California regulators emphasize solar, batteries in utility planning framework
CPUC’s guidance calls for an additional 9 GW of solar and 2 GW of battery storage as the standard against which to compare utility and CCA Integrated Resource plans, and says that new fossil fuel plants must prove a need.
Ballot initiative in Nevada proposes 50% RPS by 2030
Nevadans for A Clean Energy Future, funded in part by progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, is hoping to put the decision about increasing the state’s RPS in the hands of voters in November.
Michigan group starts ballot campaign for 30% by 30 renewable energy
Clean Energy, Healthy Michigan has started collecting signatures to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would extend the state’s Renewable Energy Standard to 30% by 2030 after the current targets are met in 2021.
Trump 2019 budget would slash renewable energy funding, eliminate ARPA-E
President Trump has yet again proposed eliminating most federal funding for clean energy R&D, but Congress will have the last word.
Vermont’s solar market fell 50% in 2017 (w/chart)
Solar advocates blame changes to the state’s net metering policy for the decline in installations and a loss of 232 full-time jobs.
Report: DOE might invoke emergency powers to keep coal plants online
After the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected Secretary of Energy Rick Perry’s order to bail out First Energy coal plants, the Department is now considering invoking emergency powers under Section 202 of the Federal Power Act to achieve the goal, Bloomberg Politics reports.
Massachusetts reaches 2 GW of installed solar
The state has reached this milestone despite a residential market crash, a long waiting period for the new SMART regulations, and net metering caps being reached in some utility service areas.
EIA downplays solar and wind in future projections (w/ chart)
Even while accepting that solar and wind will be the fastest-growing sources of power, the Energy Department’s information agency is still basing its Annual Energy Outlook on bizarre assumptions that work against renewable energy.
EU, China request consultation with US over solar tariffs
Following the introduction of 30% graduated tariffs on U.S. imports of solar cells and modules, the European Union and China have joined South Korea and Taiwan in filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Controversial net metering bill in Kentucky voted out of committee
In a roll call vote where many concerns were raised about House Bill 227 and its long-term effects on the state’s solar industry, Kentucky’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Energy voted this morning to move the bill to the floor.
