The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has finalized the Renewable Energy Rule, which will cut fees by up to 80% for wind and solar projects developed on federal land. In addition, the DOI announced it has permitted more than 25 GW of clean energy projects, including solar, wind, and geothermal facilities, as well as gen-tie lines on public lands that are used for connecting clean electricity projects on both federal and non-federal land to the grid. In addition, the BLM announced that the Arica and Victory Pass projects in California are now fully operational, adding 465 MW of electricity to the grid.
A trio of environmental groups opposed to recent changes to the rules affecting the 1.8 million Californians who have installed rooftop solar on their homes and businesses will get their day before the state Supreme Court. The high court has agreed to hear arguments by the groups, appealing a decision by the California Public Utilities Commission that slashed the financial compensation solar customers receive when their systems generate more electricity than they consume.
A report from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law aims to identify and debunk 33 misconceptions about wind energy, solar energy, and electric vehicles. The report’s authors say they “reviewed social-media groups and websites created to oppose renewable energy projects or policies, as well as existing coverage about misinformation” to find claims to rebut, then used peer reviewed academic literature and government publications to find information disputing those claims.
Avangrid has started construction of its first solar farm in California: the 57 MW Camino Solar Project in Kern County. The company already has six wind farms in the state. The solar farm is in an area scientifically analyzed and identified as suitable for clean energy development as part of the Bureau of Land Management’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and the California Energy Commission (CEC) are collaborating on a $32 million solar and energy storage project at the Rolling Hills Casino and Resort in Corning, California. The microgrid is funded by the CEC. The microgrid will include 5 MW of solar panels and 15 MWh of battery storage.
Copia Power is constructing a $1.2 billion solar project on 14,000 acres west of Phoenix. The project, slated for the Harquahala Valley, will produce 450 MW of solar generation. It will also include 300 MW/1200 MWh of battery energy storage.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), acting on behalf of its flagship fund, CI V, has acquired Liberty Renewables, a 1.3 GW portfolio of onshore wind projects in New York. Liberty’s inaugural project, Hoffman Falls Wind, submitted its 94-C application to New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting and is scheduled to commence construction in 2026. The remaining projects in the portfolio are expected to start construction between 2027 and 2030.
MCE and partner Renewable America recently celebrated commercial operation of the 4.5-acre Fallon Two Rock solar farm, a 1 MW project located in Marin County. The project was financed by Sunwest Bank.
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