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Can San Diego Ditch the Power Company? Not Without a Fight
Seeking control over the way their electricity was generated and paid for, Cape Cod residents banded together two decades ago to bypass the local utility and buy power in bulk. Driven in part by local mandates to shift to green-energy sources, the movement has gained momentum across the country, allowing customers to choose their electricity provider, as they can do with telephone service. A growing number of California’s local governments are offering a program similar to the Cape Cod model, as are communities in New York State, Illinois and other parts of Massachusetts. [ read more … ]
Energy and environment bills roll out before recess
Senators introduced a flurry of bills related to energy and the environment yesterday ahead of next week’s recess. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced S. 2783, aimed at improving infrastructure resilience to climate change and disasters through natural and nature-based measures. [ read more … ]
Policy & Politics
First Solar to build new U.S. panel factory in win for Trump
First Solar Inc on Thursday announced it will expand its domestic manufacturing, the second such announcement by a U.S. solar firm this month that has been an apparent knock-on effect from Trump policies on trade and taxes. First Solar Inc will spend $400 million to build a new solar panel factory in Ohio, creating 500 jobs, the company said in a statement. The factory will be located near an existing facility the company has in Perrysburg. [ read more … ]
The Highs and Lows of American Electricity
Prices in many states fell last year, according to data from the Energy Information Administration, but the reality is one of high retail prices for coastal elites and cheap power for those with abundant natural resources. But by other measures, “expensive” states to live in also have some of the most affordable power in the country. It’s a paradox: Some states have low electricity prices but residents pay more to power their homes, and others have high prices and low consumer bills. But the occurrence of high prices paired with high bills is rare. [ read more … ]
After Tesla Debacle, Denmark Reconsiders Electric Car Subsidies
Danish sales of electric vehicles have fallen dramatically — from nearly 5,000 in 2015 to around 700 in 2017 — since Rasmussen’s center-right government phased out subsidies such as those offered in Norway and Germany. With diesel having fallen out of favor across Europe in the wake of the Volkswagen scandal, Denmark is now debating which vehicle types to promote and which to discourage. [ read more … ]
China orders local governments to ease burden on renewable power firms
China has ordered local governments to “ease the burden” on renewable power generators by strengthening guaranteed purchase agreements and giving them priority access to new grid capacity, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Thursday. According to China’s renewable energy law, grid companies are obliged to take on all electricity generated by renewable sources, but many projects have still been left with inadequate grid access, a problem known as curtailment.
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Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.