De Blasio threatens to municipalize NYC, ratings watches remain for Solar Star: pvMB 7/23/19

NYC mayor broaches idea of municipal utility – “The idea of a locally-run power grid is gaining momentum with New York joining the list of cities pondering a takeover of their privately run utilities in a bid for independence… After Consolidated Edison Inc. left tens of thousands in the dark from two blackouts in eight days, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested that the most-populous U.S. city might have to take it over. Meanwhile, San Francisco is considering bidding for the poles and wires owed within its borders by PG&E Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection in January due to an estimated $30 billion in claims from fires caused by its equipment…” Source: Bloomberg

Ratings watches remain for Solar Star – “Fitch Ratings has removed from Rating Watch Negative and affirmed at’BBB-‘ Solar Star Funding, LLC’s (Solar Star) $1.325 billion senior secured notes. The Rating Outlook is Negative.” Source: Fitch Ratings

20 MWac of solar completed on Long Island – sPower’s solar plant in Riverhead, NY has been completed, the company reports. The 20 MW ac project will power for approximately 2,870 homes and cut 23,970 metric tons of CO2 each year. A ribbon cutting will be held to celebrate the completion on July 23, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at 4131 Middle Country Road (AKA Route 25) Calverton, NY 11933. Also where do we all stand on the “On Long Isalnd” vs. “In Long Island” debate? Respectfully respond in the comments. Source: sPower

Solar Energy Technologies Office quarterly stakeholder webinars – “The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) hosts quarterly stakeholder webinars to provide updates on the office’s work to our stakeholders. Led by SETO Director Dr. Charlie Gay and/or Deputy Director, Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus, these webinars discuss SETO’s priorities, as well as provide information on current and upcoming activities… Register for the July 2019 SETO Quarterly Webinar, to be held July 26, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. ET. This webinar will discuss the following topics:

• SETO Overview
• American-Made Solar Prize update
• Solar Energy Innovation Network update
• Guest speaker – Erin Sanborn with the Kit Carson Cooperative”

Source: Solar Energy Technologies Office

And finally, a chart to support some claims we and others have been making for a while: the cost of replacing all coal and natural gas power plants with wind and solar power by 2050 would be $740 billion–or one year of Pentagon spending. 

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