Utilities: Page 21


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    Stefani Reynolds / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Federal infrastructure spending

    White House agrees to bipartisan infrastructure deal

    "The largest investment in EV infrastructure in history," includes plans to build a national network of electric vehicle chargers along highways and in rural communities.

    By Jason Plautz • June 25, 2021
  • Bipartisan $973B infrastructure proposal alarms EV advocates with annual surcharge on vehicles

    Ten Democratic and 11 Republican senators support an annual surcharge on the vehicles, but industry advocates warn it could dampen enthusiasm for the transition away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

    By Robert Walton • June 22, 2021
  • New bill would tax polluters, redirect funds to impacted communities

    The Save Our Future Act would invest millions in emissions reduction programs and help areas reliant on fossil fuels transition away from them through direct payments, career training, business development and other programs.

    By Chris Teale • June 18, 2021
  • Nevada passes clean energy bill requiring state to join RTO, accelerating $2B transmission project

    The bill also requires utilities to forecast a path to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by the end of the decade.

    By Jason Plautz • June 4, 2021
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    Wikipedia Commons
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    PG&E, BMW smart-charging pilot highlights potential for EVs as grid resource

    Aligning electric vehicle charging loads with renewable energy can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, efficiently manage the grid and save customers money, according to data from a Northern California study.

    By Robert Walton • June 2, 2021
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    Mark Makela via Getty Images
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    Biden proposes more than $2B for clean energy infrastructure, $14B+ increase in climate spending

    The administration's first proposed budget includes sizable increases in spending for climate mitigation, research, EVs and clean energy infrastructure.

    By Emma Penrod • June 1, 2021
  • Chicago skyline
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    Szekely, Pedro. (2017). "Chicago Skyline" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Chicago explores alternative electricity provider to support equitable climate goals

    The city is exploring its electric utility agreement for the first time in 30 years, aiming to support its new clean electricity and carbon reduction goals, Chicago's chief sustainability officer said.

    By Katie Pyzyk • May 11, 2021
  • NREL app expected to significantly speed up US residential solar permitting

    A new app designed by NREL will address a key concern among solar contractors with near-instantaneous permit decisions for residential installations in the majority of U.S. jurisdictions.

    By Emma Penrod • May 10, 2021
  • LEED-certified federal buildings aren’t using less energy: study

    Despite being "one of the most sought-after" green building certifications, Carnegie Mellon researchers found that LEED has "no effect" on the average energy consumption of federally-owned buildings.

    By Robert Walton • May 5, 2021
  • Tesla’s Musk admits ‘significant mistakes’ with solar roof project

    Following customer complaints of increased installation costs, the company said it will sell home solar and storage together to streamline installations. 

    By Jason Plautz • April 29, 2021
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    Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston

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    Cleantech incubator part of Houston’s goal to be ‘energy transition capital’

    One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.

    By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021
  • President Biden, Biden, executive order, climate
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    Retrieved from The White House/YouTube on January 29, 2021
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    Biden pledges to halve US carbon emissions by 2030

    The United States will work to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, sending clear signals to business and world leaders. 

    By Robert Walton • April 22, 2021
  • GE Renewable Energy's wind turbine generator, Haliade-X
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    Courtesy of GE Renewable Energy
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    Clean energy jobs ‘hit hard’ by COVID-19 in 2020: report

    Research from Environment Entrepreneurs found the sector shed 307,000 jobs but rebounded in the second half of the year — and could be set for major recovery in 2021.

    By Chris Teale • April 20, 2021
  • Equitable energy transition will require more than funding and job training, researchers say

    Utilities, governments must ensure clean energy jobs provide stable, middle-class earnings, according to a new guide from Inclusive Economics and the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge.

    By Emma Penrod • April 19, 2021
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    Permission granted by Steelblue for the City of Sacramento / Perkins&Will.
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    Sacramento to transform historic train station into people-first mobility hub

    The city council approved the 31-acre Sacramento Valley Station Area plan, which will prioritize people over cars and is designed to be one of the state's most sustainable public places.  

    By Cailin Crowe • April 19, 2021
  • Capitol Hill
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    The image by Андрей Бобровский is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Biden’s infrastructure plan goes big on EVs, but his first budget starts small, analysts say

    The Biden administration's infrastructure plan includes $174 billion to electrify transportation, though the FY22 budget request starts cautiously.

    By Robert Walton • April 15, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    Few states taking steps for equitable EV infrastructure investment, report cautions

    Benefits of the shift to electric transportation could be constrained to higher-income populations without the right policies, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy lays out.

    By Robert Walton • April 12, 2021
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    The image by Jennifer C. is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Opinion

    US building codes need a major retrofit to meet climate goals and spare consumers

    The International Code Council, which recently rolled back local governments' say in energy efficiency regulations for buildings, needs to adapt to the times or step aside, writes Energy Innovation's Sara Baldwin.

    By Sara Baldwin • April 7, 2021
  • First Solar's Series 6 modules deployed in a project in Kern County, California
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    Permission granted by First Solar
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    Local governments set record for new renewable energy procurement in 2020, groups report

    Transactions last year grew renewable capacity 23% from 2019's totals, according to World Resources Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute data.

    By Chris Teale • April 5, 2021
  • A Kight-Swift electric Daimler Trucks electric truck
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    Retrieved from Business Wire.

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    As EV economics improve, medium- and heavy-duty trucking may be ‘next big frontier’ for clean transportation

    Heavy-duty trucks represent just 5% of vehicles on the road, but experts say they account for more than a quarter of overall U.S. transportation emissions.

    By Robert Walton • March 26, 2021
  • Fermata Energy has partnered with the City of Boulder on a vehicle-to-grid charging project
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    Permission granted by Fermata Energy
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    New coalition calls on Biden admin to prioritize electrified transportation

    CHARGE, a group of 37 organizations, is urging EV charging infrastructure be especially deployed in communities traditionally underserved by transportation or that have struggled with pollution burdens.

    By Chris Teale • March 25, 2021
  • Bergen County Utilities Authority, wastewater
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    Permission granted by Bergen County Utilities Authority
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    Climate-driven water infrastructure failures risk becoming ‘business as usual’

    Monday's World Water Day comes one month after extreme weather wreaked havoc on Texas' water supply, an event that experts warn could become the new normal if leaders fail to invest in resiliency. 

    By Chris Teale • March 22, 2021
  • Arizona utility opposes legislation barring state regulators from decarbonization mandate

    As with many other states, Arizona is embroiled in a debate about the extent of regulators' authority when it comes to decarbonization. 

    By Emma Penrod • March 17, 2021
  • San Antonio Texas
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    "San Antonio" by Stoic Stoat is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    San Antonio power provider sues ERCOT, citing ‘unlawful’ pricing

    Mayor Ron Nirenburg gave the city's full support for the suit against the Texas grid operator, saying "state regulators are presiding over one of the largest illegal transfers of wealth" in state history.

    By Catherine Morehouse • March 16, 2021
  • DOE to spend billions on electric vehicle R&D in jobs fight with China

    President Biden's administration is tackling transportation electrification in part to prevent China from cornering a $23 trillion market in carbon-reducing tech, according to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. 

    By Robert Walton • March 11, 2021