Focus
Congress approves $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill with funding for transmission, hydrogen, and EVs
Utility Dive – November 8
The U.S. House of Representatives last Friday approved a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes about $65 billion for grid infrastructure and $50 billion for cyber and climate resilience over five years. Approved by the Senate in August, the bill now heads to President Joe Biden. Utility and renewable energy trade groups heralded the bill's passage, saying it would help spur the shift towards emissions-free electricity through increased funding for transmission, hydrogen, and electric vehicles. This week, House Democrats plan to take up the $1.75 trillion budget reconciliation bill, which includes about $550 billion over 10 years for clean energy and climate programs.
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News
California backs off on added licensing for solar installers to do battery projects
North Bay Business Journal – October 28
California construction regulators have backed off on a new rule that would have required solar installers as of November 1 to get further licensing to be able to put in battery storage systems. State Attorney General Rob Bonta on October 4 filed a stipulation in court that the mandate would be paused until a lawsuit brought by a trade group representing solar installers is resolved, according to the document.
California starting environmental assessment for offshore wind site
The Maritime Executive – November 4
Efforts to launch what may become one of the first wind farms off the coast of California are proceeding forward. In late October, the California State Lands Commission took steps to begin the next milestone in a permitting process for the pilot offshore wind energy project. The 40-MW pre-commercial floating wind project will be installed off Vandenberg Space Force Base (formerly Vandenberg Air Force Base), located in Santa Barbara County. The upcoming environmental assessment comes just over two years after BW Ideol’s initial lease application submittal.
More than half of 2022′s solar projects threatened by spiking costs, new report finds
CNBC – October 26
Surging solar costs, driven by raw material price increases and supply chain constraints, could delay or even cancel more than half of next year’s expected utility-scale solar buildout, according to a new report from energy consultancy Rystad Energy. Forecasts for 2022 stand at 90 GW of new utility-scale solar worldwide, and the firm said Tuesday that 56% of those projects are at risk amid the surge in prices. The spike means developers might try to negotiate higher power purchase agreements, or else absorb the costs themselves, leading to lower margins.
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Projects
Construction begins on 100-MW solar facility in California
Solar Industry Magazine – November 2
Leeward Renewable Energy, Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE), and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) have started construction on the Rabbitbrush Solar project located in Kern County. Leeward previously signed two 15-year power purchase agreements with CCCE and SVCE. The 100-MW facility will also include a 20-MW, 50-MWh battery energy storage system.
California to consider 4 utility microgrids to help avert possible capacity shortfall
Microgrid Knowledge – November 2
A plan by San Diego Gas & Electric to build four utility microgrids won an initial nod last week in a proceeding underway before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to avert a possible capacity shortfall for the next two summers. The utility microgrids were included in a proposed decision by an administrative law judge overseeing the CPUC proceeding. A final decision will come during the CPUC’s December 2 meeting. A plan by Los Angeles County to create a regional microgrid agency was not included in the proposed decision. Other proposals to reduce energy use at critical times also will be considered by the CPUC.
Xcel Energy and Lightsource develop second Colorado solar power project
T&D World – October 27
Xcel Energy and Lightsource bp are developing a 298-MW solar farm in Pueblo, Colorado. Construction of the project is expected to begin before the end of 2021. The Sun Mountain Solar farm will abate 404,080 tons of CO2 annually, the equivalent of taking over 87,000 cars off the road each year.
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