Joy Ditto

Grid analysts challenge Bonneville Power’s pace in adopting advanced conductors--my latest for PV Magazine USA. As the White House encourages utilities to use advanced conductors to help interconnect new renewable generation, the federally-owned utility Bonneville Power is moving slowly to use the high-capacity conductors, analysts said. Mike O'Boyle, Casey Baker, Michelle Solomon #AdvancedConductors

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DOE proposes ten “national interest” transmission corridors (my latest for PV Magazine USA) Eight of the ten transmission corridors proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy would facilitate transmission between grid regions; one would expand transmission within the Mid-Atlantic’s #PJM grid region; and one would expand transmission in the Northern Plains.

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Reconductoring could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035. (My latest for PV Magazine USA) Replacing existing transmission lines, known as conductors, with advanced conductors could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035 even if transmission in new corridors was limited, found a study by UC Berkeley and GridLab researchers. 3M CTC Global TS Conductor Amol Phadke #Reconductoring

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In the final installment we hear from Electric Power Supply Association members who are leaning in to address the growing issues. Thanks to Thad Hill of Calpine, Curt Morgan of Alpha Generation, and Marji Philips of LS Power for sharing their specific insights. We hope you found this series informative and triggered questions and ideas about how we address these emerging and evolving issues. #reliability #power #innovation #energy

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🌊 What would it take to weave equity principles within state offshore wind programs and policies? How can states build an engagement process between states and communities for offshore wind planning and development that prioritizes shared decision-making, co-design and co-implementation of solutions, shared benefits across all parties and investments in communities? 💚 Our CESA-hosted group of state agencies and community-based organizations has been working together on this topic for several years, first developing a scoping dialogue, building up to a workshop next week, and gearing up for a working group starting in the fall. 📣 We still have a few open spots for additional CBOs!! We value and compensate CBOs' participation. ⚠ This is open ONLY to states and environmental justice or energy justice organizations that represent the communities in which they are located and hail from across the country. 👉 Read the description below and contact Sam Schacht at [email protected] if you would like to learn more and participate! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/ej5HpVNv

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NEW: Natural gas will continue to be critically important to America’s economic and energy security for decades to come – and long after 2050. That’s one of the big takeaways from two new National Petroleum Council (NPC) studies issued this morning, both at the request of U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. NPC’s analysis of the natural gas supply chain calls for better measurement and continued reductions of methane emissions (U.S. methane emissions are down 37% since 2015), as well as streamlining of natural gas rules. API President and CEO Mike Sommers said NPC’s assessment lays the groundwork for harmonized federal methane regulations and for a clear and consistent permitting process for energy infrastructure. “To fully leverage America’s energy advantage and advance climate progress,” Mike said today, “continued collaboration between energy producers and policymakers will be essential.” The second NPC study said incentives are needed to boost demand for hydrogen fuel and support hydrogen infrastructure - essential to enable a lower carbon future. NPC said the 45V hydrogen tax credit, as proposed, is too risky and needs adjusting so that a broad array of businesses can feed into this lower carbon energy option. Dig into the details for more: https://lnkd.in/d8Yp-ABU

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📣 ICYMI: The American Public Gas Association responded to the International Code Council's (ICC) 2027 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) draft scope and intent. ICC should ensure consumer choice is preserved and codified in the finalized 2027 scope to prevent future misinterpretations. Read more at https://lnkd.in/efwNfayi

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The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) released their new report, Collaborative Enhancements to Unlock Interregional Transmission, providing an assessment and solutions to challenges faced by regulators and other energy stakeholders. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eyV-8Q72 #interregionaltransmision #transmissionreform

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In a new op-ed, ACP Chief Advocacy Officer JC Sandberg unpacks the importance of the Energy Permitting Reform Act, introduced by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso, which is due for mark-up this week. The legislation’s ability to help the U.S. meet growing demand for electricity, deploy transmission lines to deliver clean, reliable power, and strengthen American energy security is clear. Read on: bit.ly/3YuctB7

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LEGISLATIVE ALERT: A new bipartisan Senate bill, co-sponsored by Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), aims to accelerate American energy development by overhauling federal energy permitting to reduce delays. Benefits from the legislation include streamlining permitting processes, reducing frivolous lawsuits that cause costly delays, and expediting LNG export applications. 🌀💪     CRES is a strong proponent of the bill and its commonsense approach to decarbonization. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/egUzvtEn

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Congress passed the ADVANCE Act 88-2. This bill includes several reasonable and appropriate provisions to modernize regulation and more. It is the result of a substantial effort by many stakeholders. One key provision is aligning the NRC mission with the already in place Atomic Energy Act and Energy Reorganization Act. It reminds the NRC that the mission includes considering the benefits of nuclear energy technology to society, while still maintaining public safety and protecting the environment.

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As large swathes of America sizzle through record temperatures this week, the Energy Institute published its annual statistical review of world energy: it makes for grim reading for people hoping to see rapid progress on the energy transition... Amanda Chu has the story Countries burnt record amounts of oil and coal last year, sending global fossil fuel consumption and emissions to all-time highs, the Energy Institute reported. Oil demand grew 2.6 per cent, surpassing 100mn barrels per day for the first time. Meanwhile, the share of fossil fuels in the energy mix declined slightly by half a percentage point, but still made up more than 81 per cent of consumption.  While EI’s estimates are largely in line with the International Energy Agency’s, its authors offer a more sombre view of the pace of the energy transition compared with the Paris-based watchdog. “Today’s new data provides little encouragement in terms of global climate change mitigation,” said Nick Wayth, chief executive of EI. “Arguably, the transition has not even started.”  Financial Times Energy Institute

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Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, a coalition funded by major fracking/natural gas and pipeline companies, employs extensive public relations strategies - with the help of agencies such as Omnicom’s Mercury Public Affairs, LLC - to promote natural gas as a clean energy solution. What does that sound like? ❎ Greenwashing. Because it is.❎ Read Public Citizen's new report on the complicated web of lies that are locking in environmental destruction - https://lnkd.in/enc-9qJr

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Nucor, Duke Energy sign agreement to support carbon-free energy, including nuclear Published by: Renzo Pipoli 29 May 2024 @ 21:37 UTC Nucor and power provider Duke Energy — both based in Charlotte, North Carolina — have signed an agreement along with three other large electricity consumers to support new voluntary rates for clean electricity in their region and speed up carbon-free energy developments, the companies said. Nucor, Duke Energy, Amazon, Google and Microsoft said on Wednesday May 29 that they signed a memorandum of understanding in May in which they “proposed developing new rate structures” for energy that would be voluntary and limited to North Carolina and South Carolina, pending approval from state officials. “We are excited to see our partnership with Duke Energy evolve through this shared commitment to bring the next generation of clean, reliable, safe and affordable energy to our region while also supporting our net zero goal,” Nucor’s vice president of business services, sustainability and general counsel Greg Murphy said. Nucor uses electricity to power its electric-arc furnaces (EAFs) to process scrap metal into steel. The agreement, signed during the White House Summit on Domestic Nuclear Deployment, aims to “lower the long-term costs of investing in clean energy technologies like new nuclear and long-duration storage through early commitments,” the companies said in their joint statement. The proposed Accelerating Clean Energy tariffs would enable “innovative financing structures and contributions” to address risks and mitigate costs related to developing emerging technologies. To continue reading please visit www.fastmarkets.com Image courtesy of Mingo123, Pixabay

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Major Changes for Texas Energy Providers - Navigating ERCOT's New Compliance Rules Amid Heightened Security Concerns. The recent implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) has introduced significant changes for electric utilities and market participants within the ERCOT footprint. With NPRR-1199 now approved, all ERCOT market participants must adhere to stringent new requirements aimed at safeguarding critical electric grid infrastructure from foreign interference. Understanding NPRR-1199: NPRR-1199 mandates market participants to certify that their procurements of critical electric grid equipment and services do not originate from designated countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea). This rule applies to all connections to the ERCOT system, regardless of NERC registration status, and includes a comprehensive review of acquisitions dating back to June 1, 2018. Key Requirements: 1. Attestation by December 1st: Market participants must attest that their procurements do not involve designated countries. This involves thorough documentation and verification processes to ensure compliance. 2. Broad Scope of Impact: The requirements cover all market participants in the ERCOT footprint, including non-NERC registered entities, which often have less documentation and may be unaware of the new legislation. 3. Potential for Grid Removal: Non-compliance can result in removal from the grid, highlighting the urgency of meeting this new standard. Strategic Compliance Support from EverLine EverLine is poised to partner strategically with impacted organizations to ensure smooth and efficient compliance with these new regulations. Here’s how we can help: Executive Summaries: EverLine provides concise, clear summaries of the new requirements and deadlines to help organizations understand and navigate these changes effectively. Inventory and Identification Services: EverLine offers services to quickly inventory and identify the origin of critical equipment, helping entities achieve compliance efficiently and accurately. Subject Matter Expertise: Our experts assist with the completion of attestation forms and provide ongoing legislative monitoring services to ensure that organizations remain compliant and informed about regulatory changes. Focus on ERCOT Entities: EverLine’s services are particularly beneficial for those entities which may have less documentation and awareness of new requirements. We help these organizations build the necessary compliance infrastructure, much like that for NERC Registered entities, which Everline can also provide. The implementation of NPRR-1199 represents a pivotal moment for electric utilities and market participants in Texas. By partnering with EverLine, organizations can ensure compliance, enhance their operational integrity, and contribute to the security and reliability of the ERCOT grid. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information. #ERCOT #NERC #Energy #Security

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