News | Energy Bar Association

N.Y. utilitys $1B plan targets offshore wind’s grid problem

Apr 20, 2022 09:38 AM

One of New York’s biggest utilities is asking regulators for permission to build a $1 billion grid hub that connects massive volumes of offshore wind to an old fossil fuel site, underscoring a challenge facing emissions plans that envision a surge in renewables. Known as the Brooklyn Clean Energy Hub, the plan was presented by Consolidated Edison Inc. to the state Public Service Commission (PSC) last week.

Energy sector on high alert after discovery of new malware targeting industrial control systems

Apr 20, 2022 09:36 AM

The new malware was reportedly designed to target energy facilities, and possibly liquefied natural gas plants in particular. Taking over SCADA systems could allow adversaries to inflict significant damage, say experts. "The malware was designed to be used in disruptive operations. This isn’t some normal malware and campaign. This is something that could be used to cause real issues or hurt people," Lee said on Twitter.

NREL: Rapid growth of energy storage to enable high shares of renewable energy on US grid

Apr 20, 2022 09:33 AM

Energy storage is poised for “rapid growth” in the US, with between 130GW to 680GW of diurnal storage capable of integrating an 80% share of renewables on the US grid by 2050. That’s one of the key takeaways from work by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Storage Futures, a seven-part series of studies which has just concluded with the publication of its final chapter: ‘Key learnings for the coming decades’.

Proposed California EV regs could be adopted by other states

Apr 20, 2022 09:32 AM

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is about to enact a major update to its Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) program, setting new standards on vehicle emissions and zero-emission vehicle regulations that 16 other states follow. Section 177 of the Clean Air Act allows these states to adopt California’s standards in lieu of federal requirements. The ACC program regulates emissions from light-duty cars and trucks, including both greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants.

FERC Approves PJM-NJ Transmission Agreement

Apr 20, 2022 09:30 AM

FERC gave final approval Thursday to the State Agreement Approach (SAA) sought by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and PJM that gives the greenlight for the state and RTO to build transmission to deliver 7.5 GW of planned offshore wind (ER22-902).The commission concluded that the agreement would require all costs of the transmission to be borne by New Jersey customers, rejecting claims by PJM transmission owners that they could potentially be liable in the future.

Commerce Department kicks off 1-year solar tariff investigation on panels imported from Southeast Asia

Mar 30, 2022 10:14 AM

The Department of Commerce said it will consider additional tariffs on the solar industry after the Biden administration extended Section 201 tariffs on monofacial PV cells made in China. Solar industry groups have said this case will have a chilling effect on solar installations in the U.S. "This misstep will have a devastating impact on the U.S. solar market at a time when solar prices are climbing, and project delays and cancellations are adding up,"

US trade diplomat expresses serious concerns on Mexico energy policies

Mar 30, 2022 10:12 AM

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai has joined a long list of U.S. officials who have raised concerns about Mexico’s energy policies. Tai on Friday said that her office had “serious concerns with the deteriorating trajectory of Mexico’s energy policies,” according to a readout of a virtual roundtable discussion she convened. Two United States lawmakers as well as representatives of environmental NGOs.

California: SDG&E turns first LFP BESS online & Stanford hits 100% renewables with Goldman Sachs project offtake

Mar 30, 2022 10:07 AM

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will today (29 March) cut the ribbon on the Kearny Energy Storage in north San Diego. The 20MW/80MWh BESS is the first energy storage project by the utility to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry-based batteries. The BESS is the latest in SDG&E’s pipeline which will bring its total storage portfolio to 145MW by the end of 2022. It recently ordered a six-hour BESS solution for one of its sites from Mitsubishi Power.

Gillibrand to introduce cryptocurrency regulation bill, acknowledges energy concerns

Mar 30, 2022 09:37 AM

VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) plans to introduce a bipartisan bill to establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency in the coming weeks. Gillibrand spoke alongside Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) at an event hosted by POLITICO in Washington Thursday. The two senators said they plan to introduce legislation to begin addressing regulatory matters associated with digital currency. The move comes as lawmakers in the New York Legislature-.

Biden's proposed budget includes nearly $45B for climate and clean energy, a 7% increase for DOE

Mar 30, 2022 09:35 AM

In a press briefing Monday, Biden said his budget request would reduce the federal deficit, help fight crime and boost spending on national security while providing energy-related benefits. "My budget lowers family energy costs with tax credits to help people make their homes more efficient, research and development to broaden the reach of solar and build a clean energy future," Biden said. The proposal sets the table for the House of Representatives and Senate to draft the next federal spending