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A Coastal non-starter
The Trump administration’s proposal Thursday to open virtually every nook and cranny from Alaska and Florida to offshore oil and gas companies didn’t get much love from lawmakers whose formerly off-limits coastlines would face potential new drilling. Florida Tea Party Republicans along with California progressive Democrats bashed the drilling plan unveiled by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and vowed to fight it. [ read more … ]
House lawmakers set to kick off DOE reorganization push
DOE has already done some reshuffling of its own, announcing in December that it would split its main science and energy divisions. But members of Congress are eager to bring their own ideas to the table and have said they want to introduce legislation to enact a broad agency revamp. Priorities include examining DOE’s 17 national research laboratories and how they coexist with the agency. Members also want to consider what role DOE should play in dealing with threats to the electric grid and whether some functions of U.S. EPA would better fit inside DOE or if the two agencies should be combined. [ read more … ]
California measure to push out gas cars faces major opposition
The future of A.B. 1745 could depend on whether Gov. Jerry Brown (D) pushes aggressively to pass it, said Steve Maviglio, a Democratic strategist in California. “A lot depends on how much of a big deal the governor’s going to make it,” Maviglio said. If it’s a priority of the governor, “that could make a world of difference,” Maviglio said. If Brown doesn’t support it outright, the bill’s chances are “less hopeful.” [ read more … ]
In Clash Between California and Trump, It’s One America Versus Another
Beyond demographics and politics, charting its own course is part of the identity of California. “We are the frontier,” said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a political scientist at the University of Southern California. “Beyond us, there’s nothing but ocean.” California is not the only liberal state standing up to the Trump administration. But as the most populous state, with close to 40 million people — if it were a country it would be the world’s sixth largest economy, sandwiched between Britain and France — California has been energized in the age of Trump to take the lead in opposing what many here believe is a depressing reversal of American progress. [ read more … ]
Colo. utility is betting on renewables. It might pay off
Xcel Energy Inc.’s announcement in August that it could save Colorado consumers money by closing two coal units early and replacing them with renewables drew scoffs in some corners.
But early indications suggest the utility made a wise bet. [ read more … ]
The ‘bomb cyclone’ is contradicting Rick Perry’s argument for coal
The cold weather and swirling winds gripping the northeastern United States have created the sort of winter scenario that Energy Secretary Rick Perry has cited as a reason to bolster the reliability of the grid by boosting coal and nuclear power plants. Perry said that only those power plants could assure reliability because only they could keep 90 days’ fuel supply on site. But so far in this windy two-week cold snap, the region’s electricity grid has responded with little disruption, and without any need to rev up aging coal plants, which supplied 6 percent of electricity in New England on Thursday. [ read more … ]
Rain, sleet or snow – wind works as part of a resilient grid
The strength of the U.S. electricity system is on display this week even as “one of the strongest East Coast winter storms in modern history” descends on much of the country. Grid operators in the worst affected regions have been holding the line, ensuring Americans stay safe and warm. Any complications that have occurred so far have been tied distribution problems, not fuel supply. [ read more … ]
Can’t Please Everyone: Trump Energy Policy Riles Competing Sectors
But the impact of these moves on production, profits and jobs remains uncertain. Demand for additional drilling and mining leases on federal lands has been thin, and top U.S. oil and gas companies have told shareholders in regulatory filings that environmental regulations have little impact on their business. While coal advocates have generally cheered Trump’s ascension, White House policies have so far had little effect on U.S. coal consumption. [ read more … ]
Tax tweak sought to aid Puerto Rico recovery
A top residential solar provider is urging Congress to change a key tax break to aid Puerto Rico’s ongoing power restoration efforts months after a pair of hurricanes destroyed the island’s electric grid. Sunnova Energy Corp., which says it’s the largest home solar provider in Puerto Rico, today called on lawmakers to temporarily convert the investment tax credit (ITC) into a cash grant for the island and the U.S. Virgin Islands, both of which suffered widespread damage from hurricanes Irma and Maria. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.