EUCI Blog

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has canceled $3.7 billion in grants to industries aimed at cutting carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency at facilities ranging from cement kilns to a ketchup factory. “DOE found that these projects failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The repeal of renewable energy tax credits, part of the proposed Republican budget bill, would lead to a 15% decline in wind, solar, and battery storage capacity by 2035 and an increase in wholesale and retail electricity prices, according to an S&P Global forecast. “As renewable generators lose the…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The combination of coal-fired power plant closures, spurred by state and federal initiatives, and generous tax credits for new electric generation under the Inflation Reduction Act created a flood in renewable energy projects now waiting to get connected to the grid. “The surge in investment and development has overwhelmed…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer In the face of tariffs and economic and political uncertainties, the performance of clean energy technologies remains robust with 59 gigawatts (GW) of renewable generation and 31 GW of battery storage set to be installed in 2025, according to two market reports. “Investors and businesses navigating the energy transition…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer U.S. utility sector investment in electric, gas, and water projects are projected to rise to more than $780 billion between 2025 and 2028, according to a research report by consultant and market analyst S&P Global. Total U.S utility energy investments are projected to set a record at $202 billion…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Natural gas inventories heading into the winter heating season are at their highest level since 2016, 6% above the five-year average, but electric reliability regulators remain concerned about the impact of freezing temperatures on deliveries to power plants. “While the natural gas industry is making progress on commercial practices…

NTEC receives DOE funding to study Four Corners carbon capture September 16, 2024 A minority owner of the Four Corners Power Plant received federal funding to study retrofitting the coal-fired generating station with carbon capture technology. The Navajo Transitional Energy Company—an enterprise division of the Navajo Nation—announced this week that it has received $6.5 million…

Entergy Mississippi begins building new natural gas power station September 05, 2024 Entergy Mississippi LLC, which provides electricity to roughly 459,000 customers in 45 counties across the state, is building a new power station for the first time in 50 years. The new natural gas power station is expected to be completed in 2028. “As…

Promoters of clean-energy data centers in Virginia coal country unfazed by doubters September 10, 2024 Will Payne and Will Clear are all too aware of the skeptics. But those doubters only fuel the duo’s vision for Southwest Virginia. The former Virginia state energy office bureaucrats turned private-sector consultants have an ambitious plan to repurpose land…

Global clean technology and power market mergers and acquisitions have totaled $105 billion with 234 deals so far this year, slightly ahead of the 2023 pace, according to Enverus Research Intelligence. There were $79 billion in deals in the first half of 2024 and another $26 billion to date in the third quarter. The level…

West Virginia’s PSC faces lawsuit over coal-plant directive September 3, 2024 The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is facing legal challenges for its 2021 directive that Appalachian Power increase the usage of three of its coal plants. Critics say the utility is paying more to keep coal plants open, and passing the cost onto…

When are Colorado’s last coal-fired power plants closing? Aug 27, 2024 Coal may be on its way out in Colorado’s power picture, but it’s definitely still here. About a third of Colorado’s electricity is still generated by 10 coal-fired power units around the state. That should drop to zero by the end of 2031 when…