pvMB 2/21/19: 13 bills for renewables in New Mexico, 7X doubles up on moves… and more!

13 renewable energy bills introduced in New Mexico – While we try to keep you abreast of the most important legislation being introduced, sometimes local publications are ahead of us. New Mexico In Depth has compiled a list of 13 bills to support the transition to renewable energy in the state, moving well beyond the 100% by 2045 clean energy mandate and the community solar bill that we have recently covered. Source: New Mexico In Depth.

7X announces 250 MW PPA – 7X Energy has upped its renewable portfolio, announcing that the company has entered into a PPA for 250 MW of the Taygete Energy Project in Pecos County, Texas. The project is expected to begin construction in late 2019 and be completed during the first quarter of 2021. Source: 7X Energy

Litany of New England schools to participate in DOE National Science Bowl – 20 different New England schools are competing against one another for the chance to represent the region in the high school National Finals of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s National Science Bowl. 2019 is the 29th year of the Science Bowl, with the winning New England team receiving all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C., to compete in DOE’s National Science Bowl from April 25 to April 29. Source: U.S. Department of Energy

7X sells project to Duke – Well, it’s been years, eons since the last time we talked about 7X Energy but the company has announced that it has sold the 100 MW Lapetus Solar Energy Project in Andrews County, Texas, to Duke Energy Renewables. Construction is expected to begin on the project at the end of March and it is anticipated to achieve commercial operation before the end of the year. Source: Commercial Property Executive

NIMBYs oppose solar project in Southern Massachusetts – “A proposed large solar power farm on a cranberry bog off Bay Road promises millions in revenue for the town, but a group of neighbors are fighting the plan… Their chief concerns relate to the project’s impact on the rural character of the area, residents’ health and property values. Colorado-based NextSun wants to install thousands of solar panels on about 60 acres of bogs on Fairland Farm, which is owned by Fairland Farm of North Attleboro… Gallagher said the impact on residents, especially those who will have the solar farm “right in our backyard,” outweighs the financial considerations of the town.” Source: The Sun Chronicle

DTE issues $650 million in Green bonds – “DTE Electric issued its second offering of green bonds on Friday, Feb. 15. The $650 million in bonds will finance green investments, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. In its initial green bond offering in May 2018, DTE became the fifth investment-grade energy company in the nation – and the first company in Michigan – to sell green bonds.” The bonds have a maturity of 30 years and an annual fixed coupon of 3.95%. But while the new finance is welcome, we’d also like DTE to save money for its customers by building renewable energy instead of a new gas plant, and stop trying to undermine the economics of customer-sited solar. Source: DTE Energy

California ISO establishes Oversight Committee for RC West – RC West, the Reliability Coordinator service provided by California ISO now has an Oversight Committee, launched this week by California ISO. The committee be populated by representatives from the 39 entities in the Western Interconnection. The committee will have monthly meetings, starting on March 14. Source: California ISO

Walden High students raise money for solar system at Veterans’ Community Center – A 19.8 kW solar system has been installed on the rooftop of the SC Johnson Community Center in Racine, Wisconsin, thanks to money raised by students at Walden High School. The 60-panel system was installed by Arch Electric and is anticipated to cut the organization’s electric use by 85%, saving the organization almost $4,000 annually in utility costs. Source: The Journal TImes

PA introduces community solar bill – Say hello to Pennsylvania’s House Bill 531, a bill which would authorize community solar projects within the Keystone State. A similar bill was introduced last session, but it went nowhere. Luckily for Pennsylvanians, HB 531 already has bipartisan support. Source: PA homepage

Finally, there’s been an upgrade in alarm level within the Yale Program on Climate Change’s Six Americas of Global Warming, with the majority now responding as ‘Alarmed’ or ‘Concerned’ rather than ‘Concerned’ or ‘Cautious’ https://twitter.com/KHayhoe/status/1095350580351066113