California Independent System Operator (CAISO) released its draft 2023-2024 Transmission Plan (the 2023-2024 Plan) on April 1, 2024. As expected, the 2023-2024 Plan incorporates projections for significant new generation of...more
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reviewing 20 major renewable energy projects — mostly solar — across the West that would cover as much as 193,000 acres of federal land, and generate 13,845 MW of electricity, or enough...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC) last Friday released a draft strategic plan for offshore wind development, which estimates a potential generation capacity of up to 59.6 GW off the state’s coast and lays out strategies...more
Figures from the California Energy Commission (CEC) highlight California’s continued progress toward building a more resilient grid, achieving 100% clean electricity, and meeting the state’s carbon neutrality goals. Analysis...more
The California Energy Commission (“CEC”), on April 28, 2023, released an Offshore Wind Energy Permitting Roadmap that builds on the Draft Conceptual Permitting Roadmap the CEC published in December 2022... AB 525 requires the...more
The California coast is home to some of the best offshore wind resources in the country. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that California's coast has a resource potential of 201,000 megawatts (MW) of...more
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”). Heralded as a “transformative” legislative package, the IRA provides eye-popping incentives to drive clean energy development and...more
The auction: First of its kind for five West Coast offshore lease areas - The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), completed its first west coast offshore wind lease auction on Wednesday.1 The auction covered...more
The highly anticipated emergency regulations describe how the direct permitting process will work under AB 205 - The California Energy Commission (“CEC”) recently finalized its highly anticipated emergency regulations...more
On September 21, 2022 the California Energy Commission (CEC) issued its draft report of the Lithium Valley Commission, which includes 44 recommendations concerning the opportunities and challenges associated with the...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC), on August 10, adopted a report establishing offshore wind planning targets of 2-5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045. An earlier draft report in May had proposed planning goals of...more
Offshore wind development off the California coast took another step closer to reality on August 10, 2022 with the California Energy Commission’s release of a report setting maximum feasible capacity and megawatt goals for...more
California has long been a leader in the development of renewable energy and the transition to a carbon-free economy. The State recently demonstrated its continuing leadership with the enactment of a new law that may...more
A controversial new law gives the California Energy Commission authority over clean energy projects and authorizes the Department of Water Resources to fund new energy sources and extend the life of existing power plants. ...more
On May 18, 2022, the California Energy Commission met to discuss its draft report to evaluate and quantify the maximum feasible capacity of offshore wind to achieve reliability, ratepayer, employment, and decarbonization...more
On January 31, 2022, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued its first ever 20-year draft transmission outlook, which identifies $30.5 billion in long-term infrastructure upgrades and build-outs needed to...more
The California Legislature on Sept. 9, 2021, approved landmark state legislation to facilitate California's offshore wind energy potential. Assembly Bill (AB) 525 requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to prepare a...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has continued its efforts to implement Governor Newsom’s July 30, 2021 Emergency Proclamation, which was intended to free up energy supply to meet demand during extreme heat events and...more
On August 30, 2021, the California Energy Commission (CEC) held a workshop on its Midterm Reliability Analysis and Incremental Efficiency Improvements to Natural Gas Power Plants. CEC Commissioners Gunda and Douglas were in...more
EIA: U.S. large-scale battery storage power capacity increased 35% in 2020 - Green Car Congress – August 17 - The United States continued a trend of significant growth in large-scale battery capacity, with battery...more
On May 7, 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) issued proposed regulations implementing changes to the renewables portfolio standard (RPS) long-term contracting requirements for publicly owned utilities (POUs) imposed...more
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the first community solar program as a means of complying with California’s solar mandate. Specifically, on February 20, 2020, following a three-hour hearing with many...more
CEC approves Sacramento utility’s contentious community solar plan - Bullet Greentech Media – February 21 - The California Energy Commission (CEC) has unanimously approved a controversial shared solar program proposed...more
On February 20, 2020, the California Energy Commission approved its first community solar system under the 2019 Energy Code, which allows developers of new homes within Sacramento Municipal Utility District (“SMUD”) to meet...more
On May 15, 2019, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved approximately $11 million for clean energy demonstration projects that include biofuels, renewable gas, and microgrids. Funded by CEC’s Alternative and...more