Focus
Newsom vetoes energy bills on virtual power plants, load management, and interconnection
Utility Dive – October 6
Governor Gavin Newsom last week vetoed several pieces of energy legislation, including AB 740, which would have required the state to adopt a virtual power plant deployment plan. In a letter to the governor last month, more than a dozen trade and environmental advocacy groups urged Newsom to sign AB 740 into law, claiming VPPs could save Californians $750 million per year in system costs and provide more than 7,500 MW of capacity. Newsom said that he supported the aim of harnessing distributed energy resources, but that the bill would have resulted in costs to the California Energy Commission’s primary operating fund, “which is currently facing an ongoing structural deficit.”
News
DOE will cut nearly $7.6 billion for climate projects in blue states, including California’s hydrogen hub
Los Angeles Times – October 2
In a news release, the U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that it had terminated more than 300 financial awards associated with 223 clean energy projects, amounting to nearly $7.6 billion. California officials said the state’s hydrogen hub, the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, or ARCHES, was among the cuts. The hub had received $1.2 billion in federal grant funding from the Biden administration as part of a competitive nationwide effort to develop hydrogen projects that can replace planet-warming fossil fuels.
EPA sued over canceled $7B solar program
The Hill – October 6
A labor union, solar installation companies, nonprofits, and other organizations are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its move to claw back $7 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds that would have put more rooftop solar power in disadvantaged communities. The Biden administration granted funds to 60 entities including states, nonprofits, tribes, and local governments, stating the funds were slated to provide more than 900,000 households with solar power.
Projects
Renewable energy firm to develop 2,000-acre solar project near Phoenix, Arizona
ABC15 – October 3
A subsidiary of California-based Avantus Clean Energy plans to develop more than 2,000 acres near Phoenix for a utility-scale solar energy project set to generate energy for around 70,000 Arizona homes. Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2026 on the Pinyon Solar Project, which will include solar technology and battery storage facilities.
San Diego Community Power to offer rebates to customers who install solar, battery systems
The San Diego Union-Tribune – October 1
San Diego Community Power has announced a $55 million initiative that will offer rebates and incentives to encourage its customers to install solar-plus-battery systems in their homes. Community Power’s Solar Battery Savings program comes as the 30% federal tax credit for residential solar, under Section 25D of the U.S. Tax Code, expires at the end of this year.
Doral attracts off-taker for majority of 430 MW solar project in Texas
Renewables Now – October 6
Doral Renewables has secured an offtaker for most of the output of its 430 MW Cold Creek Solar Project located in Schleicher and Tom Green Counties, Texas. The company has sealed a power purchase agreement with an unnamed corporate buyer, and it covers 100% of the generated Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) in addition to 75% of the power output.
EDF, El Paso Electric begin operations at 150 MW solar-storage facility
ESG News – October 6
EDF Power Solutions North America and El Paso Electric have launched operations at the Milagro Energy Center, one of the state’s largest combined solar and battery projects. The 150 MW solar photovoltaic array, coupled with 75 MW of four-hour battery storage, has begun supplying power to the regional grid under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
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