As offshore wind projects and policies grow, floating turbines will be key to Biden’s 30 GW by 2030 goal

With 16 farms under construction, offshore wind in the U.S. has “achieved key momentum,” says the Department of Energy’s offshore wind lead, Jocelyn Brown-Saracino.

By Diana DiGangi • June 6, 2023

Constellation sets hydrogen-gas plant blending record, but more advances needed for utility-scale use: experts

Constellation Energy’s Hillabee Generating Station ran on 38% hydrogen during a May 18 test, setting new expectations for the fuel’s potential to reduce emissions from gas-fired power plants.

By Emma Penrod • June 5, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

Hundreds of US localities restrict renewables siting, with 293 projects currently contested: Columbia report

”Local opposition to renewable energy facilities is widespread and growing,” according to the report.

By Diana DiGangi • June 5, 2023

As Google, Meta, others ramp up clean energy buying, ‘carbon matching’ offers cheapest path: report

Companies have contracted for 77 GW of clean energy in the U.S., up from about 10 GW in 2017, and are seeking expanded options for buying more emissions-free electricity.

By Ethan Howland • June 5, 2023

AI, climate change, fuel cells among energy transition ‘disconnects’ for utilities: Morgan Stanley

“Not all incumbent utilities will gain from the energy transition,” analysts said in a report issued Wednesday. Those that could be challenged include Consolidated Edison, Entergy and NextEra.

By Ethan Howland • June 2, 2023

IHG ups sustainability efforts with community solar offerings for US hotels

IHG will provide renewable energy certificates to participating hotels, furthering the company’s 10-year march toward a 46% energy emissions reduction target.

By Noelle Mateer • June 2, 2023

Treasury issues further guidance for IRA’s $10B tax credit incentivizing clean energy manufacturing

The 48C investment tax credit and a related manufacturing tax credit, 45X, are “very substantial” credits that many companies aren’t aware of, said Moss Adams partner and certified public accountant Peter Henderson.

By Diana DiGangi • June 1, 2023

Record Q1 global wind turbine orders suggest US installation downturn is poised to end: WoodMac

Installations have yet to catch up with prior records, but an uptick in order activity suggests the industry has begun to turn a corner, a Wood Mackenzie analyst said.

By Emma Penrod • June 1, 2023

Environmental review of offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico finds ‘no significant impacts’: BOEM

The next step in the leasing process for the Gulf is for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to issue a final sale notice, which it plans to do later this year.

By Diana DiGangi • May 31, 2023

Full industrial electrification could more than double US power demand. Here’s how renewables can meet it.

Accelerating industrial electrification requires policymakers to ensure increased electricity demand is supplied with new least-cost clean generation in rural areas with high-quality renewable resources.

By Eric Gimon • May 31, 2023

Eversource sells 50% stake in offshore wind lease to partner Ørsted as it seeks a buyer for 3 other sites

CEO Joe Nolan said Eversource remains “fully committed to being a catalyst to the region’s clean energy transition” as its regulated companies build facilities to transmit more than 9,000 MW of offshore wind generation.

By Stephen Singer • May 26, 2023

Interior Department advances permitting for NV Energy Greenlink transmission projects

Greenlink West and Greenlink North would connect a total of up to 8 GW of renewable energy to the Western grid, the Bureau of Land Management said.

By Diana DiGangi • May 26, 2023

2023 global solar investment projected to overtake oil for the first time: International Energy Agency

The IEA expects more than $1.7 trillion will be invested in clean energy around the world in 2023, versus about $1 trillion in fossil fuels.

By Diana DiGangi • May 25, 2023

Enel chooses Oklahoma as home of first US solar panel factory

The more than $1 billion project will have up to 3 GW of production capacity by 2025, with the possibility of a future expansion to 6 GW.

By Kate Magill • May 23, 2023

Federal judge dismisses whale case, upholds permits for offshore Vineyard Wind project

Judge Indira Talwani found the case brought against the offshore wind project lacked merit because evidence indicated that it is “unlikely to cause the death of any right whale.”

By Diana DiGangi • May 23, 2023

BOEM completes environmental analysis for Ocean Wind 1 offshore New Jersey

The project could add up to 1.4 GW capacity to the grid if fully approved, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said.

By Diana DiGangi • May 23, 2023

DOE earmarks nearly $42M to produce, store and deploy clean hydrogen

The funding is intended to address “some of our hardest to decarbonize sectors — heavy transportation and industry,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

By Stephen Singer • May 23, 2023

PJM interconnection delays threaten state renewable energy goals: NRDC report

Some states could fall short of their renewable energy goals as projects become mired in lengthy interconnection queues at PJM, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Emma Penrod • May 22, 2023

DOE report outlines 10 actions needed to achieve 100% clean electricity

“We know the Inflation Reduction Act is not itself, alone, sufficient to get to 100% clean energy,” said Paul Donohoo-Vallett, an analyst in DOE’s Office of Policy and a lead author on the report.

By Diana DiGangi • May 18, 2023

Georgia’s Plant Vogtle is a $35B boondoggle. We need new and better solutions for a carbon-free grid.

Urgent utility business model reforms are needed to create a 21st-century, people-centered grid that delivers affordable fossil-free solutions.

By Patty Durand • May 18, 2023

As Sen. Carper releases permitting reform proposal, White House vows to update NEPA rules

Carper’s proposal joins a crowded field of legislative approaches to streamlining energy permitting reform.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2023

Colorado’s new clean hydrogen standards could push production out of the state, industry group says

A recently-passed bill would provide incentives for the use of clean hydrogen, but the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Association says the legislation’s narrow definitions and strict standards will limit production.

By Emma Penrod • May 17, 2023

House fails to overturn Biden’s veto on congressional resolution to end Southeast Asia solar panel tariff pause

The measure returned to the House and passed 214 to 205, falling short of the two-thirds margin needed for a veto override.

By Diana DiGangi • Updated May 25, 2023

Bipartisan Senate bill aims to preserve hydropower fleet, spur gigawatts of pumped storage

“We're optimistic that this can get through Congress this year, which is important because we do have that growing risk of license surrenders looming on the horizon,” Malcolm Woolf, National Hydropower Association CEO, said.

By Ethan Howland • May 17, 2023

USDA offers $10.7B for rural electrification and energy transition

“This represents the single largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936,” the department said.

By Diana DiGangi • May 16, 2023