Wolters Kluwer: Sustainability & ESG Law’s Post

Via Utility Dive: " States and federal agencies shouldn’t wait for Congress to act on clean energy infrastructure: report: Clean energy group Evergreen Action released a suite of proposals for speeding up the permitting, siting and approval of transmission projects without an act from Congress. " #Energy #Utility #Utilities

According to T&D Word, the funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is intended to help electric utilities and grid operators install upgrades with potential to fight climate change and extreme weather, while helping deliver reliable and often renewable energy. The Grid Deployment Office, established in August 2022 to maintain and invest in critical transmission, distribution and generation of power, is allocating $10.5 billion toward the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) projects. There are three different grants that each project falls under; the Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants, Smart Grid Grants, and Innovation Grants. Keep reading to learn how these grants work and how they can help us get a GRIP on grid upgrades! https://bit.ly/3vrjHsM #SouthernStates #SouthernStatesLLC #TDWorld #gridupgrades #grants #gridreliability #electricgrid #utilityindustry #power #powersolutions #inthenews #lastestnews #hamptonga

The Biden administration has allocated $3.5 billion in grants for 58 projects across 44 U.S. states to fortify the aging power grid against extreme weather, fires, and enhance its integration of renewable energy sources. The funding, derived from the bipartisan infrastructure law, marks the most significant direct investment in the grid. The U.S. power grid, much of which is nearly a century old, is under pressure due to climate change-driven events, rising power demand from electric vehicles and AI, and a need for modernization. The projects will add over 35 gigawatts of renewable energy and invest in 400 microgrids, with a focus on maintaining or creating union jobs. This initiative is part of a broader $10.5 billion grid resilience and innovation program managed by the Department of Energy. Some specific projects aim to enhance grid reliability and resilience, expand transmission, and mitigate wildfire risks. #Energy #Electricity #GridResilience #PowerGridModernization #GridProtection #EnergyTransition #InfrastructureInvestment #EnergySecurity #ElectricGrid #ClimateResilience https://lnkd.in/e6_qF4nC

Some interesting news on private wires in Ireland with the publication by DECC of its Guiding Principles for Policy Formulation and Consultation Outcome Summary following the 2023 Private Wires Consultation. Initial thoughts below: 💡 We await publication of the final Private Wires Policy Framework in Q4 2024. 💡 There is no confirmation on whether the revised framework will ease rules on autoproduction e.g. to enable on-site third party generators to export excess electricity to the network. Such a move could help de-risk investment in on-site generation. 💡 Grid-based solutions will remain the primary way to connect generators and consumers of electricity. Where grid-based solutions are available, these will be preferred to private wires. While we await the drafting in the Policy Framework, this would suggest that generators will need to demonstrate why a private wire should be preferred to a grid connection. 💡 Private wires must be built to the same technical and safety standards as the National Electricity Grid and will be capable of being "taken in charge" by the System Operators. This is as industry would expect but it would be useful to have further detail on what is meant by taken in charge and the relevant process e.g. could a system operator assume control of a private wire in order to facilitate the connection of another third party where this is the most efficient means of connection (and would there be any compensation for the original developer in this regard). 💡 Private wires will need to be developed within appropriate planning and environmental assessment requirements and with the consent of the relevant landowners. It appears that private wire developers will not have access to the system operators' powers of compulsory / necessary wayleaves etc. 💡 Any changes to the policy framework must complement other policy objectives e.g. security of supply, offshore wind, hydrogen strategy, the national climate objective etc. This holistic approach is beneficial to the sector as a whole. https://lnkd.in/ex7tp38f Please scroll down for links to the relevant documents.

ARC Launches New Funding Opportunity for Appalachian Regional Energy Hub  Contact: Janiene Bohannon jbohannon@arc.gov (o) 202.884.7771 (m) 202.754.0552 WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2024—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) launched the Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative, a funding opportunity that makes available up to $5 million for eligible applicants to:  Conduct research on natural gas and natural gas liquid supply and demand opportunities; or Support the implementation of an energy hub for hydrogen produced from natural gas using carbon capture technology.  “From the beginning, Appalachia has kept the lights on in this country—and now, our region is well positioned to continue to strengthen regional economies by investing in its energy resilience,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “The Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative’s research and community partnership approach opens the door for our region to be a national model for innovation in energy production, while also maximizing our country’s energy independence.” Congress directed ARC to create this initiative in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021. Applications are due Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Eligible applicants are encouraged review the notice of solicitation of applications and submit questions about the opportunity to energyhub@arc.gov. More about ARC in the comments. #appalachianregionalcommission #energyhub #funding #economicdevelopment #ARC

In its latest five-yearly National Infrastructure Assessment, released this week, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) shares its vision to create a national hydrogen network. While we welcome this decision at National Gas as we have been preparing to develop our national pipelines for hydrogen through Project Union, our CEO has voiced his concerns about the report’s further proposal to decommission the country’s local gas distribution network.   In an interview with City AM, our CEO, Jon Butterworth, discussed the potential consequences of leaning towards full-scale electrification of the local pipelines. By suggesting that we should disconnect local businesses, public services and homes from local gas networks, the NIC’s proposed version of the energy transition poses fundamental questions about our energy security and the future of some key British industries. The feasibility of a full-scale electrification transition to net zero, especially for the millions relying on gas daily, must be considered closely. As Jon laid out, we need a balanced approach to the UK's energy landscape. He warned against the exclusion of hydrogen boilers in favour of electrification and heat pumps as this could compromise the energy sector’s ability to meet the growing demand for heating people's homes. That’s why we need a comprehensive energy transition strategy. While it's clear that there are no easy answers, striking a balance between electrification and gas is vital for the UK's economic and environmental well-being. At National Gas, we’re committed to being part of the solution, leading a clean energy future for everyone. You can read Jon’s interview here: http://bit.ly/3PZJ77C #EnergyTransition

Good for thought

@UtilityDive with a follow up to yesterday's article - a report on proposals to speed up permitting, siting, and approval for transmission projects. "States and federal agencies shouldn’t wait for Congress to act on clean energy infrastructure: report Clean energy group Evergreen Action released a suite of proposals for speeding up the permitting, siting and approval of transmission projects without an act from Congress. The U.S. electrical grid will have to roughly double in size over the next few decades to bring online the unprecedented amount of clean energy projects being developed as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act – a goal that state, local and executive agencies should use their power to work toward without waiting for additional federal legislation, says a new report from clean energy group Evergreen Action. The report, first shared with Utility Dive, makes a case for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, and individual states acting immediately to speed up siting and permitting processes for transmission and clean energy projects. “We think that additional reforms around [the National Environmental Policy Act] and transmission in Congress are a bit of a red herring, and that transmission advocates and folks who want to build out a r

Good article

"The problem results from a combination of circumstances. First, demand for electricity is growing due to the proliferation of electric vehicles and data centers that power artificial intelligence. Second, coal and natural gas-fired power plants that are work horses of the grid are retiring prematurely both because of the climate policies of some states (not Pennsylvania) and because the federal government discourages or bans fossil-fuel power plants and give preferential treatment to renewable energy. As a result, PJM’s interconnection queue now consists almost entirely of renewable energy and battery projects. These technologies alone can’t replace the reliability value of power plants capable of operating around the clock. Pennsylvania’s energy policies have not caused this problem. We generate more electricity than any other state in PJM, and we have not forced the closure of natural gas and coal plants." https://lnkd.in/eBCR3H-R