Energy & Water

A survey of commercial builders in February 2023 revealed that there is a heightened interest in  energy efficiency, demand response and technologies that can help manage utility bills and reduce carbon emissions. Meet ” grid-interactive buildings.” 99% of building managers are concerned about energy costs. 39% want demand response and demand management programs and EV chargers.

Utility Dive | Efficiency, demand response and EV charging are priorities for commercial building sector: GridPoint survey

A new report identifies characteristics that indicate a state or local government’s advantage in the race to build out EV charging networks. It looked at current charger-to-resident ratio.  Three Texas cities—San Antonio, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth— are in the 10 least EV-friendly cities. The Top 5 states are Vermont, California, Massachusetts, Colorado and Rhode Island.

Governing | In Race to Build Out EV Charging Stations, Some Cities and States Have a Leg Up

The first plane to use an electric powered, hydrogen fuel cell took flight this week. The emissions from the electric hydrogen fuel cell? water vapor and heat. Airbus is also testing hydrogen fuel cells for planes.

popsci | This plane powered by hydrogen has made an electrifying first flight

A Swiss solar panel company is moving away from plastics in its manufacturing and moving to glass solar panels. The reasoning: a leaner, flexible concept that has faster scalability of new manufacturing.

PV Magazine | All-in on the future: Meyer Burger shifting to 100% glass-glass bifacial

Record Breaking 2022 for grid scale batteries for a total capacity of 9GW/25GWh. That’s up from 2021’s record of 3GW/9.5GWh.

• 80% increase in cumulative operating battery storage in MWs
• 93% increase in terms of MegaWatt Hours
• 31% increase in commissioned projects in the 4th quarter of 2022
• California leads all states with 4,938MW of cumulative installations
• Texas leads for BESS in its interconnection queues, with 67GW awaiting connection

Energy Storage News | US installed grid-scale battery storage capacity reached 9GW/25GWh in ‘record-breaking’ 2022

State Approaches To Equitable Distributed Energy Resource Deployment by the National Governor’s Association is available for download as of March 2, 2023. “Governors are setting increasingly ambitious state energy goals that are enhancing the deployment of DERs, and are increasingly including equity provisions in energy policies, including DER programs.”

Texas Attorney General will be answering whether counties have the authority to put a moratorium on new solar projects. RQ- 0500-KP Franklin County wants to know if it’s within its authority to create a moratorium for utility scale solar projects. The County also wants to explore bonds for companies that want utility scale solar projects to cover damage the projects will cause to county roadways.

The first ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico was offered this Wednesday. A 102,000-acre area off Lake Charles, Louisiana, and two sites near Galveston, Texas are for offer with the potential to power almost 1.3 million homes.

The federal government push for more wind power has the goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, enough to power 10 million homes. 

Route Fifty | State & Local Roundup: Offshore Wind Push Expands to the Gulf of Mexico

Minesto, a Swedish company, has developed a marine technology that generates electricity from low-flow tidal streams and ocean currents. They talk about it as a tidal kite system.

@Sweden.se

LB658 (2023 | NE) creates the Nuclear and Hydrogen Industry Working Group to identify workforce needs of employers while partnering with state and community colleges to build a pipeline of skilled workers. 12 members appointed by the Governor.

The 12 members will include:

2 representatives from the nuclear industry

2 representatives from hydrogen industry

1 each from the Nebraska State College System, the community college system, and representing public power

2 chairman, the Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and the chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee

1, the director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development

2 at-large members.

Governing | Nuclear, Hydrogen Group Would Identify Workforce Needs

AB 3 (2023 | CA) would require oil refined in California be produced in California. The produced in California standard would be 60% in 2030.

CalMatters | In California Legislature, 500 bills beat the deadline

Meet the “maximum gross gasoline refining margin” part of California’s legislative plan, SB 2 (2023 | TX) to limit “price gouging” by fossil fuel companies. I feel like I’d be using a lot air quotes if I were talking about this. Its part of a populist push that questions when corporations hit record profits while raising prices that economically harm the working person.

The Hill | Groups lobby California legislature to pass bill on fuel ‘price gouging’

To signal to investors that Texas is open to the geothermal market, it will take 2 pieces of legislation according to supporters. First. property rights in the geothermal energy. That’s HB 1336 (2023 | TX) . Second. HB 1318 (2023 | TX) “transfers jurisdiction of specific geothermal wells that take advantage of closed-loop systems to the Texas Railroad Commission.”

Ultimately, geothermal energy creates electricity by  converting subsurface heat to “utility-scale power delivered through the electric grid or produced as heat for district heating.”

Go San Angelo | Geothermal energy: Texas can tap into the heat beneath our feet

The Biden Administration finalized plans for the $7.5 billion national electric vehicle charging network. Practical effect: Tesla will have to convert its Tesla only chargers to EV chargers for all EV vehicles. The plan will ultimately include  a 500,000-public-charger network.

Utility Dive | Tesla to make some of its EV chargers public as White House announces rules for national charging network

Washington State is proposing HB1416 (2023 | WA) that would require crypto miners to meet the state’s Greenhouse Gas Neutral Standard that has an administrative penalty of $100 multiplied by the following for each megawatt-hour of electric generation used to meet load that is not electricity from a renewable resource or nonemitting electric generation.

E&E News | Crypto is here to save the grid. Or crash it.

University of Texas researcher points to 3 things that reduced that mount of crypto mining- lower values in cryptocurrency meant less rewards, higher electricity costs, & higher natural gas costs.

A report by Hashrate Index found that crypto mining did not impact electric prices in areas where there was more hydro power and less natural gas power.

E&E Energy Wire | Crypto is here to save the grid. Or crash it.

Economists propose identifying the top 10% of water users (commercial and residential). Then they prose a pilot program that will help create future customizable water pricing programs for customers.

The pilot program in economist jargon: “Each invitee would receive an opt-in contract offering to pay them an annual fee for enrolling for three years in a water conservation program. In return, the price the consumer paid for each gallon of water would triple. This approach would give the consumer a guaranteed payment for participating and a clear incentive to use less water.”

Route Fifty | A New Strategy for Western States to Adapt to Long-term Drought: Customized Water Pricing

Colorado is considering a Right to Use Energy Bill, HB23-1127 (2023 | CO), that “prohibits a state agency, local government, or common interest community from limiting or prohibiting the use of natural gas, propane, solar photovoltaics, micro wind turbines, or micro hydroelectricity for generating electricity, cooking, heating water, or heating or cooling spaces in residences, units, or businesses.”

Louisiana’s Climate Action Plan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To get there, industry is:

• Increasing solar by 3GW
• Developing wind power int he Gulf of Mexico
• Competing for compete for a $1 billion grant to develop a hydrogen hub funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• $21 billion investment in new or expanded industrial projects aimed at carbon reduction include new facilities manufacturing components for electric vehicles; producing alternative fuels; creating carbon capture and storage facilities; and new low- or no-carbon ammonia and hydrogen production facilities

Governing | Louisiana’s Climate Goals Met With Industry Pledging Billions

Minnesota has a carbon free electricity goal of 2040. Included in this mix of carbon free power are solar, wind, nuclear, biomass, hydrogen and hydro power. SF 4 (2023 | MN) was signed by the Governor this week.

Minnesota joins 21 other states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that have set goals to reach 100 percent carbon-free energy generation by 2050.

Minnesota Governor | Governor Walz Signs Bill Moving Minnesota to 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2040

Deluth News Tribune | Minnesota Senate passes bill requiring 100% clean energy by 2040

Growth estimate for U.S. generation capacity includes an added  29.1 GW of solar power; additional 9.4 GW of battery storage; 7.5 GW of new natural-gas fired capacity; 6.0 GW of utility-scale wind; and  2.2 GW of capacity of nuclear power.

EIA | More than half of new U.S. electric-generating capacity in 2023 will be solar

Los Angeles City Council approved a $800-million plan to convert the city’s largest gas-fired power plant to green hydrogen. 1st of its kind project. Critics, mostly climate and environmental justice activists, say it’s greenwashing (faux green energy support) that will harm vulnerable communities. L.A. has a goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.

Los Angeles Times | L.A. is shutting down its largest gas plant — and replacing it with an unproven hydrogen project

North Dakota wants to address wind turbine blade disposal with HB 1090(2023 | ND) that would require landfills to receive approval from the state before accepting wind turbine blades.

WZFG | North Dakota Legislature: Eminent Domain, free lunch, drag show bills take center stage

Alaska Governor Dunleavy has proposed carbon storage and carbon credit legislation that is said to generate billions in annual revenue for the state. The carbon storage capacity is more than 50 gigatons.  Senate Bill (SB) 48, SB 49, House Bill (HB) 49, and HB 50, the Carbon Management and Monetization Bill Package.

Alaska Dispatch | Gov. Dunleavy Introduces Carbon Storage Bills to Raise Revenue

Governor Dunleavy Introduces Carbon Management and Monetization Bills Creating Statutory Structures

An Iowa Republican is proposing removing the use of eminent domain for carbon capture projects. SF 101 (2023 | IA) The author says, “That, in many ways, is my No. 1 preference because it gives the strongest protection to landowners and does the best job of addressing the constitutional problems with eminent domain for private companies for private profit.”

Iowa Capital Dispatch | Proposed legislation could kill or restrict carbon dioxide pipelines in Iowa

Meet new technology: hydro panels. Hydro panels collect “clean, renewable drinking water from the air.” Panels can make 1.3 gallons per day.

@good

Before we dismiss the source of this report, consider that one only makes their side stronger when you understand opposing positions. Call it strategy. Call it Sun Tsu. Call it being a decent human. The choice is yours.

The Environmental Defense Fund report says Texas ground water planning is short on: (1) critical funding, (2) science, (3) planning tools, (4) fails to protect future groundwater supplies, and (5)endangers water security & property rights of landowners.

Maine is considering legislation to require that its Public Utility Commission to procure 2.8 gigawatts of wind energy over the next 12 years. Why does this sound familiar? Because we’ve talked about the construction of massive offshore wind projects near Massachusetts.

Supporters say the bill will make Maine a leader in floating offshore wind power and attract billions of dollars in private investment.

Governing | Maine Bill Would Buy Huge Amounts of Offshore Wind Power

Maine Public | Bill aims to encourage development of offshore wind in Maine

Shell Oil has acquired EV charging network operator Volta. This is a trend fossil fuel companies snapping up or investing in EV charging infrastructure.

TechCrunch | Shell snaps up EV charging operator Volta for $169 million

What is happening? The Port of Corpus Christi is moving forward with its application to a hydrogen hub. This application is expected to bring billions of dollars in investments. The Hydrogen Hub designation will promote hydrogen production and create infrastructure for processing, storage, and use of clean hydrogen

Why is this important? Supporters say clean hydrogen is 2-3 times more efficient than gasoline.

Kiiitv | Port of CC moves forward with hydrogen hub application process

What is happening? Economic research released this week from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that the Texas electric grid is still vulnerable to extreme weather. Good News: the research said its better than 2021. But say 3 changes are necessary: improved enforcement of weatherization standards; incentives for thermal power plant development; and enhanced demand-response programs. The study has charts and graphs for those who like visuals.

Dallas Fed | Texas electrical grid remains vulnerable to extreme weather events

What is happening? 42 members of the Texas House are forming the Texas House Water Caucus to aging and fragile water infrastructure. It’s the brain child of the nonprofit, Texas Water Foundation.

KLTV | New Texas House caucus to prioritize water problems in rural Texas

What is happening? This week TX Supreme Court heard oral arguments about whether ERCOT can be sued. Yep, ERCOT liability. Odds on whether the legislature gets into this….

ABC 13 | SCOTUS will decide whether ERCOT should be immune from lawsuits sparked by deadly winter storm

What is happening? The federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund has $27 billion to pour into green banks and financial institutions. States are also paying attention. New Mexico and Alaska are pushing to create their own state green banks.Green banks provide financing to support climate-friendly projects like energy savings and solar generation in residential and commercial buildings. Many state-level green banks have focused on low- to moderate-income communities, which have the greatest need for energy upgrades and the least access to financing.

Governing | ‘Green Banks,’ Poised for Billions in Climate Funds, Draw States’ Attention

What is happening? Meet HB 2816 (2023 | OR) that would require crypto miners and data centers to meet the same clean energy goals as utilities. Failure for crypto miners and data centers to do so would generate tax consequences (au revoir tax breaks) and fines.

Why is this important? Remember last week when we talked about new Oregon open records information about the amount of water data centers were using in Oregon to keep cool? Yep… here we are legislatively.

Governing | Bill Requires Data Centers, Crypto Miners to Match Energy Goals

Government Technology | Oregon Lawmakers Consider Data Center, Cryptomining Penalties

What is happening? Let’s look at the numbers and who is where on the gas stove issue. The bill filing and executive action is focused in blue states. Data says that 13% of emissions come  from buildings, of that 80% is said to be attributable to natural gas. This week we learned that medical experts say 13% of childhood asthma is tied to gas stoves. Those opposing gas stove limitations are building associations, gas industry, plumbers, and steamfitters. Opposition  says the legislation banning gas in new builds will drive up the cost of housing & cause electric reliability issues.

Why is this important? Before this week’s news of gas stove emissions and health concerns, most bans on natural gas in building codes was focused on the 100 local governments that have passed all electric building codes.

Route Fifty | States at Center of Battle Over Gas Furnaces and Stoves

What is happening? New Report. Or is it s study? a white paper? It’s something policy people will quote or reference and that makes it worthy of attention. Meet “The Economic Impact of Renewable Energy and Energy Storage in Rural Texas” You’ll learn that the current fleet of utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects in Texas are estimated to generate $7.2–$8.8 billion in new local tax revenue over their lifetimes. If we count all planned projects like this with interconnection the tax revenue is $12.5 to $15.9 billion. For the land owners that means revenue of $11.8 to $21.7 billion.

Why is this important? If you like the nitty gritty, this will get into the leveled per MW tax revenue and land owner payments.

What is happening? A new report from experts at the New York University and Harvard law schools, A Role for State Attorneys General in a Just Transition, lays out how Attorneys General can impact the transition to clean energy. A.G.s can enforce Enviromental rules, ensure compliance with funding, assist with reinvestment and reclamation in communities that have depended on fossil fuel jobs.

Why is this important? A.G.s come in all shapes, sizes, political identification, and this is a roadmap some will want to take and some will want to counter. Remember Sun Tzu.

Governing | State AGs Could Play Key Role in Clean Energy Transition

What is happening? 3M announced it will stop producing PFAs (former chemicals) after years of state legal action. The company statement focused on “evolving external landscape,” which is said to translate to action by the EPA, lawsuits, and the release of documents through action by the Minnesota Attorney General.

Why is this important? The cost to clean up from CFAs in water and soil and humans… will the producers or manufacturers bear the cost?

Route Fifty | After Years of Legal Action from States, 3M Will Stop Making ‘Forever Chemicals’

What is happening? The clean energy research nonprofit RMI contends that clean hydrogen can either drive down emissions or help support an increase in emissions and it depends on the source of electricity used to create the clean hydrogen. We’ll know what’s up when the Department of Treasury finishes its rules to incentivize credits for clean hydrogen utilizing “environmentally friendly” electricity.

How is this important? Companies, like HyStor, has purchased land in Mississippi to build renewable power sources for its clean hydrogen process.

Route Fifty | How a New Subsidy for ‘Green Hydrogen’ Could Set Off a Carbon Bomb

What is happening? Partnerships between Duke Energy and Ford 150 Lightning owners and PG&E’s V2X program are focused on bidirectional charging. The electric utility goals include: lowering utility costs, powering homes during outages,  lower electricity demand during peak periods, and protecting the US’s aging grid infrastructure.

Why is this important? PG&E’s program includes consumer incentives for participation. $3,000 for customers in disadvantaged communities.

Electrek | New V2X program will study how bidirectional EV charging can lower utility costs

What is happening? This year’s state energy efficiency policy rankings by the  American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy includes policy strategies to improve energy efficiency by:

• “Establish and adequately fund an energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) or similar energy savings target.“
• Adopt California tailpipe emissions standards and set quantitative targets for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
• Ensure energy efficiency and clean energy investments and opportunities are inclusive and that benefits accrue to all communities, especially households overburdened by energy costs.
• Adopt updated energy-efficient building energy codes, improve code compliance, involve efficiency program administrators in code support, and adopt a BPS.
• Expand state-government-led initiatives and make them visible.
• Explore and promote innovative financing mechanisms to leverage private capital and lower the up-front costs of energy efficiency measures. 
• Adopt cost-effective efficiency standards for appliances, equipment, lighting, and plumbing products.

What is happening? The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy released its 2022 state rankings on energy efficiency. The best state for energy efficiency is California. The 50th state is Wyoming. Rounding out the Top 10 are MA, NY, VT, ME, Washington D.C., RI, MD, CT, and MN. TX and FL are tied at 29. PA is 21.

Why is this important? There are new considerations in this year’s rankings that include “new framework considers state efforts to strengthen community engagement processes, compensate frontline communities and community-based organizations for participating in energy proceedings, improve tracking of energy equity-related data, and ensure equitable distribution of clean energy benefits.”

Route Fifty | The States Leading on Energy Efficiency Policy

What is happening? A $400 Million battery storage project is being built in Texas by Regis Energy Partners and Excelsior Energy Capital, partnering as REX Storage Holdings. The $400 Million will build 4 stand alone distributed battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 9.9 MW.

Why is this important? 2 reasons we’re seeing more standalone battery storage: (1) Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extends the 30% investment tax credit

(2) “Batteries can also serve as peak-demand shavers, avoiding those massive spikes in wholesale market volatility.”

PV Magazine | Joint venture commits $400 million to standalone battery buildout in Texas

What is happening? Swiss scientists have built a water based battery storage system deep in the Alps. Meet Nant de Drance, located between two reservoirs in a cave 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet) underground in the Swiss canton of Valais. It is rated power of 900 megawatts and a storage capacity of 20,000 megawatt hours.

Why is this important? By 2030, Europe needs  200 gigawatts of energy storage capacity

DW.com | Swiss ‘water battery’ boosts Europe’s energy storage plans

What is happening? CoPilot has gathered EV Charger data that shows that 20% of public chargers are fast chargers; since 2010 the number of EV chargers has increased from less than 500 to over 115,000; California leads the nation with 41,225; and Vermont has the most EV chargers per capita.

Governing | New Data Shows States With Highest and Lowest Number of EV Charging Stations

CoPilot | States With the Most Alternative Fueling Stations

What is happening? Researchers at  Sandia National Laboratories stress that EV Charging Infrastructure must be built in a way that is secure from cybersecurity breaches so as to best protect the grid, the vehicles that are being charged, and the financial data of consumers who are using EV chargers.

Why is this important? EV infrastructure that isn’t secure could make the grid, vehicles, personal payment information vulnerable to hackers.

Route Fifty | Are We Building Cyber Vulnerability into EV Charging Infrastructure?

What is happening? It is not just Texas grappling with how to control for sky high spikes in electricity rates. On the East Coast, the The Energy Price Formation Senior Task Force, will offer recommendations to PJM Markets & Reliability Committee for approval.

Why is this important? The goal is to prevent bankruptcies among market participants, retail customers and municipalities along with a loss of investor confidence in the grid operator’s markets.

Utility Dive | State regulators urge PJM to adopt ‘circuit breaker’ to prevent extreme prices in emergencies

What is happening? California PUC dialed backed its revised solar regulations and released a new proposed rules. The new rules eliminates consumer fees, consumers will save $100 a month on their electricity bills for solar and $136 per month for solar and battery storage. This 5 year plan is said to improve electric bill affordability for all Californians by creating more grid value.

Why is this important? The goals are to financially incentivize customers to install battery storage for use in the evening.

Governing | California Commission Overhauls Rooftop Solar Proposal

What is happening? PA’s PUC is reviewing EV charging rates to ensure that electricity costs are proportioned fairly among customers. Commissioners said “To ensure this commission maintains a nimble posture ahead of this electrification transition, it is imperative that we research and consider rate designs that advance effective management of energy and infrastructure costs.” An utility’s response “urged the PUC not to rush to make a policy statement on EV charging rates because the impact on the grid from EV demand is “limited” so far.”

Why is this important? Lots of federal Infrastructure funds are targeted to EVs. EV sales are expected to be 25 percent to 30 percent of total new-vehicle sales by 2030.

Governing | Anticipating a Rush to Electric Vehicles, Pennsylvania Orders a Review of EV Charging Rates

What is happening? Meet Texas House Bill 33 (2023 | TX) that seeks to “to stall the implementation of any new federal regulations on oil or natural gas production in Texas.” The bill prohibits Texas state agencies and officials from contracting with or providing assistance to any federal agency or official concerning the enforcement of a federal statute, order, rule, or regulation regulating oil and gas operations if the regulation is not already existing law.

Why is this important? “We produce oil and natural gas cleaner, safer, and with more concern for human life and dignity than any other major oil producing region on earth. The Texas Energy Independence Act will help preserve the Texas economy, and, hopefully, the United States of America as a global force for good.” – Texas State representative Landgraf

Your Basin | Landgraf files Texas Energy Independence Act

What is happening? Bipartisan politicians in West Virginia use the phrase “all of the above” to describe their state’s approach to energy. Community Solar is going to get a lot of legislative attention there in 2023. It is said it could save customers up to 10% on their bills. The steps WV has taken before were to allow for utility scale solar SB583 (2020 | WV) and HB3310 (2021 | WV) opening the state to roof top solar

Why is this important? 22 states had policies supporting community solar deployment, according to the Department of Energy

Governing | West Virginia Looks at Community Solar as Legislative Priority

What is happening? The California Energy Commission has a $140 million long-duration energy storage program thanks to the federal Inflation Reduction Act that is accelerating these types of energy projects. California estimates that it needs 48 GW of additional battery storage and 4 GW of long-duration storage by 2045. Recently it awarded a $31 Million grant to build a a 60 MWh long-duration energy storage system that will include 30,000 solar panels, with a 15 MW output and the 60 MWh of long-duration storage.  It will improve and support reliability of the energy system statewide and offer backup power to the Viejas Tribe of Kumeyaay Indians.

Why is this important? It is the largest grant the State of California has awarded to a tribe and is the largest long storage grant awarded.

Utility Dive | California funds 60 MWh tribal long-duration storage project with nation’s largest vanadium redox flow battery

What is happening? Land use restrictions are creating problems for property owners who want to install EV chargers at their condos or at a home in a HOA. The language around this issue is messaging EV chargers as an essential utility.

Why is this important? Their buildings and property developments need guidance on load sharing and other electricity transmission and demand issues.

Fast Company | You bought an EV and want to install a charger in your condo. Now what?

What is happening? Chevron is going big for RNG, renewable natural gas. Chevron has a goal to to increase renewable fuels production capacity to 100,000 barrels per day by 2030. Chevron is not alone, oil company BP, recently revealed it intends to acquire Archaea Energy, a major producer of biogas — RNG from waste 

How is this important? RNG will include producing and marketing dairy biomethane as a RNG transportation fuel in California.

C-Store Dive | Chevron will continue expanding its RNG capabilities, CEO says

 What is happening? Wal-Mart has announced that it intends to reduce 1 billion metric tons worth of emissions throughout its supply chain. As a result, Levi Strauss & Co., J.M. Smucker Co., Great Lakes Cheese, Valvoline and Amy’s Kitchen (WalMArt supply chain) have executed an aggregate purchase for renewable energy from a wind farm in Marion County, Kansas. Best guess is we’re talking about 250,000 megawatt-hours annually.

Why is this important? Hello pivots. A reduction in emissions means an uptick somewhere else. Be somewhere else.

Grocery Dive | 5 Walmart suppliers team up on renewable energy buy

What is happening? Massachusetts has banned from landfills textiles, mattresses and organic matter. The state has set goals to reduce waste disposal volumes 30% by 2030.

Why is this important? The bans move the waste to recycling and composting programs.

Waste Dive | Massachusetts banning disposal of textiles, mattresses and more organics in 2022

What is happening? The Pennsylvania Senate is advancing a plan for $142 million annually in state tax credits for clean hydrogen hubs, use of natural gas, semiconductor manufacturing , and milk processors. Like dairy milk, not oat milk or nut milk or ant milk.

Why is this important? The hydrogen HUB portion will be $50 million annually and require:

• it be a federally designated regional clean hydrogen hub
• The developer must have been selected for an award by the federal Department of Energy
• The developer must invest at least $500 million in the project, create a minimum of 1,200 permanent jobs and give priority to hires in the local job market

Post Gazette | Pa. Senate panel approves hydrogen, natural gas tax credit bill

What is happening? 10 states require equity in electricity regulatory decisions  on utility investments and rates. In determining equity, the policy issue is the percent of incomes going to utility bills. Texas is viewed as requiring 8-10% of income for electricity, California 4-6%, and Florida 8-10%.

Why is this important? Supporters say it is more than tiered rate structures but also includes community solar, HB 37 (2022 | NM) COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEV BLOCK GRANT  and inclusive regulatory decisions.

Utility Dive | Bringing equity to electricity service through home, power sector and regulatory innovation

What is happening? Community Renewable Energy Act signed in California, AB2316 (2022 | CA), which will add to the current 2GW of community solar & storage available in the United States. The program will require at least 51% of subscribers to qualify as low-income & incentivizing the value of the electricity based on grid demand.

Why is this important? 45% of Californians are renters and cannot install solar, this bill gives them an opportunity to utilize solar energy.

San Francisco Examiner | The one-two climate solutions punch: community solar and clean energy tax credits

What is happening? Ohio cities rejected a solar project after the state gave local governments veto power over state permitting of renewable energy projects. SB 52 (2021 | OH) In this case the solar project was part of an Amazon power agreement and would not have provided electricity elsewhere.

Why is this important? In this case a city had 80% of its local input opposed to the project.

Ohio Capital Journal | Ohio solar project killed due to local government opposition

What is happening? California is requiring local building permit office implement an online, automated permitting platform for solar installation. SB 379 (2022 | CA)

Why is this important? These quick building provisions apply only to residential solar and is limited to no larger than 38.4 kilowatts alternating current.

PV magazine | California law to require automated, instant rooftop solar permits

What is happening? Add Marin, County California to the list adopting an all electric building code for new residential and commercial construction beginning January 1, 2023. The building code requirements will exceed the state’s green building code requirements. The new rules would not apply to  renovations or remodels of existing buildings.

Why is this important? The policy goals of Marin, County are to increase energy efficiency and exceed current state green building standards.

Government Technology | Marin County Plans to Enact All-Electric Building Ordinance

What is happening?  Entergy Texas and an affiliate of New Fortress Energy Inc. entered into an MOU for the development of renewable energy and hydrogen infrastructure to support the green hydrogen economy in SE Texas. The MOU will utilize  existing transmission infrastructure & new high-side substation and transformer connections on the site of NFE’s 120 megawatt industrial-scale green hydrogen plant.

Why is this important? The facility will be able to produce more than 50 tons per day (TPD) of green hydrogen by way of industry-leading proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology from Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) & is scalable to nearly 500 megawatts.

Entergy News | Entergy Texas and New Fortress Energy partner to advance hydrogen economy in Southeast Texas

What is happening? An October 12th letter from Senator Warren to ERCOT seeks information about crypto miners curtailing operations during periods of high demand on the grid. The letter also seeks information on:

• the electricity consumption of the Texas cryptomining industry in 2022, including how many tons of carbon dioxide emissions it produced;
• which cryptomining companies have signed power curtailment agreements with ERCOT;
• how much miners are paid hourly to curtail their energy consumption;
• and the average cost of electricity to consumers during times when crypto miners are being paid to curtail.

Why is this important? The letter says that 7 large crypto mining operations use 1,045 megawatts (MW) of electric production capacity – enough capacity to power a city of 830,000 residences. This amount is expected to rise by 230% to 2,399. By 2023, it is estimated that 20% of the world’s crypto miners will be in Texas.

Utility Dive | Sen. Warren leads probe of Bitcoin impact on Texas power grid, ERCOT use of demand response ‘subsidies’

What is happening? This week ERCOT approved a virtual pilot program that will begin in 2023. The pilot program will allow customers with solar panels and storage batteries to store surplus electricity and sell it back to the grid when demand is high.

Why is this important? Grid forecasting & how to include the growing volume of storage batteries into the electricity market. It is the result of the quarterly report of the the aggregated distributed energy resource pilot task force.

Politico & E&E | Texas set to enact first-of-a-kind virtual power plant

Utility Dive | Texas designing 80 MW virtual power plant pilot spurred by Tesla desire to aggregate Powerwall batteries

What is happening? Tree Energy Solutions in Germany is setting out to meet Europe’s natural gas needs with Hydrogen made by using renewable energy. The company will partner with solar farms in the Middle East whereby hydrogen will be produced by renewable energy, then liquified and transported by tanker to Europe much like liquified natural gas is.

Why does this matter? Fortescue Future Industries and others say hydrogen is going to be a massive industry. On the tails of Tree Energy Solutions is Kiwi, a company that mixes carbon dioxide from agricultural waste with hydrogen, producing enough methane to heat about 800 houses. Other companies are using carbon dioxide from cement plants and  fertilizer makers.

New York Times | Can This Man Solve Europe’s Energy Conundrum?

What is happening? New York is putting $8.5 million into its new ClimateTech Growth Program. The fund will support companies commercializing new climate technologies. Funding will be available to projects related to electric grids, industrial products, transportation, and more. Applicants must demonstrate economic benefits, and an ability to commercialize their technology to meet New York State’s climate and clean energy goals.

Why does this matter? Governor Hochul: “My administration will continue to support companies that are at the forefront of developing new technologies to lower greenhouse gas emissions, make our electric grid more energy efficient and reduce pollution from transportation.”

Governing | New York Sets Aside $8.5M for New Climate Technology

What is happening? Louisiana has several carbon capture projects across the state. One is a a $4.5 billion “blue hydrogen” manufacturing plant that will convert methane in natural gas into hydrogen & carbon dioxide. The hydrogen will be pumped via pipeline from Galveston TX to New Orleans.

Why does this matter? Opposition points to the cost of hydrogen and carbon capture, the harm to wildlife, the harm to businesses that rely on marine life, & the safety of pipelines.

Governing | Why Are Carbon Capture Wells Controversial in Louisiana?

What is happening? Four states, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, are considering taxing electricity use at EV chargers to recoup lost gas taxes.

Why does this matter? Gas tax revenues are not keeping up with the times. Some states are looking at pay as you drive programs and others, like these 4 states, are trying new things. Iowa will levy a 2.6 cents-per-kilowatt hour tax on electricity delivered to an electric vehicle at a public station. Kentucky’s tax, which goes into effect in January, is 6 cents per kilowatt hour

Route Fifty | As Electric Vehicles Shrink Gas Tax Revenue, More States May Tax Mileage

What is happening? The EV conundrum: how to get more EV chargers in rural areas. A EV charger in rural Colorado figured out that bypassing the three-phase power distribution system that other chargers need but that is not readily available in rural areas. Instead the charger ” uses existing rural distribution systems and battery-integrated technology and provides comparable charging times to other commercial chargers”

Why does this matter? Rural areas need more EV chargers to help with range anxiety, but the power systems in rural areas aren’t ready for EV chargers so this work around can be part of the solution.

Governing | Julesburg EV Charging Station Could Be Rural Area Game-Changer

What is happening? In Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Water Act case, the Supreme have an opportunity to clarify a rule or test for what constitutes “waters of the U.S.” If water isn’t waters of the US, then it’s state regulation. Humm… does this court like to give moire authority to states to regulate…hummm…

Why does this matter? Waters of US fall under the Clean Water Act, and those that do not are state regulated. There’s no clear rule on wetlands, and clear state authority for regulation.

Route Fifty | Supreme Court Could Shift More Control Over Wetlands to States

What is happening? 39% of woodland in the U.S. is privately owned. A new program allows 30 acres or more to be enrolled in carbon credit programs. Please meet the nonprofit American Forest Foundation’s Family Forest Carbon Program.

Why does this matter? Instead of making money by turning woodland into logging, private landowners can turn their woodland into carbon credits.

Goodgoodgoodco | Small-scale Forest Landowners Gain Foothold in U.S. Carbon Markets

What is happening? A new report by Berkeley Lab says solar + a 10 or 30 kW battery can power a home there’s some necessary adjustments to account for heat in the North and A/C in the South. Big Box retailers ahem a lot of roof space and can fare well, taller, multistory, energy-intensive buildings like hospitals are harder to power from solar and batteries. The report says after Hurricane Harvey, Corpus Christi homes could have been powered by solar and batteries.

Why does this matter? Hurricane Ike hit Florida and power went out. Wildfires in California threaten the grid. ERCOT has issued load warnings for Texas grid. Business and people want to know how to continue to have power in these emergency situations.

Route Fifty | When the Grid Goes Out, Could Solar and Batteries Power Your Home?

What is happening? Chicago passed building codes that will require new buildings have stronger energy efficiency standards and electrification standards to advance decarbonization.

Why is this important? The Code will apply to building permit starting Nov 1st and will include energy-efficient lighting; designing certain commercial building roofs to support future solar panel installations; constructing residential buildings with infrastructure that enables a future switch to electric-powered appliances; and incentives for smart HVAC and water appliances that integrate with the power grid to reduce demand during peak use.

How will this be important? Chicago joins Austin, Texas, and Louisville, Kentucky, and Kansas City, Missouri in adopting all or parts of the  2021 IECC standards.

Utility Dive | Chicago passes updated building energy code to support decarbonization

What is happening? A study by Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy says that if EV drivers charge at the employers or at public EV chargers during day time hours, “would reduce the strain on the grid and limit how much money the state needs to invest in expanding the electrical system.”

Why is this important? Researchers say that “charging for electric cars will significantly stress the grid when 30 percent to 40 percent of cars on the road are EVs. Only about 6 percent of cars and light trucks in California are electric today.”

How will this be important? Researchers stress that California usually has excess energy during the day time from solar.

Governing | California EV Drivers Should Shift to Public, Work Charging

What is happening? California is feeling the pinch of unintended consequence of banning natural gas in the form of gas heaters & water heaters. A Public Utility Commissioner in California said ““By eliminating these subsidies, we eliminate a financial incentive that is now a perverse incentive,” when referring to the rate base costs that natural gas providers enjoy in California.

Why is this important? The ban needs not only new builds but also replacing old natural gas equipment will require buying new  electric devices that can both heat and cool homes

How will this be important? Similar policies exist in New York, Seattle,and Chicago.

Route Fifty | California’s 2030 Ban on Gas Heaters Opens a New Front in the War on Fossil Fuels

What is happening? Two Finnish scientists built a battery from sand that stores electricity from wind and solar.

Why is this important? Unlike lithium batteries, these sodium based batteries do not contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water, harming surrounding ecosystems.

How will this be important? Sodium is more readily available and cheaper.

Thred | Innovative ‘sand battery’ is green energy’s beacon of hope

What is happening? Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio have agreed to an MOU to “work together to make the Great Lakes region a hub of research and production of hydrogen fuel.” 6 States in the Northeast have a similar agreement, they are New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

Why is this important? Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has funding for developing regional clean hydrogen hubs. There is $8 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy available for those hubs.

How will this be important? Key factors in the partnership: states that have car manufacturing facilities, have pipeline infrastructure, and have interstates were designated as federal hydrogen transportation corridors.

Route Fifty | States Partner With Hopes of Becoming Hubs for Hydrogen Fuel

What is happening? MPP is “an alliance of leading organizations working to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries, presented two new STS reports for aluminum and ammonia, and an updated steel strategy.” 200 MPP members have agreed to reduce carbon emissions at some of world’s hardest-to-abate, carbon-intensive industries.

Why is this important? The industry is showing “growing momentum among high-ambition companies, including steelmakers ArcelorMittal, Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), Liberty Steel, SSAB, Rio Tinto, Tata Steel, thyssenkrupp and Vale; aluminum producers Alcoa, Rio Tinto and EGA; and in the ammonia sector, CF Industries, BASF, SABIC and Yara, as well as renewable energy providers Ørsted, Iberdrola and ACWA Power” to reduce emissions.

How will this be important? This agreement follows with “real-economy milestones – for clean energy, new or retrofitted industrial plants, and policy reform to meet sectoral carbon budgets aligned to the Paris Agreement goal to curb global heating to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels by 2050.”

Environment + Energy Leader | Industry Pushing for Decarbonization of Aluminum, Ammonia, Steel Production

What is happening? DOE estimates that AI energy controls can reduce energy consumption for a building by as much as 29%. Buildings make up 39% of U.S. energy consumption and 40% of world wide energy consumption.

Why is this important? By making building energy consumption more efficient through AI, emissions are reduced. AI, smart systems, can cut and manage 10% to 20% of peak energy loads in commercial buildings. 

H0w will this be important? Energy related AI, is expected to grow 16% per year through 2030.

Environment + Energy Leader | PassiveLogic Receives $15M Investment Enhancing Autonomous Building Controls

What is happening? The Department of Energy has pledges from 21 companies & organizations that they will ” …increase the energy efficiency of semiconductors by a factor of 1,000 over the next two decades”

Why is this important? ” Since 2010, however, overall semiconductor energy use has doubled every three years, and by 2030, if this rate of increase continues, semiconductors could consume nearly 20% of planetary energy production.”

How will this be important? “The EES2 pledge includes support for a 20-year effort, initially led by DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO), to create a Semiconductor EES2 Roadmap that will provide concrete metrics and recommendations to guide RDD&D of the U.S semiconductor industry to increase energy efficiency and position the United States as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and innovation.”

DOE | Department of Energy Announces Pledges from 21 Organizations to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Semiconductors and Bolster American Manufacturing

What is happening? The  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Interior Department shared data to create the Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation portal for real-time and location-specific information about extreme weather threats

Why is this important? The information also includes climate-resilient building codes 

How will this be important?  The portal also includes federal funding opportunities, case studies of how communities are navigating climate threats, and information about other federal policies to navigate weather disasters.

Route Fifty | A New Tech Tool to Help Communities Confront Climate Risks

What is happening? A new UT/Texas Politics Project Poll shows that Beto O’Rourke and Greg Abbott are within a point on who is most trustworthy to handle the electric grid.

Why is this important? The electric grid is the 9th most important issue, with 4% saying it is the most important issue.

How will this be important?  52% of voters polled say that Texas is on the wrong track. The 4th time in the poll’s decade history that polling indicated texas is heading in the wrong direction.

NEW UT/TEXAS POLITICS PROJECT POLL: ABBOTT MAINTAINS 45%-40% LEAD OVER O’ROURKE; 52% SUPPORT BUSING MIGRANTS OUT OF TEXAS

What is happening? A new UT/Texas Politics Project Poll shows that Beto O’Rourke is favored 43% to 36% on environmental and climate change.

Why is this important? Climate/Environment was the 5th most important issue.

How will this be important?  52% of voters polled say that Texas is on the wrong track. The 4th time in the poll’s decade history that polling indicated texas is heading in the wrong direction.

NEW UT/TEXAS POLITICS PROJECT POLL: ABBOTT MAINTAINS 45%-40% LEAD OVER O’ROURKE; 52% SUPPORT BUSING MIGRANTS OUT OF TEXAS

What is happening? Joshua Rhodes at the University of Texas at Austin says grid resiliency has 2 steps: Build things + Manage things differently.

Why is this important? The building portion he says is batteries to store wind and solar power, plus, reliable sources of power, like geothermal and nuclear. On the manage things differently, he says the answers are incentivizing lower energy use.

How will this be important? Weather extremes are par for the course, and whether grids can withstand these extremes is a continuing concern.

Market Place | How power grids can be more resilient to climate change’s effects

What is happening? The Texas Supreme Court will hear 2 cases that present the question- does ERCOT have immunity?

Why is this important? The two cases couldn’t be more different. Panda is about data accuracy, and CPS is about Winter Storm Uri and its effects. The lower court sin Panda said no to immunity & the lower courts in CPS said that CPS has to exhaust the administrative process first.

How will this be important? Texas has a forth coming legislature and these issues will be out in the wild during that time.

Houston Chronicle | Texas Supreme Court accepts ERCOT’S appeal over immunity

What is happening? California’s AB 2625 (2022 | CA) exempts energy storage projects from the state’s Subdivision Map Act which required local zoning approval for storage projects.

Why is this important? To meet its clean air goals, California will need to develop and deploy 100s of new storage installations totaling 10,000 MW of energy storage within the next decade.

How will this be important? Bipartisan legislators in California talk about clean air and electricity in terms of “economic growth and job creation, cleaner air, strengthened energy security, and lower energy bills.

Utility Dive | California exempts energy storage from subdivision rule to accelerate deployment

What is happening? EV Charger placement is a balance of competing interests- vehicles, driver practices, and electric considerations like generation, distribution, demand, and storage.

Why is this important? CEO of Driivz, Doron Frenkel points to 4 issues for regulator to consider when placing EV chargers:

• efficiently distributing the available power
• enhancing the power grid
•  local battery storage devices that supplement the power grid by storing energy from renewable sources 
• adding local energy generation closer to the edge where the chargers are being used

How will this be important? the anon ted key to making it all happen: incentives.

Route Fifty | One County’s Big Plans to Electrify Its Fleet, Build Out Local Charging Network

What is happening? Allegheny County Council is on its way to create a county-wide sustainability department.

Why is this important? The county has an existing office of sustainability and the creation of the sustainability department will allow for increased funding.

How will this be important? There is an intent to move to a sustainable and socially responsible procurement practices that includes diversity and inclusion in the bidding process.  

Pittsburgh City Paper | Creation of sustainability department could enhance county’s environmental agenda

What is happening? Unintended Consequences and legislation are like peanut butter and jelly. The Texas Legislature moved water utility issues from its Environmental state agency, TCEQ, to its Public Utility Commission. Now there’s a question on which agency has authority over municipal water rate appeals.

Why is this important? Unintended consequences and the very real world issue of people just need to know which agency is in charge.

How will this be important? Either we’re going to learn about legislative drafting oversights or we’re going to learn about creative lawyering, either way there’s opportunity and a lesson to keep in our back pocket for another time.

Texas Attorney General Opinion RQ-0478-KP

What is happening? The first country in the world is working toward banning fossil fuel ads. Bonjour, France!

Why is this important? Will some U.S. states also take up this mantra…

How will this be important? There is a polarization when it comes to fossil fuels. Not everyone can be like Norway and see both how to cut emissions and to expand their oil and gas industry.

Euro News | France becomes first European country to ban fossil fuel ads – but does the new law go far enough?

What is happening? We hear a lot of polarizing language around fossil fuels, but what if 2 things could be true at the same time- that you can increase your fossil fuel production and reduce your emissions? That’s what Norway, the 13th largest oil producer is seeking to do.

Why is this important? The tools in Norways toolbox: electrifying oil and gas production, carbon capture, recycling old oil and gas platforms (Norways’ oil is in the North Sea).

How will this be important? Norway is growing its fossil fuel industry. Its gas exports in July were record highs.

Oil Price | How Norway Can Expand Its Oil Industry And Reduce Emissions

What is happening? American Public Power Association has a statement on National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. APPA contends a proposed rule requires “a NEVI-compliant charging station would be required to serve at least 600 kW at any given time. ” “This level of new load could be a challenge depending on the unique circumstances of the local utility and grid. For some APPA members this additional load could double their current overall load and, even for utilities serving a larger load, charging stations at this capacity level will still require significant and costly utility upgrades to support.” 

Why is this important? APPA urges flexibility and considerations for locations with low utilization levels and provide for future proofing stations.

How will this be important? APPA also says states need to step up with  “clear, comprehensive, and detailed contractual agreements for any maintenance and operation requirements.”

APPA | APPA Weighs In On National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program

What is happening? Let’s compare Riot BlockChain’s Summer earnings. Surprise! Most of its revenue was related to demand response.

Why is this important? In July 2022 it mined 318 bitcoins, based on a Bitcoin price of $21,634, is a total value of $6,879,612. During the same period, Riot Blockchain received the $9.5 million in power credits based on  long-term power agreements.

How will this be important? 2023 Texas Legislature will likely take on this issue.

Smart Energy International | Demand response proves more profitable than Bitcoin mining in Texas

What is happening? An NEI utility survey indicates that several utilities evaluating installing SMRs at their shuttered coal plants to work to get 90 GW over the next 25 years via 300 SMRs so as to power half the homes in the U.S.

Why is this important? Estimated the costs of the “first of its kind” SMR at $3,800 per kW at the low end and $5,500 kW at the high end. 

How will this be important? SMR supporters say NuScale is the only public company in the arena and the only one close to approval from the  Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Utility Dive | Emerging small reactors projected to provide 90 GW of nuclear power to the US grid by 2050: NEI survey

What is happening? Mitigating Demand Charges is said to be key for private investment in EV chargers. According to UtilityDive New Hampshire + 2 Dozen states have have taken action to mitigate demand charges.

Why is this important? Because of the higher electric cost during peak hours, i.e. “demand charges”, a bipartisan group of US Senators say that ” private businesses are often charged the cost of electricity that exceeds an equivalent of $33 per gallon of gas”

How will this be important? Another hinderance- is utilities installing EV chargers, can add the EV chargers to their rate base, which private investment sees as counter to free market.

Real Clear Energy | To Increase EV Chargers, Fair Competition and Private Sector Investment Is Key

What is happening? Seattle has a pilot program for EV Chargers that drop down from utility poles. Each charging nest could cost the city $11,000 to $25,000 to install.

Why is this important? Offers EV charging for EV owners who don’t have garages and opens up industrial areas for EV charging.

How will this be important? Melrose, MA did a similar pilot and found it was challenging to find “good poles”- close enough to a curb on a street with ample room that trash trucks and emergency vehicles can maneuver around.

E&E News | The EV charger that drops from the sky

What is happening? There is a transformer supply chain problem. That’s going to hit grids, housing, EV chargers, and storm stricken communities.

Why is this important? There are reported wait times of 1+ years to get transformers, and costs have” skyrocketed from $3,000 to $4,000 per transformer before the shortage, to more than $20,000 each now. “

How will this be important? States are all considering how to fix supply chain issues. We should see which state(s) create an economic development program to lure transformer manufacturers.

Route Fifty | Electric Utilities Around the US are Running Out of Transformers

What is happening? Series C funding coming along for Voltstorage, a German company that is developing massive iron batteries that offer long-duration energy storage, thereby making wind and solar farms a highly cost-effective and resource-saving option for ensuring base load capability.

Why is this important? These batteries could displace natural gas reliance on the grid

How will this be important? “Iron-Salt technology is a highly temperature-resistant battery technology “

TechCrunch | Massive iron batteries could be key to displacing natural gas from the grid

GreenCar Congress | Cummins invests $24M in flow battery leader VoltStorage