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Historic Eclipse Puts U.S. Power Grid Under the Microscope
The Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 came and went and California kept the lights on despite losing about half of its solar energy during the darkest moments. At the command center of the state’s grid operator, the California Independent System Operator, in Folsom, the mood was more festive than fraught. [ read more … ]
Sungevity Brand Returns Via Solar Spectrum-Horizon Merger
The merger comes amid a turbulent time for the rooftop solar industry. Sungevity is among several companies that have gone bankrupt, collapsed or are winding down as they chase smaller margins. The rooftop solar industry may contract nationally for the first time in 16 years, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, reflecting a shift in sales strategies and increasing pressure from utilities to adjust incentives. [ read more … ]
Are environmental rules really job killers?
Are regulations job killers or job creators? The short answer is that it may “be a wash,” according to one observer. The long answer is that some regulations related to clean air and water may cause concentrated job losses in industries like coal, while other regulations related to fuel efficiency and methane leaks may create new jobs in industries like automobiles and manufacturing. [ read more … ]
Op-Ed: Clean Energy: An Unprecedented Opportunity for Republicans
The results of the 2016 election cycle illuminated the appetite among hardworking Americans and voters to put an end to the “business as usual” Washington we’ve become accustomed to over the last eight years. President Donald Trump rode into town, along with continued GOP majorities in the House and Senate, promising action to reverse the slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression. [ read more … ]
Keeping a wary eye on wind farms in North Carolina
Several companies developing wind farm projects in northeastern North Carolina are taking a wait-and-see approach after Governor Roy Cooper recently signed a bill with an 18-month moratorium on such projects, but then issued an order allowing “behind the scenes work” to continue during that moratorium. In late July, Cooper signed House Bill 589 that contained good news for solar energy developers — including a competitive bidding process and a new solar leasing program. But it also contained the 18-month wind farm halt, a reduced version of a four-year moratorium that had been introduced by N.C. Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown. [ read more … ]
Ohio ranked in Top 10 for distributed wind energy
In 2016, Ohio installed 102 megawatts of utility-scale wind capacity — capacity from wind farms used for bulk power. Ohio ranks 6th nationwide in total wind capacity deployed in distributed applications, with 42.1 megawatts installed between 2003 and 2016, the release stated. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.