Focus
FERC plans to accelerate grid connection to new power generation
T&D World – June 17
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this week issued a proposed role on solving “significant current backlogs” in grid interconnection queues. According to FERC, more than 1,400 GW worth of generation capacity and energy storage are waiting to connect into the system. The proposed reforms include moving toward larger interconnection studies by transmission providers to look at numerous generating participants rather than one facility at a time.
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News
Joshua tree decision delayed
Antelope Valley Press – June 17
The western Joshua tree will not be listed as threatened, for now, after the four-member California Fish and Game Commission voted to revisit the discussion, in October, and to pursue more feedback from tribes and direct the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to come up with a regional conservation plan for the iconic tree. Designating the tree as threatened would make it harder, but not impossible, to remove them for housing, solar, or other development projects. If the tree is designated as threatened, killing one would require special approval from the state.
New solar consortium pledges $6B to buy 6-7 GW of U.S.-made modules per year, issues RFP
PV-Tech – June 21
A newly formed consortium of four U.S. solar companies has committed to spending $6 billion on purchasing 6-7 GW of crystalline silicon solar modules every year to encourage the rapid scaling of domestic solar manufacturing. AES, Clearway Energy Group, Cypress Creek Renewables, and D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments have launched a competitive Request for Proposals for qualified manufacturers that can commit to a long-term partnership to supply up to 7 GW of solar modules per year starting from 2024.
Renewable energy certificates may overstate corporate environmental efforts, according to study
NBC News – June 19
The reliance of many major companies on a certain type of highly scrutinized energy credit could be an indicator that the private sector is far behind efforts to limit contributions to climate change, according to new research. The study, published in early June in the journal Nature Climate Change, focuses on renewable energy certificates, which are documents that show that a certain amount of energy has been generated using renewable methods like wind or solar.
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Projects
Desert Hot Springs to house one of largest rooftop solar arrays in California
NBC Palm Springs – June 14
Desert Hot Springs will soon be home to a warehouse with one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in California, officials announced last week. The Viento logistics center will encompass about 3.5 million square feet. Two environmental groups had filed an appeal against the project, asking the City Council to require a new initial study to determine if the project requires a mitigated negative declaration or an environmental impact report, but the groups recently settled.
Leeward Renewable breaks ground on 200 MW Horizon Solar project in Texas
Solar Industry Magazine – June 16
Leeward Renewable Energy has begun construction of the 200 MW Horizon Solar project near the city of Pearsall in Frio County, Texas. The project is expected to reach commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2023.
Nevada tribe, conservationists urge 9th Circuit to halt geothermal plant construction
Nevada Current – June 16
A Nevada tribe, the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, and conservation advocates urged the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last Wednesday to reverse an order allowing ongoing construction and development of a geothermal energy project in Churchill County they say threatens to destroy a sacred site and drive the rare Dixie Valley toad to extinction. Construction is ongoing on the site and is on track to be completed by December, despite the Dixie Valley toad being listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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