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
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
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 205 into law on June 30, 2022. This legislative effort significantly expands the California Energy Commission (CEC)’s jurisdiction and encourages the development of new clean energy projects....more
On January 11, 2022, the California Energy Commission (CEC) issued an update to its Summer 2022 Stack Analysis. Previously, on September 8, 2021, the CEC issued a revised Summer 2022 Stack Analysis that showed potential...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
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
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
California’s New Solar Building Requirements - On May 9, 2018, the California Energy Commission adopted revisions to the State’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (“2019 Standards”). There are two basic options for...more
On May 9, 2018 the California Energy Commission, in a landmark decision, unanimously adopted new standards requiring solar photovoltaic systems to be installed on new homes built in California, beginning January 1, 2020. This...more
In a historic move, California has become the first state in the country to require solar panels on nearly all new homes. On May 9, 2018, the California Energy Commission (CEC) unanimously approved standards that, among...more
Stoel Rives’ Energy Team has been monitoring and providing summaries of key energy-related bills introduced by California legislators since the beginning of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session. Legislators have been busy moving...more
Renewable Energy Focus - California Senate leader puts 100% renewable energy on the table in new legislation - Los Angeles Times - Feb 21 - Senate leader Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) is proposing...more
Sustainable Development Focus - San Francisco’s Treasure Island project wins top green rating - Commercial Property Executive - Oct 14 - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded LEED-ND...more
Renewable Energy Focus - California’s biggest utilities break own record for solar power Sacramento Bee - Jul 15 - California’s booming solar industry had a record day last week when the state’s largest utilities...more
California energy agencies and key stakeholders have finished the first step of a statewide planning process to evaluate transmission needs in the state and the region. This process, called the Renewable Energy Transmission...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Solar thermal legislation advances in California - Solar Industry Magazine - Apr 14 - In a 10-2 vote this Wednesday, the California Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee passed...more
Renewable Energy Focus - President Obama requests significant funding boost for clean energy R&D - Solar Industry Magazine - Feb 9 - President Barack Obama’s 2017 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Carbon war erupts between states over Obama power plan - Bloomberg: - Nov 4: In the era of global climate change, the phrase “war between the states” has taken on a new dimension. An 18-state...more
Renewable Energy Focus - sPower wins 68.8-megawatt Southern California Public Power Authority solar PPA: SolarServer - Oct 22: sPower has been awarded a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Southern California...more
Two out of three ain’t bad. Climate change policy advocates may find themselves quoting Meat Loaf with the enactment of Senate Bill (SB) 350, which California’s Legislature passed last month and which Governor Jerry...more
California's drought is now in its fourth year, and state leaders are faced with making unprecedented decisions further restricting water use. The brown lawns and dying trees are all too obvious and painful examples of the...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Obama commits $4 billion to form clean energy investment clearinghouse: The Guardian - Jun 16: With $4 billion and a new government office, the White House has unveiled its latest clean energy...more