View this email in a web browser.
Top White House Official to Discuss Climate Change at U.N.
The breakfast in New York next Monday will be held against a backdrop of devastation in the United States and the Caribbean from two monster hurricanes that scientists say may have been made more ferocious by warming trends. It also comes as the Trump administration is navigating an uncertain position in the international climate change negotiations, having declared it will withdraw from the global Paris agreement while also telling nations it remains open to continued discussions. [ read more … ]
Security council adds energy staff ahead of N.Y. climate talk
The White House is deepening its energy ranks and planning to host a discussion next week on climate and energy issues in New York. The Trump administration is in the process of bringing on board officials from the State Department, Energy Department and other agencies to oversee energy and environmental issues on the National Security Council, according to a White House official. [ read more … ]
Delaware establishes Offshore Wind Working Group
“We as a nation share the responsibility to ensure that energy decisions do not exacerbate the problems associated with climate change that are already being witnessed,” said Governor Carney, in the letter to Secretary Zinke. “The State of Delaware stands firm in its commitment to alternative energy development, and has prioritized working with neighboring states to develop a comprehensive strategy that will maximize the environmental and economic development benefits of adopting renewable energy.” [ read more … ]
Gov. Carney wants to revisit offshore wind in Delaware
Delaware is once again pushing to have wind turbines built off its shores, reviving a debate that had gone quiet for several years. Gov. John Carney signed an executive order Monday to create a “working group” tasked with studying the issue and recommending steps the First State can take to get an offshore wind project underway. [ read more … ]
Obama’s Solar Goal Has Been Met, Trump’s Energy Department Brags
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that former President Barack Obama’s goal of slashing the cost of solar power has been achieved early, taking credit for milestone even though the new administration is skeptical of renewable power. “With the impressive decline in solar prices, it is time to address additional emerging challenges,” said Daniel Simmons, the Energy Department’s acting assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy. [ read more … ]
Solar Energy Has a Record Quarter Ahead of Tariff Decision
The surprise overall was the rise of some new solar markets. Texas was the second-biggest solar state with 378 MW and North Carolina was No. 3 with 227 MW. No surprise that California was first at 751 MW, but it’s slowing down as installers adapt to new rate structures for commercial and residential projects. The big surprise was Minnesota in the No. 4 spot, topping Arizona. Minnesota has been a big community solar market this year and shows that there are few states where solar can’t be a success story. [ read more … ]
Solar Developers Hoard Panels as U.S. Tariff Threat Looms
The disruptions date to about May, after bankrupt panel manufacturer Suniva Inc. filed a trade complaint asking for protection from cheap imports. As the case gained steam, developers rushed to stockpile every available panel. The case is currently before the U.S. International Trade Commission and may eventually reach the Oval Office, where President Donald Trump has the authority to impose tariffs. [ read more … ]
DOE solar initiative nails price goal, considers expansion
A Department of Energy solar program targeted for budget cuts announced today it has reached a landmark cost reduction goal and will expand its focus. With its 2020 target of seeing costs drop achieved, the SunShot Initiative said it will also look to “critical challenges” such as fortifying the electric grid. [ read more … ]
Lawmakers move to add other states to oversight of California’s electric grid
Under the banner of clean energy growth, lawmakers are working to change oversight of the state’s power grid to include other Western states — a move critics say will surrender California’s control over its own electricity system. On Monday, lawmakers began reviewing a series of amendments introduced late Friday by Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) to alter the structure of the governing body that oversees the California Independent System Operator, the organization that runs the electric grid for much of the state.
[ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.