threat and compiled an update “with potential indicators of compromise and other technical data.” With this update, North American electric power companies would be able to better “protect and defend” their systems. E-ISAC efforts also indicate the strong relationship between industry and the government – a relationship that is vital to maintaining a strong grid. Aaronson concluded his statement by stating that “there have been no operational impacts to the energy grid from these threats.”