Biden awards $426 million for California offshore wind terminal

WIND: The Biden administration awards a northern California county $426.7 million to fund development of an offshore wind turbine assembly, construction and maintenance terminal. (Times-Standard)

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SOLAR:

• California advocates predict the state’s new policy slashing net-metering compensation for rooftop solar will make it impossible to achieve clean energy targets. (PV Magazine)
• Rising demand for New Mexico’s residential solar tax credit has nearly depleted the 2023 fund months before the filing deadline. (Solar Power World)
• New Mexico lawmakers advance a bill aimed at encouraging local governments to install solar and energy storage facilities on public buildings or infrastructure. (NM Political Report)
• The developer of a controversial proposed solar development in northern California releases its draft habitat conservation plans. (Independent)
• A California affordable housing community completes a rooftop solar installation expected to offset nearly two-thirds of the tenants’ energy use. (Solar Power World)

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UTILITIES:

• Puget Sound Energy cancels its controversial proposed liquified natural gas terminal expansion in Tacoma, Washington, after advocates and the Puyallup Tribe appealed the facility’s permits. (Seattle Times)
• Washington lawmakers propose requiring utilities to disclose pollution auction-related costs that are passed on to customers. (Crosscut)

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OIL & GAS: Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy calls on the state legislature to allocate another $4.5 million to boost a proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline and export project, but lawmakers are skeptical of the plan’s viability. (Northern Journal)

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COAL:

• A California judge finds Oakland unlawfully terminated its lease with a proposed coal export terminal, giving the controversial project new life. (Mercury News)
• Wyoming awards an energy company $16 million for a proposed coal-to-hydrogen production facility with carbon capture and sequestration. (H2 View)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• California advocates say the state’s lax management and chronic unreliability of electric vehicle chargers stifle EV adoption. (Los Angeles Times)
• Xcel Energy’s proposal to expand electric vehicle incentives in Colorado divides climate and consumer advocates. (CPR)  
• New Mexico lawmakers revive proposed tax credits for electric vehicle purchases after the initiative was vetoed as part of a larger legislative package last year. (KRQE)
• An Arizona startup secures $75 million in investor funding to advance its electric vehicle lithium-metal battery cell technology. (Arizona Daily Star)

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GEOTHERMAL: A Hawaii lawmaker proposes tackling rolling blackouts by tapping active volcanoes for geothermal power. (KHON2)

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GRID:

• A California energy official predicts the state will reach its clean energy goals, but transitioning the grid will be as difficult as repairing a car while it’s moving. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Former opponents of regionalizing California’s power grid shift their stance to support following changes in the governance framework. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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