Renewable restrictions ‘widespread and growing’

CLEAN ENERGY: Local and state opposition to renewable energy projects is “widespread and growing,” with local governments putting 55 new moratoriums, bans, and other restrictions in place in the last year, Columbia University researchers find. (Utility Dive)

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OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Senate confirms three nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, filling the five-member board as it prepares to guide the nation’s grid buildout. (E&E News)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Oil and gas industry trade groups sue the U.S. EPA over its strengthened tailpipe emissions rules meant to drive electric vehicle manufacturing and sales. (The Hill)

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GRID: Residential distributed energy resources like electric vehicles and at-home battery storage systems could allow utilities to meet growing power demand through 2035 without new generation, a consulting group finds. (Utility Dive)

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SOLAR:

• Researchers and installers work to strengthen solar panels against high winds produced by increasingly severe storms in Puerto Rico and other places along the Caribbean Sea. (Inside Climate News)
• Tri-State Generation & Transmission invests in solar installations in Colorado and New Mexico after members defect and protest the power wholesaler’s coal-heavy portfolio. (Canary Media)

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NATURAL GAS:

• Massachusetts lawmakers consider legislation that would require proposals to expand natural gas service to consider climate impacts and whether there are “less costly or less polluting alternatives.” (Boston Herald)
• Residents of a Pennsylvania community are seeking answers as chemicals used in fracking are suspected in a spike of cancer cases. (The Guardian)

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POLITICS: Former President Trump spent a third of his time on Capitol Hill this week talking about energy, a Republican senator says, repeating campaign talking points in favor of fossil fuels and against electric vehicles. (Politico)

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WIND: Developers of the Revolution Wind project unveil the first U.S.-built ship designed specifically for offshore wind construction. (WPRI)

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NUCLEAR: Pacific Gas & Electric disputes advocates’ claims that operating the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant until 2030 will cost $12 billion, as California lawmakers propose canceling a $400 million loan for the facility. (Newsweek, Associated Press)

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BIOFUELS:

• Federal Inflation Reduction Act funding will help two Ohio cities develop biogas cogeneration projects at wastewater treatment facilities that aim to cut emissions and energy costs. (Energy News Network)
• Biofuel refineries concentrated in the Midwest’s corn-producing states emit nearly as much toxic air pollutants as traditional oil refineries, an Environmental Integrity Project study finds. (Minnesota Reformer)

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CARBON CAPTURE: A Western governors’ group urges the Biden administration to “promote not impede” carbon capture deployment at power plants. (WyoFile)

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ACTIVISM: A Chicago permaculture expert, educator and climate advocate plants roots in a West Side neighborhood to build community gardens and promote greenspace that she says are essential to overall community health. (Energy News Network)

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