Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Utilitydive

  • Philadelphia clean energy campaign turned millions invested into billions saved. Here’s how.

    The Philadelphia Energy Campaign has successfully created over 11,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in economic investment since 2016, while also generating $1.4 billion in energy savings for the city and its residents. Programs like Built to Last and Solarize Greater Philadelphia have provided low-income homeowners with access to housing-repair and solar installation programs. Funding mechanisms such as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp have supported energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, blending public and private financing. Despite the loss of federal funding, the campaign remains resilient and focused on advancing climate solutions through collaboration and political support.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/philadelphia-energy-campaign-economic-impact-report/821584/

  • Large-load customers can help commercialize new clean energy technology: CEBA

    Large-load customers are turning to clean firm technologies like advanced geothermal and small modular nuclear reactors to power their operations, with the help of clean energy tariffs and bilateral customer-utility arrangements. Hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft are investing in clean energy power purchase agreements, focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal, to drive the development of new technologies and protect ratepayers. Small modular reactors are attracting investments for future data center operations due to their smaller footprint, and durable clean energy tariff designs are crucial for supporting these initiatives. Partnerships between customers and utilities are leading to innovative solutions, such as in Minnesota where Google and Xcel Energy utilized a green energy tariff to bring online a portfolio of resources including solar, wind, and long duration energy storage, resulting in the largest long duration energy storage system seen so far.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/innovative-customer-utility-agreements-derisk-new-technology-ceba/821402/

  • How Illinois’ energy policy blueprint can address affordability, reliability

    Illinois has passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act to address rising energy prices and grid challenges by focusing on local solar, storage, and energy efficiency. The act aims to avoid reliance on slow-to-build centralized power plants like gas and nuclear, utilizing community power networks and virtual power plant programs instead. The implementation of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) will manage peak energy demand and avoid costly spot power from peaker plants, while also targeting 3 GW of utility-scale energy storage by 2030. Illinois is taking a proactive approach to creating a cleaner and more affordable grid, leading the energy transition with a focus on efficiency, storage, and long-term energy planning to ensure reliability without relying on fossil fuels.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/illinois-energy-policy-affordability-reliability-vote-solar/820280/

  • Common‐sense state action can unlock a geothermal revolution in Utah and beyond

    Next-generation geothermal energy is emerging as a credible solution for providing always-on, emissions-free energy in the Western United States, with Utah leading the way through its subsurface expertise and research site FORGE. The main barriers to geothermal growth are policy and finance, with outdated permitting frameworks and uncertainty about grid access hindering development. Governors in the West have the opportunity to unlock untapped geothermal potential by modernizing regulations, investing in subsurface data, and deploying grants to support projects. The Western Governors Association Chair Initiative aims to integrate geothermal into the broader energy conversation to create a more resilient and reliable energy system in the region, emphasizing the importance of smart coordination and policy competition between states to make geothermal energy a key component of the Western energy system.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/enhanced-geothermal-utah-west-catf/820168/

  • NY’s 2027 budget includes climate, emissions reduction rollbacks: Gov. Hochul

    New York State is updating its climate goals and emission reduction deadlines through reforms outlined in its 2027 budget, which includes a shift from a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to a 60% reduction by 2040. The budget also enhances funding for disadvantaged communities and updates the accounting standard for emissions impact. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and financial struggles in the offshore wind industry, the state is introducing legislation to accelerate decarbonization and hold companies accountable for their carbon footprint. This includes the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which requires large entities to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as laws aimed at reducing industrial pollution and limiting the sale of consumer goods containing toxic chemicals.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-york-2027-budget-climate-emissions-reduction-rollbacks-gov-kathy-hochul/820347/

  • Dominion upbeat on offshore wind as cost estimate eases, sales rise

    Dominion Energy is prioritizing the completion of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the largest wind farm in the US, by June 2027. The project is 75% complete with 9 out of 176 turbines installed, with an estimated capital budget of $11.4 billion and expected fuel savings of $5 billion over 10 years. Dominion's focus on transmission and distribution infrastructure, along with the growth in data center capacity, is driving significant regulated investment needs. Additionally, Dominion's Virginia territory will see an increase in gas generation, solar, and energy storage spending, with more opportunities for regulated capital deployment in the early 2030s. A new Virginia law requires Dominion to petition for 20 GW of energy storage projects by 2040, up from 3 GW by 2035, which will be reflected in the company's capital update next year.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/dominion-upbeat-on-offshore-wind-as-cost-estimate-eases-sales-rise/819218/

  • Octopus Energy, Lunar Energy roll out battery-enabled electricity plans in Texas

    Octopus Energy, Lunar Energy, GVEC, and other companies in Texas are introducing innovative electricity plans that include high-capacity home batteries and smart thermostats to reduce costs and manage power usage. These plans aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of smarter, more flexible energy solutions for customers, with fixed pricing and grid services included. The trend towards battery-based retail electricity programs in Texas is growing, with a focus on offering discounted energy storage hardware and home backup power. Partnerships like the one between NRG and Renew Home are also working towards deploying flexible capacity through residential demand management programs, showcasing the potential for widespread adoption of climate-friendly solutions in the state.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/octopus-energy-lunar-energy-roll-out-battery-enabled-electricity-in-texas/818847/

  • Maryland regulators weigh investor-owned utilities’ flexible load proposals

    Maryland utilities are working to aggregate up to 440 MW of flexible load resources, such as residential thermostats, distributed batteries, and electric vehicles, to support state-mandated virtual power plants and load management programs. The Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification Act requires utilities to develop vehicle-to-grid charging and VPP plans. Utilities like BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, and Potomac Edison are implementing time-of-use tariff proposals and pilot programs to increase customer participation in grid flexibility initiatives. The Maryland Public Service Commission has accepted modified time-of-use tariffs but rejected pilot proposals, ordering utilities to refile them for further clarity. The goal is to integrate customer-owned devices into utility operations while providing incentives and maintaining customer control, ensuring the success of demand-side management programs and distributed energy resource integration efforts in reducing peak load in a locationally relevant manner.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/maryland-regulators-weigh-investor-owned-utilities-flexible-load-proposals/817585/

  • Colorado Legislature sends ‘advanced transmission technology’ bill to governor

    Colorado lawmakers recently passed legislation requiring regulated utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies to improve grid efficiency, with a focus on increasing the state's ability to import/export electricity, speeding up new generation/load hookup, and reducing wildfire risk. The bill mandates utilities to include analysis of these technologies in their 10-year transmission plans, as research shows they can save customers money and free up capacity. Similar requirements are being implemented in other states like Virginia to enhance their grids. The organization released a report on October 24, likely discussing climate-related issues.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/colorado-advanced-transmission-technology-gets-bill/817545/

  • Distributed batteries get legislative, utility lift in California

    Ava Community Energy launched a $11.25 million incentive program in California for residential customers to install solar and battery storage systems, allowing customers to share up to 80% of their home batteries. The program offers rebates for both income-qualified and non-income qualified customers, aiming to make electrification more affordable and maintain grid stability. California legislators are advancing a bill to update state resource adequacy rules to include distributed energy devices like residential batteries and electric vehicles, with monthly participation payments provided to customers who participate. Despite funding cuts for the Demand Side Grid Support program, a successful large battery-based virtual power plant, changes will not impact the SmartHome Battery program.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/distributed-batteries-get-legislative-utility-lift-in-california/817466/