Hydropower is 53% of the renewable energy supply in the West. Drought is slowing down production. May 17, 2022 A large provider of Colorado energy says sagging hydropower production on the Colorado River system, which has raised concern over the long-term reliability of the power source in the West, has…
California Power Officials Warn of Power Shortfalls This Summer Amid Increasing Strain from Climate Change
California Power Officials Warn of Power Shortfalls This Summer Amid Increasing Strain from Climate Change May 6, 2022 California power regulators are warning of power shortages and possible blackouts this summer as the state’s electrical grid faces increasing strain from drought and extreme heat. “We know reliability is going to…
U.S. and European EV sales climb but more chargers will be needed to sustain growth
U.S. and European EV sales climb but more chargers will be needed to sustain growth Energize Weekly, May 11, 2022 Electric vehicle (EV) sales in both the U.S. and Europe are posting strong gains, but to reach the market penetration governments are targeting – the Biden administration goal is 50…
Power demand to grow in Tennessee Valley as economy electrifies, TVA CEO says
Power demand to grow in Tennessee Valley as economy electrifies, TVA CEO says April 28, 2022 Tennessee will soon become the No. 1 state for electric vehicle production as part of a power shift that could nearly double electricity demand in the Tennessee Valley over the next three decades, the…
Renewable generation making major inroads on the grid in Texas and California
Renewable generation making major inroads on the grid in Texas and California Energize Weekly, May 4, 2022 The steady increase in renewable energy generation – primarily wind and solar – is beginning to show signs of dramatically impacting electric grids around the country as it claims a larger and larger…
Pennsylvania to join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Pennsylvania to join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Apr 22, 2022 After more than 2 years in legal and legislative battles, Pennsylvania is poised to become the twelfth state to join the carbon-cutting effort known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. A Commonwealth Court failed to block the state’s publishing of…
Consumers Energy settles with stakeholders over Clean Energy Plan, pledges coal elimination by 2025
Consumers Energy settles with stakeholders over Clean Energy Plan, pledges coal elimination by 2025 April 22, 2022 After agreeing to a settlement with key stakeholders, Consumers Energy announced this week that, as part of its Clean Energy Plan, it will cease using coal as a fuel source for electric generation…
Biden administration unveils $6 billion program to keep nuclear power plants from closing
Biden administration unveils $6 billion program to keep nuclear power plants from closing Energize Weekly, April 27, 2022 The federal government has launched a $6 billion program to support the operation and prevent the closure of any of the nation’s nuclear reactors – seen by the Biden administration as a…
PGE offers a look inside its futuristic new ops center
PGE offers a look inside its futuristic new ops center Apr. 15, 2022 When you flip the light switch or turn up your thermostat, you expect the juice to start flowing. It’s as simple as that. But in an age of distributed power generation and storage, intermittent renewables, electric cars,…
US EPA’s plan for interstate smog might force even more early coal retirements
US EPA’s plan for interstate smog might force even more early coal retirements 18 Apr, 2022 With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s climate authority over the nation’s power sector in legal limbo, the Biden administration unveiled a plan in March for addressing interstate smog pollution that is projected to drive…
National Grid announces plan to decarbonize by 2050
National Grid announces plan to decarbonize by 2050 April 18, 2022 Utility giant National Grid (NG.L) is planning to eliminate fossil fuels from its heating systems in New York state and Massachusetts by 2050, primarily by expanding the use of electric heat pumps and sourcing more renewable natural gas (RNG),…
Covid-19 boost in green spending still not enough, IEA says
Covid-19 boost in green spending still not enough, IEA says 04/12/2022 The world’s wealthiest countries are rapidly boosting spending on clean energy, but lower-income nations are struggling to do the same, with higher food and fuel prices bearing down on their already limited finances. The widening gap could challenge the…
Supply-chain issues hobble storage projects but installation still set a record in 2021
Supply-chain issues hobble storage projects but installation still set a record in 2021 Energize Weekly, April 13, 2022 Even in the face of supply-chain problems, energy storage installations set a record in the U.S., and the forecasts have domestic and global capacity growing twentyfold by 2030, according to industry analyses.…
‘The lights will not go out’ – Energy experts do not foresee EVs overloading US electrical grid
‘The lights will not go out’ – Energy experts do not foresee EVs overloading US electrical grid Apr. 5th 2022 According to research teams and engineers at multiple US energy laboratories, the acceleration of EV adoption will not reach any sort of “tipping” point in which charging EVs will overwhelm…
Surging electric bills threaten Calif. climate goals
Surging electric bills threaten Calif. climate goals 04/05/2022 Millions of Californians pay among the highest prices in the nation for electricity, a potential threat to the state’s plans to electrify cars and homes as it battles climate change. Surging electricity prices of the three biggest utilities in the Golden State…
UN report on climate crisis confirms the world already has solutions – but politics are getting in the way
UN report on climate crisis confirms the world already has solutions – but politics are getting in the way April 4, 2022 The world is careening toward levels of global warming that will have irreversible impacts, a new landmark report says, but we already have the solutions — the only…
Environmental campaign targets Bitcoin miners in an effort to curb greenhouse gases
Environmental campaign targets Bitcoin miners in an effort to curb greenhouse gases Energize Weekly, April 6, 2022 Environmental groups are taking aim at the power-hungry Bitcoin cryptocurrency seeking to get it to change the way it operates and thereby cut its greenhouse gas emissions. The “Change the Code, Not the…
Misinformation is derailing renewable energy projects across the United States
Misinformation is derailing renewable energy projects across the United States MAR, 28 2022 On a winter night in early 2016, Jeremy Kitson gathered in his buddy’s large shed with some neighbors to plan their fight against a proposed wind farm in rural Van Wert County, Ohio. The project would be…
Xcel wants to close power plant near Pueblo barely a decade after going into operation
Xcel wants to close power plant near Pueblo barely a decade after going into operation Mar 27, 2022 The Colorado Public Utilities Commission tabled a request by Xcel Energy to once again shorten the operating life of the Comanche power station’s Unit 3 near Pueblo, the last of three generating…
Coal plant owners seek to shut 3.2 GW in PJM in face of economic, regulatory and market pressures
Coal plant owners seek to shut 3.2 GW in PJM in face of economic, regulatory and market pressures March 22, 2022 Power plant owners started the process of potentially retiring 3,228 MW of coal-fired generation in the PJM Interconnection’s footprint this month, according to the grid operator’s generator deactivation list. Another 1,024…
Biden warns the private sector that Russia is exploring options for cyberattacks
Biden warns the private sector that Russia is exploring options for cyberattacks March 21, 2022 President Biden warned on Monday that Russia is exploring the possibility of waging potential cyberattacks against the United States in retaliation for economic penalties imposed on Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine. Read more
Supply chain problems and rising prices are pinching the U.S. solar industry
Supply chain problems and rising prices are pinching the U.S. solar industry Energize Weekly, March 23, 2022 Facing supply chain problems and rising prices, the U.S. solar industry delayed about a third of its utility-scale capacity in the fourth quarter of 2021, and installations are projected to be down in…
Judge wants more research on plan to shut down J.H. Campbell Power Plant
Judge wants more research on plan to shut down J.H. Campbell Power Plant Mar 11, 2022 A Michigan judge is recommending Consumers Energy and the Michigan Public Service Commission do more research before signing off on the utility company’s plan to completely shut down the J.H. Campbell Power Plant in…
Kauai Quit Using Oil To Produce Most Of Its Electricity Years Ago. That’s Paying Off Now
Kauai Quit Using Oil To Produce Most Of Its Electricity Years Ago. That’s Paying Off Now March 15, 2022 In 2008, Kauai’s electric utility set an aggressive goal to power half the island with renewable energy. The plan was so ambitious that no one knew exactly how it could be…
Pacific Power seeking 12.2% rate increase in 2023
Pacific Power seeking 12.2% rate increase in 2023 Mar 3, 2022 PacifiCorp wants to raise electricity rates for Oregon customers by more than 12% in 2023 because of higher power costs, general inflationary pressure as well as increasing costs for wildfire planning and mitigation, according to proposals filed Tuesday with…
Russian invasion of Ukraine and West’s economic sanctions roil global energy markets
Russian invasion of Ukraine and West’s economic sanctions roil global energy markets Energize Weekly, March 9, 2022 The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the broad sanctions by western nations in its wake are roiling energy markets from Europe to Asia and may lead to structural changes in regional and global…
Rocky Mountain states to team up on hydrogen tech proposal
Rocky Mountain states to team up on hydrogen tech proposal February 24, 2022 Four Rocky Mountain states will cooperate on developing ways to make the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen, more available and useful as clean-burning fuel for cars, trucks and trains, the states’ governors announced Thursday. Colorado,…
What the Russia crisis means for U.S. electricity mix
What the Russia crisis means for U.S. electricity mix 03/01/2022 Gasoline prices have spiked in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the effects of the conflict are also spilling into the U.S. electricity sector, with implications for greenhouse gas emissions and energy policy. Although the crisis isn’t expected…
‘These Waters Are Hot’: U.S. Auction Opens Up Offshore Wind Rush
‘These Waters Are Hot’: U.S. Auction Opens Up Offshore Wind Rush February 22, 2022 When the U.S. last auctioned big plots of ocean to companies that wanted to build offshore wind farms a few years ago, it raked in a then-record-setting haul of $405 million. That’s set to be obliterated…
New clean generation technology is needed for the West to achieve 100 percent clean electricity
New clean generation technology is needed for the West to achieve 100 percent clean electricity Energize Weekly, February 16, 2022 The West could run on 90 percent clean electricity by 2040 with existing renewable generation and storage, but to get to 100 percent, new, clean generation filling the same baseload…
Texas’ grid held up this time with enough extra capacity to power 3 million homes
Texas’ grid held up this time with enough extra capacity to power 3 million homes February 6th 2022 As this latest arctic blast hit the state, the power for most of Texas stayed on as the grid stayed steady. “The power grid continues to perform well at peak demand during…
Texas grid operator warns electricity demand could near records during cold snap
Texas grid operator warns electricity demand could near records during cold snap 01/30/22 A cold weather front next week could trigger near record-setting levels of electric demand in Texas, which last winter saw days-long power outages impacting millions in the state, according to the state’s grid operator. Read more
PJM seeks reserve market rehearing from FERC, proposes capacity auction schedule
PJM seeks reserve market rehearing from FERC, proposes capacity auction schedule 24 Jan 2022 PJM Interconnection has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a rehearing in its reserve market proceeding because a recent FERC order departs, without adequate explanation, from prior findings that resource procurement costs to alleviate power…
A rise in U.S. renewable generation to reduce fossil-fuel electricity in coming years
A rise in U.S. renewable generation to reduce fossil-fuel electricity in coming years Energize Weekly, January 26, 2022 Generation from renewable energy sources, primarily wind and solar, will reduce fossil-fuel generation over the next two years in the U.S., even as the country’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are set to…
Energy and Commerce Committee leaders seek information from TVA on business practices
Energy and Commerce Committee leaders seek information from TVA on business practices January 17, 2022 Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are seeking information from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on its lack of deployment of renewable energy and other business practices. Specifically, the lawmakers are concerned that TVA…
Evergy Files Missouri Rate Review to Recover Costs to Modernize Grid, Improve Reliability and Enhance Customer Service
Evergy Files Missouri Rate Review to Recover Costs to Modernize Grid, Improve Reliability and Enhance Customer Service January 7, 2022 Today Evergy submitted a detailed rate review to the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC). The requested rate adjustment reflects investments to improve reliability, enhance customer service and enable the company’s transition to cleaner energy…
Western and Midwestern grids may face supply shortfalls as early as this summer, NERC says
Western and Midwestern grids may face supply shortfalls as early as this summer, NERC says Energize Weekly, January 12, 2022 The Midwest and Western grids could face shortfalls in electricity supply and generating capacity as early as this summer as baseload plants retire and weather-related disruptions become more common, according…
Renewable and coal-fired power generation surge in 2021 led by India and China
Renewable and coal-fired power generation surge in 2021 led by India and China Energize Weekly, December 22, 2021 The global profile for electricity generation in 2021 is a tale of surging old and new power as both renewable energy and coal-fired generation are set to reach record highs, according to…
Cincinnati, Columbus settle civil claims related to FirstEnergy bailout
Cincinnati, Columbus settle civil claims related to FirstEnergy bailout December 14, 2021 The cities of Cincinnati and Columbus have dismissed their state court claims against FirstEnergy and Energy Harbor for the companies’ actions relating to House Bill 6, the nuclear and coal bailout law at the heart of a $60…
California Community Choice Financing Authority issues first municipal clean energy bonds
California Community Choice Financing Authority issues first municipal clean energy bonds DECEMBER 6, 2021 California’s first municipal non-recourse Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds issued today are valued at over $2 billion for thirty-year terms. The two separate bond issuances support the purchase of clean electricity to serve over 2.5 million…
New York State OKs transmission projects to bring clean energy to New York City
New York State OKs transmission projects to bring clean energy to New York City Energize Weekly, December 8, 2021 Setting the stage for its biggest transmission initiative in 50 years, New York State has struck agreements for two high-tension lines to bring more than 2 gigawatts of wind, solar and…
U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch
U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch Energize Weekly, December 1, 2021 Winter electricity-generating resources across the North American grid are forecast to be adequate, although weather and fuel access issues may create challenges for New England, California and parts of Canada.…
Northeast grid rules could make or break clean energy
Northeast grid rules could make or break clean energy 11/22/2021 New England’s grid operator is considering an overhaul of regional power market rules that could determine whether Northeast states meet their clean energy goals, creating uncertainty in a region pivotal for reaching President Biden’s push for 100 percent clean electricity.…
EV sales poised to set a record in 2021, forecast to reach a 20 percent market share by 2025
EV sales poised to set a record in 2021, forecast to reach a 20 percent market share by 2025 Energize Weekly, November 24, 2021 A booming global electric vehicle (EV) market is forecast to post more than 7 million in sales of battery-electric and hybrid plug-in cars in 2021, double…
‘We could handle it right now’ — AEP chief says U.S. power grid can sustain influx of EVs
‘We could handle it right now’ — AEP chief says U.S. power grid can sustain influx of EVs NOV 12 2021 The U.S. power grid will be able to handle the influx of electric vehicles in the coming years, American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins told CNBC on Friday. Read more
A New Generation of Nuclear Reactors Could Hold the Key to a Green Future
A New Generation of Nuclear Reactors Could Hold the Key to a Green Future NOVEMBER 16, 2021 On a conference-room whiteboard in the heart of Silicon Valley, Jacob DeWitte sketches his startup’s first product. In red marker, it looks like a beer can in a Koozie, stuck with a crazy…
Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid
Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid Energize Weekly, November 17, 2021 The federal infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden this week, includes a nearly $30 billion down payment in grants and loan authorities to upgrade the nation’s aging and challenged electric grid.…
New NARUC-DOE reports highlight economic implications of energy transition, means to negate fossil fuel retirement effects
New NARUC-DOE reports highlight economic implications of energy transition, means to negate fossil fuel retirement effects November 01, 2021 Two reports issued by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Center for Partnerships & Innovation (CPI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Partnership…
World energy consumption to rise 50 percent by 2050 with fossil fuels still dominant, EIA says
World energy consumption to rise 50 percent by 2050 with fossil fuels still dominant, EIA says Energize Weekly, October 13, 2021 Global energy consumption is forecast to increase 50 percent over the next 30 years if no policies or new technologies are introduced to curb demand, according to the U.S.…
State, federal actions show growing push for a nuclear role in reaching net zero emissions
State, federal actions show growing push for a nuclear role in reaching net zero emissions Sept. 28, 2021 Nuclear power advocates are increasingly emphasizing the value of existing but financially struggling U.S. nuclear plants in curbing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. Read more
