Focus
California bill to cut solar incentives prompts fierce debate
KQED – April 11
Fighting about rooftop solar in California never seems to get old. Kicking off the latest conflict is legislation that would reduce the benefits that longtime solar customers receive for extra electricity they produce and export to the grid. While Assembly Bill 942 hasn’t had a hearing yet, it’s already garnering strong support and fiery opposition. The legislation, introduced by Los Angeles Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, D-Whittier, would apply to customers, both commercial and residential, who installed solar before April 2023. It would cut the time period in which they get certain credits from 20 years to 10 and bring their remaining rates in line with those of newer solar customers.
News
Federal judges order agencies to unfreeze climate money
The New York Times – April 16
Two court rulings issued this Tuesday unfroze hundreds of millions of dollars in federal climate funds. Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the federal court for the District of Columbia ordered the immediate release of up to $625 million in climate grants that have been frozen since mid-February under the $20 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The fund is also known as the “green bank” program. Separately, Judge Mary S. McElroy of the federal court for the District of Rhode Island ordered five federal agencies to unfreeze environmental and infrastructure funding that had been awarded to nonprofits during the Biden administration.
Monterey County supervisors support battery storage safety bill
KSBW – April 15
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support a bill introduced by Senator John Laird aimed at improving safety standards for battery storage facilities, following a fire at the Vistra Energy storage facility in Moss Landing in January. Senate Bill 283 ensures local fire departments can consult and inspect battery storage facilities before they go online. The bill also mandates that these facilities adhere to the highest safety and hazard mitigation standards.
Projects
Vistra withdraws application to build battery plant in Morro Bay. What’s next?
The Tribune – April 11
Vistra Corp. has withdrawn its application to build a 600 MW battery energy storage facility on the retired Morro Bay Power Plant property, according to an April 5 letter sent to the city. Vistra did not explain its reasons for withdrawing the application, nor did it share its plans for the property — aside from announcing that the company would not gift the property to the city of Morro Bay.
Trump administration issues order to stop construction on New York offshore wind project
Associated Press – April 16
The Trump administration issued an order on Wednesday to stop construction on a major offshore wind project to power more than 500,000 New York homes, the latest in a series of moves targeting the industry. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to halt construction on Empire Wind, a fully-permitted project. He said it needs further review because it appears the Biden administration rushed the approval. Equinor said Wednesday it had just received a notification from BOEM and it will engage directly with the agency and the Interior Department to understand the questions raised about the permits.
NextEra Energy plans Washington solar project
Columbia Basin Herald – April 14
NextEra Energy Resources has proposed a significant renewable energy project, Dry Falls Solar in Grant County, Washington, which aims to bolster the region’s shift toward clean energy and economic growth. The planned solar facility is designed to generate up to 400 MW of clean energy, complemented by 1,600 MW of battery energy storage. While the proposal has been submitted to the Grant County Commissioners, approval is pending, with construction anticipated to commence as early as June 2025.
Fervo and Shell Energy sign PPA for 31 MW of geothermal power in Utah
Power Technology – April 16
Fervo Energy has announced a 15-year power purchase agreement with Shell Energy North America for 31 MW of geothermal power from Fervo’s Cape Station geothermal project in Beaver County, Utah. Shell Energy has become the first offtaker from phase one of the Cape Station project, set to commence operations in 2026.
Soluna expands wind-powered data center portfolio with Texas project
Data Center Knowledge – April 14
New York-based Soluna is bullish on the prospect of wind-powered data centers. Last week, the company unveiled Project Hedy, a new 120 MW facility that will be colocated with a 200 MW wind farm in Cameron County, South Texas.
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